U.S. patent application number 09/745641 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-28 for compressed mesh wick, method for manufacturing same, and plate type heat pipe including compressed mesh wick.
Invention is credited to Ikeda, Masami, Ueki, Tatsuhiko, Yamamoto, Masaaki.
Application Number | 20010004934 09/745641 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18485904 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010004934 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamamoto, Masaaki ; et
al. |
June 28, 2001 |
Compressed mesh wick, method for manufacturing same, and plate type
heat pipe including compressed mesh wick
Abstract
A compressed mesh wick prepared by bending for plurality of
times at least one sheet of band type mesh wire to form a
prescribed shape, thus preparing a bent layered mesh body, and
pressing the bent layered mesh body.
Inventors: |
Yamamoto, Masaaki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Ueki, Tatsuhiko; (Tokyo, JP) ; Ikeda,
Masami; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
620 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
SIXTEENTH FLOOR
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
18485904 |
Appl. No.: |
09/745641 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.11 ;
257/E23.088 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 2924/0002 20130101;
F28D 15/046 20130101; H01L 23/427 20130101; H01L 21/4878 20130101;
H01L 2924/0002 20130101; H01L 2924/00 20130101; F28D 15/0233
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.11 |
International
Class: |
F28D 015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 24, 1999 |
JP |
366089/1999 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a
plate type heat pipe comprising steps of: (a) bending for plurality
of times at least one sheet of band type mesh wire to form a
prescribed shape, thus preparing a bent layered mesh body; and (b)
pressing said bent layered mesh body to prepare a compressed mesh
wick.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bent layered mesh
body comprises a bent layered mesh in spiral form.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bent layered mesh
body comprises a corrugated bent layered mesh.
4. A method for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a
plate type heat pipe comprising steps of: (a) winding at least one
sheet of band type mesh wire around a core member to prepare a
wound mesh body; (b) removing said core member from said wound mesh
body; and (c) pressing said wound mesh body with said core member
removed to prepare a compressed mesh wick.
5. A method for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a
plate type heat pipe comprising steps of: (a) winding at least one
sheet of band type mesh wire and at least one sheet of thin metal
foil around a core member to prepare a wound complex mesh body
comprising mesh wire and metal foil; (b) removing said core member
from said wound complex mesh body; and (c) pressing said wound
complex mesh body with said core member removed to prepare a
compressed mesh wick.
6. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the
method further comprises steps of: punching said compressed mesh
wick at a prescribed position thereof to form at least one
prescribed opening portions; and bending peripheral portions of
said opening portions to form at least one bent opened
portions.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the method further
comprises a step of: forming cut-in portions between adjacent
peripheral portions forming said bent opened portion.
8. A plate type heat pipe comprises: (a) a container having a
hermetically sealed hollow portion formed by at least two plate
member, including a heat absorbing surface and a heat dissipating
surface; (b) a compressed mesh wick prepared by bending for
plurality of times at least one sheet of band type mesh wire to
form a prescribed shape, thus preparing a bent layered mesh body,
and pressing said bent layered mesh body, which is installed within
said container such that said compressed mesh wick is
press-attached to at least one surface of said heat absorbing
surface and said heat dissipating surface; (c) working fluid
received within said container.
9. A plate type heat pipe comprises: (a) a container having a
hermetically sealed hollow portion formed by at least two plate
member, including a heat absorbing surface and a heat dissipating
surface; (b) at least one heat transfer block for transferring
heat, which is installed within said container such that an inner
wall of said heat absorbing surface is thermally connected to an
inner wall of said heat dissipating surface by said heat transfer
block; (c) a compressed mesh wick prepared by bending for plurality
of times at least one sheet of band type mesh wire to form a
prescribed shape, thus preparing a bent layered mesh body, and
pressing said bent layered mesh body, which is installed within
said container such that said compressed mesh wick is
press-attached to at least one surface of said heat absorbing
surface and said heat dissipating surface, as well as a side
surface of said heat transfer block; and (d) working fluid received
within said container.
10. The plate type heat pipe as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein
said bent layered mesh body comprises a bent layered mesh in spiral
form.
11. The plate type heat pipe as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein
said bent layered mesh body comprises a corrugated bent layered
mesh.
12. The plate type heat pipe as claimed in claim 8, wherein said
compressed mesh wick is punched at a prescribed position thereof to
form at least one prescribed opening portion, and peripheral
portions of said opening portion are about squarely bent to form at
least one bent opened portion.
13. The plate type heat pipe as claimed in claim 9, wherein said
compressed mesh wick is punched at a prescribed position thereof to
form at least one prescribed opening portion, and peripheral
portions of said opening portion are about squarely bent to form at
least one bent opened portion, and in addition, said heat transfer
block is arranged in at least one said bent opened portion.
