Visualization study of a unique heat transfer mechanism in an ultra-low fill rate heat pipe with a single serpentine channel resembling pulsating heat pipes

Fumoto, Koji*; Okubo, Kento*; Oshima, Shotaro*; Hatamoto, Asami*; Kurita, Keisuke; Harayama, Isao; Iikura, Hiroshi

no journal, , 

The self-heating of electric devices and machinery is a significant challenge. Therefore, an ultralow-fill-rate heat pipe (ULFR-HP) was developed as an innovative cooling solution. Constructed from an aluminum alloy and using water as the working fluid, the ULFR-HP features a meandering flow path. Upon heating, the working fluid circulates through this path, effectively transferring heat away from the source. Although previous studies have demonstrated the ULFR-HP's superior heat transfer coefficient compared to conventional cooling methods (e.g., PHP), the underlying mechanisms of fluid flow and heat transport remain unclear. To elucidate these processes, we conducted a neutron radiography experiment using the ULFR-HP.