Method of heat extraction using a heat pipe

Abstract

A method of extracting heat using a heat pipe assembly is provided. The method includes selecting a working substance, providing a heat pipe assembly, selectively permitting the gravity flow of a liquid working substance from a condenser to an evaporator of the heat pipe assembly through a discrete impermeable liquid return passage therebetween, and placing the evaporator and the condenser in heat transfer communication with a first material and a second material respectively, such that heat is exchanged therebetween. The evaporator comprises a flow modifier therein adapted to cause swirling of the working substance flow in the evaporator, and the condenser is cooled to condense the vaporized working substance received from the evaporator.

1 . A method of heat extraction from a material, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a heat pipe assembly having an evaporator and a heat extracting condenser in fluid flow communication therewith, the evaporator comprising a flow modifier therein adapted to cause swirling of a working substance flowing in the evaporator, and the condenser being cooled to condense the vaporized working substance received from the evaporator;    providing a discrete, impermeable liquid return passage between the condenser and a leading end of the evaporator;    selectively permitting the flow, by gravity, of the liquid working substance from the condenser to the evaporator through the liquid return passage; and    placing the evaporator in heat transfer communication with the material to be cooled.    
   
   
       2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the heat pipe assembly further comprises selecting the working substance.  
   
   
       3 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising selecting the working substance in accordance with an expected operating temperature range to which the working substance will be exposed during operation of the heat pipe assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein when said expected operating temperature range is greater than about 600 degrees Celsius, the step of selecting the working substance includes selecting an alkali metal.  
   
   
       5 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein when said expected operating temperature range is less than about 600 degrees Celsius, the step of selecting the working substance includes selecting one of water, thermex and methanol.  
   
   
       6 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the step of selecting the working substance includes selecting sulphur as the working substance when said expected operating temperature range is between about 250 degrees Celsius and about 550 degrees Celsius.  
   
   
       7 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising selecting the working substance from one of an alkali metal, water, thermex, methanol, and sulphur.  
   
   
       8 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the alkali metal is selected, further comprising selecting one of sodium and potassium as the working substance.