Patent attributes
A heat pipe assembly (10/110), under vacuum and having a working substance charged therein, comprising generally an evaporator (12/112) adapted to evaporate the working fluid and a condenser (16/116). The heat exchanging condenser is in fluid flow communication with the evaporator. The condenser is adapted to condense evaporated working substance received from the evaporator and has a reservoir (30/130), located at a higher elevation than the evaporator, for collecting liquid working fluid therein. A discrete, impermeable liquid return passage (36/136, 20/120) permitting the flow, by gravity, of the liquid working substance from the reservoir to the evaporator. The liquid return passage extends through the evaporator and terminates near the closed leading end thereof, and is fitted with a vent line (38/138) that diverts ascending vapor to the top of the condenser. A flow modifier (24/124) is positioned within the evaporator, causing swirling working fluid flow in the evaporator, whereby the flow modifier ensures that un-vaporized liquid entrained with evaporated working substance is propelled against inner surfaces (23/123) of the evaporator by centrifugal force to ensure liquid coverage of the inner surfaces, thereby delaying onset of film boiling.