14. A compressed mesh wick prepared by bending for plurality of
times at least one sheet of band type mesh wire to form a
prescribed shape, thus preparing a bent layered mesh body, and
pressing said bent layered mesh body.
15. The compressed mesh wick as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
bent layered mesh body comprises a bent layered mesh in spiral
form.
16. The compressed mesh wick as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
bent layered mesh body comprises a corrugated bent layered
mesh.
17. The compressed mesh wick as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein
said bent layered mesh body is a complex mesh body comprising at
least one sheet of band type mesh wire and at least one sheet of
thin metal foil.
18. The compressed mesh wick as claimed in any one of claims 14 to
16, wherein at least one bent opened portion is provided at a
prescribed position of said compressed mesh wick, which is formed
by being punched to form a prescribed opening portion and bending
peripheral portions of said opening portion.
19. The compressed mesh wick as claimed in claim 18, wherein cut-in
portions are formed between adjacent peripheral portions forming
said bent opened portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a plate type heat pipe for
cooling various electronic components such as semiconductor chips
or the like, a mesh wick used for a plate type heat pipe, and in
particular, relates to a mesh wick comprising multiple mesh wire
sheets, a method for manufacturing same, and a plate type heat pipe
using same in which the container is light weighted, is not
deformed by a vapor pressure of a working fluid, and has a low heat
transfer resistance.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Electric or electronic parts such as semiconductor chips or
the like generate heat to some extent, when used, which are mounted
on various devices such as personal computers and electric or
electronic devices such as power equipment. The function of the
electric or electronic parts deteriorates and the life time thereof
is shortened, when the electric or electronic parts are excessively
heated. Lately, the electronic devices represented by the personal
computer or the like are remarkably downsized, and the development
of the method for cooling the electric or electronic parts mounted
in the electric devices becomes an important technical issue.
[0005] There is provided an air cooling type cooling method as one
of the method of cooling electric or electronic elements which is
to be cooled (hereinafter referred to as the "part to be cooled").
More specifically, in the air cooling type cooling method, a fan or
the like is installed in the box accommodating the electric devices
on which the parts to be cooled are mounted, and the inside of the
box is cooled by the fan or the like so as to prevent the
temperature of the parts to be cooled from being excessively risen.
The above-mentioned cooling method is particularly effective to
cool the relatively large-sized electric devices.
[0006] In addition to the above-mentioned air cooling type cooling
method, there is another widely used cooling method in which a heat
sink or fin or the like is connected to the parts to be cooled. In
the cooling method, the heat of the parts to be cooled is
dissipated through the heat sink. In addition, there is a cooling
system in which a heat pipe is installed between the parts to be
cooled and the heat sink or fin to improve effectiveness of the
heat dissipation. Furthermore, there is developed a technique to
attain further improved cooling efficiency in which air is blown to
the heat sink, fin or the like by an electrically driven fan.
[0007] Then, a heat pipe is explained hereunder. Heat pipe includes
a container having a hermetically sealed hollow portion, i.e.,
cavity therein. Heat is transferred by means of phase transition
and movement of a working fluid received within the hollow portion.
Although a part of the heat is transferred through the material per
se forming the container by means of heat conduction, the heat
transfer by means of the heat conduction is relatively small in
comparison with the heat transfer by means of phase transition and
movement of the working fluid.
[0008] Then, the operation of the heat pipe is briefly described. A
round bar type heat pipe is explained as an example. A heat
generating component (i. e., part to be cooled) is connected to the
vicinity of one end portion of the heat pipe, and a fin is attached
to the vicinity of the other end portion of the heat pipe. In the
portion of the heat pipe to which the heat generating component is
connected (hereinafter referred to as a "heat absorbing side or
heat absorbing portion"), a working fluid is vaporized by the heat
transferred through the material of the container from the heat
generating component, and the vaporized working fluid moves toward
the portion to which the fin is attached (hereinafter referred to
as a "heat dissipating side or heat dissipating portion"). The
vaporized working fluid is condensed and returns to the liquid
phase in the heat dissipating side. Then the heat accompanied with
the condensation is dissipated from the hollow portion toward
outside by means of the fin. Thus, the heat is transferred from the
heat absorbing side to the heat dissipating side.
[0009] In order to cause the above-mentioned heat transfer to be
continuously effected, the working fluid returned to the liquid
phase in the heat dissipating side is required to be circulated
back to the heat absorbing side. In case of the heat pipe using
gravity to circulate the working fluid, the heat absorbing side is
positioned to be lower than the heat dissipating side, thus the
heat pipe effectively functions (this type is called as a "bottom
heat mode"). In this case, the working fluid returned to the liquid
phase in the heat dissipating side by phase transition is
circulated back to the heat absorbing side by the function of
gravity. However, when the heat absorbing side is positioned above
the heat dissipating side (this type is called as a "top heat
mode"), the working fluid is not effectively circulated back to the
heat absorbing side, thus the so-called dry out phenomenon often
occurs.
[0010] There is a round pipe type heat pipe which is widely used.
Recently, a plate type heat pipe comes to attract attention. The
plate type heat pipe may be called as a flat type heat pipe, a flat
plate type heat pipe or the like. The plate type heat pipe has such
a superior feature that the parts to be cooled can be effectively
cooled, since the parts to be cooled can be contacted with the
container in wide area depending on the shape of the container.
[0011] As described above, the plate type heat pipe has the
superior feature in which the parts to be cooled is contacted in
wide area with the heat absorbing surface of the container. In
order to secure the flows of the working fluid from the heat
dissipating portion to the heat absorbing portion, i.e., flowing
back of the working fluid in the plate type heat pipe having the
above-mentioned feature, it is preferable to use the heat pipe in
so-called bottom heat mode (namely, the mode in which the heat pipe
is used with the heat absorbing portion positioned below the heat
dissipating portion).
[0012] Accordingly, the heat pipe is preferably installed in such
manner that the plate type heat pipe is placed with the heat
absorbing surface faced downward, and then, the parts to be cooled
is contacted with the heat absorbing surface of thus placed heat
pipe, and then, the heat sink is provided on the heat dissipating
surface which is positioned upper side of the heat pipe. The
above-mentioned installation of the heat pipe in relation to the
parts to be cooled is the most ideal installation. According to the
above installation, the lower side of the plate type heat pipe
becomes the heat absorbing surface, and the upper side of the plate
type heat pipe on which the heat sink is provided becomes the heat
dissipating surface, thus the plate type heat pipe of the so-called
bottom heat mode is obtained.
[0013] However, the size of the computer or the like becomes
remarkably smaller. Together with the downsizing of the computer or
the like, the electric or electronic devices mounting the parts to
be cooled is installed not only in a fixed manner (for example, is
placed on the desk), but also in a mobile manner (for example, is
carried by human being). More specifically, the portable type of
electric or electronic apparatus is widely used. In particular, it
is considered that the small sized computer is to be used under the
condition in which the heat pipe is kept inclined. In view of the
above situation, it is expected to be provided the plate type heat
pipe excellent in cooling efficiency even in case that the heat
absorbing surface is positioned above the heat dissipating surface,
i.e., the relative vertical position of the heat absorbing surface
to the heat dissipating surface is reversed (which is called as the
so-called "top heat mode").
[0014] Furthermore, as described above, a wick is installed within
the container in order to circulate the working fluid which returns
to a liquid phase in the heat dissipating side back to the heat
absorbing side. The working fluid is swiftly circulated back to the
heat absorbing side by the capillary action of the wick.
[0015] A mesh type wick is used in the plate type heat pipe because
of the relative shape of the mesh wick and the heat pipe. In order
to improve the capillary action of the wick, a wick formed by
placing plurality of mesh type wicks in layers is used. However,
the above-mentioned wick has the following problem. More
specifically, since the mesh per se has no rigid body, it is
difficult to fix the mesh wick placed in layers in both lengthwise
and widthwise directions. As a result, it is difficult to have the
mesh wick contacted with the specific inner wall of the container,
thus the mesh wick contacts with the various inner walls so as to
deteriorate the function of the heat pipe.
[0016] Furthermore, the mesh wick placed in layers has gaps (i.e.,
space) between mesh wick layers in the width direction. When the
gaps exist in the width direction of the mesh wick placed in
layers, the capillary power is lowered so as to cause the heat
resistance to rise, thus deteriorating the function of the heat
pipe.
[0017] In addition, in general, mesh wick is formed by fine wire
having a diameter within a range of 30 to 150 micron meter.
Accordingly, when the mesh wick is formed to be a prescribed shape,
the end portion thereof is not sharply cut, thus the remaining fine
wires at the end portion contact with various inner walls of the
container, thus deteriorating the function of the heat pipe.
[0018] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a
plate type heat pipe which is light-weight, and has a small heat
transfer resistance, when used for cooling various electronic parts
such as semiconductors having high heat generating density, a
compressed mesh wick having excellent capillary action, and a
method for manufacturing same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] To solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional
art, the present inventors have been studying hard. As a result, it
has been found that when a compressed mesh wick is manufactured by
winding a sheet of band type mesh wire around a metal plate, bar
type body or cylindrical body as a core member to prepare a wound
mesh body, then, removing the core member from thus prepared wound
mesh body, and pressing the wound mesh body, it is possible to
provide a compressed mesh wick comprising a pressed number of mesh
wires placed in layers with little gap therebetween in the width
direction, thus having excellent capillary action.
