Serial Thermosyphon Overcoming Elevation Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thermosyphon devices are limited by the elevation requirement of the condenser relative to the evaporator, which restricts their utility and maximum heat transport distance due to pressure losses and limited boiling heat transfer coefficients.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a serially configured thermosyphon system that allows condensation to occur below the evaporator, utilizing excess pressure head from one condenser-evaporator coupling to overcome pressure deficits in subsequent couplings, with a proportion of condensation occurring below the evaporator ranging from 50% to 90% of the total height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the condenser is positioned above the evaporator in a conventional thermosyphon, then gravity can drive liquid back to the evaporator, but the elevation limitation restricts the maximum heat transport distance and operational flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transport distanceVSAvoidcondenser location flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The thermosyphon system is divided into multiple serially connected evaporator-condenser units. Each unit can independently contribute pressure head, allowing the system to overcome elevation limitations and extend the maximum heat transport distance while enabling flexible condenser positioning above, below, or at the same level as evaporators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple evaporator-condenser units are merged into a single serial system where the pressure heads from each condenser-evaporator coupling combine to drive liquid flow. This merging allows the system to overcome the elevation limitations of individual units and achieve greater operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Length of moving object

If a wick is used in heat pipes to pump liquid through capillarity, then liquid can be transported from condenser to evaporator, but the wick produces high pressure loss that limits maximum heat transport distance and power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transport distanceVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The wick structure is removed from the system. Instead of using capillary pumping through a wick, the invention uses gravity-driven liquid flow in open channels or tubes, eliminating the pressure losses associated with wick flow resistance and enabling longer heat transport distances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The capillary mechanical pumping system is replaced with a gravity-driven flow system. Liquid returns from condenser to evaporator through gravity action in open channels or tubes, eliminating the need for capillary forces and the associated pressure losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If all condensation occurs above the liquid pool in the condenser, then the thermosyphon operates with traditional elevation constraints, but this limits the proportion of condensation that can occur below the evaporator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondensation location rangeVSAvoidelevation range

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to different condenser positions relative to evaporators. By using multiple serially connected units with sufficient pressure head, the system can accommodate condensers positioned above, below, or at the same elevation as evaporators, maximizing the usable condensation area across the full elevation range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration enhances the heat transfer efficiency and operational flexibility of thermosyphon devices, enabling effective heat management irrespective of condenser location and overcoming traditional elevation limitations.

Implementation Method 1

liquid 104 is vaporized in an evaporator 101

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

The vapor then travels through a tube 102 to the condenser 100

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor transport: Convection

Implementation Method 3

Heat is removed from the condenser 100 causing the liquid 104 to accumulate at the bottom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

The accumulated liquid 104 in the condenser 100 is driven by gravity through a liquid tube 103 back to the evaporator 101

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10859318B2Serial thermosyphon

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 J R THERMAL LLC

AI summary

A thermosyphon having a condenser located below the evaporator, or an evaporator above the condenser, is presented. Various embodiments include serially configured evaporators and condensers, so that the excess pressure head from any condenser to evaporator liquid coupling may be utilized to overcome deficient pressure head in a subsequent condenser to evaporator liquid coupling.