U.S. patent application number 12/977088 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-10 for plate type heat pipe and heat sink using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to JIANG-JUN HU, DE-YU WANG, QING-PING YAN.
Application Number | 20120111541 12/977088 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46018506 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120111541 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YAN; QING-PING ; et
al. |
May 10, 2012 |
PLATE TYPE HEAT PIPE AND HEAT SINK USING THE SAME
Abstract
A plate-type heat pipe includes a sealed shell containing
working liquid therein, and elongated wick structures arranged in
the shell in a spaced manner. Channels are formed between the wick
structures. The heat pipe has an evaporating section and a
condensing section. Two ends of each wick structure are
respectively located at the evaporating section and the condensing
section. Top and bottom faces of each wick structure respectively
contact top and bottom inner faces of the shell.
Inventors: |
YAN; QING-PING; (Shenzhen
City, CN) ; WANG; DE-YU; (Shenzhen City, CN) ;
HU; JIANG-JUN; (Shenzhen City, CN) |
Assignee: |
FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO.,
LTD.
Tucheng City
TW
FU ZHUN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHEN ZHEN) CO., LTD.
Shenzhen City
CN
|
Family ID: |
46018506 |
Appl. No.: |
12/977088 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 2924/0002 20130101;
H01L 23/427 20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101; H01L 2924/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.26 |
International
Class: |
F28D 15/04 20060101
F28D015/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 9, 2010 |
CN |
201010538146.3 |
Claims
1. A plate type heat pipe comprising: a sealed shell; a working
fluid filled in the shell; and a plurality of elongated wick
structures arranged in the shell in a spaced manner, a plurality of
channels being defined between the wick structures, the heat pipe
having an evaporating section and a condensing section, two ends of
each wick structure being respectively located at the evaporating
section and the condensing section, and top and bottom faces of
each wick structure respectively contacting top and bottom inner
faces of the shell.
2. The plate type heat pipe of claim 1, wherein the wick structures
are sintered metal powder.
3. The plate type heat pipe of claim 1, wherein the wick structures
are sintered ceramic powder.
4. The plate type heat pipe of claim 1, wherein portions of the
wick structures corresponding to the condensing section of the heat
pipe are connected each other by sintered metal powder or ceramic
powder.
5. The plate type heat pipe of claim 4, wherein the portions of the
wick structures corresponding to the condensing section of the heat
pipe define a passage, the passage being substantially
perpendicular to and communicating with the channels.
6. The plate type heat pipe of claim 1, wherein portions of the
wick structures corresponding to the condensing section of the heat
pipe define a passage, the passage being substantially
perpendicular to and communicating with the channels.
7. The plate type heat pipe of claim 1, wherein portions of the
wick structures corresponding to each of the evaporating section
and the condensing section of the heat pipe are connected each
other by sintered metal powder or ceramic powder.
8. The plate type heat pipe of claim 7, wherein the portions of the
wick structures corresponding to each of the evaporating section
and the condensing section of the heat pipe define a vapor passage,
the passage being substantially perpendicular to and communicating
with the channels.
9. The plate type heat pipe of claim 1, wherein portions of the
wick structures corresponding to each of the evaporating section
and the condensing section of the heat pipe define a vapor passage,
the passage being substantially perpendicular to and communicating
with the channels.
10. The plate type heat pipe of claim 1, wherein the evaporating
section and the condensing section are respectively located at
different levels.
11. The plate type heat pipe of claim 1, wherein the evaporating
section and the condensing section are perpendicular to each other
and at the same level.
12. A heat sink adapted for cooling a heat source, the heat sink
comprising: a fin assembly comprising a plurality of fins; and a
plate type heat pipe comprising: a sealed shell; a working fluid
filled in the shell; and a plurality of elongated wick structures
arranged in the shell in a spaced manner, a plurality of channels
being defined between the wick structures, the heat pipe having an
evaporating section adapted for thermally contacting the heat
source and a condensing section thermally contacting the fin
assembly, two ends of each wick structure being respectively
located at the evaporating section and the condensing section, and
top and bottom faces of each wick structure respectively contacting
top and bottom inner faces of the shell.
13. The heat sink of claim 12, wherein the wick structures are
sintered metal powder.
14. The heat sink of claim 12, wherein the wick structures are
sintered ceramic powder.
15. The heat sink of claim 12, wherein portions of the wick
structures corresponding to the condensing section of the heat pipe
are connected each other by sintered metal powder or ceramic
powder.