[0020] Furthermore, it has been found that when a compressed mesh
wick is manufactured by bending a sheet of band type mesh wire in a
corrugated form in place of winding the mesh wire to prepare a bent
layered mesh body, and pressing the bent layered mesh body, it is
possible to provide a compressed mesh wick comprising a pressed
number of mesh wires placed in layers with little gap therebetween
in the width direction, thus having excellent capillary action.
[0021] Furthermore, it has been found that when an opening portion
is formed in the compressed mesh wick, then, the peripheral
portions of the opening portion are bent (for example, squarely
bent) to form a bent opened portion, then furthermore, a heat
transfer block is placed in the bent opened portion, and the
peripheral portions of the compressed mesh wick are press-attached
to the side walls of the heat transfer block, it is possible to
improve a capillary action of the compressed mesh wick, and to
provide a plate type heat pipe light-weight and having a small heat
transfer resistance.
[0022] The present invention is made based on the above-mentioned
findings. The first embodiment of a method of the present invention
for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a plate type heat
pipe comprises steps of:
[0023] (a) bending for plurality of times at least one sheet of
band type mesh wire to form a prescribed shape, thus preparing a
bent layered mesh body; and
[0024] (b) pressing said bent layered mesh body to prepare a
compressed mesh wick.
[0025] The second embodiment of a method of the present invention
for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a plate type heat
pipe comprises the method, wherein said bent layered mesh body
comprises a bent layered mesh in spiral form.
[0026] The third embodiment of a method of the present invention
for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a plate type heat
pipe comprises the method, wherein said bent layered mesh body
comprises a corrugated bent layered mesh.
[0027] The fourth embodiment of a method of the present invention
for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a plate type heat
pipe comprises steps of:
[0028] (a) winding at least one sheet of band type mesh wire around
a core member to prepare a wound mesh body;
[0029] (b) removing said core member from said wound mesh body;
and
[0030] (c) pressing said wound mesh body with said core member
removed to prepare a compressed mesh wick.
[0031] The fifth embodiment of a method of the present invention
for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a plate type heat
pipe comprises steps of:
[0032] (a) winding at least one sheet of band type mesh wire and at
least one sheet of thin metal foil around a core member to prepare
a wound complex mesh body comprising mesh wire and metal foil;
[0033] (b) removing said core member from said wound complex mesh
body; and
[0034] (c) pressing said wound complex mesh body with said core
member removed to prepare a compressed mesh wick.
[0035] The sixth embodiment of a method of the present invention
for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a plate type heat
pipe comprises the method, wherein the method further comprises
steps of:
[0036] punching said compressed mesh wick at a prescribed position
thereof to form at least one prescribed opening portions; and
[0037] bending peripheral portions of said opening portions to form
at least one bent opened portions.
[0038] The seventh embodiment of a method of the present invention
for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a plate type heat
pipe comprises the method, wherein the method further comprises a
step of:
[0039] forming cut-in portions between adjacent peripheral portions
forming said bent opened portion.
[0040] The first embodiment of a plate type heat pipe of the
invention comprises:
[0041] (a) a container having a hermetically sealed hollow portion
formed by at least two plate member, including a heat absorbing
surface and a heat dissipating surface;
[0042] (b) a compressed mesh wick prepared by bending for plurality
of times at least one sheet of band type mesh wire to form a
prescribed shape, thus preparing a bent layered mesh body, and
pressing said bent layered mesh body, which is installed within
said container such that said compressed mesh wick is
press-attached to at least one surface of said heat absorbing
surface and said heat dissipating surface;
[0043] (c) working fluid received within said container.
[0044] The second embodiment of a plate type heat pipe of the
invention comprises:
[0045] (a) a container having a hermetically sealed hollow portion
formed by at least two plate member, including a heat absorbing
surface and a heat dissipating surface;
[0046] (b) at least one heat transfer block for transferring heat,
which is installed within said container such that an inner wall of
said heat absorbing surface is thermally connected to an inner wall
of said heat dissipating surface by said heat transfer block;
[0047] (c) a compressed mesh wick prepared by bending for plurality
of times at least one sheet of band type mesh wire to form a
prescribed shape, thus preparing a bent layered mesh body, and
pressing said bent layered mesh body, which is installed within
said container such that said compressed mesh wick is
press-attached to at least one surface of said heat absorbing
surface and said heat dissipating surface, as well as a side
surface of said heat transfer block; and
[0048] (d) working fluid received within said container.
[0049] The third embodiment of a plate type heat pipe of the
invention comprises the plate type heat pipe, wherein said bent
layered mesh body comprises a bent layered mesh in spiral form.
[0050] The fourth embodiment of a plate type heat pipe of the
invention comprises the plate type heat pipe, wherein said bent
layered mesh body comprises a corrugated bent layered mesh.
