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A
heat pipe is a two phase flow heat transfer device.
It consists of a vacuum-tight envelope, a wick and a
working fluid. The heat pipe is filled with a small
quantity of working fluid. When heat enters at the
evaporator end, the fluid inside the heat pipe
boils, and vapor is generated. The vapor
travels to the condenser end, where the slightly
lower temperatures cause the vapor to condense,
and
release the heat. The condensed fluid is then
returned to the evaporator via the wick, where the
process begins anew.
This continuous cycle is capable of transferring
large quantities of heat. A heat pipe is a passive
device, driven only by the heat that is transferred.
No external
energy source is required.
This passive operation results in high reliability,
long life, and consequently, low warranty costs.
Heat pipe technology can be used to move heat from a
heat source to a location within the automobile
where enough air volume exists for adequate heat
removal. Fins are stacked on the heat pipes to
provide adequate surface area for heat dissipation
to the air.
Heat pipes are more effective than solid
conductors, and require only a temperature
difference to operate. Dana employs a variety
of envelope materials, wicking materials, and
working fluids, to best suit your particular
application.
Heat pipes use
common, low-cost materials, such as aluminum 3003,
copper, or SST tubing for the envelope, screen
mesh for the wick, and water, R-134a, or ammonia
for the fluid. Manufacturing costs are low,
as are material and assembly costs.
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