U.S. patent application number 14/474264 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for method for manufacturing heat-dissipating module.
The applicant listed for this patent is COOLER MASTER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Chia-Yu LIN.
Application Number | 20150013928 14/474264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48779167 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150013928 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIN; Chia-Yu |
January 15, 2015 |
METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING HEAT-DISSIPATING MODULE
Abstract
A method for manufacturing a heat-dissipating module includes
following steps. A hollow aluminum tube is put on a corresponding
heat pipe to form an aluminum-skinned heat pipe. Then, one or more
aluminum-skinned heat pipes are disposed in a casting space of a
die casting mold. Fins are disposed into the die casting mold.
Molten aluminum materials are filled in the casting space of the
die casting mold to form a heat-dissipating module. By using a die
casting process, molten aluminum materials are used to cover at
least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe and connect with the fins,
thereby finishing the heat-dissipating module.
Inventors: |
LIN; Chia-Yu; (NEW TAIPEI
CITY, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COOLER MASTER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION |
NEW TAIPEI CITY |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
48779167 |
Appl. No.: |
14/474264 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13351204 |
Jan 16, 2012 |
|
|
|
14474264 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
164/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B22D 17/20 20130101;
B21D 53/06 20130101; F28F 3/02 20130101; B23P 15/26 20130101; F28D
15/0275 20130101; F28F 13/18 20130101; F28F 2255/143 20130101; B22D
19/0081 20130101; B22D 17/00 20130101; F28D 15/04 20130101; B22D
19/0072 20130101; F28F 21/084 20130101; B23P 2700/10 20130101; B22D
19/0063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
164/108 |
International
Class: |
B22D 17/20 20060101
B22D017/20; F28F 21/08 20060101 F28F021/08; F28D 15/04 20060101
F28D015/04 |
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a heat-dissipating module, including
steps of: a) putting a hollow aluminum tube (110) on a
corresponding heat pipe (111) to form an aluminum-skinned heat pipe
(11); b) disposing at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11)
into a casting space (22) of a die casting mold (2), disposing a
plurality of fins (12) in the casting space (22) of the die casting
mold (2); and c) filling aluminum materials into the casting space
(22) of the die casting mold (2) to form a heat-dissipating module
(1), wherein the heat-dissipating module (1) comprises an aluminum
base (10), the at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11), and
the plurality of fins (12), and the aluminum base (10) covers the
at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11) and is combined with
the fins (12).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the aluminum-skinned
heat pipe (11) in the step a) is made by stretching the hollow
aluminum tube (110) to cover the heat pipe (111).
3. The method according to claim 2, further including a step of
sealing both ends (113) of the hollow aluminum tube (110) with two
aluminum sealing heads (112).
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the die casting mold
(2) in the step b) comprises a first mold part (20) and a second
mold part (21), and the first mold part (20) and the second mold
part (21) are brought into tight contact with each other to form
the casting space (22) in which the aluminum base (10) is
formed.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first mold part
(20) is located below the second mold part (21).
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first mold part
(20) is located above the second mold part (21).
7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the second mold part
(21) is provided with a plurality of through troughs (210) in
communication with the casting space (22), and the fins (12) are
disposed through the through troughs (210) respectively.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional Applications of U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/351,204 filed on Jan. 16, 2012. The entire
disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a heat-dissipating module
and a method for manufacturing the same. Particularly, the present
invention relates to a heat-dissipating module which is made by
using molten metallic materials to cover aluminum-skinned heat
pipes via a die casting process and a method for manufacturing the
same.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] Heat-conducting elements such as heat pipes are used to
dissipate heat or transfer heat. The interior of the heat pipe is
made to be vacuumed. A working fluid is filled into the heat pipe
to generate a phase change therein. When the working fluid is
heated, it evaporates to become vapors, thereby carrying away the
heat. Then, the vapor phase of the working fluid condenses to
return its liquid phase and to circulate in the heat pipe. In order
to manufacture a plate-type heat pipe, conventionally, a plurality
of heat pipes is disposed in a solid or hollow metallic plate.
Alternatively, a tubular heat pipe is rolled or pressed to form a
plate-type heat pipe.
