U.S. patent application number 15/269034 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-11 for multi-pipe three-dimensional plusating heat pipe.
The applicant listed for this patent is INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Invention is credited to CHIH-YUNG TSENG, Shih-Kuo Wu, Kai-Shing Yang.
Application Number | 20180010860 15/269034 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60893276 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180010860 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TSENG; CHIH-YUNG ; et
al. |
January 11, 2018 |
MULTI-PIPE THREE-DIMENSIONAL PLUSATING HEAT PIPE
Abstract
A multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe includes at
least two pipes and at least two chambers. The at least two pipes
form into respective three-dimensional annular loops. A cooling
zone is formed to one side of the annular loops. Two opposing ends
of the at least two pipes are connected spatially to the at least
two chambers, respectively, so as to form the multi-pipe three
dimensions pulsating heat pipe.
Inventors: |
TSENG; CHIH-YUNG; (Yunlin
County, TW) ; Yang; Kai-Shing; (Changhua County,
TW) ; Wu; Shih-Kuo; (Hsinchu, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE |
HSIN-CHU |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
60893276 |
Appl. No.: |
15/269034 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 13/10 20130101;
F28D 15/025 20130101; F28D 1/0472 20130101; F28D 15/0266 20130101;
F28D 7/0041 20130101; F28D 15/0275 20130101; F28D 15/0283
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F28D 15/02 20060101
F28D015/02; F28F 13/10 20060101 F28F013/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 7, 2016 |
TW |
105121605 |
Claims
1. A multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe, comprising:
at least two pipes, each of the at least two pipes being formed
into three-dimensional annular loops, at least one side of the
annular loops being defined as a cooling area; and at least two
chambers, connecting respectively and spatially to two opposing
ends of each of the at least two pipes so as to form the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe.
2. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim 1,
wherein each of the at least two pipes is a metallic pipe or a
non-metallic pipe.
3. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim 1,
wherein the three-dimensional annular loops are symmetric
structures or asymmetric structures.
4. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim 1,
wherein the at least two pipes have the same diameter or
cross-sectional area.
5. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim 1,
wherein the at least two pipes have different diameters or
cross-sectional areas.
6. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim 1,
wherein the three-dimensional annular loops include an outer-frame
portion and a central empty portion.
7. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim 6,
further including a heating source located at one side of the
outer-frame portion.
8. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim 6,
further including an anchorage member located in the central empty
portion.
9. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim 8,
wherein the anchorage member is one of a circuit, a mechanism and a
heat-dissipation member.
10. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim
1, wherein each of the at least two pipes is filled with a work
fluid; wherein, while the work fluid is heated, the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe is operable in a horizontal
or a negative-angling state.
11. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim
1, wherein one side of the annular loops is defined as an
evaporation zone, while another side of the annular loops is
defined as a condensation zone.
12. The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of claim
1, wherein the annular loops are rectangular, trapezoidal or
triangular shaped.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is based on, and claims priority
from, Taiwan (International) Application Serial Number 105121605,
filed on Jul. 7, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a heat pipe for heat
dissipation, and more particularly to a multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe that is structured by a 3D
(three-dimensional) stacking arrangement.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The heat pipe is well known to have excellent thermal
characterization, and thus is widely applied to heat-dissipate
electronic elements, particularly personal computers and notebook
computers. Generally, while in encountering a heat-dissipation need
for a plane heat source, it is as usual to implement a plurality of
heat pipes to meet the heat-dissipation need. However, the design
for applying multiple heat pipes at the same time would cause
manufacturing and assembling difficulty in heat-dissipation
modules. Hence, while in meeting a requirement for heat-dissipating
a plane heat source, the planar heat pipe or the vapor chamber
would be more appropriate than the conventional heat pipe.