[0051] The fifth embodiment of a plate type heat pipe of the
invention comprises the plate type heat pipe, wherein said
compressed mesh wick is punched at a prescribed position thereof to
form at least one prescribed opening portion, and peripheral
portions of said opening portion are about squarely bent to form at
least one bent opened portion.
[0052] The sixth embodiment of a plate type heat pipe of the
invention comprises the plate type heat pipe, wherein said
compressed mesh wick is punched at a prescribed position thereof to
form at least one prescribed opening portion, and peripheral
portions of said opening portion are about squarely bent to form at
least one bent opened portion, and in addition, said heat transfer
block is arranged in at least one said bent opened portion.
[0053] The first embodiment of a compressed mesh wick of the
present invention comprises a compressed mesh wick prepared by
bending for plurality of times at least one sheet of band type mesh
wire to form a prescribed shape, thus preparing a bent layered mesh
body, and pressing said bent layered mesh body.
[0054] The second embodiment of a compressed mesh wick of the
present invention comprises a compressed mesh wick, wherein said
bent layered mesh body comprises a bent layered mesh in spiral
form.
[0055] The third embodiment of a compressed mesh wick of the
present invention comprises a compressed mesh wick, wherein said
bent layered mesh body comprises a corrugated bent layered
mesh.
[0056] The fourth embodiment of a compressed mesh wick of the
present invention comprises a compressed mesh wick, wherein said
bent layered mesh body is a complex mesh body comprising at least
one sheet of band type mesh wire and at least one sheet of thin
metal foil.
[0057] The fifth embodiment of a compressed mesh wick of the
present invention comprises a compressed mesh wick, wherein at
least one bent opened portion is provided at a prescribed position
of said compressed mesh wick, which is formed by being punched to
form a prescribed opening portion and bending peripheral portions
of said opening portion.
[0058] The sixth embodiment of a compressed mesh wick of the
present invention comprises a compressed mesh wick, wherein cut-in
portions are formed between adjacent peripheral portions forming
said bent opened portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0059] FIG. 1 is a schematic descriptive view showing a method for
manufacturing a compressed mesh wick of the present invention;
[0060] FIG. 2 is a schematic descriptive view showing other method
for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick of the present
invention;
[0061] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a
compressed mesh wick including a bent opened portion of the present
invention;
[0062] FIG. 4 is a schematic partial side view of a compressed mesh
wick including a bent opened portion of the present invention;
[0063] FIG. 5 is a schematic partial plan view of a compressed mesh
wick including a plurality of bent opened portions of the present
invention;
[0064] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of a plate type heat
pipe of the present invention;
[0065] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of a plate type heat
pipe of the present invention; and
[0066] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of a compressed mesh
wick of the invention to show bent opened portions with cut-in
portions formed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERABLE EMBODIMENTS
[0067] With reference to drawings, a compressed mesh wick, a method
for manufacturing same, and a plate type heat pipe including a
compressed mesh wick of the present invention are described in
detail.
[0068] A method for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a
plate type heat pipe comprising steps of: bending for plurality of
times at least one sheet of band type mesh wire to form a
prescribed shape, thus preparing a bent layered mesh body, and
pressing the bent layered mesh body to prepare a compressed mesh
wick. The above-mentioned bent layered mesh body may comprise a
bent layered mesh in spiral form (refer to FIG. 1). The bent
layered mesh body may comprise a corrugated bent layered mesh,
alternatively (refer to FIGS. 2(A), 2(B)).
[0069] Firstly, there is described a method for manufacturing a
compressed mesh wick used for a plate type heat pipe in which at
least one sheet of band type mesh wire is wound around a core
member to prepare a wound mesh body, then, the core member is
removed from the wound mesh body, and the wound mesh body with the
core member removed is pressed to prepare a compressed mesh
wick.
[0070] FIG. 1 is a schematic descriptive view showing one
embodiment of the method for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick
of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1(a), a square metal
plate 2 as a core member for winding and a sheet of band type mesh
wire having a prescribed width and length are prepared. First of
all, one end of the band type mesh wire 1 is aligned with the side
end of the metal plate 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the band
type mesh wire 1 is wound about ten times around the metal plate as
the core member to prepare a wound mesh body. Then, the metal plate
is removed from the wound mesh body, and then, as shown in FIG.
1(c), the wound mesh body 1 with the metal plate removed is pressed
from both sides by a prescribed machinery 3 to manufacture a
compressed mesh wick of the present invention.
[0071] Thus manufactured compressed mesh wick is compressed and has
a end portion having a width of up to about 5 mm in the side
thereof as shown in FIG. (d). Due to the end portion thus
processed, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the wound
mesh wire from being disjointed. A cylindrical body may be used as
the core member in place of the metal plate. The size of the
cylindrical body may be appropriately selected in accordance with
the width of the mesh to be manufactured. A compressed mesh wick
comprising a prescribed layers of mesh wire may be manufactured by
using one sheet of band type mesh wire. In addition, a compressed
mesh wick comprising a prescribed layers of mesh wire may be
manufactured by using a plurality of sheets of band type mesh
wire.
