| This thesis work is to perform copper heat pipe manufacturing, testing, and theoretical analyses. The details are presented in the corresponding chapters in this thesis.; A detailed heat pipe manufacturing process is introduced, including primary design consideration, material preparation and treatment, component assembly, evacuation and working fluid charging, and the final sealing and finishing process. Among these processes, the challenges related to the evacuation and fluid charging processes as well as corresponding impacts are analyzed.{09}The corresponding solutions are discussed.; A series of experiments are conducted. The experiments involve six heat pipe configurations as well as copper tube configurations for comparison purposes. The performances are tested with difference cooling conditions combining different orientations. Detailed experimental analyses focussed on performance parameters such as the heat pipe transfer capacity and effective axial thermal conductivity, with regard to specific testing conditions. Some phenomena were observed, and the corresponding explanations are discussed.; Mathematical models are applied to analyze the heat pipe characteristics and performance. The models involve thermal network throughout the heat pipes, and the heat transfer capacity under various circumstances. The effective length model is proposed to explain the unexpected results.; This thesis also points out opportunities to improve the heat pipe manufacturing techniques. |