[0006] However, the strength of the conventional plate-type heat
pipe is insufficient. Further, it is difficult for heat-dissipating
elements such as fins to be provided on the conventional plate-type
heat pipe. As for the plate-type heat pipe formed by covering heat
pipes by a solid or hollow metallic plate, it is an important issue
to consider the thermal resistance generated by the gap between the
heat pipe and the metallic plate. As for the plate-type heat pipe
made by heat pipes penetrating into a solid metallic plate, it is
difficult to control the tolerance between the penetrating heat
pipe and the metallic plate. If the tolerance is larger, a gap will
be formed between the heat pipe and the metallic plate, and thus a
heat-conducting medium has to be applied in this gap. If the
tolerance is smaller, the penetration of the heat pipe into the
metallic plate becomes more difficult. As for the plate-type heat
pipe made by embedding heat pipes in a metallic plate, the heat
transfer effect between the heat pipe and the metallic plate will
be deteriorated because the metallic plate is made of a material
(aluminum) different from the material (copper) of the heat
pipe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a heat-dissipating module and
a method for manufacturing the same. The heat-dissipating module is
made by using molten metallic materials to cover at least one
aluminum-skinned heat pipe by a die casting process. More
specifically, the heat-dissipating module employs the aluminum
material as a heat-conducting medium because the aluminum material
can generate a good heat-dissipating effect and a better heat
transfer effect. On the other hand, the heat-dissipating module of
the present invention is chemically stable and thus will not be
separated or explored easily. Further, it has a better corrosion
resistance.
[0008] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a
method for manufacturing a heat-dissipating module, including steps
of: [0009] a) putting a hollow aluminum tube on a heat pipe to make
an aluminum-skinned heat pipe; [0010] b) disposing at least one
aluminum-skinned heat pipe into a casting space of a die casting
mold, disposing a plurality of fins into the casting space of the
die casting mold; and [0011] c) filling aluminum materials in the
casting space of the die casting mold to form a heat-dissipating
module, wherein the heat-dissipating module includes an aluminum
base, at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe, and a plurality of
fins, and the aluminum base covers the at least one
aluminum-skinned heat pipe and is combined with the fins; [0012]
wherein the aluminum materials are melted to cover the at least one
aluminum-skinned heat pipe and are combined with the fins by a die
casting process, thereby obtaining the heat-dissipating module.
[0013] According to another aspect, the present invention provides
a heat-dissipating module including an aluminum base, at least one
aluminum-skinned heat pipe disposed in the aluminum base, and a
plurality of fins erected on the surface of the aluminum base at
intervals, wherein the aluminum-skinned heat pipe comprises a heat
pipe and an aluminum tube tightly covering the heat pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance
of the final product according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the steps of the method
according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the step S1 in the method
of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing that an aluminum-skinned
heat pipe is subjected to a draw-forming process in the step S1 of
the method according to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the state of the
aluminum-skinned heat pipe before and after a draw-forming process
in the step S1 of the method according to the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing that an aluminum-skinned
heat pipe is subjected to a draw-forming process and both ends
thereof are sealed in the step S1 of the method according to the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the step S2 in the method
of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the step S3 in the method
of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal
construction of the final product according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] In order to make the Examiner to better understand the
characteristics and technical contents of the present invention, a
detailed description will be made with reference to the
accompanying drawings. However, it is noteworthy to point out that
the drawings is provided for the illustration purpose only, but not
intended for limiting the scope of the present invention.
[0024] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view showing
the external appearance of the final product according to the
present invention. The present invention provides a
heat-dissipating module and a method for manufacturing the same.
The interior of the heat-dissipating module 1 is embedded with at
least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11. Each aluminum-skinned heat
pipe 11 comprises a hollow aluminum tube 110 and a heat pipe 111.
The aluminum tube 110 is put on the heat pipe 111 to form the
aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11. The heat-dissipating module 1
includes an aluminum base 10, at least one aluminum-skinned heat
pipe 11, and a plurality of fins 12, wherein the aluminum-skinned
heat pipes 11 are provided in the aluminum base 10 at
intervals.
[0025] Please also refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. The method of the
present invention has steps as follows. First, in the step S1 shown
in FIG. 2, at least one heat pipe 111 and a hollow aluminum tube
110 corresponding to the heat pipe 111 are prepared. The inner
diameter of each aluminum tube 110 is slightly larger than the
outer diameter of the corresponding heat pipe 111, so that the
aluminum tube 110 can be put on the heat pipe 111 to form the
aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11. The aluminum tube 110 may be made of
aluminum-based metals or alloys thereof. Alternatively, the
aluminum tube 110 may be made of the same material as that of the
aluminum base 10.
