How to attach a heat pipe wick to a container with a different thermal expansion coefficient

Abstract

The heat pipe includes a container, a container lid including a groove defined therein, a wick, and an end plug operably coupled to the wick, the end plug including a pin extending therefrom, the groove in the container lid configured to receive the pin.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] government contracts This invention was made with government support under Contract DE-NE0008853 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in this invention.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Utility Patent Application No. 16 / 853,345, filed April 20, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] The present invention relates generally to heat pipes used in heat transfer systems, and more particularly to a wick within a heat pipe configured to transport the working fluid of the heat pipe from a condenser region to an evaporator region of the heat pipe. [Background technology]

[0004] A heat pipe is a hermetically sealed, two-phase heat transfer component used to transfer heat from a primary side (evaporator section) to a secondary side (condenser section). FIG. 1 illustrates, by way of example, a heat pipe 100 including the aforementioned evaporator section 102 and condenser section 106 with an adiabatic section 104 extending therebetween. The heat pipe 100 further includes a working fluid (e.g., water, liquid potassium, sodium, or an alkali metal) and a wick 108. During operation, the working fluid is configured to absorb heat and evaporate in the evaporator section 102. Saturated vapor carrying the latent heat of vaporization flows through the adiabatic section 104 toward the condenser section 106. In the condenser section 106, the vapor condenses into a liquid pool 110, releasing its latent heat. The condensed liquid is then transported by capillary action back through the wick 108 to the evaporator section 102. The aforementioned flow path of the working fluid is illustrated by the dashed arrows in FIG. 1. The phase change process and two-phase flow circulation continues as long as the temperature gradient between the evaporator and condenser sections is maintained. Due to the very high heat transfer coefficients for boiling and condensation, heat pipes are very effective heat conductors.

[0005] In nuclear systems, heat pipes are utilized by placing the evaporator section of the heat pipe within the core containing the nuclear fuel and the condenser section near a heat exchanger. The nuclear fuel evaporates the working fluid, and the heat exchanger absorbs the latent heat in the condenser section. Examples of heat pipes in nuclear applications are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,848, U.S. Pat. No. 6,768,781, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0027536, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0006] Another exemplary use of heat pipes in nuclear systems is in microreactors, which are nuclear reactors that generate less than 10 MWe and can be deployed in remote applications. These microreactors are packaged in relatively small vessels, operate without active personnel involvement, and can operate without refueling / repair for longer periods of time than conventional nuclear power plants. One such microreactor is the eVinci microreactor system, designed by Westinghouse Electric Company. The eVinci system is a heat-pipe-cooled nuclear reactor power system that utilizes heat pipes to function as passive heat removal devices, efficiently transferring thermal energy from the reactor core to a heat exchanger.

[0007] Heat pipes used in microreactors are subject to extreme operating temperatures (over 850°C) and require an internal wick made from a material that can withstand these temperatures and is compatible with the working fluid. This wick can be constructed from wire mesh that is rolled and diffusion bonded together into a tubular structure. The wick tube allows the working fluid within the heat pipe to pass radially (e.g., after the latent heat is released and the working fluid is absorbed by the wick) and along its axis (transporting the working fluid back toward the evaporator section by capillary action) while remaining rigid.

[0008] In some instances, it may be desirable to fabricate the heat pipe container 112 from a different material than the wick 108. As one example, it may be important to maintain good mechanical properties for the container 112, such as the ability to withstand the high operating pressures of the heat pipe, to mitigate structural concerns. These same mechanical requirements are not imposed on the wick 108. Furthermore, the outside of the container 112 will be exposed to a different environment that may see a wider range of materials and chemical interactions. This may necessitate the use of a container 112 material that is incompatible with the working fluid on its interior.

[0009] Generally, during assembly of the heat pipe 100, a container lid 114 (made of the same material as the container 112) is used to seal the wick 108 and working fluid within the container 112 of the heat pipe 100. The container lid 114 includes an end plug 116 extending therefrom that is configured to couple to the wick 108 at an interface 118. A seal must be maintained at the interface 116 between the end plug 116 of the heat pipe 100 and the evaporator section 102 of the wick 108. Methods for directly coupling the wick 108 and end plug 116 at the interface 118 include welding, diffusion bonding, and brazing. These methods are not ideal for joining dissimilar metals that are susceptible to different thermal expansion characteristics (differential thermal coefficients (DTEs)). Repeated thermal cycling of materials through DTEs can result in failure over time, shorting out the heat pipe 100's ability to perform its intended function. In this case, the failure is a defect that results in a pore size larger than the pores in the wick 108, typically on the order of 10 micrometers. Therefore, utilizing dissimilar wick 108 and container lid / end plug 116 materials poses a risk of failure over time.

