DE102015115032A1 - Heat pipe arrangement and heat dissipation arrangement with such a heat pipe arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat pipe arrangement (1) with a plurality of heat pipe units (2) which are arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the heat pipe arrangement (1), wherein adjacent heat pipe units (2) are connected to each other at their mutually facing front ends and the heat pipe units (2). define a flow channel (3) for a fluid medium, which forms a closed space, wherein at least two adjacent Wärmerohreinheiten (2) at its junction, in particular by means of a rotary coupling (8) about a common axis of rotation (D) are rotatably connected relative to each other. The invention further relates to a heat dissipation arrangement (16) with such a heat pipe arrangement (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a heat pipe assembly having a plurality of heat pipe units arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the heat pipe assembly with adjacent heat pipe units joined together at their facing ends and the heat pipe units forming a fluid medium flow channel forming a closed space. Furthermore, the invention relates to a heat dissipation arrangement with such a heat pipe arrangement.

When it comes to dissipate heat from a heat source and supply a heat consumer, heat pipes are often used in practice often and for a long time, which are often known under the English term "heat pipes". In a heat pipe is a closed two-phase system, wherein in a flow channel in the interior of the heat pipe, a cooling medium circulates in two different phases, namely liquid and gaseous. In order to enable a heat transfer from the heat source to the heat consumer, an end section of the heat pipe - a so-called evaporation section - is arranged in a region of the heat source and a further end section of the heat pipe - a so-called condensation section - in a region of the heat consumer. Due to the heat of the heat source, the initially liquid cooling medium is evaporated within the evaporation section. As a result, the pressure above the liquid level in the vapor space is locally increased, which leads to a low pressure gradient within the flow channel. The resulting vapor therefore flows to a lower temperature location where it condenses. At this condensation section, the temperature increases due to the released heat of condensation. The previously recorded latent heat is released to the environment, in particular to the heat consumer. The liquid phase of the cooling medium now slides along the inner wall of the flow channel, e.g. taking advantage of the principle of capillary action, in the reverse flow direction of the vapor phase of the cooling medium, which remains trapped in the middle of the flow channel, back to the evaporation section of the heat pipe.

Such heat pipes are used, for example, in computer technology to dissipate the waste heat of a microprocessor from the same and to deliver it to the cooling fins of a heat sink and / or in the air flow of a Gehäuseventilators. Likewise, heat pipes are used in space travel. Various electrical on-board equipment in the fuselage of a spacecraft, such as a satellite, generates power dissipation during its operation and radiates a corresponding amount of heat into its immediate surroundings within the fuselage. In order to avoid overheating of the fuselage, as much of the heat as possible in the fuselage must be dissipated into space. Since heat dissipation by heat conduction is not possible in the vacuum of space, cooling takes place regularly by thermal radiation. As in particular in the DE 199 08 683 For this purpose, radiating or radiator surfaces are located on two outer sides of the fuselage of the spacecraft. The waste heat is supplied via corresponding heat pipes the radiator surfaces and radiated via this into space.

In addition to the previously described heat pipes as such, heat pipe arrangements are also known which have a plurality of heat pipe units arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the heat pipe arrangement, wherein adjacent heat pipe units are firmly and rigidly connected to one another at their mutually facing frontal ends, for example by gluing or welding. The interconnected Wärmerohreinheiten here together form the required for a heat conduction flow channel for the cooling medium. Such a heat pipe arrangement is used in particular when a heat conduction must take place along a particularly long distance. In such a case, an assembly of a plurality of shorter heat pipe elements is essential for installation of a sufficiently long flow channel. In addition, the individual heat pipe elements may be different lengths and curved, which in turn allows flexible routing of the heat pipe assembly.

However, it has not been possible to supply heat from a heat source by means of a heat pipe assembly to a heat consumer that moves relative to a heat source. For even heat pipes made of a somewhat flexible material are not designed and are not capable of following larger movements of a heat consumer relative to a heat source and the associated mechanical stresses and strains. However, this would be very desirable in many areas.

