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 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 evaporating section of the heat pipe therein. At least one temperature sensor is attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion to detect the temperature of the evaporating section of the heat pipe. An enclosure encloses the immovable portion and the movable portion therein and has sidewalls thereof slidably contacting at least one of the immovable portion and the movable 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 preferred embodiment of the present invention;

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

FIG. 3 shows an enclosure of the testing apparatus of FIG. 2, viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of a performance testing apparatus for heat pipes in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, isometric view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows an enclosure of the testing apparatus of FIG. 5, viewed from another aspect; and

FIG. 7 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;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 portion therein and having sidewalls thereof slidably contacting at least one of the immovable portion and the movable 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.

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

5. The testing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the enclosure has at least one of the sidewalls thereof defining an opening corresponding to the channel for extension of the heat pipe into the channel via the opening.

6. The testing apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a supporting frame having a seat for locating the testing apparatus at a required position.

7. The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the seat has a first plate on which the immovable portion is located, and wherein the supporting frame comprises a second plate located above the movable portion and supported by a plurality rods extending from the first plate.

8. The testing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the immovable portion is positioned on the first plate, the enclosure is located between the first and second plates of the supporting frame, and has a ceiling thereof contacting the movable portion.

9. The testing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the enclosure has the sidewalls thereof slidably contacting side faces of the immovable portion.

10. The testing apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a driving device for driving the movable portion to move away and toward the immovable portion, wherein the driving device is mounted on the second plate of the supporting frame and connects with the movable portion and the ceiling of the enclosure via a bolt.

11. The testing apparatus of claim 8, wherein an insulating plate is sandwiched between the immovable portion and the first plate of the supporting frame.

12. The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the enclosure has a bottom wall sitting on the seat of the supporting frame, and a ceiling thereof positioned over the movable portion.

13. The testing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the enclosure has one of the sidewalls thereof defining an opening corresponding to the channel for extension of the heat pipe into the channel via the opening.

14. The testing apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a driving device located on a ceiling of the enclosure, wherein the driving device engaging with a bolt secured to a board fixed to the movable portion, and wherein a space is left between the ceiling and the board for movement of the movable portion.

15. The testing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the enclosure has a door board attached thereto, the door board defining an opening corresponding to the channel for extension the heat pipe into the channel via the opening of the door board.

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

17. The testing apparatus of claim 16, wherein immovable portion sits on a bottom of the enclosure, the two wires of the heating member extending through the bottom of the enclosure.