[0004] In the art, a conventional pulsating heat pipe is generally
a heat-dissipation member consisted of several bent pipes. A
two-phase flow pulsation phenomenon in the heat pipe is produced by
an in-pipe pressure difference caused by the heated work fluid of
the heat pipe. Such a phenomenon can push the work fluid to flow
back to the evaporation end of the heat pipe without a capillary
structure. By implementing this pulsation phenomenon, air bubbles
and the fluid segments in heat pipe can be easily and automatically
driven to form an in-pipe circulation, such that heat at or outside
one specific portion of the heat pipe can be conveyed distantly to
be dissipated through another portion of the same heat pipe. It is
important that such a technique in heat piping does not require a
capillary structure, and thus the manufacturing cost can be reduced
effectively. Hence, the pulsation technique in heat piping is much
more appropriate to be applied to a product with mass heat transfer
amount and an extended transfer range. However, the pulsating heat
pipe does have a structural limitation in the radius of curvature
for the bent pipes, by which the manufacturing difficulty is
increased. As a tiny radius of curvature is met, the pipe is
vulnerable to be over deformed or evenly fractured. Thus, the
application of this pulsation technique is still limited. In
addition, the production of the bent pipes requires additional
specific tooling for the bending task, and thus an increase of cost
in manufacturing the heat pipe with bent piping would be
inevitable.
[0005] In addition, after necessary bending upon the pipes, invalid
areas (or invalid zones) would be formed in theses bent pipes, by
which the transferable heat amount per unit projection area
(W/cm.sup.2) would be substantially reduced. Consequently, the heat
flux would be deficit, the thermal resistance would be hike, and
additional unexpected inconvenience in both design and development
would be met.
SUMMARY
[0006] Accordingly, it is the object of the present disclosure to
provide a multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe that the
performance can be enhanced, the manufacturing can be convenient,
and the production cost can be reduced.
[0007] In this disclosure, the multi-pipe three-dimensional
pulsating heat pipe includes at least two pipes and at least two
chambers. Each of the at least two pipes is formed into repeated
three-dimensional annular loops, and at least one side of the
annular loops is defined as a cooling area. The at least two
chambers connect respectively and spatially to two opposing ends of
each of the at least two pipes so as to form the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe.
[0008] By providing the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat
pipe of this disclosure, at least two opposing ends of the pipes
are installed with individual chambers for bifurcating and
refilling the work fluid, and also the annular loops produced
according to the 3D stacking pattern would prevent the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe from the influence of bending
and curving upon the pipes. With the cooling area to be formed at
one side of the annular loops at least according to the tight
stacking, no invalid area would be produced to degrade the heat
transfer. Thereupon, when the cooling area of the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe is adhered to the evaporation
zone, a close face-to-face heat transfer pattern can be established
to significantly enhance the heat flux.
[0009] In addition, while in manufacturing the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of this disclosure, no
further bending tool or jig as required in the conventional design
is needed, such that the manufacturing can be efficiency and the
production cost can be reduced.
[0010] Further scope of applicability of the present application
will become more apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary
embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration
only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and
scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in
the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present disclosure will become more fully understood
from the detailed description given herein below and the
accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only,
and thus are not limitative of the present disclosure and
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment
of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in
accordance with this disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a portion of the annular loops at a side of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic left-hand-side view of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in accordance with
this disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in accordance with
this disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in accordance with
this disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in accordance with
this disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a sixth embodiment of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in accordance with
this disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a seventh embodiment of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in accordance with
this disclosure; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an eighth embodiment of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in accordance with
this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] In the following detailed description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It
will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be
practiced without these specific details. In other instances,
well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order
to simplify the drawing.
[0023] Refer now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2; where FIG. 1 is a schematic
perspective view of a first embodiment of the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in accordance with this
disclosure, and FIG. 2 shows a portion of the annular loops at a
side of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of
FIG. 1. It shall be explained firstly, so as helpful to
conveniently elucidate the present disclosure lately, that, in FIG.
1, an orthogonal X-Y-Z coordinate system is defined, in which the
first axis is the axis X extending in an X-axial direction, the
second axis is the axis Y extending in a Y-axial direction, and the
third axis is the axis Z extending in a Z-axial direction.
[0024] In this disclosure, the multi-pipe three-dimensional
pulsating heat pipe 100 includes at least two pipes and at least
two chambers 120.
[0025] Referring to the first embodiment of FIG. 1, the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 100 includes a first pipe
112, a second pipe 114, a third pipe 116, and two chambers 120.
