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 an evaporating section of the heat pipe, and a movable portion capable of moving relative to the immovable portion. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section of the heat pipe therein. A concavo-convex cooperating structure is defined in the immovable portion and the movable portion to ensure the receiving structure being capable of receiving the heat pipe precisely. Temperature sensors are attached to the immovable portion and the movable portion for detecting temperature of the heat pipe. An enclosure encloses the immovable portion and the movable portions therein, and defines a space therein for movement of the movable portion relative to the immovable portion.

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 first embodiment of the present invention;

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

FIG. 3A shows a movable portion of a performance testing apparatus for heat pipes in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows an immovable portion of the testing apparatus in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A shows a movable portion of a performance testing apparatus for heat pipes in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows an immovable portion of the testing apparatus in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A shows a movable portion of a performance testing apparatus for heat pipes in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B shows an immovable portion of the testing apparatus in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 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 heating member located therein for heating an evaporating section of the heat pipe;a movable portion capable of moving relative to the immovable portion;a receiving structure being defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section of the heat pipe therein;a concavo-convex cooperating structure defined in the immovable portion and the movable portion for avoiding the movable portion from deviating from the immovable portion to ensure the receiving structure being capable of receiving the heat pipe precisely;at least one temperature sensor being attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion for thermally contacting the heat pipe in the receiving structure for detecting temperature of the heat pipe; andan enclosure enclosing the immovable portion and the movable portions therein, and defining a space therein for movement of the movable portion relative to the immovable portion.

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 channel is cooperatively defined by a heating groove defined in a face of the immovable portion and a positioning groove defined in a face of 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.

4. The testing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the concavo-convex cooperating structure is two slots defined in one of the immovable portion and the movable portion, and two bars extending from the other of the immovable portion and the movable portion, the bars being slidably received in corresponding slots.

5. The testing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bars are located at two opposite sides of the channel.

6. The testing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the concavo-convex cooperating structure is a plurality of holes defined in one of the immovable portion and the movable portion, and a plurality of posts extending from the other of the immovable portion and the movable portion, the posts being slidably received in corresponding holes.

7. The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the posts are evenly located at two opposite sides of the channel.

8. The testing apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a seat for positioning the testing apparatus at a required position, wherein the enclosure sits on a supporting plate of the seat.

9. The testing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the seat comprises two spaced supporting feet depending from the supporting plate, a space being defined between the two feet for extension of wires of the at least one temperature sensor and the heating member therethrough.

10. The testing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the enclosure comprises a bottom sitting on the supporting plate of the seat, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the bottom, the immovable portion being positioned between a pair of the sidewalls.

11. The testing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the enclosure has a board attached to a side thereof, the board and the sidewalls cooperatively defines a room accommodating the immovable portion and the movable portion therein.

12. The testing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the board of the enclosure defines an opening for extension of the evaporating section of the heat pipe therethrough into the channel.

13. The testing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the pair of the sidewalls of the enclosure each extends a plurality of ribs abutting against the immovable portion.

14. The testing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the bottom of the enclosure extends a plurality of ribs supporting the immovable portion thereon.

15. The testing apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a driving device mounted on a ceiling of the enclosure, wherein the driving device connects with the movable portion and capable of driving the movable portion to move away from and towards the immovable portion in the enclosure.

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