Ricoh FT8680 Service Manual page 116

FUSING 31 July 1995
13.2 HEAT PIPE CONFIGURATION AND OPERATION
PRINCIPLES
[D]
[C]
[A]
[B]
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The heat pipes are hollow metal tubes. Water capillary tubes [A] run along
the inside of the heat pipe. These capillary tubes are used as heat transfer
elements. When one end of the heat pipe is superheated [B], it causes
vaporization. The vaporization creates a high-speed flow of steam [C] to the
low temperature area. When the stream reaches that area, the stream cools
[D] (The low temperature area is heated by the stream). Thus, it causes
condensation. The condensed water is returned to the heating section by
capillary action.
This cycle (vaporization → stream transfer → condensation) repeats again
and again. The heat is transferred along the heat pipe continuously and
efficiently.
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