Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

The Effects Of Transverse Vibration On The Performance Of An Axial Groove Wick Heat Pipe, Kenneth A. Carpenter

Theses and Dissertations

An experimental investigation was performed to determine the effects of transverse vibrations on the performance of an ammonia-aluminum axial groove wick heat pipe. Theoretical calculations predicted a performance degradation due to the working fluid being shaken out of the upper capillary grooves. A benchtop shaker was used to apply transverse, sinusoidal vibrations of 30, 35, and 40 Hertz, corresponding to peak acceleration amplitudes of 1.84g, 2.50g, and 3.27g, respectively. Maximum heat throughput, Q sub max, of the vibrating heat pipe was measured. A comparison of these values and static Q sub max values indicated a degradation in heat pipe performance. …