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a heat pipe that includes a heat pipe container and a wick made of dissimilar materials, avoiding failure mechanisms associated with DTE and dissimilar material compatibility. Summary of the Invention

[0011] In various embodiments, a heat pipe includes a container, a container lid including a groove defined therein, a wick, and an end plug operably coupled to the wick, the end plug including a pin extending therefrom, and the groove in the container lid configured to receive the pin.

[0012] In various embodiments, a wick assembly for use in a heat pipe assembly including a container and a container lid is disclosed. The wick assembly includes a wick and an end plug coupled to the wick. The end plug includes a rod extending therefrom. The rod is configured to be inserted into a recess defined in the container lid.

[0013] In various embodiments, a heat pipe is disclosed that includes a container, a wick, and an end plug coupled to the wick. The container includes a lid including a first material and a recess defined therein. The wick includes a second material. The second material is different from the first material. The end plug includes a shaft extending therefrom. The recess in the lid is configured to receive the shaft. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] The various features of the embodiments described herein, together with their advantages, may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a heat pipe having a container lid with end plugs extending therefrom.

[0016] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a heat pipe having a container lid and end plugs according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a heat pipe having two container lids and end plugs according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set forth herein illustrate various embodiments of the present invention in one form and such exemplifications should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention in any manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and therefore, it will be understood that specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and exemplary. Variations and modifications thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a heat pipe 200 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The heat pipe 200 includes an evaporator section 202, a condenser section 206, and an adiabatic section 204 extending therebetween. The heat pipe 200 further includes a working fluid (e.g., water, liquid potassium, sodium, or an alkali metal) and a wick 208 disposed in a container 212. During operation, the working fluid is configured to absorb heat and evaporate in the evaporator section 202. Saturated vapor carrying the latent heat of vaporization flows through the adiabatic section 204 toward the condenser section 206. In the condenser section 206, the vapor condenses into a liquid pool 210, condensing and releasing its latent heat. The condensed liquid then returns to the evaporator section 202 through the wick 208 by capillary action. The aforementioned flow path of the working fluid is illustrated by the dashed arrows in FIG. 2. The phase change process and two-phase circulation continue as long as a temperature gradient between the evaporator section and the condenser section is maintained.

[0021] The wick 208 material is selected so that the wick 208 is compatible with the working fluid of the heat pipe 200 (e.g., an alkali metal) and can withstand the high operating temperatures of the heat pipe 200 (>850°C). During operation, the wick 208 can expand and contract based on the thermal expansion characteristics of the wick 208. As an example, a wick 208 made from 300 series stainless steel has high thermal expansion characteristics and experiences large fluctuations in size during operation of the heat pipe 200.

[0022] The heat pipe 200 further includes an end plug 216 that can be joined and coupled to the wick 208 at an interface 218. The wick 208 can be coupled to the end plug 216 by any suitable coupling method, such as welding, diffusion bonding, brazing, fasteners, adhesives, or any suitable form of coupling. The end plug 216 further includes a centering pin 220 extending therefrom.

[0023] The end plug 216 can be constructed of the same, or at least substantially the same, material as the wick 208 so that the thermal expansion characteristics of the wick 208 and the end plug 216 are the same, or at least substantially the same. The end plug 216 is made from the same, or at least substantially the same, material as the wick 208 to avoid failure mechanisms associated with the DTE and the compatibility of dissimilar materials between the wick 208 and the end plug 216. In other embodiments, the wick 208 and the end plug 216 may comprise dissimilar materials that include the same, or at least substantially the same, coefficients of thermal expansion so that the wick 208 and the end plug 216 expand and contract at similar rates while mitigating failures associated with the DTE.

[0024] The heat pipe 200 further includes a container lid 214. Unlike the heat pipe 100 shown in FIG. 1, the container lid 214 and the end plug 216 are separate, independent components. The container lid 214 includes grooves or recesses 222 defined therein that can receive pins 220 extending from the end plug 216, thereby coupling the end plug 216 to the container lid 214. The pins 220 and grooves 222 are configured to center the wick 208 within the container 212, which is important to the thermal performance of the heat pipe 200. Furthermore, the grooves 222 include a length that is the same as, or at least substantially the same as, the length of the pins 220. Other embodiments are contemplated where the length of the grooves 222 and the length of the pins 220 are different.