[0072] Furthermore, a method of the present invention for
manufacturing a compressed mesh wick used for a plate type heat
pipe may comprise steps of: winding at least one sheet of band type
mesh wire and at least one sheet of thin metal foil around a metal
plate or a cylindrical body as a core member to prepare a wound
complex mesh body comprising mesh wire and metal foil, removing the
core member from the wound complex mesh body, and pressing the
wound complex mesh body with the core member removed to prepare a
compressed mesh wick.
[0073] As described above, for example, a complex mesh body may be
prepared by winding one sheet of band type mesh wire and one sheet
of thin metal foil around the metal plate as the core member. Due
to the use of the metal foil, a rigid body can be provided with the
mesh wick, thus improving the press efficiency to reduce the gap
between layers of the mesh wire in the width direction.
[0074] Furthermore, a method of the present invention for
manufacturing a compressed mesh wick may further comprise the steps
of: punching the compressed mesh wick at a prescribed position
thereof to form at least one prescribed opening portions, and
bending peripheral portions of the opening portions to form at
least one bent opened portions (refer to FIG. 3).
[0075] In addition, a method of the present invention for
manufacturing a compressed mesh wick may comprise steps of: bending
and winding for plurality of times at least one sheet of band type
mesh wire to form a prescribed shape, thus preparing a bent and
wound layered mesh body, and pressing the bent and wound layered
mesh body to prepare a compressed mesh wick. Since the thus
prepared compressed mesh wick is a band type wick bent and wound,
it is easy to maintain the plate type body, and in addition easy to
fix the wick to the inner wall of the container.
[0076] FIG. 2 is a schematic descriptive view showing other method
for manufacturing a compressed mesh wick of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2 (A)(a), one sheet of band type mesh wire 1'
having prescribed width and length is prepared. Then, as shown in
FIG. 2(A) (b), the band type mesh wire 1' is bent in a corrugated
form to prepare the mesh which is placed in layers. Then, thus
prepared mesh which is placed in layers is pressed from both
surfaces by a prescribed machinery, as shown in FIG. (A)(c) to
manufacture a compressed mesh wick. Thus manufactured compressed
mesh wick has a feature that the compressed mesh wick maintains a
stable and firm shape as is compressed (in other words, the shape
of the wick which is placed in layers and pressed is not
collapsed), as shown in FIG. 2(A)(d).
[0077] Furthermore, as other embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(B)(a),
one sheet of band type mesh wire 1' having prescribed width and
length is prepared. Then, as shown in FIG. 2(B) (b), the band type
mesh wire 1' is bent in a corrugated form to prepare the mesh which
is placed in layers. On this case, both ends of the band type mesh
wire 1' are prepared so as to have extra portion having prescribed
length, respectively. Then, thus prepared mesh which is placed in
layers is pressed from both surfaces by a prescribed machinery, as
shown in FIG. (B)(c), and then both ends of the meshed wick are
covered by the extra portions, to manufacture a compressed mesh
wick. Thus manufactured compressed mesh wick has a feature that the
compressed mesh wick maintains a stable and firm shape because of
the treatment of the end portions, as shown in FIG. 2(B)(d).
Incidentally, the treatment of the end portions of the compressed
mesh wick shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be as is pressed, or may be
joined. Even the treatment as is pressed can maintain the stable
and firm shape of the compressed mesh wick, as described above.
[0078] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a
compressed mesh wick including a bent opened portion of the present
invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic partial side view of a compressed
mesh wick including a bent opened portion of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic partial plan view of a compressed mesh wick
including a plurality of bent opened portions of the present
invention.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 3, a square bent opened portion 5, for
example, is formed in the compressed mesh wick 1 manufactured by
the steps depicted in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. More specifically, the
compressed mesh wick 1 is punched to form an opening portion, and
four peripheral portions 6 of the opening portion are squarely bent
downwardly, thus forming the bent opened portion 5. Thus formed
four peripheral portions 6 may has a size, for example,
corresponding to the height of the hollow portion of the container.
As a result, when the main body of the compressed mesh wick is
attached to one of the main inner surface of the container, the end
portion of the peripheral portion 6 contacts with the other main
inner surface of the container.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral portions 6 are squarely
bent downward from the main body of the compressed mesh wick 1 and
are positioned vertically.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of bent opened portions 5
may be formed in the compressed mesh wick 1 in the present
invention. The size of the bent opened portion is determined
considering the size of the heat transfer block arranged
therein.
