MINIMAL-TEMPERATURE-DIFFERENTIAL, OMNI-DIRECTIONAL-REFLUX, HEAT EXCHANGER

摘要

A substrate (12) formed of a suitable conductive-heat-transfer material is formed with small channels (14) of a size selected to provide surface tension forces dominating a motion of a liquid-phase working fluid (40). A space above the channels (14) of the substrate (12) provides comparatively unobstructed space for the transport motion of a vapor phase (44) of the working fluid (40) effecting a heat-pipe effect in a multi-dimensional device. Channels (14) may typically be formed in an orthogonal grid providing capillary return of liquids (42) from a comparatively cooler condensation region to a comparatively warmer evaporation region, without any wicks other that the adhesion of the liquid phase working fluid (42) to the vertices of the channels (14). Interference between the boundary layers of the liquid phase (42) and the vapor phase (44) of the working fluid (40) are minimized by the depth of the channels (14), and the pedestals (16) formed by the channel walls (18). Extremely small temperature differentials are thereby achieved between an outer surface of the substrate (12) and an inner surface of the substrate (12) when the liquid phase (42) floods the substrate (12).