Background
Theoretical
The heat pipe requires fundamental understandings of heat flow and some basic laws of thermodynamics. Heat is defined as the difference of temperature that is transferred between two systems. Heat can flow by radiation, convection, conduction, or changes of phrases like vaporization or condensation. Radiation is applied to heat pipes by transferring heat from hot to cold surfaces. For example, radiation applies to heat pipes because the heat pipe's cold end absorbs energy from the hot heat source. In addition to radiation, conduction plays a role in heat pipes by transferring heat through movements in all phases of matter in the system. Like radiation, conduction transfers heat through substances from hot to cold. Convection also plays a role in heat pipes by transferring heat through the flow and movement of energy. For example, as the liquid within the pipe travels, the liquid disperses heat to its surroundings, heating up the area of the pipe that the liquid occupies. Vaporization is defined as a transition in states of matter of a substance from one state to another, specifically changes from liquid to gas. Similar to that, condensation is the reverse state change of a substance from gas to liquid.
Structural
The basic structure of a heat pipe is made up of three main components. The main part of the heat pipe is the outer layer of casing that holds the liquid component within a closed system. The pipe is usually made out of metal so that it will be able to conduct heat efficiently. The second component is the liquid inside of the pipe, acting as the substance that becomes heated at one end of the pipe, then transferring energy as the liquid approaches the cold end of the pipe. This process is able to happen because within the pipe the liquid will evaporate at the heated end and then condenses at the cooler end. This system is similar to an ice condenser. The last component of the heat pipe is the wick and it is used to invoke capillary action to support a vertical pipe design.
The heat pipe requires fundamental understandings of heat flow and some basic laws of thermodynamics. Heat is defined as the difference of temperature that is transferred between two systems. Heat can flow by radiation, convection, conduction, or changes of phrases like vaporization or condensation. Radiation is applied to heat pipes by transferring heat from hot to cold surfaces. For example, radiation applies to heat pipes because the heat pipe's cold end absorbs energy from the hot heat source. In addition to radiation, conduction plays a role in heat pipes by transferring heat through movements in all phases of matter in the system. Like radiation, conduction transfers heat through substances from hot to cold. Convection also plays a role in heat pipes by transferring heat through the flow and movement of energy. For example, as the liquid within the pipe travels, the liquid disperses heat to its surroundings, heating up the area of the pipe that the liquid occupies. Vaporization is defined as a transition in states of matter of a substance from one state to another, specifically changes from liquid to gas. Similar to that, condensation is the reverse state change of a substance from gas to liquid.
Structural
The basic structure of a heat pipe is made up of three main components. The main part of the heat pipe is the outer layer of casing that holds the liquid component within a closed system. The pipe is usually made out of metal so that it will be able to conduct heat efficiently. The second component is the liquid inside of the pipe, acting as the substance that becomes heated at one end of the pipe, then transferring energy as the liquid approaches the cold end of the pipe. This process is able to happen because within the pipe the liquid will evaporate at the heated end and then condenses at the cooler end. This system is similar to an ice condenser. The last component of the heat pipe is the wick and it is used to invoke capillary action to support a vertical pipe design.
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