Flexible loop thermosyphon

Abstract

A flexible loop thermosyphon is provided having a flexible, hermetic, outer tube and a flexible, non-hermetic, inner tube, positioned concentrically within the outer tube, forming an annulus between the outer tube and inner tube. The annulus acts as a vapor conduit transferring vapor to the loop thermosyphon condenser while the inner tube acts as a condensate conduit returning liquid to the loop thermosyphon evaporator.

1 . A loop thermosyphon comprising an evaporator and a condenser that are interconnected in flow communication to one another by one conduit comprising a pair of concentrically arranged tubes.  
     
     
         2 . A thermal bus arranged within an electronics system for transporting thermal energy in a directed manner comprising at least one loop thermosyphon comprising an evaporator and a condenser that are interconnected in flow communication to one another by one conduit comprising a pair of concentrically arranged tubes.  
     
     
         3 . A thermal bus according to  claim 2  wherein said inner tube comprises a melt-processable copolymer.  
     
     
         4 . A thermal bus according to  claim 3  wherein said condenser portion comprises a vapor vessel and a liquid vessel.  
     
     
         5 . A thermal bus according to  claim 4  wherein said liquid vessel comprises a liquid header and a vapor plenum that are separated by a bulkhead.  
     
     
         6 . A thermal bus according to  claim 5  wherein said vapor plenum is in flow communication with said vapor vessel.  
     
     
         7 . A thermal bus according to  claim 6  further comprising a port that passes through said bulkhead.  
     
     
         8 . A thermal bus according to  claim 2  wherein: 
 said vapor transport space is in flow communication with said vapor vessel, said vapor plenum and said vapor conduit; and    said liquid header is in flow communication with said inner tube and a port.    
     
     
         9 . A thermal bus according to  claim 8  wherein said inner tube forms an interference fit with said port.  
     
     
         10 . A thermal bus according to  claim 8  wherein said port comprises a nipple.  
     
     
         11 . A loop thermosyphon according to  claim 1  wherein said evaporator portion comprises a plurality of blade-evaporators that extend from a common manifold, wherein said common manifold is arranged in flow communication with each blade-evaporator and with said one conduit.  
     
     
         12 . A loop thermosyphon according to  claim 11  wherein each blade-evaporator is joined to said common manifold so that vapor exits from each blade-evaporator to said common manifold and condensate is returned to said common manifold so as to be distributed to individual blade-evaporators.  
     
     
         13 . A loop thermosyphon according to  claim 12  further comprising a vapor conduit hermetically engaged with said vapor plenum.  
     
     
         14 . A loop thermosyphon according to  claim 13  further comprising a condensate conduit in flow communication with said liquid header.  
     
     
         15 . A loop thermosyphon according to  claim 14  wherein said condensate conduit forms an interference fit with said fitting.  
     
     
         16 . A loop thermosyphon according to  claim 15  wherein said fitting comprises a nipple.  
     
     
         17 . A thermal bus arranged within an electronics system for transporting thermal energy in a directed manner comprising: 
 an evaporator and a condenser arranged in flow communication with one another through a conduit comprising an outer tube and an inner tube that are positioned in concentric relation to one another.    
     
     
         18 . A thermal bus according to  claim 17  wherein said evaporator and condenser are spaced apart and separated by at least one structure.  
     
     
         19 . A thermal bus according to  claim 17  wherein said outer tube comprises a pleated wall that is formed by a plurality of circumferential folds that are arranged in parallel spaced relation to one another.  
     
     
         20 . A thermal bus according to  claim 17  wherein said inner tube comprises at least one of Teflon FEP and Teflon PFA.