[0025] During operation, as the wick 208 expands and contracts due to the fluctuating operating temperatures experienced by the heat pipe 200, the pin 220 can slide within the groove 222 to accommodate axial movement of the wick 208 and end plug 216. The groove 222 can include a sufficient length such that the pin 220 abuts the end 224 of the groove 222 at the same time, or at least substantially the same time, as the end plug 216 contacts the container lid 214. In another embodiment, the groove 222 can include a length such that the pin 220 abuts the end 224 of the groove 222 before the end plug 216 contacts the container lid 214. In another embodiment, the end plug 216 can contact the container lid 214 before the pin 220 abuts the end 224 of the groove 222. The use of the pin 220 / groove 222 allows the container 212 and container lid 214 to be constructed or manufactured from a different material than the wick 208 and end plug 216. By isolating the sealing interface 218 as a separate component that can move relative to the container 212 and container lid 214, the failure mechanism associated with DTE in bonded plug / heat pipe designs is eliminated. As described in connection with FIG. 1, existing methods of forming annular heat pipe wicks require bonding the wick to the container / end plug.

[0026] The pin 220 and groove 222 may include any suitable cross-sectional shape such that the pin 220 can slide axially through the groove 222 based on the expansion and contraction of the wick 208. In one embodiment, the pin 220 and groove 222 may include a circular cross-sectional shape. Use of a circular cross-sectional shape allows the pin 220 to slide within the groove 222 but allows the end plug 216 to rotate relative to the container lid 214. In other embodiments, the pin 220 and groove 222 may include a square cross-sectional shape. Use of a circular cross-sectional shape allows the pin 220 to slide within the groove 222 but also allows the end plug 216 to rotate relative to the container lid 214. Other suitable cross-sectional shapes are contemplated, such as, for example, oval, star-shaped, pentagonal, or octagonal cross-sectional shapes. The small diameter or cross-sectional shape of the pin 220 allows for tight part tolerances, even considering the large DTE between the wick 208 material and the container lid 214 or container 212 material.

[0027] The above-described invention applies to heat pipe materials with larger or smaller coefficients of thermal expansion compared to the wick. The container groove 222 is designed to allow for expansion or contraction of the length of the wick 208 (relative to the heat pipe container 212) by appropriately sizing the groove 220 dimensions and by appropriately setting the initial position of the pin 220.

[0028] While Figure 2 shows the heat pipe 200 having a single container lid 214 / groove 222 / end plug 216 / pin 220, other heat pipes are contemplated, such as heat pipes such as the heat pipe 300 shown in Figure 3, which include container lids 214 / grooves 222 / end plugs 216 / pins 220 at both ends of the heat pipe. The use of multiple container lids 214 / grooves 222 / end plugs 216 / pins 220 allows the wick to thermally expand in more than one direction. [Example]

[0029] Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the following examples.

[0030] Example 1 - A heat pipe comprising a container, a container lid including a groove defined therein, a wick, and an end plug operably coupled to the wick, the end plug including a pin extending therefrom, and the groove in the container lid configured to receive the pin.

[0031] Example 2 - The heat pipe of example 1, wherein the wick comprises a first material. The end plug comprises a second material, and the first material is substantially the same as the second material.

[0032] Example 3 - The heat pipe of example 1, wherein the wick comprises a first material. The container comprises a second material. The first material and the second material are different.

[0033] Example 4 - The heat pipe of example 3, wherein the end plug comprises the first material.

[0034] Example 5 - The heat pipe of any one of Examples 1-4, wherein the pin comprises a first cross-sectional shape. The groove comprises a second cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are substantially identical.

[0035] Example 6 - The heat pipe of any one of Examples 1-5, wherein the pin is configured to center the wick within the container.

[0036] Example 7 - The heat pipe of any one of Examples 1-6, wherein the pin is slidable within the groove based on the expansion and contraction of the wick.

[0037] Example 8 - A wick assembly for use in a heat pipe assembly including a container and a container lid. The wick assembly includes a wick and an end plug coupled to the wick. The end plug includes a rod extending therefrom. The rod is configured to be inserted into a recess defined in the container lid.

[0038] Example 9 - The wick assembly of example 8, wherein the wick comprises a first material. The end plugs comprise a second material. The first material is substantially the same as the second material.

[0039] Example 10 - The wick assembly of example 8, wherein the wick comprises a first material. The container comprises a second material. The first material and the second material are different.

[0040] Example 11 - The wick assembly of Example 10, wherein the end plug comprises a first material.

[0041] Example 12 - The wick assembly of any one of Examples 8-11, wherein the rod comprises a first cross-sectional shape. The recess comprises a second cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are substantially identical.

[0042] Example 13 - A wick assembly according to any one of Examples 8-12, wherein the rod is configured to center the wick within the container.

