Segmented Foil Wick Structure for Heat Pipe Pressure Loss Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pipes face challenges in reducing pressure loss of working fluids while maintaining capillary force, which affects their heat transport characteristics, especially with existing wick structures like undulating fins and sintered metal powders that suffer from increased pressure loss due to complex flow paths and insufficient capillary force.
Innovation Solution
A wick structure comprising multiple foils erected opposite to each other, connected via a structure holding portion, with a porous member between adjacent foils, made of materials like metal, ceramics, or carbon, having an aspect ratio between 2 and 1000, and surface roughness between 0.01 μm and 1 μm, to reduce pressure loss and enhance capillary force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the surface area of the wick structure is increased to enhance capillary force, then the capillary force is improved, but the pressure loss when the working fluid flows through the wick structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wick structure is divided into multiple independent foils arranged side by side, each foil contributing to capillary force while maintaining separate flow paths. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve high capillary force through increased surface area without creating the complex interconnected paths that cause pressure loss in traditional sintered or mesh structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The foils are erected in a vertical orientation perpendicular to the heat pipe wall, utilizing the vertical dimension to maximize surface area for capillary action. This vertical arrangement creates open, unobstructed horizontal flow paths for the working fluid, separating the capillary force generation dimension from the fluid flow dimension and thereby reducing pressure loss.
2Force
If traditional wick structures like sintered metal powder or metal mesh are used to obtain predetermined capillary force, then capillary force is achieved, but the working fluid suffers pressure loss due to complexity of the shape of flow path
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a monolithic sintered or mesh structure with complex internal pathways, the invention segments the wick into multiple discrete foils. Each foil has a simple, flat geometry with straightforward edges, creating inherently simple flow paths between them while collectively providing sufficient capillary surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The foils are positioned with specific spacing and orientation to create localized capillary zones at their edges where the working fluid contacts them. This local concentration of capillary action at foil edges provides effective capillary force without requiring complex flow paths throughout the entire wick structure.
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 wick structure effectively reduces pressure loss and enhances capillary force, leading to improved heat transport characteristics and thermal conductivity, allowing for efficient heat transfer in heat pipes without impairing reflux capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the wick structure is also required to have enhanced capillary force, it is also necessary to increase the surface area of an interface between the working fluid and the wick structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a wick structure accommodated in a container of a heat pipe having plural foils and a structure holding portion for fixing the foils. The respective foils are held by the structure holding portion, whereby the foils are positions and arrange in parallel. The foil is connected to the other foils including the other adjacent foils via the structure holding portion.