DUAL PORT HEAT PIPE STRUCTURE FOR SWITCHGEAR

摘要

A cooling apparatus is provided for a switchgear. The switchgear has an enclosure having a plurality of compartments. The cooling apparatus includes at least one evaporator constructed and arranged to be mounted in one of the compartments. The evaporator includes an evaporator plate having surfaces defining passage structure therein, and a cover plate covering a portion of the evaporator plate to seal the passage structure. A condenser is located at a higher elevation than the evaporator. First and second conduits fluidly connect the evaporator plate with the condenser. A working fluid is in the passage structure so as to be heated to a vapor state at the evaporator, with the first fluid conduit transferring the vapor to the condenser and with the second fluid conduit passively returning condensed working fluid back to the passage structure of the evaporator.