Heat pipe cooled probe
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsCharles J. Camarda, Lana M. Couch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The basic heat pipe principle is employed to provide a self-contained passively cooled probe that may be placed into a high temperature environment. The probe consists of an evaporator region 13 of a heat pipe 10 and a sensing instrument 17. Heat is absorbed as the working fluid 22 evaporates in the probe. The vapor is transported to the vapor space 14 of the condenser region 15. Heat is dissipated from the condenser region and fins 20 causing condensation of the working fluid, which returns to the probe by gravity and the capillary action of the wick 18. Working fluid, wick and condenser configurations and structure materials can be selected to maintain the probe within an acceptable temperature range.
Claims13
A heat pipe cooled probe comprising:
- probe means for sensing in a thermally hostile environment;
- heat pipe means forming a part of said probe means;
- said heat pipe means including first means for absorbing heat in a high temperature area of the probe and conducting it to an area of lower temperature;
- said heat pipe means including second means for dissipating heat from the area of lower temperature;
- and
- said heat pipe means including capillary artery means for allowing a working fluid to flow directly from said low temperature area to said high temperature area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.