Heat transfer

A heat pipe roller which comprises:

• an elongated cylindrical hollow housing closed at its ends defining a heat rejection region;
• an elongated shaft extending through said housing, said shaft being attached to and supporting said housing, said shaft defining a heat input region spaced from said heat rejection region;
• a volatile working fluid disposed within said housing;
• and
• a wicking structure within said housing extending between said heat input region and said heat rejection region for collecting said working fluid when the latter is in a liquid state and for carrying said liquid state fluid to said heat input region for vaporization as said housing is rotated, said wicking structure comprising a plurality of members in contact with said housing, said members being disposed in groups, said groups being arranged in side-by-side relation along the long axis of said shaft, the members of one group being staggered relative to members of an adjacent group.