16. The heat sink of claim 15, wherein the portions of the wick
structures corresponding to the condensing section of the heat pipe
define a passage, the passage being substantially perpendicular to
and communicating with the channels.
17. The heat sink of claim 12, wherein portions of the wick
structures corresponding to the condensing section of the heat pipe
define a passage, the passage being substantially perpendicular to
and communicating with the channels.
18. The heat sink of claim 12, wherein portions of the wick
structures corresponding to each of the evaporating section and the
condensing section of the heat pipe are connected each other by
sintered metal powder or ceramic powder.
19. The heat sink of claim 18, wherein the portions of the wick
structures corresponding to each of the evaporating section and the
condensing section of the heat pipe define a vapor passage, the
passage being substantially perpendicular to and communicating with
the channels.
20. The heat sink of claim 12, wherein portions of the wick
structures corresponding to each of the evaporating section and the
condensing section of the heat pipe define a vapor passage, the
passage being substantially perpendicular to and communicating with
the channels.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The disclosure relates to heat dissipation and, more
particularly, to a plate type heat pipe and a heat sink using the
plate type heat pipe.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Nowadays, numerous types of heat sinks are used to dissipate
heat generated by electronic devices. A plate type heat pipe with
dissipating fins mounted thereon is a common type of heat sink. The
heat pipe is a hollow tube receiving working fluid therein, and has
a wick structure formed on an inner face thereof for drawing back
the working fluid. When the heat pipe is maintained in thermal
contact with an electronic device, the working fluid contained in
the heat pipe at a hotter section of the heat pipe vaporizes into
vapor. The vapor moves to a cooler section of the heat pipe, and
releases its latent heat and condenses to fluid again. The
condensate returns to the hotter section via capillary force
provided by the wick structure. Thereafter, the fluid repeatedly
vaporizes and condenses to form a circulation system which
continually removes the heat generated by the electronic
device.
[0005] However, the plate type heat pipe of the heat sink is prone
to deformation when subjected to an inner or an outer pressure
during use. For example, internal vapor pressure or accidental
impact may distort the heat pipe. Such deformation may result in
disengagement of the wick structure from the inner face of the heat
pipe, adversely affecting the performance of the heat pipe.
[0006] What is needed, therefore, is a plate type heat pipe and a
heat sink using the plate type heat pipe which can overcome the
limitations described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] 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, and all the views are schematic.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heat sink in accordance
with an embodiment of the disclosure, together with a heat source,
the heat sink including a plate type heat pipe in accordance with a
first embodiment of the disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the plate type heat pipe
of the heat sink of FIG. 1, taken along line II-II thereof.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of wick
structures of the plate type heat pipe of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIGS. 4-7 are views similar to FIG. 3, showing alternative
wick structures which can replace the wick structures of FIG.
3.
[0012] FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of a plate type heat
pipe in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 9 is an exploded, perspective view of a plate type heat
pipe in accordance with a third embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a heat sink in accordance with an embodiment of
the disclosure. The heat sink includes a plate type heat pipe 20,
and a fin assembly 10 thermally attached to the heat pipe 20. The
heat pipe 20 is elongated. A length of the heat pipe 20 is much
greater than a width of the heat pipe 20, and a height of the heat
pipe 20 is much less than the width of the heat pipe 20. Along a
longitudinal direction of the heat pipe 20, the heat pipe 20
includes an evaporating section 21 thermally contacting a heat
source 30, an intermediate section (not labeled), and a condensing
section 23 thermally contacting the fin assembly 10. The fin
assembly 10 includes a plurality of spaced fins (not labeled).
[0015] Also referring to FIGS. 2-3, the plate type heat pipe 20
includes a sealed, elongated shell 25, and a plurality of elongated
wick structures 26 each disposed on opposite inner faces of the
shell 25. The shell 25 includes a substrate 24, and a cover 22
covering the substrate 24. An edge of the cover 22 hermetically
engages an edge of the substrate 24, thereby forming a vapor
chamber 28 between the substrate 24 and the cover 22. A working
fluid (not labeled) is filled in the vapor chamber 28, and can flow
from the condensing section 23 to the evaporating section 21 via
capillary force provided by the wick structures 26. The wick
structures 26 are arranged in the shell 25 in a parallel and spaced
manner. Each wick structure 26 extends from the condensing section
23 to the evaporating section 21, and two opposite ends of each
wick structure 26 are respectively located at the evaporating
section 21 and the condensing section 23. Top and bottom faces of
each wick structure 26 respectively contact inner faces of the
substrate 24 and the cover 22 of the shell 25. Thereby, a plurality
of channels 280 for vapor flow are formed between the wick
structures 26, each channel 280 extending along the longitudinal
direction of the heat pipe 20. The wick structures 26 are made of
sintered metal powder or sintered ceramic powder, and have a high
strength to support the substrate 24 and the cover 22 of the shell
25 and prevent the shell 25 from deforming.