[0082] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of a compressed mesh
wick of the invention to show bent opened portions with cut-in
portions formed. As shown in FIG. 8(a), four peripheral portions 6
are prepared in the square bent opened portion 5 formed in the
compressed mesh wick 1. Cut-in portions 16 are further formed
between adjacent peripheral portions 6. When the cut-in portions
are formed, as described above, end portions of the mesh wires are
trimmed in order, thus preventing the function of the mesh from
being lowered. FIG. 8(b) shows another embodiment of the bent
opened portion with cut-in portions prepared. As shown in FIG.
8(b), four peripheral portions 6 are prepared in the elongated
square bent opened portion 5 formed in the compressed mesh wick 1.
Cut-in portions 16 are further formed between adjacent peripheral
portions 6.
[0083] Then, the plate type heat pipe of the invention is
described.
[0084] A plate type heat pipe of the present invention comprises:
(a) a container having a hermetically sealed hollow portion formed
by at least two plate member, including a heat absorbing surface
and a heat dissipating surface, (b) a compressed mesh wick prepared
by winding or bending in a corrugated form at least one sheet of
band type mesh wire and pressing, which is installed within the
container such that the compressed mesh wick is press-attached to
at least one surface of the heat absorbing surface and the heat
dissipating surface, and (c) working fluid received within the
container.
[0085] Furthermore, a plate type heat pipe of the present invention
may comprises: (a) a container having a hermetically sealed hollow
portion formed by at least two plate member, including a heat
absorbing surface and a heat dissipating surface, (b) at least one
heat transfer block for transferring heat, which is installed
within the container such that an inner wall of the heat absorbing
surface is thermally connected to an inner wall of the heat
dissipating surface by the heat transfer block, (c) a compressed
mesh wick prepared by winding or bending in a corrugated form at
least one sheet of band type mesh wire and pressing, which is
installed within the container such that the compressed mesh wick
is press-attached to at least one surface of the heat absorbing
surface and the heat dissipating surface, and (d) working fluid
received within the container.
[0086] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are a partially enlarged view of a plate
type heat pipe of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, a heat
transfer block 12 is arranged between the heat absorbing side 11
and the heat dissipating side 10 so as to connect the respective
inner walls. In addition, the compressed mesh wick is arranged from
the inner wall of the heat dissipating side 10 through the side
wall of the heat transfer block 12 so as to be closely attached
thereto. The compressed mesh wick comprises the mesh wick formed by
winding at least one sheet of band type mesh wire and pressed. The
compressed mesh wick may comprise the mesh wick formed by bending
in a corrugated form at least one sheet of band type mesh wick and
pressed. The compressed mesh wick is press-attached to the side
wall, and/or the inner wall of the heat dissipating side by, for
example, a spot welding, as indicated in the drawing by the
reference numeral 13. FIG. 7 shows another embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 7, the compressed mesh wick 1 may be press-attached to the
side wall, and/or the inner wall of the heat dissipating side by,
in place of the spot welding, being pinched by the member 14 or
another member 15.
[0087] The above-mentioned compressed mesh wick used for the plate
type heat pipe is described in more detail. A compressed mesh wick
of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a
compressed mesh wick prepared by winding at least one sheet of band
type mesh wire around a metal plate or a cylindrical body as a core
member to prepare a wound mesh body, removing the core member from
the wound mesh body, and pressing the wound mesh body with the
metal plate or the cylindrical body as the core member removed to
prepare a compressed mesh wick. Both ends of the compressed mesh
wick of the present invention are not cut off, but prepared by
winding or bending.
[0088] Furthermore, a compressed mesh wick of the present invention
may comprises a compressed mesh wick prepared by winding at least
one sheet of band type mesh wire and at least one sheet of thin
metal foil around a metal plate or a cylindrical body as a core
member (for example, placing the sheet of band type mesh wire and
the thin metal foil in a sandwiched manner and winding same) to
prepare a wound complex mesh body, removing the metal plate or the
cylindrical body as the core member from the wound complex mesh
body, and pressing the wound complex mesh body with the core member
removed. Furthermore, the compressed mash wick of the invention may
be manufactured by winding or bending a band type mesh wire and
metal foil without using the core member such as the metal plate or
the cylindrical body to prepare the wound mesh body or the wound
complex mesh body, and pressing same.
[0089] Furthermore, the compressed mesh wick may be a corrugated
bent layered mesh wick, as shown in FIG. 2, in place of the wound
mesh wick.
[0090] In addition, as described above, the compressed mesh wick
may include at least one bent opened portion which is provided at a
prescribed position, and formed by being punched to form a
prescribed opening portion and bending peripheral portions of the
opening portion.
[0091] In addition, the compressed mesh wick may include at least
one bent opened portion which is provided at a prescribed position,
and formed by being punched to form a prescribed opening portion
and bending peripheral portions of the opening portion, and the
heat transfer block may be arranged in at least one bent opened
portion.