[0026] The first pipe 112, the second pipe 114 and the third pipe
116 are parallel arranged into a tri-pipe assembly, and this
tri-pipe assembly is structured to be repeated annular loops as
shown in FIG. 1. The annular loops integrally include an
outer-frame portion 110 and a central empty portion 130, in which
the outer-frame portion 110 is consisted of a first side A1, a
second side A2, a third side A3 and a fourth side A4. The first
side A1 and the second side A2 are located to form two opposing
horizontal sides of the outer-frame portion 110 in the Y-axial
direction, while the third side A3 and the fourth side A4 are
located to form two opposing vertical sides of the outer-frame
portion 110 in the X-axial direction. Thereupon, the annular loops
are formed to be a 3D rectangular frame structure.
[0027] Namely, by referring to FIG. 1, in forming the annular loops
(i.e. the 3D rectangular frame structure), the first pipe 112, the
second pipe 114 and the third pipe 116 are firstly parallel
integrated into the tri-pipe assembly. Then, the tri-pipe assembly
is bent continuously along a rectangular pattern several times in a
collapse or stacking manner so as to form the 3D rectangular frame
structure of FIG. 1 having the outer-frame portion 110 (formed by
the circling pipes) and the central empty portion 130 (encircled by
the circling pipes). As shown, in particular, the first side A1 of
the outer-frame portion 110 is located on a lower X-Z plane, the
second side A2 of the outer-frame portion 110 is located on an
upper X-Z plane opposing to the first side A3 by crossing the
central empty portion 130, the third side A3 of the outer-frame
portion 110 is located on a Y-Z plane, and the fourth side A4 of
the outer-frame portion 110 is located on another Y-Z plane
opposing to the third side A3 by crossing the central empty portion
130. By having the aforesaid bending and stacking, the annular
loops are then formed into the 3D rectangular frame structure
according to the 3D stacking pattern and, particularly in FIG. 1,
into a symmetric structure. However, in some other embodiments, the
3D annular loops can be formed into an asymmetric structure or
another symmetric structure, specifically according to different
practical needs.
[0028] The two chambers 120 are the structured to two opposing ends
of tri-pipe assembly consisted of the first pipe 112, the second
pipe 114 and the third pipe 116 in parallel. By having these two
chambers 120, the first pipe 112, the second pipe 114, the third
pipe 116, and the two chambers 120 can then be formed to have a
connected interior space for the multi-pipe three-dimensional
pulsating heat pipe 100 in this disclosure. While in application,
this connected interior space can accommodate the work fluid.
[0029] In this disclosure, at least one side of the aforesaid
annular loops of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat
pipe 100 is adopted to form a cooling area. As shown in FIG. 2, the
first pipe 112, the second pipe 114 and the third pipe 116 located
at the first side A1 of the annular loops is tightly integrated to
form the cooling area. By having a tightly stacking to eliminate
possible invalid area between any two neighboring pipes of the
first pipe 112, the second pipe 114 and the third pipe 116, a
planar cooling zone can then be formed for a particular heat
transfer purpose.
[0030] In this embodiment, the aforesaid pipes can be, but not
limited to, metallic pipes. In some other embodiments, the pipes
can be non-metallic pipes.
[0031] In this embodiment, all the aforesaid pipes can have, but
not limited to, the same diameter or the same cross-sectional area.
However, in some other embodiments, the pipes can have different
diameters or different cross-sectional areas.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic left-hand-side view of
FIG. 1 is shown. It shall be noted that, in order to have a concise
description, some elements in FIG. 1 are now omitted in FIG. 3. For
details of these omitted elements, please refer back to FIG. 1 and
related description.
[0033] In this embodiment, the multi-pipe three-dimensional
pulsating heat pipe 100 can construct an evaporation zone 140 and a
condensation zone 150 to opposing sides of the heat pipe 100,
respectively. For example, in FIG. 3, the evaporation zone 140 of
the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 100 is located
at the first side A1, while the condensation zone 150 of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 100 is located at
the second side A2. In another embodiment not shown herein, the
condensation zone of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating
heat pipe can be located at the first side A1, and the evaporation
zone of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe is
located at the second side A2. In addition, the present disclosure
does not limit the chambers 120 to be located in the condensation
zone. Actually, in accordance with the present disclosure, the
chambers 120 can be located at other places of the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 100.
[0034] According to the present disclosure, the heating source (not
shown in the figure) is located at one side of the outer-frame
portion 110. By having FIG. 3 as an example, the heating source is
located at the first side A1 of the outer-frame portion 110 (namely
the evaporation zone 140), and heat-dissipation fins can be mounted
to the second side A2 of the outer-frame portion 110 (namely the
condensation zone) for heat dissipation. In the present disclosure,
the evaporation zone 140 to receive foreign heat energy is
typically assigned to, but not limited to, the first side A1.