[0026] Please also refer to FIGS. 3 to 6. In the steps S1-1 to S1-2
shown in FIG. 2 of the present embodiment, the aluminum-skinned
heat pipe 11 can be made by the following process. First, one end
of the aluminum tube 110 is fixed onto a mounting base 3, and the
other end of the aluminum tube 110 is fixed to a movable stage 4.
In the beginning, the movable stage 4 moves in a direction away
from the mounting base 3, thereby drawing the aluminum tube 110. In
this way, the length "l" of the aluminum tube 110 is increased, and
the diameter "d" of the aluminum tube 110 is reduced, so that the
aluminum tube 110 can cover the heat pipe 111 to form the
aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11.
[0027] After the drawing process, the aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11
is taken off from the mounting base 3 and the movable stage 4.
Then, both ends of the aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 are sealed.
More specifically, two aluminum sealing heads 112 are used to seal
two ends 113 of the aluminum tube 110, so that the heat pipe 111 is
completely covered by the aluminum tube 110. The aluminum sealing
head 112 may be made of the same material as that of the aluminum
tube 110 or the aluminum base 10.
[0028] Next, please also refer to FIG. 7. In the step S2 shown in
FIG. 2, the at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 is disposed
in a die casting mold 2. In the present embodiment, the fins 12 are
disposed into the die casting mold 2. The die casting mold 2
includes a first mold part 20 and a second mold part 21. After the
first mold part 20 and the second mold part 21 are brought into
tight contact with each other, a casting space 22 is formed in the
die casting mold 2. In the die casting space 22, the aluminum base
10 of the heat-dissipating module 1 is formed. Further, a plurality
of through troughs 210 are formed in the second mold part 21 in
communication with the casting space 22, so that the fins 12 can be
disposed through the through troughs 210 respectively. A portion of
the fins 12 is exposed to the outside of the second mold part 21,
and a portion of the fins 12 extends into the casting space 22. In
the present embodiment, although the first mold part 20 is located
below the second mold part 21, the first mold part 20 may be
located above the second mold part 21.
[0029] According to the above, each fin 12 is made of materials of
good heat-dissipating property such as aluminum or copper. Each fin
12 may be made by a punching process or a pressing process to form
a sheet-like heat-dissipating portion 120 and a connecting portion
121 formed at a distal end of the heat-dissipating portion 120. One
side or both sides of the connecting portion 121 is provided with
laterally-protruding insertion portions 122, thereby increasing the
combination strength of the fins 12 with the aluminum base 10 of
the heat-dissipating module 1.
[0030] Finally, please also refer to FIG. 8. In the step S3 shown
in FIG. 2, the aluminum material is filled in the casting space 22
of the die casting mold 2, thereby forming the aluminum base 10 in
the casting space 22. In this way, the aluminum-skinned heat pipe
11 is covered inside the aluminum base 10. The fins 12 and the
aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 are combined with the aluminum base
10. The connecting portions 121 of the fins 12 are connected into
the aluminum base 10 to erect on one surface 100 of the aluminum
base 10 at intervals. At this time, when the aluminum base 10 is
formed in the casting mold 2, since the molten aluminum material
filled in the casting space 22 makes the aluminum tube 110 to
tightly cover the corresponding heat pipe 111, thereby forming the
heat-dissipating module 1 as shown in FIG. 9. In other words, the
heat-dissipating module 1 is formed by using molten metal materials
to cover at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 by a die
casting process.
[0031] In the thus-formed heat-dissipating module 1 made by
covering the aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 with molten metallic
materials, since the aluminum tube 110 acts as an aluminum skin to
cover the heat pipe 111, a good heat-dissipating effect and a
better heat transfer effect can be achieved between the
aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 and the aluminum base 10. On the
other hand, since the heat-dissipating module 1 is made by using a
die casting process to cover the aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 with
molten metallic materials, the present invention has a better
corrosion resistance.
[0032] Therefore, with the above method, the heat-dissipating
module of the present invention can be obtained.
[0033] According to the above, the present invention really
achieves the desired objectives and solves the problems in prior
art. Further, the present invention has novelty and inventive
steps, which conforms to the requirements for an invention
patient.
[0034] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the foregoing preferred embodiment, it will be
understood that the invention is not limited to the details
thereof. Various equivalent variations and modifications can still
occur to those skilled in this art in view of the teachings of the
present invention. Thus, all such variations and equivalent
modifications are also embraced within the scope of the invention
as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *