Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experimental Research on Thermal Performance of Ultra-Thin Flattened Heat Pipes

  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Ultra-thin flattened heat pipe (UTHP) is an effective solution to solve the problem of high-power density heat dissipation in narrow space. The key factors that determine its thermal performance include: the shapes and sizes of the UTHP, the wick structure, the type of working fluid and its filling ratio. The change in the filling ratio means not only a change in the amount of the working fluid, but also a change in the space distribution of the gas and liquid phases inside the heat pipe. Therefore, it is important to explore the effect of liquid filling ratio on the thermal performance of UTHP. It can provide effective guidance for the production of UTHP. In this work, experiments were conducted on four groups of UTHPs with different mesh wicks under a series of liquid filling ratios. The results demonstrate that the volume of the filling working fluid should account for 22%–37% of the total internal volume of the UTHP to avoid deterioration of heat transfer during the operation of the UTHP. In addition, a prediction model of the evaporator temperature has been established to provide guidance for the application of UTHPs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

a :

half width of the interval

d :

wire diameter/mm

f w :

liquid filling ratio/%

h :

height/mm

k :

coverage factor

L :

length of the heat pipe

M :

mesh size/mm−1

N :

mesh number/cm−1

Q :

heat load/W

R :

thermal resistance/K·W−1

r :

radius/mm

t :

thickness/mm

T :

temperature/°C

u :

uncertainty of the measurement

V :

volume/mm3

ε :

porosity/%

λ :

height ratio of the vapor channel/%

ψ :

rate of evaporator temperature rise/K·W−1

a:

adiabatic section

c:

condensing section

e:

evaporating section

f:

liquid fluid

i:

inner

input:

input

max:

maximum

min:

minimum

o:

outer

p:

pore

s:

mesh wire

v:

vapor

w:

wick

References

  1. Chen K., Chen Y., She Y., Construction of effective symmetrical air-cooled system for battery thermal management. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2020, 166: 114–679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Jouhara H., Chauhan A., Nannou T., Heat pipe-based systems—Advances and applications. Energy, 2017, 128: 729–754.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Hong C., Huang Y., Integrated flat heat pipe with a porous network wick for high-heat-flux electronic devices. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science: International Journal of Experimental Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, and Fluid Mechanics, 2017, 85: 119–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Mcglen R., Jachuck R., Lin S., Integrated thermal management techniques for high power electronic devices. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2004, 24: 1143–1156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Yang X., Yan Y., Mullen D., Recent developments of lightweight, high performance heat pipes. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2012, 33: 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Tang H., Tang Y., Wan Z., Review of applications and developments of ultra-thin micro heat pipes for electronic cooling. Applied Energy, 2018, 223: 383–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Chen X., Ye H., Fan X., A review of small heat pipes for electronics. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2016, 96: 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Li Y., Zhou W., He J., Thermal performance of ultra-thin flattened heat pipes with composite wick structure. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2016, 102: 487–499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Li J., Lv L., Zhou G., An ultra-thin miniature loop heat pipe cooler for mobile electronics. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2016, 109: 514–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Yang K., Tu C., Zhang W., A novel oxidized composite braided wires wick structure applicable for ultra-thin flattened heat pipes. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 2017, 88: 84–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Tang Y., Tang H., Li J., Experimental investigation of capillary force in a novel sintered copper mesh wick for ultra-thin heat pipes. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2017, 115: 1020–1030.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Li J., Lv L., Experimental studies on a novel thin flat heat pipe heat spreader. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2016, 93: 139–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Tang Y., Hong S., Wang S., Experimental study on thermal performances of ultra-thin flattened heat pipes. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2019, 134: 884–894.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Wang X., Gao X., Bao K., Experimental investigation on the temperature distribution characteristics of the evaporation section in a pulsating heat pipe. Journal of Thermal Science, 2019, 28: 246–251.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. Wang X., Jia L., Experimental study on heat transfer performance of pulsating heat pipe with refrigerants. Journal of Thermal Science, 2016, 25: 449–453.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. Chen J., Chou J., Cooling performance of flat plate heat pipes with different liquid filling ratios. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2014, 77: 874–882.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Chen J., Chou J., The length and bending angle effects on the cooling performance of flat plate heat pipes. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2015, 90: 848–856.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Hu C., Li J., Experimental study on the start up performance of flat plate pulsating heat pipe. Journal of Thermal Science, 2011, 20: 150–154.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. Wang G., Quan Z., Zhao Y., Performance of a flat-plate micro heat pipe at different filling ratios and working fluids. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2018, 146: 459–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Zhou W., Xie P., Li Y., Thermal performance of ultra-thin flattened heat pipes. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2017, 117: 773–781.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Li Y., Zhou W., He J., Thermal performance of ultra-thin flattened heat pipes with composite wick structure. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2016, 102: 487–499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhou W., Li Y., Chen Z., A novel ultra-thin flattened heat pipe with biporous spiral woven mesh wick for cooling electronic devices. Energy Conversion and Management, 2019, 180: 769–783.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Chang S.W., Porosity and effective thermal conductivity of wire screens. Journal of Heat Transfer, 1990, 112(1): 5–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China. JJF1059. 1-2012 Evaluation and Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. Bei Jin: China Quality and Standards Publishing & Media Co., Ltd., 2012

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kempers R., Ewing D., Ching C.Y., Effect of number of mesh layers and fluid loading on the performance of screen mesh wicked heat pipes. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2006, 26: 589–595.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Wang G., Quan Z., Zhao Y., Performance of a flat-plate micro heat pipe at different filling ratios and working fluids. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2018, 146: 459–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Zuang J., Zhang H., Heat pipe technology and engineering application. Chemical Industry Press, Beijing, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

We would like to express our gratitude to National Key Research & Development Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFB0406100) and Guangzhou Municipal Science & Technology Program Project (Grant No. 201802010013).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Lab of Heat Transfer Enhancement and Energy Conservation of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    Yongle Tang & Shuangfeng Wang

  2. Shanghai Institute of Satellite Engineering, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Jianguang Cao

Authors
  1. Yongle Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jianguang Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shuangfeng Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shuangfeng Wang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tang, Y., Cao, J. & Wang, S. Experimental Research on Thermal Performance of Ultra-Thin Flattened Heat Pipes. J. Therm. Sci. 31, 2346–2362 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-022-1710-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-022-1710-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation