U.S. patent application number 17/215998 was filed with the patent office on 2021-07-15 for method of fabricating an oscillating heat pipe.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation. Invention is credited to Abbas A. Alahyari, Ram Ranjan, Jinliang Wang.
Application Number | 20210213571 17/215998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005481953 |
Filed Date | 2021-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210213571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alahyari; Abbas A. ; et
al. |
July 15, 2021 |
METHOD OF FABRICATING AN OSCILLATING HEAT PIPE
Abstract
A method of fabricating an oscillating heat pipe includes
building the oscillating heat pipe with a layer-by-layer additive
manufacturing process such that the oscillating heat pipe includes
a body of solid material, an array of channels, an evaporator
portion, and a condenser portion. The array of channels are
disposed in the body and define a continuous loop through which a
fluid flows. The array of channels is formed by cavities in the
body as the body is formed with layer-by-layer additive
manufacturing. An inner surface of a channel includes a flow
directing feature that is configured to promote a first direction
of flow and that is configured to provide resistance against a
second direction of flow that is opposite the first direction of
flow.
Inventors: |
Alahyari; Abbas A.;
(Glastonbury, CT) ; Ranjan; Ram; (West Hartford,
CT) ; Wang; Jinliang; (Ellington, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation |
Charlotte |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005481953 |
Appl. No.: |
17/215998 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16444600 |
Jun 18, 2019 |
|
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|
17215998 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B33Y 10/00 20141201;
B33Y 50/00 20141201; B23P 2700/09 20130101; B23P 15/26 20130101;
Y10T 29/49353 20150115; F28D 15/0233 20130101; B33Y 80/00
20141201 |
International
Class: |
B23P 15/26 20060101
B23P015/26; B33Y 80/00 20060101 B33Y080/00; F28D 15/02 20060101
F28D015/02 |
Claims
1. An oscillating heat pipe comprising: a body of solid material;
an array of channels through which a fluid flows, the array of
channels being disposed in the body, wherein the array of channels
is formed by cavities in the body as the body is formed with
layer-by-layer additive manufacturing; an evaporator portion that
includes a first end of the array of channels; a condenser portion
that includes a second end of the array of channels; a first
conduit extending from and fluidly connected to the array of
channels; and a second conduit extending from and fluidly connected
to the array of channels.
2. The oscillating heat pipe of claim 1, wherein an inner surface
of a channel of the array of channels comprises a flow directing
feature that is configured to promote a first direction of flow of
the fluid through the channel, and to resist a second direction of
flow that is opposite the first direction of flow.
3. The oscillating heat pipe of claim 2, wherein the flow directing
feature comprises a cut-out with a frusto-conical shape.
4. The oscillating heat pipe of claim 2, wherein the flow directing
feature comprises a cut-out with a helical shape.
5. The oscillating heat pipe of claim 1, wherein the array of
channels comprises a plurality of concentric circles of
channels.
6. The oscillating heat pipe of claim 5, wherein the first end of
the array of channels comprises a radially inward portion of the
array of channels, wherein the second end of the array of channels
comprises a radially outward portion of the array of channels.
7. The oscillating heat pipe of claim 1, wherein the array of
channels comprises a plurality of linear channels oriented parallel
to each other.
8. The oscillating heat pipe of claim 1, wherein a material of the
body comprises a polymer.
9. The oscillating heat pipe of claim 8, wherein the material of
the body comprises an optically transparent, an optically,
translucent, or an optically opaque polymer material.
10. The oscillating heat pipe of claim 1, wherein a material of the
body comprises a metal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 16/444,600 filed Jun. 18, 2019 for "A METHOD OF FABRICATING AN
OSCILLATING HEAT PIPE" by A. Alahyari, R. Ranjan, and J. Wang.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to heat pipes. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to heat pipes formed
with an additive manufacturing build process.
[0003] Heat pipes are passive, two-phase heat transfer devices that
can effectively transfer large amounts of thermal energy over large
distances, resulting in low thermal resistances. Existing heat
pipes consist of channels filled with a two-phase mixture, which
acts as the heat transfer medium or working fluid for the system.
However, existing configurations of oscillating heat pipes include
traditionally manufactured channels that can cause instabilities
due to intermittent evaporation and condensation of the working
fluid.