[0043] Example 14 - A wick assembly according to any one of Examples 8-13, wherein the rod is slidable within the recess upon expansion and contraction of the wick.

[0044] Example 15 - A heat pipe including a container, a wick, and an end plug coupled to the wick. The container includes a lid including a first material and a recess defined therein. The wick includes a second material. The second material is different from the first material. The end plug includes a shaft extending therefrom. The recess in the container lid is configured to receive the shaft.

[0045] Example 16 - The heat pipe of example 15, wherein the end plug comprises a third material substantially identical to the second material.

[0046] Example 17 - The heat pipe of example 15 or 16, wherein the shaft comprises a first cross-sectional shape. The recess comprises a second cross-sectional shape. The first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are substantially identical.

[0047] Example 18 - A heat pipe according to any one of Examples 15-17, wherein the shaft is configured to center the wick within the container.

[0048] Example 19 - A heat pipe according to any one of Examples 15-18, wherein the shaft is slidable within the groove based on the expansion and contraction of the wick.

[0049] Unless otherwise specifically stated as is apparent from the above disclosure, throughout the above disclosure, discussions using terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," "displaying," and the like refer to the acts and processes of a computer system or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the computer system's registers and memory into other data that is similarly represented as physical quantities in the computer system's memory or registers, or other such information storage, transmission, or display device.

[0050] One or more components may be referred to herein as being "configured to," "configurable to," "operable to," "adapted to," "capable to," "adaptable to," etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, unless the context requires otherwise, "configured to" may generally encompass active components and / or inactive components and / or standby components.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the terms used in this specification, generally, and in the appended claims in particular (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "include" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that where a specific number of claim recitations are intended to be introduced, such intention will be expressly recited in the claim; in the absence of such recitation, no such intention exists. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain the use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as implying that introducing a claim recitation with the indefinite article "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such an introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when that same claim includes the introductory phrase "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should typically be construed to mean "at least one" or "one or more"), nor should the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

[0052] Furthermore, even when a specific number of introduced claim recitations is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., an explicit recitation of "two recitations" without other modifiers typically means at least two recitations, or more than two recitations. Furthermore, in such cases where a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, such structure is generally intended in the sense that those skilled in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include, but is not limited to, systems having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). Conventions similar to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, generally, such structure is intended in the sense that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include, but is not limited to, systems having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that typical disjunctive words and / or phrases presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibility of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms, unless the context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase "A or B" would typically be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0053] With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will understand that the operations recited therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, while various operational flow diagrams are presented in sequences, it should be understood that various operations may be performed in other orders than those illustrated, or may be performed simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preliminary, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or various other orderings, unless the context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, unless the context dictates otherwise, terms such as "responsive to," "related to," or other past tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variations.

[0054] It should be noted that any reference to "one embodiment," "one embodiment," "one example," "one example," etc. means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in one embodiment," "in one example," and "in one example" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0055] Any patent applications, patents, non-patent publications, or other disclosure materials referenced herein and / or listed in any Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that such materials are not inconsistent with this specification. Accordingly, and to the extent necessary, the present disclosure as expressly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated herein by reference but that conflicts with existing definitions, descriptions, or other disclosure material set forth herein is incorporated only to the extent that there is no conflict between the incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

[0056] The terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of have, such as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of include, such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (and any form of contain, such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. Consequently, a system that "includes," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that "includes," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. The terms "substantially," "about," or "approximately," as used in this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, refer to an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the terms "substantially," "about," or "approximately" mean within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the terms "substantially," "about," or "approximately" mean within 50%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

