Title :
A flat heat pipe for use as a cold side heat sink
Author :
Cerza, M. ; Boughey, B. ; Lindler, K.W.
Author_Institution :
Mech. Eng. Dept., United States Naval Acad., Annapolis, MD, USA
Abstract :
Heat pipe technology can effectively meet the demand for an isothermal emitter in a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion system as it utilizes near isobaric phase changes to transfer heat at a uniform temperature. A flat heat pipe offers many advantages over the conventional cylindrical design, such as increased surface area to volume ratio and the ability to stack or layer the energy conversion system on both sides of the flat heat pipe to utilize available energy. Flat heat pipes present unique engineering demands and are also difficult to construct. This paper details the design, construction and partial analysis of a low temperature flat heat pipe as part of the thermal sink in order to determine the feasibility of implementing flat heat pipes into TPV energy conversion systems
Keywords :
heat pipes; heat sinks; heat transfer; thermal analysis; thermophotovoltaic cells; TPV energy conversion systems; cold side heat sink; cylindrical design; flat heat pipe; heat transfer; isobaric phase changes; isothermal emitter; surface area to volume ratio; thermal sink; thermophotovoltaic energy conversion system; Energy conversion; Heat engines; Heat sinks; Heat transfer; Isothermal processes; Power engineering and energy; Space heating; Temperature; Thermal conductivity; Thermal factors;
Conference_Titel :
Energy Conversion Engineering Conference and Exhibit, 2000. (IECEC) 35th Intersociety
Conference_Location :
Las Vegas, NV
Print_ISBN :
1-56347-375-5
DOI :
10.1109/IECEC.2000.870959