SUMMARY
[0004] A method of fabricating an oscillating heat pipe includes
building the oscillating heat pipe with a layer-by-layer additive
manufacturing process such that the oscillating heat pipe includes
a body of solid material, an array of channels, an evaporator
portion, and a condenser portion. The array of channels are
disposed in the body and define a continuous loop through which a
fluid flows. The array of channels is formed by cavities in the
body as the body is formed with layer-by-layer additive
manufacturing. An inner surface of a channel includes a flow
directing feature that is configured to promote a first direction
of flow and that is configured to provide resistance against a
second direction of flow that is opposite the first direction of
flow.
[0005] An oscillating heat pipe includes a body, an array of
channels, an evaporator portion, a condenser portion, a first
conduit, and a second conduit. The array of channels is disposed in
the body and is formed by cavities in the body as the body is
formed with layer-by-layer additive manufacturing. The evaporator
portion includes a first end of the array of channels. The
condenser portion includes a second end of the array of channels.
The first conduit extends from and is fluidly connected to the
array of channels. The second conduit extends from and is fluidly
connected to the array of channels.
[0006] The present summary is provided only by way of example, and
not limitation. Other aspects of the present disclosure will be
appreciated in view of the entirety of the present disclosure,
including the entire text, claims, and accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1A is a top view of an oscillating heat pipe with an
array of channels.
[0008] FIG. 1B is a top view of portion B of the oscillating heat
pipe shown in FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 2A is a cross-section view of channels of the array of
channels according to a first embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 2B is a cross-section view of channels of the array of
channels according to a second embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2C is a cross-section view of channels of the array of
channels according to a third embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 2D is a cross-section view of channels of the array of
channels according to a fourth embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 2E is a cross-section view of channels of the array of
channels according to a fifth embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2F is a cross-section view of channels of the array of
channels according to a sixth embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 2G is a cross-section view of channels of the array of
channels according to a seventh embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 3A is a perspective cross-section view of a channel of
the array of channels that includes a first series of flow
directing features.
[0017] FIG. 3B is a perspective cross-section view of a channel of
the array of channels that includes a second series of flow
directing features.
[0018] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an oscillating heat pipe
with a concentric array of channels.
[0019] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of an oscillating heat pipe
system with two heat pipes.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an oscillating heat pipe
with first and third portions situated perpendicular to a second
portion.
[0021] While the above-identified figures set forth one or more
embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodiments are also
contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this
disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not
limitation. It should be understood that numerous other
modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in
the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles
of the invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale, and
applications and embodiments of the present invention may include
features and components not specifically shown in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The heat pipe of the present disclosure utilizes additive
manufacturing to enable geometries previously not feasible and
enhance fluid flow and two-phase heat transfer of the heat
pipe.
[0023] FIG. 1A is a top view of heat pipe 10 and shows first
portion 12, second portion 14, body 16, array 18 of channels 20,
(with ends 22), first conduit 24, and second conduit 26. FIG. 1B is
a top view of portion B of heat pipe 10 shown in FIG. 1A. For
clarity purposes, FIGS. 1A and 1B are discussed in tandem.
[0024] Heat pipe 10 is a thermal energy transfer device. In this
example, heat pipe 10 is a flat heat pipe plate defining a
serpentine passage the forms an oscillating heat pipe. First
portion 12 and second portion 14 are areas of heat pipe 10. Body 16
is a block of solid material. Body 16 is formed at least partially
of a highly thermally conductive material such as a metal like
titanium or aluminum. Array 18 is a series of channels 20. Channels
20 are openings or passages configured to transport a fluid. In
this example, a size of the opening for each of channels 20 can be
less than or equal to 1 millimeter (0.039 inches). As will be
discussed with respect to FIGS. 2A through 2G, channels 20 can
include many different cross-sectional shapes. Ends 22 are relative
endpoints of channels 20. In this example, ends 22 are ends of
linear portions of channels 20. As can be seen in FIG. 1B, ends 22
of channels 20 are curved portions of channels 20. First conduit 24
and second conduit 26 are tubes or pipes configured to transport a
fluid.
