Heat Exchanger With Embedded Heat Pipe For Longitudinal Heat Spreading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger designs with low thermal conductivity heat transfer structures are ineffective in spreading heat longitudinally and laterally, leading to inefficient heat transfer beyond the region close to the heat source, and the addition of heat pipes introduces thermal resistance in the heat transfer path.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a heat pipe within the heat transfer structure itself, parallel to the heat transfer surface, to distribute heat evenly across the surface area and enhance heat transfer to the coolant without adding thermal resistance between the heat source and coolant flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If heat transfer structures with large surface areas are used within limited spaces, then heat transfer area is increased, but thermal conductivity is reduced due to thin structures limiting heat conduction over longer distances
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is embedded within the heat transfer structure, with the evaporator section positioned at the heat source location and the condenser section extending into the fluid flow path. This nested configuration allows the heat pipe to be integrated inside the existing heat transfer structure without increasing external dimensions, thereby maintaining large surface area while improving heat conduction through the high thermal conductivity of the heat pipe material.
2Temperature
If heat pipes are added between the heat source and envelope or within the wall of the envelope, then heat spreading is improved, but thermal resistance is increased in the heat transfer path
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe acts as an intermediary heat transfer component embedded within the heat transfer structure. The evaporator section receives heat directly from the heat source through good thermal contact, and the condenser section transfers heat to the cooling fluid through the heat transfer structure walls. This intermediary configuration allows heat spreading while minimizing thermal resistance by using the heat pipe's high thermal conductivity and direct coupling with both heat source and coolant.
3Productivity
If heat transfer structures are placed close to the heat source to maximize heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency near the source is improved, but heat spreading longitudinally and laterally is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe extends in the longitudinal direction along the heat transfer structure, with the evaporator section at the heat source and the condenser section extending downstream into the fluid flow path. This longitudinal extension allows heat to be spread along the length of the heat transfer structure, utilizing heat transfer surfaces that would otherwise be underutilized. The heat pipe effectively adds a dimensional component to heat spreading, transforming localized heat transfer into distributed heat transfer along the flow direction.
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
This approach significantly improves heat transfer efficiency by maintaining uniform temperature across the heat transfer structure, increasing heat transfer to the coolant and reducing the size of the heat exchanger needed for each heat source, while avoiding additional thermal resistance in the heat flow path.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention places a heat pipe, a high heat transfer device, into the heat transfer structure itself
Implementation Method 2
The heat pipe spreads the incoming heat over a larger part of the surface area of the heat transfer structure
Implementation Method 3
facilitate convective heat transfer between the heat transfer structure and the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a heat exchanger transferring heat from a small heat source to a moving fluid. The inherent limitation of such a system is that most of the heat transfer to the fluid occurs only in the immediate vicinity of the heat input even though a large surface area heat transfer structure such as fins or small fluid passages is used to enhance the heat transfer within the heat exchanger. The invention adds a heat pipe inside the heat exchanger enclosure and in contact with the heat transfer structure. The heat pipe spreads the incoming heat over a larger part of the surface area of the heat transfer structure and improves the heat transfer to the cooling fluid by furnishing multiple heat transfer locations without adding extra thermal resistance between the heat source and the fluid flow.