For example, in helicopters there is the problem that the rotor or parts of it freeze in damp cold conditions. Therefore, it is customary to prevent icing of the rotor by means of an energy-consuming electrical heating of the rotor or to eliminate already existing icing. So it would be desirable if the heat generated in a motor unit of the helicopter during its operation the rotor as possible to deliver efficiently. A similar problem arises in connection with wind turbines, the rotors often have to be de-iced, for example by heated air is blown by fan through the rotor blade. However, such de-icing solutions by means of hot air are ineffective, since air is inefficient as a heat conductor. Thus, it would be desirable to be able to supply the heat generated in a generator unit of a wind turbine as efficiently as possible to the rotor.

Not only in the terrestrial applications described above by way of example, but also in space applications, the problem arises how to supply heat from a heat source to a heat consumer moving relative to the heat source. By increasing the payloads to be implemented in a particularly electrically driven satellite, the amount of heat to be dissipated by the satellite also increases. To avoid overheating the hull of the satellite, heat from a heat source within the fuselage must be supplied to the radiator surfaces of a radiator attached to outside surfaces of the fuselage by means of a heat pipe assembly. Since the heat development steadily increases, especially in modern satellites, the radiation capacity of the previous radiators is not sufficient. However, attaching additional radiators to still free outer surfaces of the fuselage would increase the mass of the satellite. Thus, it would be advantageous to be able to use already existing satellite components as a support structure for additional radiator surfaces, so that it is not necessary to install a complete further radiator including its own support structure for radiator surfaces on the satellite. As such satellite components are in particular peripheral portions of the satellite into consideration, such as a space-extendable solar generator, however, are usually relatively movable relative to the fuselage of the satellite. A supply of heat from a heat source located within the fuselage to such a relative to the fuselage movable solar generator is not possible by means of the heat pipe arrangements known in the prior art. Against this background, the present invention has the object to provide a heat pipe arrangement of the type mentioned, which allows to supply heat from a heat source to a relative to the heat source moving heat consumer, without the heat pipe assembly is exposed to unnecessary mechanical stress or stress. Furthermore, a heat dissipation arrangement should be specified with such a heat pipe arrangement.

To achieve this object, the present invention provides a heat pipe arrangement of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that at least two adjacent Wärmerohreinheiten are rotatably connected at their junction in particular by means of a rotary coupling about a common axis of rotation relative to each other. Advantageously, at two connection points, the two adjacent heat pipe units are rotatably connected relative to each other about a common axis of rotation, wherein the axes of rotation at the junctions point in at least two different spatial directions and in particular are perpendicular to one another. This is advantageous in particular when fastening an end-side end region of the heat pipe arrangement in the region of a heat source and an opposite end-side end region of the heat pipe arrangement in the region of a heat consumer, when the heat consumer moves relative to the heat source. Because several axes of rotation pointing in different directions provide the heat pipe assembly many degrees of freedom to reorient themselves according to the movements of the heat consumer. Sufficient degrees of freedom ensure entrainment of the heat pipe arrangement in all possible movements of the heat consumer. Thus, there is no danger that the heat pipe assembly will bend, break or break at one point due to the movements of the heat consumer. Without such a rotatable connection of heat pipe units, in many applications, such as helicopters or wind turbines, the use of a heat pipe assembly must be dispensed with and the heat transfer can not be ensured efficiently and / or in sufficient quantity.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat pipe units rotatably connected to each other are rectilinearly formed at their facing end portions and extend in particular in the direction of the common axis of rotation, wherein the heat pipe units are also formed straight or curved after the rectilinear end portions. A partially curved design of the heat pipe units allows an embodiment of the heat pipe assembly in the manner of a swivel joint scissors. The heat pipe arrangement can thus follow the movements of the heat consumer by means of a reconfiguration of the heat path predetermined by the flow channel in three-dimensional space. A rectilinear design of the two heat pipe units, on the other hand, offers the advantage that the heat path does not change, especially in the case of an exclusive rotary movement of the heat consumer about the common axis of rotation of the two heat pipe units.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the two adjacent Wärmerohreinheiten at at least one connection point their front end portions formed as coupling members or wear coupling members of a rotary coupling, which are formed as cylindrical female and male coupling members which are rotatably mated relative to each other. Such cylindrically shaped female and male coupling members are advantageous because they allow a simple and quick to implement rotatable connection of two adjacent Wärmerohreinheiten, which can be easily solved if necessary.

