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 positioning structure extends from the immovable portion and slideably receives the movable portion therein for avoiding the movable portion from deviating from the immovable portion during movement of the movable portion relative the immovable portion. Temperature sensors are attached to the immovable portion and the movable portion for detecting 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 an insulating plate of the testing apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is an assembled view of FIG. 3A, 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 the testing apparatus of FIG. 4; 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; anda positioning structure extending from at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion for avoiding the movable portion from deviating from the immovable portion during movement of the movable portion relative the immovable portion to ensure the receiving structure being capable of precisely receiving the heat pipe;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.

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 a 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 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.

5. The testing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the positioning structure is two flanges extending from two opposite sides of the immovable portion toward the movable portion, the two flanges being capable of slidably contacting two opposite faces of the movable portion.

6. The testing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the movable portion is always located between the two flanges of the immovable portion when it moves away or toward the immovable portion.

7. The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the two flanges each has an outer face coplanar with an outer face of a main body of the immovable portion.

8. The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the two flanges each extend from an outer face of a main body of the immovable portion, the main body being located between the two flanges.

9. The testing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a supporting frame, wherein the supporting frame comprises a seat for positioning the testing apparatus at a required position, the seat having a first plate locating the immovable portion thereon, the supporting frame having a second plate located above the movable portion and supported by a plurality rods extending from the first plate.

10. The testing apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a thermally insulating plate located between the immovable portion and the first plate of the seat of the supporting frame.

11. The testing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the insulating plate defines a pond in a top face thereof, the immovable portion having a bottom thereof positioned in the pond.

12. The testing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the insulating plate extends a pair of ribs in the pond thereof to support the immovable portion apart so that the immovable portion is spaced from a top face of the insulating plate defined in the pond.

13. The testing apparatus of claim 10, 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 and towards the immovable portion.

14. The testing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the driving device connects with the movable portion via a bolt engaged with the movable portion, the driving device has a shaft extending through the second plate of the supporting device and engaging with the bolt.

15. 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 supplier.