Shell and tube heat pipe condenser
US4897997A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1988 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S165/913
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved conduit assembly for coupling a heat pipe evaporator with a Stirling engine heat exchanger. The conduit assembly features a cylindrical main tube section connected to a flared shell joining the heat exchanger of the Stirling engine. The flared shell provides an increasing cross-sectional area which reduces the velocity of vaporized heat pipe working fluid flowing from the heat pipe evaporator to the heat exchanger. Such reduced velocity has been found to minimize entrainment of liquid within the transmitted vapor. The conduit assembly further includes an internal small diameter liquid return duct which provides additional isolation of the liquid and vapor phases of the heat pipe working fluid as a means of further reducing entrainment. Surface tension breakers are provided which communicate the heat exchanger to the inlet end of the liquid return duct to wick away liquid working fluid from the heat exchanger. Contaminant gases within the heat pipe are removed through the use of an externally heated getter and an internal getter within the vapor flow path.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.