Three-way heat pipe

Abstract

A three-way heat pipe configured in a generally Y-shape having a condenser-evaporator or heat-sink end, an evaporator arm and a condenser arm. In addition to conventional internal pumping the heat pipe is mechanically pumped externally from the heat-sink end to the evaporator arm. Heat transfer can take place between any two of the three elements by thermostatically controlling the external pump. Heat or cold may be stored in a suitable medium surrounding the condenser-evaporator end of the pipe for later transfer through the condenser or evaporator ends used as heat exchangers without a secondary circulation system. Heat transfer may also take place directly between the evaporator and condenser arms without storage. In the preferred embodiment of the heat storage configuration, a valve is placed in the condenser arm to prevent unwanted heat transfer. A system of three-way heat pipes can provide long duration thermal storage of heat or cold energy which can be later used for space heating and/or cooling of buildings.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.