[0057] In summary, numerous benefits resulting from employing the concepts described herein are described. The foregoing description of one or more embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The one or more embodiments were selected and described in order to illustrate the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to utilize the various embodiments and with various modifications suitable for the particular use contemplated. The claims filed herein are intended to define the overall scope. The following items are elements that are claimed in the international application: (Item 1) A heat pipe, A container and a container lid including a groove defined therein; Wick and an end plug operably coupled to the wick, the end plug having a pin extending therefrom, the groove in the container lid configured to receive the pin; A heat pipe comprising: (Item 2) Item 1. The heat pipe of item 1, wherein the wick comprises a first material and the end plug comprises a second material, the first material being substantially the same as the second material. (Item 3) Item 1. The heat pipe of item 1, wherein the wick comprises a first material and the container comprises a second material, the first material and the second material being different. (Item 4) Item 4. The heat pipe of item 3, wherein the end plug comprises the first material. (Item 5) Item 1. The heat pipe of item 1, wherein the pin includes a first cross-sectional shape and the groove includes a second cross-sectional shape, and the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are substantially identical. (Item 6) Item 2. The heat pipe of item 1, wherein the pin is configured to center the wick within the container. (Item 7) Item 1, wherein the pin is slidable within the groove based on expansion and contraction of the wick. (Item 8) 1. A wick assembly for use with a heat pipe assembly including a container and a container lid, said wick assembly comprising: Wick and an end plug coupled to the wick, the end plug having a rod extending therefrom, the rod configured to be inserted into a recess defined in the container lid; A wick assembly comprising: (Item 9) Item 9. The wick assembly of item 8, wherein the wick comprises a first material and the end plugs comprise a second material, the first material being substantially the same as the second material. (Item 10) Item 9. The wick assembly of item 8, wherein the wick comprises a first material and the container comprises a second material, the first material and the second material being different. (Item 11) Item 11. The wick assembly of item 10, wherein the end plug comprises the first material. (Item 12) Item 9. The wick assembly of item 8, wherein the rod comprises a first cross-sectional shape and the recess comprises a second cross-sectional shape, and the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are substantially identical. (Item 13) Item 9. The wick assembly of item 8, wherein the rod is configured to center the wick within the container. (Item 14) Item 9. The wick assembly of item 8, wherein the rod is slidable within the recess based on expansion and contraction of the wick. (Item 15) A heat pipe, A container, The first material; a lid including a recess defined therein; the container comprising: a wick comprising a second material, the second material being different from the first material; and an end plug coupled to the wick and including a shaft extending therefrom, the recess in the lid designed and dimensioned to receive the shaft; A heat pipe comprising: (Item 16) Item 16. The heat pipe of item 15, wherein the end plug comprises a third material substantially identical to the second material. (Item 17) Item 16. The heat pipe of item 15, wherein the shaft includes a first cross-sectional shape and the recess includes a second cross-sectional shape, and the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are substantially identical. (Item 18) Item 16. The heat pipe of item 15, wherein the shaft is configured to center the wick within the container. (Item 19) Item 16. The heat pipe of item 15, wherein the shaft is slidable within the recess based on the expansion and contraction of the wick.

Claims

1. A heat pipe, A container and a container lid including a groove defined therein; a wick including a first material; an end plug operably coupled to the wick, the end plug comprising a second material, the end plug having a pin extending therefrom, the groove in the container lid configured to receive the pin, the first material and the second material being the same; Equipped with The heat pipe, wherein the container and the container lid, and the wick are made of materials having different thermal expansion coefficients.

2. A heat pipe as described in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a third material, and the first material and the third material are different.

3. 3. The heat pipe of claim 1, wherein the pin includes a first cross-sectional shape and the groove includes a second cross-sectional shape, the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape being the same.

4. The heat pipe of claim 1 , wherein the pin is configured to center the wick within the container.

5. The heat pipe of claim 1 , wherein the pin is slidable within the groove based on expansion and contraction of the wick.

6. 1. A wick assembly for use with a heat pipe assembly including a container and a container lid, said wick assembly comprising: a wick including a first material; an end plug coupled to the wick, the end plug including a second material, the end plug having a rod extending therefrom, the rod configured to be inserted into a recess defined in the container lid, the first material being the same as the second material; Equipped with The container and container lid, and the wick are made of materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion.

7. A wick assembly as described in claim 6, wherein the container comprises a third material, and the first material and the third material are different.

8. 8. The wick assembly of claim 6 or 7, wherein the rod comprises a first cross-sectional shape and the recess comprises a second cross-sectional shape, and the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are the same.

9. 9. A wick assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the rod is configured to centre the wick within the container.

10. 10. A wick assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the rod is slidable within the recess upon expansion and contraction of the wick.

11. A heat pipe, A container, The first material; a lid including a recess defined therein; the container comprising: a wick comprising a second material, the second material being different from the first material; and an end plug coupled to the wick, the end plug comprising a third material, the end plug having a shaft extending therefrom, the recess in the lid designed and dimensioned to receive the shaft, the third material being the same as the second material; Equipped with The heat pipe, wherein the container and lid and the wick are made of materials with different thermal expansion coefficients.

12. The heat pipe of claim 11 , wherein the shaft includes a first cross-sectional shape and the recess includes a second cross-sectional shape, and the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are the same.

13. The heat pipe of claim 11 or 12, wherein the shaft is configured to center the wick within the container.

14. The heat pipe of claim 11 , wherein the shaft is slidable within the recess based on expansion and contraction of the wick.

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