What is a Heat Pipe?

heat pipe evacuated tube consists of the glass evacuated tube described above. In addition a copper heat pipe is installed within the tube. The copper heat pipe transmits heat to its tip which is plugged into the collector's heat transfer manifold. As water runs through the manifold heat is transferred from the copper heat pipe to the water. 

The heat pipe is a very efficient means of of transferring heat from within the evacuated tube to the water. The following diagram shows both the glass evacuated tubes and the copper heat pipe. The heat pipe is simply inserted into the glass tube, held in place with high quality silicon based glue. There is no need for a air tight seal between the glass tube and heat pipe, in fact air must be able to move in and out of the tube as the air inside heats up and cools down.