Slotted Heat Pipe With Circumferential Slots
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pipe systems for thermal control of high-power traveling-wave tubes in communication satellites suffer from low heat transfer efficiency due to orthogonal overlap arrangements, which complicate manufacturing and result in significant thermal contact resistance and uneven temperature distribution.
Innovation Solution
A slotted heat pipe system with circumferential slots and temperature equalization joints is introduced, where axial slots and steam passages communicate with each other, forming an irregular-shaped heat pipe system that replaces the conventional orthogonal overlap arrangement, enhancing heat transfer efficiency and reducing the thickness and weight of the satellite deck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If orthogonal overlap arrangement of heat pipes is used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases and thermal contact resistance becomes significant
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe system is divided into modular units with standardized connection interfaces. Each heat pipe module contains integrated axial slots and circumferential slots that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining effective heat transfer pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested slot structure where axial slots and circumferential slots are integrated within the same heat pipe body. The axial slots extend along the length of the heat pipe while circumferential slots wrap around it, creating a three-dimensional network of fluid passages that are nested within each other, enabling complex flow patterns without increasing external dimensions.
2Loss of energy
If orthogonal overlap arrangement of heat pipes is used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but thermal contact resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a working fluid as an intermediary medium that flows through the axial and circumferential slots to transfer heat between different heat pipe modules. This fluid-mediated heat transfer eliminates direct thermal contact requirements between overlapping heat pipes, thereby reducing thermal contact resistance while maintaining efficient heat transfer.
3Temperature
If orthogonal overlap arrangement of heat pipes is used, then temperature equalization is achieved, but working medium distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs circumferential slots that are distributed around the heat pipe at different angular positions, creating locally optimized fluid distribution pathways. Each circumferential slot region provides localized working medium injection or collection, ensuring uniform distribution around the entire heat pipe circumference and preventing localized overheating or under-cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar heat pipe arrangements to three-dimensional slot networks by adding circumferential slots that wrap around the heat pipe. This third dimension (circumferential direction) enables the working medium to distribute uniformly around the entire heat pipe perimeter, achieving better temperature equalization compared to conventional two-dimensional arrangements.
4Temperature
If conventional heat pipe arrangement is used, then thermal control is provided, but satellite deck thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe modules serve multiple functions: they provide thermal conduction pathways, act as fluid distribution manifolds through their slot networks, and function as structural elements that can be integrated into the satellite deck architecture. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate thermal control components, thereby decreasing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the slots (axial and circumferential) to maximize heat transfer efficiency within compact dimensions. By carefully controlling slot width, spacing, and depth, the system achieves effective thermal control with reduced material usage and smaller overall footprint, leading to weight reduction.
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 slotted heat pipe system significantly improves heat transfer efficiency and temperature equalization by allowing internal axial slots and steam passages to communicate, avoiding overlap thermal resistance and enabling even distribution of the working medium, thus reducing the satellite deck's thickness and weight.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the working medium in the heating source absorbs heat from the heating source through a phase transition to generate high-temperature high-pressure vapor
Implementation Method 2
a portion of the working medium in the heating source absorbs heat from the heating source through a phase transition to generate high-temperature high-pressure vapor
Implementation Method 3
the high-temperature high-pressure vapor releases the heat to a cooling source through a phase transition
Implementation Method 4
the capillary structure is formed on the inner side wall of the shell body... the capillary force driving the liquid working medium to flow can be increased by the metal wire meshes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An axial-slotted heat pipe having circumferential slots and an assembly method thereof. Multiple axial-slotted heat pipe housings (9), respectively provided with circumferential slots, are combined via temperature equalization connectors into a specially-shaped slotted heat pipe system in which an internal axial slot (8) and a steam channel communicate with each other. The axial-slotted heat pipe housing (9) is provided with multiple circumferential slots (7) arranged in parallel at a port connected to the temperature equalization connector, and each circumferential slot (7) communicates with the axial slot (8) in the axial-slotted pipe housing (9). The temperature equalization connector comprises a main pipe housing (3) and a branch pipe housing (2). Both the main pipe housing (3) and the branch pipe housing (2) are internally provided with an axial slot (8) and a circumferential slot (7). The dimensions of the axial slots (8) and the circumferential slots (7) in the main pipe housing (3) and the branch pipe housing (2) are identical to those of the axial slot (8) and the circumferential slots (7) in the axial-slotted heat pipe housing (9). The specially-shaped slotted heat pipe system in which the internal axial slot (8) and the steam channel communicate with each other replaces a conventional orthogonal overlap heat pipe system, thereby eliminating overlapping thermal resistance between heat pipes, greatly improving the efficiency of heat transfer and temperature equalization effects, and reducing the difficulty of arranging heat pipes.