Dynapore® laminated screen structures have been used in applications wherein excess heat needs to be transported away from a particular site and distributed or radiated away.

• 1. Heat enters the pipe in the evaporator area, where it boils the working fluid. The boiled vapor creates a pressure gradient which forces the vapor towards the condenser.
• 2. The working fluid, as boiled vapor, diffuses from the evaporator area into the condenser area.
• 3. The fluid now condenses and releases its latent heat of evaporation. The condensed fluid, though gravity and/or capillary action, is drawn back into the pores of the Dynapore® wick structure and returns to the evaporator.
• 4. Dynapore® material serves two purposes. First, it acts as the wick, using capillary pressure to bring the condensate back to the evaporator. Secondly, its sintered structure acts as an extended surface area to allow higher heat fluxes and rates of heat transfer.

As an example, it is possible to fabricate a laminate of one or more layers of fine wire mesh screens bonded to a solid stainless steel foil substrate. This material may then be formed into a tubular shape with the mesh on the inside diameter, and longitudinally seam-welded. The result is a pipe with a diffusion-bonded wire mesh lining. A heat source in contact with the evaporator area of the heat pipe may be cooled by contact with the mesh lining & its working fluid, which will expel the heat to ambient. Powered by only the heat that it dissipates, a heat pipe operates passively, ensuring high reliability and long life.

In various designs, the pipe may thus become a heat exchanger, which facilitates cooling of a heat source. Contact MKI today to find out more about Dynapore® and its heat pipe applications.