Loop Heat Pipe Dual Flow Path Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loop heat pipes experience a decrease in heat transport performance as ambient temperature increases, due to the vaporization of the working fluid in the liquid pipe, which reduces fluidity and degrades cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a loop heat pipe design with a first and second flow path, each with its own evaporator, condenser, and transport pipes, where the working fluid is sealed at different internal pressures to maintain optimal operating temperatures and prevent vapor backflow, utilizing a porous body to enhance capillary action and fluid circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the working fluid is sealed at a single internal pressure in a conventional loop heat pipe, then the device structure is simple, but the heat transport performance decreases at higher ambient temperatures due to vaporization in the liquid pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The loop heat pipe is divided into multiple flow paths (first flow path and second flow path), each with independent pressure control. This segmentation allows each flow path to operate at optimal pressure for different temperature conditions, preventing vaporization in the liquid pipe while maintaining effective heat transport across a wider temperature range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the working fluid pressure is increased to prevent vaporization at high temperatures, then vapor backflow is prevented, but the operating temperature range is limited and fluidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different flow paths are assigned different internal pressures tailored to their specific operational requirements. The first flow path operates at a higher pressure to prevent vaporization at elevated temperatures, while the second flow path operates at a lower pressure to maintain better fluidity at lower temperatures. This localized pressure optimization expands the overall operating temperature range while maintaining reliable heat transport performance.
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 design effectively widens the operating temperature range and maintains heat transport performance even at higher ambient temperatures by ensuring the working fluid remains in a liquid phase within the pipes, preventing vaporization and maintaining efficient heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
The working fluid in the liquid pipe is guided to the evaporator by a capillary force generated in the porous body to prevent vapor from reversely flowing from the evaporator into the liquid pipe
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator configured to vaporize a working fluid with the heat of a heat generating component
Implementation Method 3
a condenser configured to cool and condense the vaporized working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A loop heat pipe includes a first flow path, a second flow path over the first flow path, and a divider provided between the first flow path and the second flow path. Each of the first flow path and the second flow path includes an evaporator configured to vaporize a working fluid, a condenser configured to condense the working fluid, a first transport pipe connecting the evaporator and the condenser, and a second transport pipe connecting the evaporator and the condenser and forming a loop flow path with the transport pipe.