[0092] The material of the container constituting the plate type
heat pipe is not specifically limited. However, when such materials
excellent in heat conductivity as a copper material or an aluminum
material is used, the plate type heat pipe having an excellent heat
performance can be obtained, thus favorable. There are listed as
the copper material, JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) C1020 type,
C1100 type or the like, and as the aluminum material, JIS A1100
type, A3000 type, A5000 type, A6000 type or the like.
[0093] Within the hollow portion of the plate type heat pipe of the
invention, (not shown) an appropriate amount of working fluid is
contained. There are water, substituted Freon, ammonium, alcohol,
acetone or the like as the working fluid.
[0094] A heat dissipating fin may be arranged on the heat
dissipating side of the container, although not shown. When the
heat dissipating fin is integrally formed as one unit with the
container as the part of the container, the heat transfer
efficiency is further improved, and the manufacturing cost of the
heat sink is lowered, thus favorable.
[0095] The heat transfer block 12 may be metal bonded to the
respective inner walls by soldering or the like. When the heat
transfer block 11 is joined to the inner walls by metal bonding,
the heat resistance becomes small, thus favorable.
[0096] One or plurality of protruding portions may be arranged in
the plate member forming a heat absorbing side of the container. In
this case, the heat transfer block may be arranged in at least one
protruding portions.
[0097] The container may be manufactured by press-forming at least
one plate member, then drawing the portion of the plate member
corresponding to the location to which a heat generating component
is attached, and combining the two plate members, thus the
container contacts with the heat generating component by the flat
surface thereof. As the method of joining two plate members, there
are soldering, laser welding or the like. As the soldering, in
order to obtain a reliability of the heat pipe, Cu/Ag JIS BAG-8 is
preferable. Furthermore, as the soldering, there are a vacuum
soldering, atmosphere soldering or the like.
[0098] The plate type heat pipe of the present invention is further
described by the example.
EXAMPLE
Example 1
[0099] As shown in FIG. 1(a), ten sheets of band type mesh wire,
each of which sheet has a thickness of 110 micron meter, a width of
100 mm, a length of 663 mm and 100 meshes were layered. Then, the
end of thus layered sheets were aligned with a metal plate having a
width of about 48 mm. Then, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the layered
sheets of the band type mesh wire were wound around the metal
plate. Then, the metal plate was removed from the wound mesh body,
and as shown in FIG. 1(c), the force of 150 to 200 kgf/cm2 was
applied so as to press the wound mesh body. Thus, the compressed
mesh wick of about 51 mm.times.100 mm was prepared. The thickness
of the compressed mesh wick was up to about 1.5 mm. The end portion
of the wound mesh wick was prepared in such manner that the length
of the end portion was about 5 mm from the tip of the side portion
of the compressed mesh wick, as shown in FIG. 1(d). As a result, it
was possible to remarkably reduce the gap between the layers of the
mesh wire. In addition, fine wires were not protrude outward and
scattered.
[0100] Thus prepared compressed mesh wick was press-attached to the
inner wall of the heat dissipating side and the side wall of the
heat transfer block by the spot welding, as shown in FIG. 6. As a
result, the heat pipe having excellent capillary action was
obtained.
Example 2
[0101] As shown in FIG. 2A(a), ten sheets of band type mesh wire,
each of which sheet has a thickness of 110 micron meter, a width of
100 mm, a length of 663 mm and 100 meshes were layered. Then, as
shown in FIG. 2A(b), a corrugated bent layered mesh body was
prepared by bending the band type mesh wire in a corrugated form.
Then, as shown in FIG. 2A(c), the force of 150 to 200 kgf/cm2 was
applied to the corrugated bent layered mesh body so as to press
same. Thus, the compressed mesh wick of about 51 mm.times.100 mm
was prepared. The thickness of the compressed mesh wick was up to
about 1.5 mm. As a result, it was possible to remarkably reduce the
gap between the layers of the mesh wire. In addition, fine wires
were not protrude outward and scattered.
[0102] Thus prepared compressed mesh wick was press-attached to the
inner wall of the heat dissipating side and the side wall of the
heat transfer block by the spot welding, as shown in FIG. 6. As a
result, the heat pipe having excellent capillary action was
obtained.
[0103] According to the present invention, as described above,
since a compressed mesh wick is prepared by winding a plurality of
band type mesh wire and pressing same, it is possible to provide a
compressed mesh wire having an excellent capillary action. In
addition, when the compressed mesh wick of the invention is applied
to the plate type heat pipe in which the compressed mesh wick is
press-attached to the inner wall of the container and the side wall
of the heat transfer block, it is possible to provide a plate type
heat pipe which is light-weight and has a lower heat transfer
resistance, so as to cool various electronic components such as
high density of semiconductor chips or the like, thus industriously
advantageous.
* * * * *