[0025] In this example, heat pipe 10 is formed by a layer-by-layer
additive manufacturing process. In one non-limiting embodiment,
heat pipe 10 can be formed with a metallic material via a directed
energy deposition and/or powder bed fusion process. For example,
the additive manufacturing process can include binder jet printing,
electron beam melting, selective laser sintering, selective laser
melting, direct metal laser sintering, powder-fed directed-energy
deposition, laser-based wirefeed, and/or other additive
manufacturing processes involving metallic material(s). In another
non-limiting embodiment, heat pipe 10 can be formed with a polymer
material via fused filament fabrication, photopolymerization, or
powder sintering. For example, the additive manufacturing process
can include stereolithography, digital light processing, continuous
liquid interface production, binder jet printing, selective heat
sintering, selective laser sintering, and/or other additive
manufacturing processes involving polymer material(s). In some
examples, the polymer material can be optically transparent,
translucent, or opaque. In such an example, heat pipe 10 formed
with an optically transparent, translucent, or opaque polymer
material can be used with or as part of a photonic device.
[0026] In another example, the polymer material can include a
filler material of thermally conductive material, such that the
thermal conductivity of heat pipe 10 is enhanced. For example, the
filler material can include a conductivity that is less than or
greater than the material of body 16 of heat pipe 10. The filler
material can be introduced into portions of heat pipe 10 during or
after the additive manufacturing process of forming heat pipe 10
(e.g., liquid or solid inserts of filler material can be added to
body 16).
[0027] In one example, heat pipe 10 can be incorporated into a
component of a gas turbine engine. First portion 12 is a segment of
heat pipe 10 and is located on an opposite end of heat pipe 10 from
second portion 14. First portion 12 and second portion 14 are
fluidly connected via channels 20. Array 18 of channels 20 is
disposed in body 16. In this example, array 18 of channels 20 is
formed by cavities in body 16 as body 16 is formed with the
layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. In this example,
array 18 of channels 20 includes a plurality of linear channels
oriented parallel to each other. Ends 22 are connected to channels
20 and also fluidly connect separate linear portions of channels 20
together. First conduit 24 extends from body 16 and is fluidly
connected to array 18 of channels 20. Second conduit 26 extends
from body 16 and is fluidly connected to array 18 of channels
20.
[0028] Heat pipe 10 is an oscillating heat pipe that functions as a
passive, two-phase heat transfer device that can transfer large
amounts of thermal energy over large distances, resulting in low
thermal resistances. Channels 20 are filled with a two-phase
mixture (e.g., such as a saturated liquid), which acts as the heat
transfer medium and working fluid for heat pipe 10. During
operation, heat pipe 10 transfers thermal energy by evaporating a
portion of the working fluid at first portion 12, which is
operating in this example as an evaporator of heat pipe 10. The
working fluid evaporates at first portion 12 into slugs of vapor
that move (due to capillary force and pressure differentials of the
fluid) towards second portion 14, which is operating in this
example as a condenser of heat pipe 10. At second portion 14, the
slugs of vapor condense and become slugs of liquid. These slugs of
vapor and liquid pulsate back and forth between first portion 12
and second portion 14 due to instabilities in the flow and
variations between channels 20 of array 18.
[0029] Body 16 houses and supports array 18 of channels 20. Ends 22
fluidly connected channels 20 together such that array 18 of
channels 20 forms a continuous loop through which a fluid can flow.
By way of forming a continuous loop, a continuous circulation of
fluid flows through channels 20 of array 18, which enhances thermal
energy transfer to and from the working fluid as well as making the
performance of heat pip 10 more predictable.
[0030] In one example, secondary powder supporting material
embedded in channels 20 may be required during the additive
manufacturing process. After heat pipe 10 is completed, this
secondary powder supporting material needs to be cleaned out. To
account for this, first conduit 24 and second conduit 26 can
function by inserting pressurized air through first conduit 24 and
into array 18 of channels 20. The pressurized air is then drawn out
of array 18 of channels 20 and out through second conduit 26. In so
doing, the pressurized air cleans particulates from array 18 of
channels 20 that may have been left behind due to residually formed
material from the additive manufacturing build process of heat pipe
10.