[0016] In use, the evaporating section 21 of the plate type heat
pipe 20 thermally contacts the heat source 30 to absorb heat
generated therefrom. The working fluid at the evaporating section
21 is heated and vaporized to flow through the channels 280 to the
condensing section 23. The vaporized working fluid exchanges heat
with the fin assembly 10 at the condensing section 23 and is
condensed to liquid. The condensed working fluid returns to the
evaporating section 21 via the wick structures 26.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a plurality of alternative wick structures 26a,
which can replace the above-described wick structures 26. The wick
structures 26a are similar to the wick structures 26, except for
the following. Ends of the wick structures 26a corresponding to the
condensing section of the heat pipe 20 are connected with each
other, by sintered metal powder when the wick structures 26a are
made of sintered metal powder, or by sintered ceramic powder when
the wick structures 26a are made of sintered ceramic powder. Thus,
the condensed working fluid can flow from one wick structure 26a to
another.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a plurality of alternative wick structures 26b,
which can replace the above-described wick structures 26a. The
difference between the two wick structures 26b, 26a is as follows.
Not only are ends of the wick structures 26b corresponding to the
condensing section 23 of the heat pipe 20 connected with each other
by sintered metal powder or sintered ceramic powder, but also ends
of the wick structures 26b corresponding to the evaporating section
21 of the heat pipe 20 are connected with each other by sintered
metal powder or sintered ceramic powder.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a plurality of alternative wick structures 26c,
which can replace the above-described wick structures 26a. The wick
structures 26c are similar to the wick structures 26a, except for
the following. Besides being connected with each other by sintered
metal powder or sintered ceramic powder, ends of the wick
structures 26c corresponding to the condensing section of the heat
pipe 20 define two passages 282 along the width direction of the
heat pipe 20. That is, each of the passages 282 is substantially
perpendicular to the channels 280, and communicates with the
channels 280. Thereby, not only can the condensed working fluid
flow from one wick structure 26c to another, but also the vaporized
working fluid can flow from one channel 280 to another to cause
heat to be more evenly distributed at the condensing section.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a plurality of alternative wick structures 26d,
which can replace the above-described wick structures 26b. The wick
structures 26d are similar to the wick structures 26b, except for
the following. Besides being connected with each other by sintered
metal powder or sintered ceramic powder, ends of the wick
structures 26d corresponding to each of the evaporating section 21
and the condensing section 23 of the heat pipe 20 define two
passages 282a along the width direction of the heat pipe 20. That
is, each of the passages 282a is substantially perpendicular to the
channels 280, and communicates with the channels 280.
[0021] FIG. 8 shows a plate type heat pipe 20a in accordance with a
second embodiment of the disclosure. The heat pipe 20a of the
second embodiment is similar to the heat pipe 20 of the first
embodiment, except for the following. The heat pipe 20a is bent at
an intermediate section thereof, so that an evaporating section 21a
and a condensing section 23a are respectively located at different
levels. In this embodiment, wick structures 26e each have a profile
similar to a profile of a shell 25a. A middle portion of each wick
structure 26e is curved, such that an end of the wick structure 26e
at the evaporating section 21a is higher than an end of the wick
structure 26e at the condensing section 23a.
[0022] FIG. 9 shows a plate type heat pipe 20b in accordance with a
third embodiment of the disclosure. The heat pipe 20b of the third
embodiment is similar to the heat pipe 20 of the first embodiment,
except for the following. The heat pipe 20a is bent at an
intermediate section thereof, so that an evaporating section 21b
and a condensing section 23b are perpendicular to each other and at
the same level. In this embodiment, wick structures 26f each have a
profile similar to a profile of a shell 25b. A middle portion of
each wick structure 26f is curved, and an end of the wick structure
26f at the evaporating section 21b is perpendicular to an end of
the wick structure 26f at the condensing section 23b.
[0023] According to the disclosure, the wick structures disposed in
the plate type heat pipes 20, 20a, 20b are able to not only provide
capillary force acting on the working fluid, but also can support
the shells 25, 25a, 25b to prevent the shells 25, 25a, 25b from
deforming when subjected to internal vapor pressure or external
impact or vibration.
[0024] It is believed that the disclosure and its 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.
* * * * *