PERFORMANCE TESTING APPARATUS FOR HEAT PIPES

Abstract

A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a cooling structure defined therein for cooling a heat pipe requiring test. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion and has a cooling structure defined therein for cooling the heat pipe. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the heat pipe therein. A concavo-convex cooperating structure is 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 precisely receiving the heat pipe. At least a temperature sensor is attached to at least one of the immovable portion and the movable portion 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 a movable portion of the testing apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B shows an immovable portion of the testing apparatus of FIG. 2;

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

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

FIG. 5 is a conventional performance testing apparatus for heat pipes.

Claims

1. A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe comprising: an immovable portion having a cooling structure defined therein for cooling the heat pipe requiring test;a movable portion capable of moving relative to the immovable portion and having a cooling structure defined therein for cooling the heat pipe;a receiving structure being located between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving 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; andat least a 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 channel is cooperatively defined by a cooling groove in a face of the immovable portion and a positioning groove in a face of the movable portion confronting the immovable portion.

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

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

6. The testing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the concavo-convex cooperating structure is two slots defined in the immovable portion and two boards extending from the movable portion toward the immovable portion, the boards being capable of slidably received in corresponding slots.

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

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

9. The testing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a supporting device, wherein the supporting device comprises a seat for locating the testing apparatus at a required position, a first plate on the seat and having the immovable portion located thereon, and 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, wherein an insulating plate is sandwiched between the immovable portion and the first plate of the supporting device.

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 positioned in the pond.

12. The testing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first plate of the supporting device defines a concave in a top face thereof, the insulating plate has a bottom positioned in the concave.

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 cooling structure of the immovable portion comprises a coolant passageway defined in the immovable portion and inlet and outlet adapted for fludically communicating with a coolant circulating device with the coolant passageway.

16. The testing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cooling structure of the movable portion comprises a coolant passageway defined in the movable portion and inlet and outlet adapted for fludically communicating with a coolant circulating device with the coolant passageway.

17. A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe comprising: an immovable portion on the seat, having a cooling passage therein for passing of coolant through the immovable portion and a first groove in a top surface thereof;a movable portion on the immovable portion and movable relative to the immovable portion, having a cooling passage therein for passing of coolant through the movable portion and a second groove in a bottom surface thereof, the first and second grooves being cooperative to form a channel for receiving the heat pipe;a first temperature sensor mounted in the immovable portion for detecting a temperature of the heat pipe;a second temperature sensor mounted in the movable portion for detecting the temperature of the heat pipe; anda protrusion formed at a bottom face of the movable portion and a void defined in a top face of the immovable portion, the protrusion being slidably received in the void to guide a precise linear movement of the movable portion toward and away from the immovable portion. 18. The performance testing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the protrusion is a post and the void is a hole.

18. The performance testing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the protrusions is a board and the void is a slot.

19. The performance testing apparatus of clam 17, wherein the seat is an electromagnetic holding chuck.