[0035] The multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 100
further includes an anchorage member 160 located in the central
empty portion 130. Namely, while the outer-frame portion 110 can
serve as a supportive frame, the central empty portion 130 can
provide an installation space to accommodate the anchorage member
160. In this embodiment, the anchorage member 160 can be a circuit
structure, a mechanism, a heat-dissipation member, or any the
like.
[0036] Upon the aforesaid arrangement, the repeating annular-loop
structure, including three parallel pipes and two chambers 120
located respectively to opposing ends of the pipes for bifurcating
and also filling the work fluid, can perform annularly circulation
and introduce the 3D stacking pattern for producing a tight
stacking structure to lessen the effect of bending (that produces
small radius of curvature to the pipe) upon the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 100. The work fluid (water,
methanol, acetone, or any pure liquid or solution the like) is
filled into the heat pipe 100 through one of the chambers 120. The
work fluid inside the heat pipe 100 is flowed in a cross-flowing
manner so as to produce unbalanced flowing, by which the difficulty
for the work fluid to flow horizontally in the pulsating heat pipe
can be resolved. Also, the heat pipe 100 of this disclosure can be
operated in a negative 90-degree state (i.e. with the evaporation
zone to be positioned above the condensation zone) so as to help
the work fluid to flow back to the evaporation zone without
substantial helps from the gravity. Further, heating of the work
fluid can be operated no matter if the heat pipe 100 is posed at a
horizontal or a negative-angling state.
[0037] In addition, for example, by having the first side A1 of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 100 close to the
cooling zone (definitely, respective to the heat source) and
preferably by having the evaporation zone 140 at the first side A1
of the heat pipe 100 to adhere closely to the cooling zone of the
heat source so as not to generate invalid areas in between, the
heat flux between the heat pipe 100 and the heat source can be
significantly increased.
[0038] Further, since the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating
heat pipe 100 of this disclosure is a symmetric structure, thus,
while in manufacturing, the tri-pipe assembly is based on a
specific annular pattern to extend continuously and to repeat
according to the 3D stacking pattern, such that the annular loops
as shown in FIG. 1 for the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating
heat pipe 100 can be produced. During the manufacturing, no further
bending tool or jig as required in the conventional design is
needed, such that the manufacturing can be efficiency and the
production cost can be reduced.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4, a schematic view of a second
embodiment of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe
in accordance with this disclosure is illustrated. It shall be
noted that the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 200
of FIG. 4 is structurally similar to that 100 of FIG. 1 through
FIG. 3. Hence, the same elements in between would assigned the same
numbers, and details thereabout would be omitted herein. Following
description upon this second embodiment of FIG. 4 would be focused
on the differences between this second embodiment and the first
embodiment of FIG. 1 through FIG. 3.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the annular loop for each pipe is shaped
to be a triangle, and the whole annular loops include an
outer-frame portion 210 and a central empty portion 230, in which
the outer-frame portion 210 is consisted of a first side B1, a
second side B2 and a third side B3. In particular, the first side
B1 of the annular loops is defined as a cooling area. Similar to
the aforesaid 3D stacking pattern, the annular loops of this second
embodiment are formed to be a 3D triangular structure.
[0041] In the second embodiment 200 of the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe, the first side B1 defines an
evaporation zone 240, and both the second side B2 and the third
side B3 define individual condensation zones 252, 254,
respectively.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 5, a schematic view of a third
embodiment of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe
in accordance with this disclosure is shown. It shall be noted that
the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 300 of FIG. 5
is structurally similar to that 100 of FIG. 1 through FIG. 3.
Hence, the same elements in between would assigned the same
numbers, and details thereabout would be omitted herein. Following
description upon this third embodiment of FIG. 5 would be focused
on the differences between this third embodiment and the first
embodiment of FIG. 1 through FIG. 3.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the annular loop for each pipe is shaped
to be a trapezoid, and the whole annular loops include an
outer-frame portion 310 and a central empty portion 330, in which
the outer-frame portion 310 is consisted of a first side C1, a
second side C2, a third side C3 and a fourth side C4, and the first
side C1. The second side C2 are the vertical-directional opposing
sides of the outer-frame portion 310, and a length of the second
side C2 is larger than that of the first side C1. The third side C3
and the fourth side C4 are the horizontal-directional opposing
sides of the outer-frame portion 310. The first side C1 of the
annular loops is defined as a cooling area. Similar to the
aforesaid 3D stacking pattern, the annular loops of this third
embodiment are formed to be a 3D trapezoidal structure.
