Three-Dimensional Pulsating Heat Pipe Coiled Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulsating heat pipes have limitations in thermal transmission efficiency due to their two-dimensional structure and random distribution of vapor bubbles and liquid slugs, which affects their ability to effectively manage heat transfer between heat sources and cold sources.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe design featuring a coiled structure with varying effective pipe cross-sectional areas in adiabatic sections, allowing for controlled fluid flow and enhanced thermal conductivity, and the ability to operate in multiple orientations without significant performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional two-dimensional pulsating heat pipe structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the thermal transmission efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional two-dimensional pulsating heat pipe structure to a three-dimensional coiled structure. The pipe is wound into loops arranged in multiple layers, creating a three-dimensional configuration that significantly increases the heat transfer surface area and improves thermal transmission efficiency while maintaining reasonable device complexity
2Loss of energy
If the pipe member has uniform cross-sectional area, then the manufacturing precision is easier to maintain, but the fluid flow control and thermal conductivity are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality variation by designing different cross-sectional areas for different sections of the pipe member. Specifically, the pipe has a first cross-sectional area in the evaporator section and a second cross-sectional area in the condenser section, with the ratio between them being 0.5-2.0. This localized variation optimizes fluid flow distribution and thermal conductivity in different regions of the heat pipe
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional bending methods are used for two-dimensional heat pipes, then the ease of manufacture is good, but additional bending tools and processes are required for complex structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous curvature by winding the pipe member into a coiled structure with smooth loops. This curved three-dimensional configuration eliminates the need for sharp bends and complex angular joints, allowing the heat pipe to be manufactured using standard bending processes while achieving a complex three-dimensional form factor
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The three-dimensional design achieves higher thermal transmission efficiency, with a maximum heat flux five times greater than conventional pulsating heat pipes and maintains effective cooling performance across different orientations, while reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating the need for additional bending tools.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the capillary dimension of the PHP, a train of liquid slugs and vapor bubbles having menisci on their edges is formed because of surface tension
Implementation Method 2
When the evaporator section receives heat to heat up the vapor bubbles therein, the pressure difference between the evaporator section and condenser section occurs
Implementation Method 3
pushes the liquid slugs toward the condenser section where both vapor bubbles and liquid slugs are cooled down
Implementation Method 4
The pressure difference, caused by random distribution and various sizes of the vapor bubbles and the liquid slugs, drives the working fluid to oscillate intensively in the pipes
Implementation Method 5
a train of liquid slugs and vapor bubbles having menisci on their edges is formed
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe includes a pipe member and a connecting member. The pipe member is coiled around an axis to form a plurality of loop portions, and the loop portions are arranged in order along the axis so as to form a three-dimensional coiled structure. The three-dimensional coiled structure has a heat receiving section, and the pipe member has different effective pipe cross-sectional areas on two opposite sides adjacent to the heat receiving section. The connecting member is connected to two ends of the pipe member, such that the connecting member and the pipe member together form a closed loop.