Separable Heat Pipe Wick Joints for Modular Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pipes are not reconnectable due to breaks or discontinuities in porous wicks disrupting liquid flow, limiting the disassembly and customization of thermal management systems, and imposing constraints on component layout and thermal performance.
Innovation Solution
The development of separable and reconnectable heat pipes using a compressible porous insert that maintains capillary force across wicks, allowing modular and customizable thermal management systems with minimal pressure drop and enhanced fluid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heat pipes use continuous porous wicks for liquid transport, then liquid flow is maintained through capillary action, but the heat pipe cannot be disassembled or reconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is divided into multiple separable sections with external porous wicks that extend beyond the tube ends. These external wicks allow liquid transport between sections without requiring internal wick continuity, enabling disassembly and reconnection while maintaining liquid flow capability.
Solution Approach 2:
External porous wicks act as intermediary elements that bridge the gap between separated heat pipe sections. These wicks provide a dedicated liquid transport path that is independent of the internal tube connection, allowing sections to be disconnected and reconnected while maintaining capillary liquid flow.
2Temperature
If thermal interfaces are mechanically bolted to heat pipe evaporator sections, then heat rejection is achieved, but component layout design and thermal performance are significantly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is segmented into independent modular sections with external wicks. This allows thermal interfaces to be positioned flexibly at different locations along the heat pipe sections without requiring complex mechanical bolted connections, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid transport function is moved from the internal one-dimensional path to external porous wicks that can extend in multiple directions. This dimensional change allows thermal interfaces to be accessed from various orientations and positions, greatly improving layout flexibility.
3Reliability
If adhesive is used at the thermal interface, then heat pipe sections can be connected, but separation for ground transportation and testing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separable sections connected through external wick interfaces rather than permanent adhesive bonds. This segmentation allows sections to be easily separated for ground transportation and testing while maintaining reliable thermal performance when connected, as the external wicks provide robust liquid transport capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional fittings are used to connect heat pipe sections, then outer tubes can be joined, but the capillary structure inside the tube cannot be connected
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary structure is separated from the tube structure, with external porous wicks providing the capillary function. This allows conventional fittings to join the outer tubes while the external wicks maintain liquid transport capability without requiring precise internal wick alignment, greatly simplifying manufacturing and connection.
Solution Approach 2:
External porous wicks serve as intermediary liquid transport elements that are independent of the internal tube connection mechanism. This decoupling allows conventional mechanical fittings to join tubes while the external wicks provide reliable capillary liquid flow between sections.
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
Enables flexible system design, repair, and improved thermal performance by allowing modular connections and reducing mechanical constraints, while maintaining effective capillary action and fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
the body includes a capillary structure to allow for liquid transport
Implementation Method 2
the body further includes a central region to provide compressibility, where the central region provides an elastic displacement of at least 0.2 mm
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for thermal management using separable heat pipes and methods of manufacture thereof. Various embodiments provide a porous insert that can be used to join or connect heat pipes. Further embodiments provide thermal management systems that are modular, expandable, reparable, by allowing for joining of evaporators, condensers, and adiabatic sections via porous inserts. Various embodiments allow for two-phase thermal management systems, where liquid and gaseous phases can be transported simultaneously. Certain embodiments incorporate heat generating components with embedded evaporators and/or condensers. Many embodiments are additively manufactured, including via 3D printing.