Heat pipes transfer heat between two points with little loss, making them cost-effective. They consist of a container, working fluid, and wick. The wick is made of a porous material and creates pressure to move the fluid through the pipe. Heat pipes are used in various machinery and even in laptops.
Sometimes referred to as a superconductor, a heat pipe is a device that can transfer or route heat between two points with relative ease. One of the advantages of this type of heating equipment is that there is relatively little heat loss during transfer, making the pipes much cheaper to operate. While the basic idea for the heat pipe was first developed in the 1940s, the first working example of this type of heating equipment was created in 1962 and has continued to be refined over the years.
While there are a few variations in heat pipe design today, most are still based on that original design. This means that the typical heat pipe will be built with three essential components. These components are known as the container, working fluid and wick.
The heat pipe container provides housing for the working fluid which helps keep the heat generated inside the device. Sometimes known as a tube chamber, the container is airtight and leak-proof, effectively protecting the fluid from the outside environment. At the same time, the hermetic nature of the component facilitates the achievement and maintenance of the correct pressure level for the proper functioning of the system.
Together with the container, the working fluid is very important for the function of the heat pipe. The fluid used must be compatible with the other elements of the device, including the wick that is used as part of the operation. Different fluids can be used, depending on the amount of vapor pressure desired in the container and the ability of the fluid to adequately saturate or wet the wick. When the right fluid is chosen for a given heat pipe design, the balance between vapor pressure and wick wettability is within acceptable standards, which in turn increases the efficiency of the heat transfer pipe.
Sometimes known as a capillary structure, the wick in a heat pipe is not like the wick in a candle. This type of wick is manufactured with a porous structure, with a durable metal type normally used in construction. Nickel, aluminum, copper or steel are often used to create the wick. In recent years, ceramic materials have been used to make wicks, although there is some difference of opinion on the impact ceramic wicks have on the efficiency of a heat pipe. During the manufacturing process, the degree of pressure used to create the wick will have a lot to do with determining the size of the pores found along the body of the component.
In operation, the heat pipe is able to transfer heat very efficiently. The function of the wick creates a pressure which in turn moves the working fluid through the condenser and causes the liquid to evaporate. When heat is generated, the pressure also helps move the heat through the pipe structure, eventually carrying it to its destination. Pipes of this type are used in a wide variety of machinery and equipment, including air conditioning equipment and any type of machine that uses heat exchangers. A smaller version of the heating tube is even found in some laptops, allowing heat drawn from surrounding components to be expelled and prevent the device from overheating.
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