Preferably, the mated coupling members are rotatably connected to each other in the manner of a sliding bearing and a holding device is provided to axially connect the two heat pipe units and in particular the coupling members provided thereon, wherein the holding device in particular has a holding clamp, which radially on the coupling members protruding connecting flanges at their encompassing sides of groundbreaking pages. A plain bearing is particularly advantageous because it is easy to implement. It may in principle be a lubricant, lubricant-free or self-lubricating plain bearing. In space applications of the heat pipe arrangement, in particular, a lubricant-free sliding bearing is advantageous, since the use of skimmers there is a risk that they evaporate in the vacuum of space. In this case, an inner surface of the female coupling member and an outer surface of the male coupling member are preferably made of abrasion-resistant materials having a low coefficient of friction. In a self-lubricating slide bearing, the inner surface of the female coupling member and / or the outer surface of the male coupling member are made of or coated with a material having a self-lubricating property. As such a material with self-lubricating property is in particular a lead or tin alloyed material, a plastic such as PTFE, a technical ceramics or graphite embedded in brass in question, just to name a few examples. In the case of a lubricant sliding bearing come as lubricant all usual in this area lubricants into consideration. The holding device of the heat pipe arrangement ensures that the two axially mated coupling members move apart again only to a limited extent in the opposite axial direction. This ensures that the flow channel formed by the heat pipe units is not interrupted.

Alternatively, the mated coupling members may be rotatably connected to each other in the manner of a rolling bearing. This may be a lubricant, lubricant-free or self-lubricating rolling bearing, reference being made in this regard to the above statements on sliding bearing. Due to the design of such a roller bearing can be advantageously dispensed with a separate holding device in contrast to a sliding bearing.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, an annular gap formed between the assembled coupling members is sealed. This prevents that the fluid medium located in the flow channel exits through the annular gap from the heat pipe arrangement, which would lead to a heat conduction would be limited or no longer possible. The sealing can be done with the aid of a sealing ring and / or a lubricant located in the annular gap, to name just a few examples.

Advantageously, to seal at least one connection point between two rotatably interconnected Wärmerohreinheiten be provided a capsule which surrounds the two rotatably interconnected end portions of the Wärmerohreinheiten to form a pressure chamber in which a pressure can be built up, which counteracts escape of the fluid medium from the flow channel or prevents the escape. In order to be able to build up a pressure within the capsule, the capsule is preferably designed as a rigid capsule. Advantageously, the pressure built up within the capsule is an internal overpressure that corresponds approximately to a maximum pressure within the flow channel in order to prevent escape of the fluid medium from the flow channel. The capsule can also take over the function of a holding device for the axial connection of trained in the manner of a sliding bearing coupling members.

Preferably, a plurality of groove-shaped capillary structures extending in the longitudinal direction of the flow channel are provided on an inner wall of the flow channel, wherein the groove-shaped capillary structures are arranged in particular parallel and at a uniform distance from each other along the inner wall of the flow channel. The exact shape of the capillary structures also depends on the mounting position of the heat pipe units of the heat pipe assembly. Thus, it may be necessary to assist the capillary action of such longitudinal grooves by fine-mesh copper braids or sintered copper spheres within the flow channel. The capillary structures ensure that the fluid medium in its liquid state is returned by capillary forces to the location of the heat pipe arrangement where heat from the heat source has been introduced. Preferably, the groove-shaped capillary structures at the junction of two rotatably connected relative to each other Heat pipe units interrupted. Advantageously, therefore, the individual longitudinal grooves run in the direction of the connection point. The parallel and equally spaced longitudinal grooves offer the advantage that in a rotation of the two Wärmerohreinheiten in discrete angular increments, each corresponding to the distance between two longitudinal grooves in each rotational position of the two Wärmerohreinheiten the longitudinal grooves on the joint without lateral offset continue to each other. This ensures efficient heat conduction of the heat pipe assembly in each rotational position. Instead of the capillary forces generated by the capillary structures, the return of the fluid medium in its liquid state to the location of the heat pipe assembly where the heat of the heat source has been introduced may alternatively be accomplished by utilizing gravity.

