U.S. patent application number 12/233602 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe and a plate-type heat pipe obtained thereby.
This patent application is currently assigned to FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to CHUEN-SHU Hou.
Application Number | 20100071879 12/233602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42036436 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100071879 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hou; CHUEN-SHU |
March 25, 2010 |
METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A PLATE-TYPE HEAT PIPE AND A PLATE-TYPE
HEAT PIPE OBTAINED THEREBY
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe includes
providing an elongated engaging plate and a base plate. A plurality
of supporting members is secured on a top surface of the base
plate. A second and third metal powders are filled onto the base
plate, surrounding lower ends of the supporting members. The second
and third metal powders are heated to obtain a first wick structure
and a second wick structure. The first wick structure adheres to
the top surface of the base plate and the second wick structure
adheres to the top surface of the first wick structure. The base
plate and the supporting members are secured to a bottom surface of
the engaging plate to obtain a workpiece. A working fluid is
injected into the workpiece and the workpiece is vacuumed to obtain
the plate-type heat pipe.
Inventors: |
Hou; CHUEN-SHU; (Tu-Cheng,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PCE INDUSTRY, INC.;ATT. Steven Reiss
288 SOUTH MAYO AVENUE
CITY OF INDUSTRY
CA
91789
US
|
Assignee: |
FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO.,
LTD.
Tu-Cheng
TW
|
Family ID: |
42036436 |
Appl. No.: |
12/233602 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.26 ;
29/890.032 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49353 20150115;
F28D 15/046 20130101; F28D 15/0233 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.26 ;
29/890.032 |
International
Class: |
F28D 15/00 20060101
F28D015/00; B21D 53/04 20060101 B21D053/04 |
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe comprising: a)
offering an elongated engaging plate and a base plate with a trough
therein; b) securing a plurality of supporting members formed by
sintering a first metal powder on a top surface of the base plate;
c) filling a second metal powder and a third metal powder onto the
base plate, the second and third powder enclosing bottom ends of
the supporting members; d) heating the base plate and the second
and third metal powder at a high temperature to obtain a first wick
structure by the second metal powder and a second wick structure by
the third metal powder, wherein the first wick structure securely
adheres to the top surface of the base plate and the second wick
structure securely adheres to the top surface of the first wick
structure; e) securing the base plate and the supporting members to
a bottom surface of the engaging plate to obtain a workpiece; and
f) injecting a work fluid into the workpiece, vacuuming the
workpiece, and hermetically sealing the sintered workpiece to
obtain the plate-type heat pipe.
2. The method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe as claimed
in claim 1, wherein the supporting members tightly abut against the
engaging plate and the base plate.
3. The method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe as claimed
in claim 2, wherein at step c), a plurality of fourth metal powder
is applied on a periphery of each supporting member, and at step d)
the fourth metal powder is heated to form a third wick structure on
the periphery of the each supporting member.
4. The method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe as claimed
in claim 3, wherein the third wick structure abuts against the
bottom surface of the engaging plate and connects with the second
wick structure.
5. The method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe as claimed
in claim 4, wherein the third wick structure has a plurality of
pores communicating with those of the second wick structure.
6. The method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe as claimed
in claim 5, wherein at step c), a plurality of fifth metal powder
is applied on a bottom surface of the engaging plate and at step
d), the fifth metal powder is heated to form a fourth wick
structure, pores of the fourth wick structure communicating with
the pores of the third wick structure.
7. The method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe as claimed
in claim 1, wherein the supporting members are porous and abut
against the engaging plate and the base plate.
8. The method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe as claimed
in claim 7, wherein at step c), a plurality of sixth metal powder
is applied on a bottom surface of the engaging plate and at step
d), the sixth metal powder is heated to form a fifth wick
structure, pores of the fifth wick structure communicating with the
pores of the supporting members.
9. The method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe as claimed
in claim 7, wherein the third metal powder comprises a particle
size exceeding that of the second metal powder.
10. The method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe as in claim
1, wherein the supporting members are spaced from each other and
perpendicular to the engaging plate and the base plate.
