Analysis of thermal characteristics of the heat pipes with segmented composite wicks

Abstract

In the present study, the thermal characteristics of two different porous media (SWM (spiral woven mesh) and SCP (sintered copper powder)) at different length proportions, different particle sizes of SCP, and different heating directions under different input power were explored to enhance the thermal performance of UTHP (ultra-thin flattened heat pipe). To clarify, the length of the wick was divided into 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90% proportions of SCP and SWM, respectively. After determining the optimal wick ratio, SCP with particle sizes ranging from 0.38–0.25, 0.25–0.18, 0.18–0.15, and 0.15–0.12 mm were combined with the SWM. The study then investigated and compared the effects of different particle sizes of SCP on the performance of UTHP with the thermal performance of a single structure. Some conclusions can be drawn. SCP and SWM have different performances when compounded with different proportions. Although the best performance was observed when the length proportion of SCP was 50%, it is important to note that the composite structure is not always superior to the single-wick structure. With appropriate parameters, UTHP with a segmented wick showed an increase in maximum heat dissipation capacity by 16.7% and a reduction in thermal resistance compared to the UTHP with a single wick structure.