Temperature glide thermosyphon and heat pipe

Abstract

Fluid to fluid heat exchange processes involve the hot fluid reducing in temperature and the cold fluid increasing in temperature. To transfer heat between the two fluids, a third, separated heat transfer fluid is often used. The present invention allows for passive heat transfer between the two fluids, using a separate heat transfer fluid, while enabling heat absorption and rejection through a continuously variable temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat pipe; comprising
 an evaporator having a wick positioned therein that does not occupy the entire cross-section the evaporator;   a condenser;   a liquid line fluidly coupling the condenser to the evaporator;   a vapor line fluidly coupling the evaporator to the condenser;   a refrigerant that is a non-azeptropic mixture of two or more components, wherein the refrigerant vaporizes as it progresses through the evaporator, passes through the vapor line from the evaporator to the condenser wherein vapor condenses to a liquid and passes through the liquid line from the condenser to the evaporator; and   wherein a cool fluid external to the heat pipe flows counter to the refrigerant inside the condenser.   
     
     
         2 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the vapor line does not have a wick positioned therein. 
     
     
         3 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid line has a wick positioned therein. 
     
     
         4 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the condenser has a wick positioned therein. 
     
     
         5 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of evaporators are fluidly coupled in series.