Heat exchange apparatus

Abstract

A heat exchange apparatus comprising a heat pipe ( 2 ) having a body ( 4 ) containing a working fluid is disclosed. The working fluid is adapted to evaporate as a result of heating of a first part of the body and to condense as a result of cooling of a second part of the body. The container comprises a grooved wick structure ( 6 ), adapted to transport the working fluid in liquid state from the second part towards the first part; and a vapour channel ( 8 ) adapted to allow the working fluid to move in vapour state from the first location towards the second location. The wick structure is formed from at least one material containing at least one alloy including magnesium, 1% to 2.5% by weight manganese, and up to 2.5% by weight zinc.

1 .- 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A heat pipe comprising a container adapted to have at least one working fluid sealed therein such that at least one said working fluid is adapted to evaporate as a result of heating of at least one first part of the container and to condense as a result of cooling of at least one second part of the container, the container comprising at least one working fluid contacting portion, formed from at least one material containing at least one alloy including magnesium, 1% to 2.5% by weight manganese, and up to 2.5% by weight zinc, and defining at least one vapor channel adapted to allow at least one said working fluid to move in vapor state from at least one said first part towards at least one said second part, such that working fluid in liquid state is caused to move from at least one said second part towards at least one said first part. 
     
     
         11 . The heat pipe of  claim 10 , wherein at least one said alloy further includes up to 0.2% by weight one or more metal impurities. 
     
     
         12 . The heat pipe of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said alloy includes up to 0.01% by weight iron. 
     
     
         13 . The heat pipe of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said alloy includes up to 0.005% by weight nickel and/or copper. 
     
     
         14 . The heat pipe of  claim 10 , wherein at least one said alloy includes 1.8% to 2.2% by weight zinc and 1% to 1.25% by weight manganese. 
     
     
         15 . The heat pipe of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one working fluid sealed therein. 
     
     
         16 . The heat pipe of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one said working fluid includes at least one of an alcohol, a ketone, ammonia, propylene, or ethane. 
     
     
         17 . The heat pipe of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one said working fluid comprises one of ethanol or acetone. 
     
     
         18 . The heat pipe of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one said working fluid comprises ammonia. 
     
     
         19 . The heat pipe of  claim 10 , wherein at least one said working fluid contacting portion comprises a wick adapted to transport at least one said working fluid in liquid state from at least one said second part towards at least one said first part. 
     
     
         20 . A heat pipe, comprising:
 a container comprising an alloy, the alloy comprising
 1% to 2.5% by weight manganese, up to 2.5% by weight zinc, and balance magnesium, 
   the container having a working fluid sealed therein, the working fluid being adapted to evaporate as a result of heating of an evaporator portion of the container and to condense as a result of cooling of a condenser portion of the container,   the container defining at least one vapor channel adapted to allow the working fluid to move in a vapor state from the evaporator portion of the container towards the condenser portion of the container, such that working fluid in a liquid state is caused to move from the condenser portion of the container towards the evaporator portion of the container.   
     
     
         21 . The heat pipe of  claim 20 , wherein the working fluid includes at least one of an alcohol, a ketone, ammonia, propylene, or ethane. 
     
     
         22 . The heat pipe of  claim 21 , wherein the working fluid comprises one of ethanol or acetone. 
     
     
         23 . The heat pipe of  claim 21 , wherein the working fluid comprises ammonia. 
     
     
         24 . The heat pipe of  claim 20 , wherein the container comprises a wick adapted to cause the working fluid in a liquid state to move from the condenser portion of the container towards the evaporator portion of the container. 
     
     
         25 . The heat pipe of  claim 20 , wherein the alloy further comprises up to 0.2% by weight metal impurities. 
     
     
         26 . The heat pipe of  claim 25 , wherein the metal impurities comprise up to 0.01% by weight iron. 
     
     
         27 . The heat pipe of  claim 25 , wherein the metal impurities comprise up to 0.005% by weight of nickel or copper. 
     
     
         28 . The heat pipe of  claim 20 , wherein the alloy comprises 1.8% to 2.2% by weight zinc and 1% to 1.25% by weight manganese. 
     
     
         29 . The heat pipe of  claim 20 , wherein the alloy comprises 2% by weight zinc and 1% by weight manganese.