Slug Pump Heat Pipe

Abstract

The slug pump heat pipe allows for passive heat transport of an enclosed two-phase (liquid/vapor) system under multiple orientations with respect to gravity or under an inertial force, such as a centrifugal force. While the fluid flow is driven by a gravitational or inertial force (e.g. centrifugal force) the device enables condensation heat transfer below the evaporator, with respect to such a body force. Since condensation heat transfer can be achieved below the evaporator, the condenser's effective area is nearly uniform under various orientations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closed loop heat transfer apparatus comprising:
 an evaporator;   a condenser consisting of a plurality of parallel capillary channels;   a first tube connecting the condenser to the evaporator primarily transporting liquid therebetween through the use of inertial force; and   a second tube connecting the evaporator to the condenser primarily transporting vapor therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of capillary channels are configured from an extruded piece of metal. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of capillary channels are configured from alternating wavy formed and flat sheet metal. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the condenser core comprises multiple rows of capillary channels. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator comprises a plurality of capillary channels. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator has the same configuration as the condenser. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of capillary channels in the evaporator are configured from alternating wavy formed and flat sheet metal. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inertial force is gravity. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inertial force is a centrifugal force. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator is located between 25% and 75% of the bottom to top height of the condenser with respect to the direction of the inertial force. 
     
     
         11 . A method for the removal of heat from a device comprising
 receiving heat into a liquid in an evaporator resulting in at least a partial vaporization of the liquid;   transporting the vapor through a first tube to a condenser having a plurality of capillary channels, wherein heat is released as the vapor passes through the plurality of capillary channels resulting in at least a partial condensation of the vapor;   transporting the condensate through a second tube through the use of an inertial force to the evaporator, wherein the evaporator, the first tube, the condenser and the second tube form a closed loop heat transfer system.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of capillary channels are configured from an extruded piece of metal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of capillary channels are configured from alternating wavy formed and flat sheet metal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the condenser core comprises multiple rows of capillary channels. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the evaporator comprises a plurality of capillary channels. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the evaporator has the same configuration as the condenser. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of capillary channels in the evaporator are configured from alternating wavy formed and flat sheet metal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inertial force is gravity. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inertial force is a centrifugal force. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the evaporator is located between 25% and 75% of the bottom to top height of the condenser with respect to the direction of the inertial force.