[0044] In the third embodiment 300 of the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe, the first side C1 defines an
evaporation zone 340, and the second side C2 defines a condensation
zone 350.
[0045] As described above, the 3D stacking pattern of this
disclosure is not limited to form a 3D rectangular structure as
shown in FIG. 3. The 3D triangular structure (FIG. 4) and the 3D
trapezoidal structure (FIG. 5) are also exemplary embodiments for
the 3D stacking pattern of the present disclosure. In practice, the
shape of the annular loops is determined mainly according to
practical demands.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic view of a fourth
embodiment of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe
in accordance with this disclosure is illustrated. It shall be
noted that the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 400
of FIG. 6 is structurally similar to that 100 of FIG. 1 through
FIG. 3. Hence, the same elements in between would assigned the same
numbers, and details thereabout would be omitted herein. Following
description upon this fourth embodiment of FIG. 6 would be focused
on the differences between this fourth embodiment and the first
embodiment of FIG. 1 through FIG. 3.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the third side A3 of the annular loops
is defined as a cooling area. A lower portion of the third side A3
of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 400 defines
an evaporation zone 440. The fourth side A4 of the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 400 defines a condensation
zone 450. Compared with the aforesaid embodiments of FIG. 1 through
FIG. 5 that all have the heating sources (evaporation zones) to be
located at the corresponding bottom sides, the heating source of
FIG. 6 is located at the lateral side and has the evaporation zone
440 to be located lower than the condensation zone 450.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 7, a schematic view of a fifth
embodiment of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe
in accordance with this disclosure is illustrated. It shall be
noted that the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 500
of FIG. 7 is structurally similar to that 100 of FIG. 1 through
FIG. 3. Hence, the same elements in between would assigned the same
numbers, and details thereabout would be omitted herein. Following
description upon this fifth embodiment of FIG. 7 would be focused
on the differences between this fifth embodiment and the first
embodiment of FIG. 1 through FIG. 3.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, the second side A2 of the annular loops
is defined as a cooling area. A middle portion of the second side
A2 of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 500
defines an evaporation zone 540. The first side A1 of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 500 defines a
condensation zone 550. Compare with the aforesaid embodiments, the
embodiment of FIG. 7 demonstrates an application of heating in an
anti-gravity manner. Namely, in this embodiment, the evaporation
zone 540 is located above the condensation zone 550, i.e. operated
in a negative 90-degree state. Even without the gravity to flow the
work fluid back to the evaporation zone, the heat pipe 500 of this
embodiment can still work.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 8, a schematic view of a sixth
embodiment of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe
in accordance with this disclosure is illustrated. It shall be
noted that the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 600
of FIG. 8 is structurally similar to that 100 of FIG. 1 through
FIG. 3. Hence, the same elements in between would assigned the same
numbers, and details thereabout would be omitted herein. Following
description upon this sixth embodiment of FIG. 8 would be focused
on the differences between this sixth embodiment and the first
embodiment of FIG. 1 through FIG. 3.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, the second side A2 of the annular loops
is defined as a cooling area. An upper portion of the third side A3
of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 600 defines
an evaporation zone 640. A lower portion of the fourth side A4 of
the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 600 defines a
condensation zone 650. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, except for
arranging the lateral side (A3) to receive the heat, the
application of heating in an anti-gravity manner is also utilized
in this embodiment. Namely, the evaporation zone 640 is located
above the condensation zone 650.
[0052] Hence, in the present disclosure, the evaporation zone is
not necessary to position at the bottom side of the heat pipe, and,
alternatively per practical demands, the lateral-side heating, the
anti-gravity heating or a combination of the aforesaid heating is
also a possible option.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 9, a schematic view of a seventh
embodiment of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe
in accordance with this disclosure is illustrated. It shall be
noted that the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 700
of FIG. 9 is structurally similar to that 100 of FIG. 1 through
FIG. 3. Hence, the same elements in between would assigned the same
numbers, and details thereabout would be omitted herein. Following
description upon this seventh embodiment of FIG. 9 would be focused
on the differences between this seventh embodiment and the first
embodiment of FIG. 1 through FIG. 3.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 9, the multi-pipe three-dimensional
pulsating heat pipe 700 is structured to be a dual-layer
heat-transferring module. The annular loops include two outer-frame
portions 110 and 770. The larger-size outer-frame portion 110
located outside thereof sleeves the smaller-size outer-frame
portion 770, preferably by a predetermined spacing. Inside the
smaller-size outer-frame portion 770, a central empty portion 730
of the annular loops is located.
