Wärmepipe

A heat pipe is a passive heat transfer device that utilizes the principles of evaporation and condensation to transfer thermal energy. It typically consists of a sealed tube, often made of copper, containing a working fluid and a wick structure. The working fluid is a substance with a low boiling point, chosen based on the operating temperature range of the heat pipe.

The heat pipe operates in a closed loop. When one end of the heat pipe, known as the evaporator section, is exposed to a heat source, the working fluid within the wick absorbs the heat and evaporates. This vapor then travels along the inside of the tube to the cooler end, the condenser section. At the condenser section, the vapor releases its latent heat and condenses back into a liquid. The liquid then returns to the evaporator section through the wick structure via capillary action, completing the cycle.

The wick structure, which can be made of sintered metal powder, mesh, or grooves, plays a crucial role in returning the liquid to the evaporator against gravity and any other resistance. Heat pipes are highly efficient at transferring heat because the phase change of the working fluid allows for a very large amount of thermal energy to be moved with a minimal temperature difference. This makes them ideal for applications requiring efficient and rapid cooling, such as in electronics, aerospace, and HVAC systems. Their passive nature means they require no external power to operate, contributing to their reliability and simplicity.