To achieve the object mentioned, the present invention further provides a heat dissipation arrangement of the type mentioned, wherein the heat dissipation arrangement comprises a heat source, which is connected via a heat pipe arrangement according to the invention with a relative to the heat source movable heat consumer. Only the heat pipe arrangement according to the invention with at least two heat pipe units rotatably connected to one another makes it possible to supply heat from the heat source to the heat consumer moving relative to the heat source.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the heat source of the heat dissipation arrangement is located in a fuselage of a spacecraft, in particular a satellite, and the heat consumer of the heat dissipation arrangement is a spacecraft solar generator located outside and connected to the fuselage of the spacecraft, the solar generator comprising a plurality Solar panels having at the front solar cells and at the rear radiator surfaces are provided for radiating the heat of the heat source. The heat source is preferably a drive of the spacecraft and / or electronic components installed in the fuselage of the spacecraft, to name just a few examples. The attachment of radiator surfaces on the back of the solar panel solar panels increases the heat sink capacity of the spacecraft without significantly increasing its mass. In addition, a further increase in the heat dissipation capacity is possible depending on the current requirement of the spacecraft by extending the radiator surfaces on other panels, without a completely new thermal concept is necessary. Since the front of the solar panels is always aligned with the solar cells in the direction of the sun, the attachment of radiator surfaces on the solar side facing away from the solar panels is advantageous in two respects. First, the back of the solar panels is not needed for the solar cells. On the other hand, it is important that the radiator surfaces are not directly exposed to the sun, as these not only emit a lot of heat but can also absorb as much solar radiation, which has a negative effect on the heat balance.

Likewise, the heat pipe assembly may be integrated in a movable supporting structure of the solar generator, wherein the connection points at which mutually facing frontal ends of adjacent Wärmerohreinheiten the heat pipe assembly are rotatably connected to pivot points or hinges of the mobile supporting structure of the solar generator are provided. By integrating the heat pipe assembly in the supporting structure of the solar generator, the total mass of the spacecraft is kept low and also saves space. The arrangement of the joints of the heat pipe assembly at the pivot points or hinges of the supporting structure of the solar generator offers the advantage of ensuring that the heat pipe assembly has the same degrees of freedom and thus the same mobility in three-dimensional space as the movable supporting structure of the solar generator.

Preferably, the solar generator of the spacecraft is connected via a mechanism for rotating solar panels, a so-called "Solar Array Drive Mechanism", SADM, for continuous alignment of the solar generator to the sun with the fuselage of the spacecraft, wherein a junction of two adjacent and rotatably interconnected Wärmerohreinheiten provided at the SADM. The SADM ensures a continuous alignment of the solar panels with the sun. Here, one of the two rotatably connected heat pipe units and thus at the same time connected to this heat pipe unit solar generator over a period of 24 hours once rotated by 360 ° relative to the other heat pipe unit about the common axis of rotation of the two rotatably connected heat pipe units. Such a combination of a junction with the SADM allows continuous tracking of the solar generator by the SADM without demolition of the heat pipe assembly.

Advantageously, the heat source is an engine unit of a helicopter and the heat consumer is a icing-prone part of a rotor of the helicopter or the heat source is a generator unit of a wind turbine or a ground / water heat source and the heat consumer is a icing-prone part of a rotor of the wind turbine. Thus, heat that is produced for example in the engine unit of the helicopter or in the generator unit of the wind turbine, using a heat pipe assembly according to the invention a heat consumer, here the icing-prone part of the rotor, are supplied to de-ice the rotor. Energy consuming electric heaters or inefficient hot air heaters are no longer needed.

With the heat pipe arrangement described above, therefore, a heat pipe arrangement is provided for the first time, which allows heat from a heat source to be supplied to a heat consumer moving relative to the heat source without exposing the heat pipe arrangement to unnecessary mechanical stresses or strains. Furthermore, for the first time, a heat dissipation arrangement with such a heat pipe arrangement is provided.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of two alternative embodiments of a heat pipe assembly and an embodiment of a heat dissipation arrangement according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. That's it

1 a schematic view of a heat pipe assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein their closed opposite end faces are indicated;

2 a sectional view taken along the section line II-II in 1 ;

3 a sectional view taken along the section line III-III in 1 ;

4 a schematic view of a heat pipe assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

5 a perspective schematic view of a satellite with a heat dissipation arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first state;

6 a perspective schematic view of the satellite with the heat dissipation arrangement 5 in a second state.

