Patent · US Expired

Freeze accommodating heat pipe

US4194559A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
2References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 1, 1978
Grant dateMar 25, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 1, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF28F2200/005
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A heat pipe wick which can survive freezing of the heat transfer fluid within the heat pipe and return to full operation automatically. A flexible high lift wick is used with a limited liquid inventory to prevent damage from freezing. The limited amount of liquid is completely retained in the wick at all times by capillary forces preventing puddling at the lowest point in the heat pipe, thus avoiding damage to the casing by expansion.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.