Heat Pipes: Design and Construction of a Heat Pipe Test Rig with Computer-Aided Measuring System

Heat pipe is a passive two phase device capable of transferring large rates of heat with a minimal temperature drop. However, it has operating limits that determine its heat transfer capacity, as same as parameters that affect its thermal performance. Accordingly; an analytical model is formed and computer software using LABVIEW is prepared to evaluate the heat transfer capacity and the overall thermal resistance of a heat pipe under steady-state conditions. Moreover; a heat pipe is manufactured and its thermal performance is investigated. Consequently; a test rig consisting of a stand, a heat source and a heat sink unit is designed and constructed supported with an integrated computer-aided acquisition system for temperature data collection. Taguchi experimental design technique is applied to three levels influential control factors,The objective sought is maximizing the thermal conductivity. Finally the optimum peformance was found.