The 1 to 3 show a schematic view of a heat pipe assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as well as various sectional views of this heat pipe assembly 1 , The heat pipe arrangement 1 includes two heat pipe units 2 in a longitudinal direction of the heat pipe assembly 1 arranged one behind the other and connected to each other at their facing ends.

The two heat pipe units 2 are rectilinear and define a flow channel 3 for a fluid medium. The flow channel 3 forms a closed space, in particular the fact that opposite frontal ends 4 . 5 the heat pipe arrangement 1 are completed accordingly. As 3 can be seen, the flow channel 3 on its inner wall 6 a plurality of in the longitudinal direction of the flow channel 3 extending groove-shaped capillary structures 7 on, wherein the groove-shaped capillary structures 7 parallel and at a uniform distance from each other along the inner wall 6 of the flow channel 3 are arranged. In addition to the groove-shaped capillary structures 7 can be inside the flow channel 3 still fine-meshed copper braids and / or sintered copper beads may be arranged. Although the flow channel 3 in the present embodiment has a substantially annular cross-section, other cross-sectional shapes are conceivable, such as an oval cross-section.

In order to allow heat transfer from a heat source to a heat consumer, is an end portion of the heat pipe assembly 1 - on the left edge of the 2 shown - in a region of the heat source and another end portion of the heat pipe assembly 1 - on the right side of the 2 shown - in an area of the heat consumer can be arranged. As in the area of the heat source, the fluid medium in the interior of the flow channel 3 Upon evaporation of heat from the heat source, the corresponding portion of the heat pipe assembly becomes 1 referred to as evaporation section A. The area of the heat consumer in which the fluid medium gives off condensation heat is referred to as condensation section C. Between the evaporation section A and the condensation section C there is a heat transfer section B of the heat pipe arrangement 1 ,

The two heat pipe units 2 are at their junction by means of a rotary joint 8th rotatably connected about a common axis of rotation D relative to each other, wherein the rectilinear heat pipe units 2 extend in the direction of the common axis of rotation D. This offers the advantage that the heat pipe arrangement 1 , whose evaporation section A is attached to the heat source and whose condensation section C is attached to the heat consumer, does not break off when the heat consumer rotates relative to the heat source about the axis of rotation D.

The rotatably interconnected Wärmerohreinheiten 2 wear on their front end areas 9 female 10 and male 11 Coupling members of the rotary joint 8th , which are rotatably fitted together relative to each other and rotatably connected to each other in the manner of a sliding bearing. This is an easily convertible and easily detachable rotatable connection of the two heat pipe units 2 , Of the two coupling members 10 . 11 stand connecting flanges 12 . 13 radially in front of which of a retaining clip 14 are embraced at their sides pointing away from each other. The holding clamp 14 is here in 2 shown. Through the retaining clip 14 become the two heatpipe units 2 and in particular the coupling members carried thereon 10 . 11 axially securely connected together. One between the assembled coupling members 10 . 11 formed annular gap is sealed fluid-tight, resulting in the 1 to 3 not shown, so that the flow channel 3 is not interrupted.

In the sectional view of the heat pipe assembly 1 in 2 are the physical processes within the flow channel 3 shown schematically. In the flow channel 3 circulates a cooling medium in the phases liquid and gaseous to allow a heat transfer. The initially liquid cooling medium is evaporated in the evaporation section A by externally supplied via the connected heat source heat W. The resulting vapor flows in the middle of the flow channel 3 along the heat transfer section B to the condensation section C, where the steam condenses, whereby condensation heat W is released to the environment. The now liquid cooling medium now flows along the inner wall 6 of the flow channel 3 thanks to a through the groove-shaped capillary structures 7 caused capillary action in the reverse flow direction of the steam back to the evaporation section A. This capillary action can through through the flow channel 3 in addition to the groove-shaped capillary structures 7 arranged fine-meshed copper braids and / or sintered copper spheres are reinforced if necessary.

