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  Multiple fluid heat pipeUSPTO Application #: 20060054308Title: Multiple fluid heat pipe Abstract: A heat pipe having a fluid conduit, a first working fluid, having a first boiling point, disposed in the fluid conduit, and a second working fluid, having a second boiling point being different than the first boiling point, disposed in the fluid conduit. The first and second working fluids are disposed in the fluid conduit of the heat pipe such that during operating heat from the hot body causes the first working fluid to vaporize while the second working fluid remains in liquid phase. The vaporized first working fluid then carries the second working fluid through the fluid conduit to thermally transfer the heat. (end of abstract)
Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C - Bloomfield Hills, MI, US Inventors: Mark A. Smith, Donald Musinski USPTO Applicaton #: 20060054308 - Class: 165104210 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Heat Exchange, Intermediate Fluent Heat Exchange Material Receiving And Discharging Heat, Liquid Fluent Heat Exchange Material, Utilizing Change Of State The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060054308. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/609,805, filed on Sep. 14, 2004. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to heat pipes and, more particularly, relates to a heat pipe employing multiple fluids for improved efficiency and operation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Heat pipe heat exchangers are well known in the field of heat recovery and dehumidification. Heat pipes rely on a phase change process to absorb heat by evaporation and release heat by condensation, transferring large amounts of heat energy with very little difference in temperature. [0004] Heat pipes typically comprise a condenser and an evaporator connected to each other in a closed system. The typical heat pipe comprises an enclosed tube system having one end forming an evaporator portion and having another, somewhat-cooler and lower-pressure end forming a condenser portion. [0005] In operation, liquid refrigerant present in the evaporator portion is heated by the environment, vaporized, and rises into the condenser portion. In the condenser portion, the refrigerant is cooled by the environment, is condensed with the release of heat, and is then returned to the evaporator portion. The cycle then repeats itself, resulting in a continuous cycle in which heat is absorbed from the environment by the evaporator and released by the condenser. [0006] Heat pipe heat exchangers are generally made into two sections that are inserted, each in one of two air streams, where there is a temperature differential between the two air streams. The air streams are preferably in close proximity to each other and preferably flow in opposite directions. The flow of the refrigerant in heat pipes can be induced by passive techniques such as gravity flow, capillary action, thermal pumping, and thermo-syphoning. [0007] However, the usefulness of heat pipes is limited in cases where a hot object is positioned above a cold object. In such case, the natural tendency for hot fluid to rise and cold fluid to sink tends to limit the operation of the heat pipe. That is, a hot object positioned relatively above a cold object may heat the fluid within the heat pipe; however, the hot fluid naturally desires to rise or remain adjacent the higher positioned hot object. Likewise, the cold fluid naturally desires to sink or remain adjacent the lower positioned cold object. Thus, the operation of heat pipes is limited when used with hot objects positioned above cold objects. [0008] Accordingly, there is a need in the relevant art to provide a heat pipe system that is capable of operating between higher positioned hot objects and lower positioned cold objects. Furthermore, there exists a need in the relevant art to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] According to the principles of the present invention, a heat pipe having an advantageous construction and method of use is provided. The heat pipe having a fluid conduit, a first working fluid, having a first boiling point, disposed in the fluid conduit, and a second working fluid, having a second boiling point being different than the first boiling point, disposed in the fluid conduit. The first and second working fluids are disposed in the fluid conduit of the heat pipe such that during operating heat from the hot body causes the first working fluid to vaporize while the second working fluid remains in liquid phase. The vaporized first working fluid then carries the second working fluid through the fluid conduit to thermally transfer the heat. [0010] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a multiple fluid heat pipe according to the principles of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a vaporized plug of a first working fluid; and [0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a bundled array of the multiple fluid heat pipes of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0015] The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. [0016] According to the prior art, certain problems occur in the efficient transfer of a thermal load when a hot body to be cooled is located over or above the cold body. That is, in order to accomplish such cooling of the hot body, fluid would flow against its natural tendency (i.e. heat rises and cold sinks). [0017] Typically, a heat pipe is a vacuum vessel containing a relatively small amount of working fluid. The vessel's inner surface is constructed or treated such that the working fluid covers the entire inner surface of the vessel as a thin layer. The vessel is initially evacuated and, thus, it only contains the liquid working fluid on the inner surface and the vapor phase of the fluid throughout the inner volume. [0018] The amount of heat exchange a heat pipe can handle can be enormous. However, it is usually limited by the ability of the liquid layer to counter flow the heat exchange. Classically, heat pipes fail when the liquid layer is dried out at the source of heat. This is particularly so when the liquid layer has to fight gravity to return liquid to a hot region above the cold region. Fighting this problem usually drives up the costs significantly, limiting the applications of heat pipes. Continue reading... Full patent description for Multiple fluid heat pipe Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Multiple fluid heat pipe patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Multiple fluid heat pipe or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Heat sink Next Patent Application: Heat exchanger of ventilating system Industry Class: Heat exchange ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Multiple fluid heat pipe patent info. 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