Hydrofluoroolefin Heat Pipe Structure for Low-Temperature Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pipes using water as a working fluid face freezing issues in low-temperature environments, leading to degraded performance and restricted installation flexibility and space usage, especially in loop-type designs.
Innovation Solution
A heat pipe design incorporating hydrofluoroolefin as the working fluid, with a wick structural body featuring fine grooves or porous bodies on the inner surface, allowing for non-loop-type circulation and improved heat transfer characteristics, even in low-temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is used as a working fluid in a heat pipe, then heat transfer performance is improved, but the heat pipe cannot operate in low-temperature environments due to freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the working fluid from water to hydrofluoroolefin, which has a lower freezing point. This parameter change enables the heat pipe to operate reliably in low-temperature environments while maintaining effective heat transfer function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite working fluid system comprising hydrofluoroolefin and optionally other compatible fluids. This composite approach combines the low-temperature performance of hydrofluoroolefin with the heat transfer characteristics of complementary fluids, achieving both low-temperature operability and reliable heat transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a loop-type heat pipe configuration is used, then installation flexibility is improved, but space consumption increases and mounting in narrow spaces becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the liquid return passage is positioned inside the vapor transport passage. This nesting arrangement allows both fluid circulation paths to coexist within a compact volume, enabling flexible installation in narrow spaces without requiring the separate vapor and liquid pipes of traditional loop-type heat pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional loop configuration to a three-dimensional nested structure. By arranging passages in different spatial dimensions (vapor passage as outer path, liquid passage as inner path), the design achieves installation flexibility without increasing the overall footprint, enabling mounting in narrow spaces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a shared pipe is used for vapor and liquid circulation, then installation flexibility is improved, but circulation of the working fluid is encumbered due to counterflow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the shared pipe into functionally distinct regions: an inner liquid return passage and an outer vapor transport passage. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each flow path while maintaining the space-saving benefits of a shared pipe structure, preventing circulation encumbrance despite the compact arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different parts of the shared pipe system. The inner passage is optimized for liquid return with appropriate diameter and surface characteristics, while the outer passage is optimized for vapor transport. This local quality differentiation ensures efficient circulation in each region while maintaining overall installation flexibility.
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
Prevents freezing and enhances circulation characteristics while enabling space-saving and flexible installation, with hydrofluoroolefin providing reliable heat transfer performance across varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a wick structural body provided inside the container... the wick structural body includes a fine groove provided on an inner surface of the container and/or a porous body provided on the inner surface of the container
Implementation Method 2
the working fluid having undergone a phase change from the liquid phase to the vapor phase at an evaporator
Implementation Method 3
the working fluid having undergone a phase change from the liquid phase to the vapor phase at an evaporator
Implementation Method 4
the working fluid having undergone a phase change from the vapor phase to the liquid phase by discharging latent heat at the condenser
Implementation Method 5
the working fluid having undergone a phase change from the vapor phase to the liquid phase by discharging latent heat at the condenser
Implementation Method 6
the working fluid in the liquid phase returns from the condenser to the evaporator by the action of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pipe including: a container including one end portion and another end portion opposite the one end portion, an end face of the one end portion and an end face of the other end portion being sealed; a wick structural body provided inside the container; and a working fluid encapsulated inside the container, wherein the wick structural body includes a fine groove provided on an inner surface of the container and/or a porous body provided on the inner surface of the container, and the working fluid contains hydrofluoroolefin.