| 摘要 |
A thermal actuated switchable heat pipe 10 for use in a passenger compartment heating system of an automotive vehicle. The invention 10 includes a condenser 12, an evaporator, 14 vapor and fluid flow paths 16 and 18 therebetween and a working fluid 20 disposed therein. A thermostat 46 is mounted between the condenser 12 and the evaporator 14 for controlling the flow of fluid 20 therebetween. In a specific embodiment, the condenser 12 is in thermal contact with the engine coolant of the vehicle and the evaporator 14 is in thermal contact with the exhaust of the vehicle. The thermostat 46 is in thermal contact with the engine cooling system and is adapted to block the flow of fluid 20 in the fluid flow path 18 in response to the temperature thereof.
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