11. A plate-type heat pipe comprising: a base plate defining a
trough in a top surface thereof; an engaging plate secured on the
top surface of the base plate over the trough; a plurality of
supporting members interconnects the top surface of the base plate
in the trough and a bottom surface of the engaging plate for
reinforcing a strength of the plate-type heat pipe; a first wick
structure provided on the top surface of the base plate in the
trough; a second wick structure provided on a top surface of the
first wick structure, wherein the second wick structure has a pore
size larger than that of the first wick structure.
12. The plate-type heat pipe as in claim 11, wherein the supporting
members each are a solid metal post.
13. The plate-type heat pipe as in claim 12, wherein a third wick
structure is formed on a periphery of each of the supporting
members.
14. The plate-type heat pipe as in claim 13, wherein a fourth wick
structure is formed on the bottom surface of the engaging
plate.
15. The plate-type heat pipe as in claim 11, wherein the supporting
members each are made of sintered metal powder and have a plurality
of pores therein.
16. The plate-type heat pipe as in claim 15, wherein a fifth wick
structure is formed on the bottom surface of the engaging plate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing
a plate-type heat pipe, and more particularly to a method for
manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe which has a plurality of
supporting members interconnecting opposite sides thereof. The
present invention also relates to a plate-type heat pipe obtained
by the method.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Generally, plate-type heat pipes efficiently dissipate heat
from heat-generating components such as a central processing unit
(CPU) of a computer. Referring to FIGS. 6-7, a conventional
plate-type heat pipe comprises an engaging plate 100 and a base
plate 101 defining a trough therein. The heat pipe contains working
fluid therein. A wick structure 102 is laid on an inner wall of the
base plate 101. The base plate 101 is used to thermally contacting
with the heat-generated components. The engaging plate 100 is used
to thermally contact with a heat dissipation member such as a heat
sink to transfer heat generated by the heat-generating components
to the heat dissipation member. The base plate 101 and the engaging
plate 100 are assembled together by welding. When heat generated by
the heat-generating component is inputted into the heat pipe via
its base plate 101, the working fluid absorbs the heat and turns
into vapor. The vapor moves, with the heat being carried, towards
the engaging plate 100 of the heat pipe where the vapor is
condensed into condensate after releasing the heat into the
engaging plate 100. Due to different vapor pressure of the
different portions of the engaging plate 100 is endured, the
engaging plate 100 is prone to deform. Thus, the contact area
between the engaging plate 100 and the heat dissipation member is
decreased, and the heat generated by the heat-generating components
is accumulated in the heat pipe.
[0005] It is therefore desirable to provide a method for
manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe and a plate-type heat pipe
obtained by the method, which has a good heat conductivity and can
overcome the limitations described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe includes
providing an elongated engaging plate and a base plate with a
trough therein. A plurality of supporting members is provided by
sintering a first metal powder and is secured on a top surface of
the base plate. A second metal powder and a third metal powder are
filled onto the base plate to enclose bottom ends of the supporting
members. The base plate and the second and third metal powders are
then heated, whereby the second metal powder and the third metal
powder are turned into a first wick structure and a second wick
structure respectively. The first wick structure securely adheres
to the top surface of the base plate and the second wick structure
securely adheres to the top surface of the first wick structure.
The base plate and the supporting members are then secured to a
bottom surface of the engaging plate to obtain a workpiece. Finally
a working fluid is injected into a space between the base plate and
the engaging plate and the space is vacuumed via an opened end of
the workpiece. The opened end of the workpiece is sealed to obtain
the plate-type heat pipe.
[0007] A plate-type heat pipe comprises a base plate defining a
trough therein and an engaging plate hermetically secured on a top
of the base plate. A plurality of supporting members is received in
the heat pipe and interconnects the base plate and the engaging
plate. The supporting members are formed by sintering a metal
powder. First and second wicks are provided on a top face of the
base plate in the trough. The first wick is located over the second
wick and has a pore size larger than that of the second wick. The
first and second wicks surround lower ends of the supporting
members.
