The heat transfer capacity of multi-layer wick heat pipe tested in anti-gravity orientations

Abstract

To improve the heat transfer performance in the anti-gravity direction, the multi-layer wick heat pipe with three pore sizes was fabricated. The wick consisted of a coarse powder layer and a nanoporous fine copper powder layer. The critical heat load of the multi-layer wick was as high as 79 W in the 90° direction, while the homogeneous wick sintered from coarse powder and nanoporous fine powder is only 23 W and 30 W, respectively. Multi-layer wick heat pipes with high heat transfer capacity will broaden their applications in terrestrial environments.