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US 4,046,190 AGranted
Flat-plate heat pipe
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsBruce D. Marcus, George L. Fleischman
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Abstract
Flat-plate (vapor chamber) heat pipes are made by enclosing metal wicking between two capillary grooved flat panels. These heat pipes provide a unique configuration and have good capacity and conductance capabilities in zero gravity. When these flat-plate vapor chamber heat pipes are heated or cooled, the surfaces are essentially isothermal, varying only 3.degree. to 5.degree. C over the panel surface.
Claims6
A heat pipe device comprising:
- i. two flat-plates in parallel planes having edges sealed and aligned normal to the parallel plates with capillary grooves in the facing surfaces at right angles to the grooves of the opposing plate;
- and
- ii. metal wicking intersecting every groove.
A heat pipe device comprising:
- i. two equidistant flat plates having sealed aligned edges normal to the surfaces and capillary grooves in the opposing surfaces at right angles to the grooves of the opposing plate;
- ii. metal wicking intersecting every groove;
- and
- iii. a working fluid sealed between said plates.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.