[0008] Other advantages and novel features will become more
apparent from the following detailed description of preferred
embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better
understood with reference to the following drawings. The components
in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis
instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of
the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference
numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several
views.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a plate-type heat
pipe in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a plate-type heat pipe
in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a plate-type heat pipe
in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a plate-type heat pipe
in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a plate-type heat pipe
in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of a related
plate-type heat pipe.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an assembled view of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a method for manufacturing a plate-type
heat pipe 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention comprises providing an elongated engaging plate 11 and a
base plate 12 with a trough (not labeled) therein. A plurality of
supporting members 16 is made of solid posts of first metal. The
supporting members 16 are secured on a top surface of the base
plate 12. A second metal powder and a third metal powder are filled
onto the top surface of the base plate 12 in the trough. The second
and third powder enclose bottom ends of the supporting members 16,
wherein the third metal powder comprises a particle size exceeding
that of the second metal powder. The base plate 12 and the second
and third metal powder are heated at a high temperature to obtain a
first wick structure 14 by the second metal powder and a second
wick structure 15 by the third metal powder. The first wick
structure 14 securely adheres to the top surface of the base plate
12 and the second wick structure 15 securely adheres to the top
surface of the first wick structure 14. The base plate 12 and the
supporting members 16 are secured to a bottom surface of the
engaging plate 11 to obtain a workpiece (not shown). A work fluid
(not shown) such as water, alcohol, methanol, or the like is
injected into the workpiece through an opened end (not shown) of
the workpiece and then the workpiece is vacuumed through the opened
end. Finally, the opened end of the workpiece is sealed to obtain
the plate-type heat pipe 10.
[0018] The supporting members 16 are spaced from each other. The
supporting members 16 are perpendicular to, interconnect and abut
against the engaging plate 11 and the base plate 12 to enhance
stability and strength of the plate-type heat pipe 10. The first
wick structure 14 comprises a plurality of pores which communicate
with pores of the second wick structure 15. The pores of the first
wick structure 14 each have a pore size smaller than that of the
pores of the second wick structure 15.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, a method for manufacturing a plate-type
heat pipe 20 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention is similar to the method of the first embodiment of the
present invention, except that a fourth metal powder is applied on
a periphery of each supporting member 16 to form a third wick
structure 27 by sintering the fourth metal powder on the periphery
of the each supporting member 16. The third wick structure 27 abuts
against the bottom surface of the engaging plate 11 and connects
with the second wick structure 15. The third wick structure 27 has
a plurality of pores communicating with those of the second wick
structure 15. Thus, the working fluid returns to the first and
second wick structures 14, 15 of the plate-type heat pipe 20 from
the third wick structure 27 when the plate-type heat pipe 20 is in
use and vapor condenses into liquid on the bottom surface of the
engaging plate 11.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, a method for manufacturing a plate-type
heat pipe 30 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention is similar to the method of the second embodiment of the
present invention, except that a fifth metal powder is applied to
the bottom surface of the engaging plate 11 to form a fourth wick
structure 38 by sintering the fifth metal powder. When the engaging
plate 11 and the base plate 12 are assembled together, top ends of
the third wick structure 27 communicate with the fourth wick
structure 38. Thus, the working fluid returns to the first and
second wick structures 14, 15 of the plate-type heat pipe 30 from
the third and fourth wick structures 27, 38 when the plate-type
heat pipe 30 is in use and vapor condenses into liquid on the
bottom surface of the engaging plate 11.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, a method for manufacturing a plate-type
heat pipe 40 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present
invention is similar to the method of the first embodiment of the
present invention, except that the supporting members 46 are formed
by sintering a first metal powder to have a plurality of pores in
the supporting members 46. Thus, the working fluid returns to the
first and second wick structures 14, 15 of the plate-type heat pipe
40 from supporting members 46 when the plate-type heat pipe 40 is
in use and vapor condenses into liquid on the bottom surface of the
engaging plate 11.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 5, a method for manufacturing a plate-type
heat pipe 50 in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present
invention is similar to the method of the fourth embodiment of the
present invention, except that a plurality of sixth metal powder is
applied to the bottom surface of the engaging plate 11 to form a
fifth wick structure 57 by sintering the sixth metal powder. When
the engaging plate 11 and the base plate 12 are assembled together,
top ends of the supporting members 46 communicate with the fifth
wick structure 57. Thus, the working fluid returns to the first and
second wick structures 14, 15 of the plate-type heat pipe 50 from
the fifth wick structure 57 and the supporting members 46 when the
plate-type heat pipe 50 is in use and vapor condenses into liquid
on the bottom surface of the engaging plate 11.
[0023] It is believed that the present embodiments and their
advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and
it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or
sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples
hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary
embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *