Multiple fluid heat pipe

Abstract

A heat pipe having a fluid conduit, a first working fluid, having a first boiling point, disposed in the fluid conduit, and a second working fluid, having a second boiling point being different than the first boiling point, disposed in the fluid conduit. The first and second working fluids are disposed in the fluid conduit of the heat pipe such that during operating heat from the hot body causes the first working fluid to vaporize while the second working fluid remains in liquid phase. The vaporized first working fluid then carries the second working fluid through the fluid conduit to thermally transfer the heat.

1 . A heat pipe comprising: 
 a fluid conduit;    a first working fluid having a first boiling point, said first working fluid being disposed in said fluid conduit; and    a second working fluid having a second boiling point, said second boiling point being different than said first boiling point, said second working fluid being disposed in said fluid conduit.    
   
   
       2 . The heat pipe according to  claim 1  wherein said first working fluid is Isopropyl alcohol.  
   
   
       3 . The heat pipe according to  claim 1  wherein said second working fluid is Methanol.  
   
   
       4 . The heat pipe according to  claim 1  wherein said first working fluid and said second working fluid each have a boiling point between about 5° C. and 100° C.  
   
   
       5 . The heat pipe according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of said fluid conduits.  
   
   
       6 . A method of using a heat pipe, said method comprising: 
 providing a hot body and a cold body;    providing a heat pipe having a first working fluid having a first boiling point and a second working fluid having a second boiling point disposed therein, said second boiling point being different than said first boiling point; and    exposing at least a portion of said heat pipe to said hot body and said cold body thereby causing said first working fluid to vaporize from heat from said hot body while said second working fluid remains in liquid phase, said vaporized first working fluid carrying said second working fluid through said plurality of fluid conduit to thermally transfer said heat.    
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 positioning said hot body above said cold body.    
   
   
       8 . A heat pipe comprising: 
 a plurality of fluid conduits defining an array;    a first working fluid having a first boiling point, said first working fluid being disposed in each of said plurality of fluid conduits of said array; and    a second working fluid having a second boiling point, said second boiling point being different than said first boiling point, said second working fluid being disposed in each of said plurality of fluid conduits of said array.    
   
   
       9 . The heat pipe according to  claim 8  wherein said first working fluid is Isopropyl alcohol.  
   
   
       10 . The heat pipe according to  claim 8  wherein said second working fluid is Methanol.  
   
   
       11 . The heat pipe according to  claim 8  wherein said first working fluid and said second working fluid each have a boiling point between about 5° C. and 100° C.