Performance testing apparatus for heat pipes

A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe comprising:

• an immovable portion having a first heating member located therein for heating an evaporating section of the heat pipe;
• a movable portion capable of moving relative to the immovable portion and having a second heating member located therein for heating the evaporating section of the heat pipe;
• a receiving structure being defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section of the heat pipe therein;
• at least one temperature sensor being attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion for thermally contacting the evaporating section of heat pipe in the receiving structure for detecting temperature of the evaporating section of the heat pipe;
• and
• an enclosure enclosing the immovable portion and the movable portion therein and having sidewalls thereof slidably contacting at least one of the immovable portion and the movable port ion;
• wherein the first heating member of the immovable portion is accommodated in a hole defined in the immovable portion, and extends two wires to connect with a power supply;
• and
• wherein immovable portion sits on a bottom of the enclosure, the two wires of the first heating member extending through the bottom of the enclosure.

A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe and a supporting frame for positioning the testing apparatus comprising:

• an immovable portion having a first heating member located therein for heating an evaporating section of the heat pipe;
• a movable portion capable of moving relative to the immovable portion and having a second heating member located therein for heating the evaporating section of the heat pipe;
• a receiving structure being defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section of the heat pipe therein;
• at least one temperature sensor being attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion for thermally contacting the evaporating section of heat pipe in the receiving structure for detecting temperature of the evaporating section of the heat pipe;
• an enclosure enclosing the immovable portion and the movable portion therein and having sidewalls thereof slidably contacting at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion;
• and
• a supporting frame having a seat for locating the testing apparatus at a required position;
• wherein the receiving structure is a channel defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion, and wherein the at least one temperature sensor has a portion thereof exposed to the channel to detect the temperature of the heat pipe;
• and
• wherein the enclosure has a bottom wall sitting on the seat of the supporting frame, and a top wall thereof positioned over the movable portion.