VARIABLE CONDUCTANCE HEAT PIPE ENHANCEMENT

摘要

A heat pipe having an internal cross-sectional area contains a fixed restriction member with a reduced cross-sectional area, positioned in the condenser length of the heat pipe. An evaporatable and condensable fluid partially fills the heat pipe with the remaining volume being occupied by an noncondensable gas which is positioned at least partly around the restriction member. By reducing the internal cross-section area of the heat pipe using the restriction member, the overall length of a practical working heat pipe can be reduced. The cross-sectional area of the restriction member can also be varied for changing the heat exchange characteristics of the heat pipe.