Theoretical and Experimental Study of Oscillating Heat Pipes with Few Turns

A theoretical model of few-turn heat pipes is suggested. The equation for boiling liquid flow in a capillary of the pipe, which allows for the pressure difference of saturated vapor and for gravity and viscosity forces, is written. The parameters at which self-oscillations of the liquid occur have been estimated. It is shown that the period of self-oscillations is determined by the characteristic time of heat exchange between the liquid in the capillary and the surrounding medium. The time of self-oscillations obtained theoretically is in good agreement with the experimental one.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]