Dr. M V Rane of IIT Bombay’s, Department of Mechanical Engineering
has developed improved heat pipes using a system for isolating the evaporator
or condenser capable of transferring heat intermittently when desired based
parameters of the system. It can be used for applications where a common
evaporator is connected to multiple condensers and when all condensers are
not operational at the same time. The system can further be used for applications
where many evaporators are connected to a single condenser and heat is does
not have to be extracted from all evaporators at the same time.
Heat pipes
capable of controlling the heat transfer are known as switchable heat pipes,
and are used in space technology, refrigeration, air-conditioning,
and electronic cooling.
Various switching mechanisms which make use of
valves, or heating/cooling elements that are complex in design and operation
are known.
In the system developed at IITB the evaporator and condenser
are connected to each other through flexible tube/hose. A single evaporator
may be
connected to multiple evaporators or vise versa by using Y shape flexible
tubes.
The design allows isolation of a particular condenser or evaporator
when needed
by simple pinching of the corresponding end of the flexible tube connected
to them. Pinching of the tubes may be done using any mechanical means,
hence offering control and greater flexibility.
Indian patent application no. 152/MUM/2002 Patent grant no. 204108
Inventors: M V Rane and Akhil Agarwal
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