Lämpöputkeen

Lämpöputkeen, often translated as heat pipe, is a passive heat transfer device that utilizes the principle of two-phase fluid flow. It is a highly efficient conductor of heat, capable of transferring large amounts of thermal energy with a very small temperature difference.

A typical heat pipe consists of a sealed tube, often made of copper or aluminum, containing a working fluid and a wick structure. The working fluid is chosen based on the operating temperature range of the heat pipe. At one end, the evaporator section, heat from the source vaporizes the working fluid. This vapor then travels along the hollow core of the pipe to the cooler end, the condenser section. There, the vapor condenses back into a liquid, releasing its latent heat of vaporization. The liquid then returns to the evaporator section via capillary action within the wick structure, completing the cycle.

Heat pipes are valued for their ability to transfer heat effectively over long distances with minimal loss. Their passive operation, requiring no external power source, and their reliability due to their simple construction make them suitable for a wide range of applications. They are commonly found in electronics cooling, such as in computers and servers, as well as in aerospace, solar thermal systems, and industrial process temperature control. The efficiency of a heat pipe is largely dependent on its design, the working fluid used, and the operating temperature.