PERFORMANCE TESTING APPARATUS FOR HEAT PIPES

Abstract

A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating a heat pipe requiring test. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the heat pipe therein. At least one temperature sensor is telescopically mounted in at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion. The least one temperature sensor has a detecting section exposed in the receiving structure for thermally contacting the heat pipe in the receiving structure to detect a temperature of the heat pipe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present apparatus can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present apparatus. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an assembled view of a performance testing apparatus for heat pipes in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the testing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A shows an immovable portion and two temperature sensors of the testing apparatus of FIG. 2, viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 3B is an assembled view of FIG. 3A, viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 4A shows a movable portion and two temperature sensors of the testing apparatus of FIG. 2, viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 4B is an assembled view of FIG. 4A, viewed from another aspect; and

FIG. 5 is a performance testing apparatus for heat pipes in accordance with related art.

Claims

1. 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; andat 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.

2. The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving structure is a channel defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion.

3. The testing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one temperature sensor has a detecting section thereof exposed to the channel.

4. The testing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion has at least one positioning structure communicating with the channel, the at least one temperature sensor being positioned in the at least one positioning structure.

5. The testing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises two wires, each of the two wires comprising first and second sections and the detecting section being located between the first and second sections.

6. The testing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is positioned in a positioning socket movably fitted in a through hole of the positioning structure of the at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion, the first and second sections of the each of the two wires of each temperature sensor being received in the socket, an end of the second section extending away from the socket for connecting with a monitoring computer, the detecting section being located at a top of the positioning socket for contacting with the heat pipe.

7. The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the positioning socket comprises a square column, a circular column and a circular collar between the square and circular columns, and wherein the through hole of the positioning structure has square and circular sections corresponding to the square column and the circular column of the socket, respectively.

8. The testing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the positioning socket has a spring coil surrounding the circular column of the socket and movably received in the through hole of the positioning portion.

9. The testing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is secured in the through hole of the positioning structure via a screw engaged in the through hole, the ends of the wires of the at least one temperature sensor extending through the screw.

10. The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first heating member is accommodated in a hole defined in the immovable portion, and extends two wires to connect with a power supplier.

11. The testing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the immovable portion further extends an extension, the hole being defined in the extension, the two wires of the heating member extending beyond the extension.

12. The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second heating member is accommodated in a hole defined in the movable portion, and extends two wires to connect with a power supplier.

13. The testing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the movable portion further extends an extension, the hole being defined in the extension, the two wires of the second heating member extending beyond the extension.

14. A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe comprising: an immovable portion having a first heating member located therein for heating the heat pipe;a movable portion being movably mounted on the immovable portion and having a second heating member located therein for heating the heat pipe;a receiving structure being defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the heat pipe therein; andat least one temperature sensor telescopically received in at least one of the immovable and movable portions, and having a detecting section thereof exposed in the receiving structure for thermally contacting the heat pipe in the receiving structure to detect a temperature of the heat pipe.

15. The testing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the receiving structure comprises a channel cooperatively defined by a first heating groove in a face of the immovable portion and a second heating groove in a face of the movable portion confronting the immovable portion.

16. The testing apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a supporting frame, wherein the supporting frame comprises a seat for positioning the testing apparatus at a required position, the seat comprising a first plate have the immovable portion located thereon, the supporting frame having a second plate located above the movable portion and supported by a plurality rods extending from the first plate.

17. The testing apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a driving device mounted on the second plate, the driving device connecting with the movable portion and capable of driving the movable portion to move away from and towards the immovable portion.

18. The testing apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a thermally insulating plate sandwiched between the immovable portion and the first plate, wherein the insulating plate defines a concave receiving an extension extending from the immovable portion.

19. The testing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the movable portion has a board positioned thereover, and wherein the movable portion has a plurality of columns extending to the board and connecting the board and the movable portion together, a driving device drivably connecting with the board thereby enabling the board together with the movable portion to move relative to the immovable portion.