[0031] In another example, first conduit 24 and second conduit 26
function by removing air from array 18 of channels 20 through first
conduit 24 to draw a vacuum in array 18 of channels 20. A liquid is
then inserted through second conduit 26 and into array 18 of
channels 20 to charge array 18 of channels 20 with the liquid. Due
to the small sizing of channels 20, heat pipe 10 with array 18 of
channels 20 would be very difficult to fabricate using traditional
manufacturing methods. Forming heat pipe 10 with array 18 of
channels 20 with layer-by-layer additive manufacturing enables very
small sizes of channels 20 as well as the ability to connect
channels 20 with ends 22 on very small sizing scales (e.g.,
sub-millimeter).
[0032] FIGS. 2A-2G illustrate various examples of channels 20 shown
from the view taken along section line 2-2 in FIG. 1B. FIG. 2A is a
cross-section view of channels 20A, which include a triangle
cross-sectional shape. FIG. 2B is a cross-section view of channels
20B, which include a diamond (or rhombus) cross-sectional shape.
FIG. 2C is a cross-section view of channels 20C, which include a
rectangle cross-sectional shape. FIG. 2D is a cross-section view of
channels 20D, which include an elliptical cross-sectional shape.
FIG. 2E is a cross-section view of channels 20E, which include a
triangle cross-sectional shape and an opposing two-tier
configuration. FIG. 2F is a cross-section view of channels 20F,
which include a parallelogram cross-sectional shape. FIG. 2G is a
cross-section view of channels 20G, which include a trapezoid
(e.g., isosceles trapezoid) cross-sectional shape.
[0033] Channels 20A-20G provides examples of cross-sectional shapes
that can be incorporated, alone or in combination, into array 18 of
channels 20. Channels 20A-20G enable variations in channels 20 to
improve and tailor the thermal energy transfer characteristics of
heat pipe 10 based on performance requirements of heat pipe 10.
[0034] FIG. 3A is a perspective cross-section view of a portion of
body 16 with channel 20 that shows inner surface 28 (of channel 20)
and first flow directing feature 30A with ribs 32A. FIG. 3B is a
perspective cross-section view of a portion of body 16 with channel
20 that shows inner surface 28 (of channel 20) and second flow
directing feature 30B with helix 32B. For clarity purposes, FIGS.
3A and 3B are discussed in tandem.
[0035] Inner surface 28 is an interior surface of channel 20. Flow
directing features 30A and 30B are shaped cut-outs or indentations.
Ribs 32A are a series of frusto-conical cut-outs. Helix 32B is a
helically shaped cut-out (e.g., in the form of a conical helix with
a uniform inner diameter along its length and a uniform outer
diameter along its length). In other examples, flow directing
features 30A and/or 30B can include different features that are
embedded into heat pipe 10 as part of the additive manufacturing
process. For example, a check valve can be built into one of
channels 20 (e.g., a floating ball) that shuts off a flow of the
working fluid in one direction but not in the opposite direction.
In other examples, a flap or a reed valve can be built into heat
pipe 10 that affects the flow of the working fluid through array 18
of channels 20.
[0036] Flow directing features 30A and 30B are formed or depressed
into inner surface 28 of channel 20. Ribs 32A are positioned
sequentially and in a repeating pattern along inner surface 28 of
channel 20. Helix 32B is disposed along inner surface 28 of channel
20. Ribs 32A and helix 32B of flow directing features 30A and 30B,
respectively, preferentially direct a direction of flow of the
working fluid along first direction D.sub.1. Conversely, ribs 32A
and helix 32B of flow directing features 30A and 30B provide
resistance against second direction D.sub.2 of a flow of the
working fluid that is opposed to the direction of first direction
D.sub.1. These configurations of flow directing features 30A and
30B promote the flow of the working fluid along first direction
D.sub.1 and impede or slow to flow of the working fluid in second
direction D.sub.2.
[0037] Utilizing flow directing features 30A and 30B in heat pipe
10 allows for the promotion or increased amounts of flow of the
working fluid in desirable directions throughout array 18 of
channels 20 which helps to enhance performance and encourage a
continuous circulation in one direction throughout heat pipe
10.
[0038] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of heat source 108 attached to
heat pipe 110 and shows first portion 112, second portion 114, body
116, and array 118 of channels 120.