4 shows a schematic view of a heat pipe assembly 1 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The heat pipe arrangement 1 has two heat pipe units 2 on, in a longitudinal direction of the heat pipe assembly 1 arranged one behind the other and connected to each other at their facing ends. The two connected heat pipe units 2 define a flow channel for a fluid medium and are at their junction by means of a rotary joint 8th rotatably connected about a common axis of rotation D relative to each other. Here are the heat pipe units 2 at their mutually facing end-side end portions 9 rectilinear and extend in the direction of the common axis of rotation D. Subsequently to the rectilinear end portions 9 are the heat pipe units 2 formed bent by 90 °. Such a bent design of the heat pipe units 2 allows the heat pipe arrangement 1 the movements of one at an end portion of the heat pipe assembly 1 fixed heat consumer in three-dimensional space to follow. With respect to further possible embodiments of the flow channel and the rotary joint 8th is based on the foregoing with reference to the 1 to 3 directed.

The 5 and 6 show a perspective schematic view of a satellite 15 with a heat dissipation arrangement 16 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The satellite 15 includes a hull 17 with a heat source 18 as well as a solar generator 19 , The solar generator 19 includes a movable supporting structure 20 with several profiles and swivel joints 21 as well as three solar panels 22 attached to the profiles and over the swivel joints 21 are rotatably connected to each other. The solar generator 19 has in this embodiment only by way of example three solar panels 22 on. It is also any other number of solar panels 22 conceivable. Thus, the solar generator 19 in space, in particular by unfolding the solar panels 22 deployable. 6 shows a state of the satellite 15 after a deployment of the solar generator 19 , At the front of the solar panels 22 are solar cells and at the back of the solar panels 22 radiator surfaces are provided. Both the solar cells and the radiator surfaces are in the 5 and 6 not shown. In addition, there is the solar generator 19 outside the hull 17 and is with this over a SADM 23 connected. The solar generator 19 is therefore for an alignment of its solar panels 22 to the sun relative to the hull 17 and therefore also to the heat source 18 rotatably mounted.

To the heat of the heat source 18 the radiator surfaces on the back of the solar panels 22 to supply, is the heat source 18 via a heat pipe arrangement 1 with the relative to the heat source 18 connected to movable radiator surfaces. The heat pipe arrangement 1 includes four heat pipe units 2 in a longitudinal direction of the heat pipe assembly 1 are arranged one behind the other, with two adjacent Wärmerohreinheiten 2 at their mutually facing frontal ends by means of a rotary coupling 8th are rotatably connected about a common axis of rotation relative to each other. The heat pipe arrangement 1 is in mobile carrying construction 20 of the solar generator 19 integrated. More specifically, the heat pipe units 2 mostly in the profiles of mobile bearing construction 20 and the rotary joints 8th in the swivel joints 21 the mobile supporting structure 20 or in the SADM 23 integrated. Generally, it would also be conceivable, a rotary joint 8th not directly into the SADM 23 but outside the SADM 23 to arrange.

As the axes of rotation of the rotary joints 8th with corresponding axes of rotation of the swivel joints 21 of the solar generator 19 coincide, on the one hand, a continuous tracking of the solar generator 19 through the SADM 23 to the sun without demolition of the heat pipe arrangement 1 possible. On the other hand is a deployment of the solar generator 19 in space with the heat pipe arrangement 1 possible. Thus, the additional radiator surfaces on the back of the solar panels 22 be used easily. By the previously described embodiment of a heat dissipation arrangement 16 according to the present invention, wherein a heat source 18 via a heat pipe arrangement according to the invention 1 with a radiator surface of a solar generator 19 connected, the heat dissipation capacity of a satellite 15 Compared to conventional satellites, without increasing the mass of the satellite 15 is significantly increased.

Although the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Heat pipe assembly

2

 Heat pipe units

3

 flow channel

4

 frontal end of the heat pipe assembly

5

 opposite end face of the heat pipe assembly

6

 Inner wall of the flow channel

7

 grooved capillary structures

8th

 rotary joint

9

 end-side end portions of the heat pipe units

10

 female coupling member

11

 male coupling member

12

 Connecting flange of the female coupling member

13

 Connecting flange of the male coupling member

14

 Supporting collar

15

 satellite

16

 Heat dissipation arrangement

17

 Hull of the satellite

18

 heat source

19

 solar generator

20

 mobile solar generator carrying structure

21

 swivel joints

22

 solar panels

23

 SADM

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19908683 [0003]

Claims (14)

Heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) with several heat pipe units ( 2 ) arranged in a longitudinal direction of the heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) are arranged one behind the other, with adjacent heat pipe units ( 2 ) are each connected to one another at their mutually facing front ends and the heat pipe units ( 2 ) a flow channel ( 3 ) for a fluid medium forming a closed space, characterized in that at least two adjacent heat pipe units ( 2 ) at its connection point, in particular by means of a rotary coupling ( 8th ) are rotatably connected about a common axis of rotation (D) relative to each other. Heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that at two connection points, the two respectively adjacent heat pipe units ( 2 ) are rotatably connected about a common axis of rotation (D) relative to each other, wherein the axes of rotation (D) have at the connection points in at least two different spatial directions and in particular are perpendicular to each other. Heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat pipe units ( 2 ) at their mutually facing end-side end regions ( 9 ) are rectilinear and extend in particular in the direction of the common axis of rotation (D), wherein the heat pipe units ( 2 ) subsequent to the rectilinear end regions ( 9 ) are also formed straight or curved. Heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at at least one connection point the two adjacent heat pipe units ( 2 ) at their end-face end regions ( 9 ) are formed as coupling members or coupling members of a rotary joint ( 8th ) which are cylindrical female ( 10 ) and male ( 11 ) Coupling members are formed, which are rotatably mated relative to each other. Heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the assembled coupling members ( 10 . 11 ) are rotatably connected to each other in the manner of a sliding bearing and a holding device is provided to the two Wärmerohreinheiten ( 2 ) and in particular the coupling members provided thereon ( 10 . 11 ) axially connect to each other, wherein the holding device in particular a retaining clip ( 14 ), which radially from the coupling members ( 10 . 11 ) projecting connecting flanges ( 12 . 13 ) surrounds on their sides facing away from each other. Heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the assembled coupling members ( 10 . 11 ) are rotatably connected to each other in the manner of a rolling bearing. Heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a between the put together coupling members ( 10 . 11 ) formed annular gap is sealed. Heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that for sealing at least one connection point between two rotatably interconnected Wärmerohreinheiten ( 2 ) a capsule is provided, which the two rotatably interconnected end portions ( 9 ) of the heat pipe units ( 2 ) enclosing a pressure space in which a pressure is buildable, the escape of the fluid medium from the flow channel ( 3 ) or prevents the escape. Heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on an inner wall ( 6 ) of the flow channel ( 3 ) a plurality of in the longitudinal direction of the flow channel ( 3 ) groove-like capillary structures ( 7 ), wherein the groove-shaped capillary structures ( 7 ) in particular parallel and at a uniform distance from each other along the inner wall ( 6 ) of the flow channel ( 3 ) are arranged. Heat dissipation arrangement ( 16 ), which is a heat source ( 18 ), which via a heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims with a relative to the heat source ( 18 ) Mobile heat consumer is connected. Heat dissipation arrangement ( 16 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that the heat source ( 18 ) of the heat removal arrangement ( 16 ) in a hull ( 17 ) of a spacecraft, in particular a satellite ( 15 ), and that the heat consumer of the heat dissipation arrangement ( 16 ) a solar generator ( 19 ) of the spacecraft located outside the fuselage ( 17 ) of the spacecraft and is connected thereto, the solar generator ( 19 ) several solar panels ( 22 ) at the front of which solar cells and at the rear radiator surfaces for radiating the heat of the heat source ( 18 ) are provided. Heat dissipation arrangement ( 16 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) in a mobile supporting structure ( 20 ) of the solar generator ( 19 ) is integrated, wherein the connection points, at which mutually facing frontal ends adjacent Heat pipe units ( 2 ) of the heat pipe arrangement ( 1 ) are rotatably connected, at pivot points or hinges ( 8th ) of the mobile supporting structure ( 20 ) of the solar generator ( 19 ) are provided. Heat dissipation arrangement ( 16 ) according to one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the solar generator ( 19 ) of the spacecraft via a SADM ( 23 ) for the continuous alignment of the solar generator ( 19 ) to the sun with the trunk ( 17 ) of the spacecraft, wherein a joint of two adjacent and rotatably interconnected heat pipe units ( 2 ) at the SADM ( 23 ) is provided. Heat dissipation arrangement ( 16 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that the heat source ( 18 ) a motor unit of a helicopter and the heat consumer is a icing-prone part of a rotor of the helicopter or that the heat source ( 18 ) is a generator unit of a wind turbine or a ground / water heat source and the heat consumer is a icing-prone part of a rotor of the wind turbine.

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