[0055] In this embodiment, the evaporation zone 740 of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 700 is located at
a lower portion thereof between a bottom side of the larger-size
outer-frame portion 110 and a bottom side of the smaller-size
outer-frame portion 770. The condensation zone 750 is defined at
the second side A2 of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating
heat pipe 700. Hence, the heating source within the evaporation
zone 740 can have both sides to dissipate heat to the lower
larger-size outer-frame portion 110 and the upper smaller-size
outer-frame portion 740.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 10, a schematic view of an eighth
embodiment of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe
in accordance with this disclosure is illustrated. It shall be
noted that the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 800
of FIG. 10 is structurally similar to that 700 of FIG. 9. Hence,
the same elements in between would assigned the same numbers, and
details thereabout would be omitted herein. Following description
upon this eighth embodiment of FIG. 10 would be focused on the
differences between this eighth embodiment and the seventh
embodiment of FIG. 9
[0057] In FIG. 10, the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat
pipe 800 also has a dual-layer heat-transferring module. Namely,
the annular loops include two outer-frame portions 110 and 870. The
larger-size outer-frame portion 110 located outside thereof sleeves
the smaller-size outer-frame portion 870, preferably by a
predetermined spacing. Inside the smaller-size outer-frame portion
870, a central empty portion 830 of the annular loops is
located.
[0058] In this embodiment, the evaporation zone 840 of the
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe 800 is located at
a first side A1, while the condensation zone 850 is defined at a
second side A2 of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat
pipe 800.
[0059] Upon such an arrangement of the eighth embodiment, the
larger-size outer-frame portion 110 can contain a first work fluid,
while the smaller-size outer-frame portion 870 can contain a second
work fluid. In particular, the first work fluid is different to the
second work fluid. Namely, these two work fluids have different
work temperature. For example, if the work fluid is the water, then
the heat pipe would initiate the evaporation of the work fluid (in
a comparative high-temperature region) while the work pressure is
0.3 atmosphere and the temperature reaches 69.degree. C. Also, at
this time, driving forces inside the heat pipe is sufficient to
circulate the work fluid. For another example, if the work fluid is
the acetone, then the heat pipe would initiate the evaporation of
the work fluid (in a comparative low-temperature region) while the
work pressure is 0.3 atmosphere and the temperature reaches
37.degree. C. Thus, by applying different work fluids, this
embodiment of the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe
800, formed as a dual-layer heat-transferring module, can provide
two annular loops (the larger-size outer-frame portion aa0 and the
smaller-size outer-frame portion 870) to handle the comparative
high-temperature region and the comparative low-temperature region,
respectively.
[0060] Following Table 1 lists comparisons of testing between the
conventional pulsating heat pipe and the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of this disclosure.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Test results of the conventional pulsating
heat pipe and the multi- pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe
of this disclosure Present multi-pipe three- Conventional pulsating
heat dimensional pulsating heat pipe pipe Filling amount 21 ml 36
ml Operation 90 degrees 90 degrees angle Heating power 300 W 1000 W
Average 100.degree. C. 92.degree. C. temperature of evaporation
zone Area of 75 cm.sup.2(25 .times. 3) 30 cm.sup.2(5 .times. 6)
evaporation zone Heat- 30 cm 35 cm transferring distance Heat flux
4 W/cm.sup.2 33.3 W/cm.sup.2 Volume filling 30% .+-. 5% 37% .+-. 5%
ratio
[0061] In Table 1, the heat flux of the conventional pulsating heat
pipe is 4 W/cm.sup.2, while the heat flux of the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of this disclosure is 33.3
W/cm.sup.2. Namely, experimentally, the heat flux of the instant
multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe is 8 times of that
of the conventional pulsating heat pipe. Obviously, by introducing
the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of this
disclosure, the heat flux can be significantly enhanced.
[0062] Since the conventional pulsating heat pipe includes a
plurality of pipes, and each of these pipes is bent to form an
individual ophidian loop. In addition, each of the individual
ophidian loops is circularly formed to be an independent and sealed
system. However, due to the limitation of the bent pipe in
curvature, spacing between pipes is inevitable. Thus, when the
conventional pulsating heat pipe is adhered to the heating source,
the spacing between neighboring pipes would generate plenty of
invalid areas for heat transfer. On the other hand, the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of this disclosure introduces
the 3D stacking pattern to waive the effect of curvatures upon the
piping, so that a tight stacking structure can be produced to have
the cooling area formed at one lateral side, at least, of the
annular loops not to generate an invalid area. Upon such an
arrangement, a close face-to-face heat transfer pattern can be
established to significantly enhance the heat flux.
[0063] In summary, by providing the multi-pipe three-dimensional
pulsating heat pipe of this disclosure, at least two opposing ends
of the pipes are installed with individual chambers for bifurcating
and refilling the work fluid, and also the annular loops produced
according to the 3D stacking pattern would prevent the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe from the influence of bending
and curving upon the pipes. With the cooling area to be formed at
one side of the annular loops at least according to the tight
stacking, no invalid area would be produced to degrade the heat
transfer. Thereupon, when the cooling area of the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe is adhered to the evaporation
zone, a close face-to-face heat transfer pattern can be established
to significantly enhance the heat flux.
[0064] Also, the work fluid (water, methanol, acetone, or any pure
liquid or solution the like) is filled into the heat pipe through
one of the chambers. In the heat pipe, due to unbalanced capillary
forcing upon the work fluid, gas/liquid segments of the work fluid
would be produced and arbitrarily distributed inside the pipes. In
particular, opposing ends of the liquid segment may sustain
different forcing, through which the gas segment would push the
neighboring liquid segment to move and so as to generate the
pulsation and circulation of the gas/liquid segments. By having the
latent heat transfer at phase changing and the sensible heat
transfer at liquid pulsation, the work fluid can flow in a
cross-flowing manner so as to produce unbalanced flowing, by which
the difficulty for the work fluid to flow horizontally in the
pulsating heat pipe can be resolved. Also, the heat pipe of this
disclosure can be operated in a negative 90-degree state (i.e. with
the evaporation zone to be positioned above the condensation zone)
so as to help the work fluid to flow back to the evaporation zone
without substantial helps from the gravity. Further, heating of the
work fluid can be operated no matter whether the heat pipe is posed
at a horizontal or a negative-angling state.
[0065] In addition, since the multi-pipe three-dimensional
pulsating heat pipe of this disclosure is a symmetric structure,
thus, while in manufacturing, the tri-pipe assembly is based on a
specific annular pattern to extend continuously and to repeat
according to the 3D stacking pattern, such that the annular loops
for the multi-pipe three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of this
disclosure can be produced. During the manufacturing, no further
bending tool or jig as required in the conventional design is
needed, such that the manufacturing can be efficiency and the
production cost can be reduced.
[0066] Further, since the pipes of the multi-pipe three-dimensional
pulsating heat pipe are all formed to be annular loops, the
outer-frame portion can serve as supportive frame, while the
central empty portion can accommodate an anchorage member such as a
circuit structure, a mechanism, a heat-dissipation member, or any
the like. In particular, according to the practical need in
accommodating the anchorage member, the size or dimension of the
annular loops can be relevantly adjusted. Thus, the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in accordance with the
present disclosure can serve both a heat pipe and a supportive
frame.
[0067] Furthermore, except for an application in dissipating the
insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe in accordance with the
present disclosure can also be used to dissipate a CPU, a COB (Chip
on board) LED, a server, a data center, an industrial recycling of
exhaust heat or any other high-power density field the like. In
addition, while in application, a modularization design can be
adopted to the annular loops, so that the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe can suit for various sizes of
the objects to be heat-dissipated.
[0068] In addition, to meet a high-power heating source, the
aforesaid dual-layer heat-transferring module can be applied to
have both sides of the heating source to be heat-dissipated
simultaneously within the evaporation zone of the multi-pipe
three-dimensional pulsating heat pipe of this disclosure, such that
better heat transfer performance can be achieved.
[0069] With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present disclosure.
* * * * *