[0039] Heat source 108 is a piece of solid material. In some
non-limiting embodiments, heat source 108 can include an electronic
component such as a chip. Heat pipe 110 is a thermal energy
transfer device. In this example, heat pipe 110 is an oscillating
heat pipe. First portion 112 and second portion 114 are different
areas of heat pipe 110. Body 116 is a block of solid material. In
this example, a material of body 116 is metallic, and can include
metals such as titanium or aluminum. Array 118 is a series of
channels 120. Channels 120 are openings or passages configured to
transport a fluid.
[0040] Heat source 108 is attached or mounted to an exterior
surface of heat pipe 110. In one non-limiting embodiment,
electrical leads/wires can be connected to heat source 108. In this
example, a centerpoint of heat source 108 is approximately aligned
with a centerpoint of heat pipe 110. In other examples, the
centerpoints of heat source 108 and heat pipe 110 can be out of
alignment. First portion 112 is a radially inward portion of array
118 of channels 120. In this example, first portion 112 includes an
evaporator portion of heat pipe 110. Second portion 114 is a
radially outward portion of array 118 of channels 120. In this
example, second portion 114 includes a condenser portion of heat
pipe 110. Array 118 of channels 120 is disposed inside of body
116.
[0041] In this example, array 118 of channels 120 includes a series
of concentric circular channels, with a plurality of radially
extending linear channels 120 fluidly connecting the series of
concentric circular channels. In another example, array 118 of
channels 120 can include non-concentrically aligned circular
channels, as well as a series of non-circular (e.g., polygonal or
elliptical) shaped channels either coaxially/concentrically or
non-coaxially/non-concentrically arranged. In another example,
array 118 can include a single channel 120 with a spiral
configuration, or a bi-spiral configuration with once spiral
flowing the working fluid in an outward direction and the other
spiral transporting the working fluid inward. In another example,
the flow directing features 28A and/or 28B shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B
can be included along any portion(s) of channels 120 in array 118.
Likewise, any of channels 20A-20G alone or in combination, can be
incorporated into array 118 of channels 120.
[0042] During operation, heat source 108 has a higher amount of
thermal energy than heat pipe 110. Heat pipe 110 functions to draw
thermal energy from heat source 108. As thermal energy is
transferred from heat source 108 to heat pipe 110, a portion of the
working fluid located in first portion 112 absorbs thermal energy
and is evaporated. As the working fluid evaporates at first portion
112, the working fluid is drawn radially outward through body 116
towards second portion 114 via array 118 of channels 120. For
example, heat pipe 110 is operating as a heat spreader by spreading
thermal energy received from heat source 108 across the larger area
of heat pipe 110 so as to increase the dissipation rate of thermal
energy. Put another way, heat pipe 110 with array 118 of channels
120 takes local high concentration of thermal energy from heat
source 108 and spreads the thermal energy across a larger area (of
heat pipe 110).
[0043] As with heat pipe 10, first portion 112 acts as an
evaporator portion of heat pipe 110. Likewise, second portion 114
acts as a condenser portion of heat pipe 110. Channels 120
transport the working fluid from first portion 112 of array 118 to
second portion 114 of array 118. In another example, one or more of
channels 120 can include flow directing features such as flow
directing features 30A and 30B shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In heat
pipe 110, flow directing features can be positioned along either of
the circular channels or the linear channels of array 118 to direct
or promote a direction of flow of the working fluid. For example,
one set of flow directing features can preferentially direct the
working fluid to flow away from first portion 112 and towards
second portion 114. Meanwhile, a second set of flow directing
features can preferentially direct the working fluid to flow away
from second portion 114 and towards first portion 112.
[0044] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of oscillating heat pipe
system 200 with heat source 108, heat pipe 110, and heat pipe 210.
FIG. 4B shows an example of a heat pipe system with multiple heat
pipes attached together to effectuate an increase in volume and
area of the arrays of channels through which the working fluid(s)
can operate.
[0045] For example, heat pipe 110 and heat pipe 210 can be fluidly
connected to each other. In another example, heat pipe 110 and heat
pipe 210 are not in fluid communication. Here, two heat pipes are
shown, but more than two heat pipes can be utilized in tandem in
other non-limiting embodiments. Heat system 200 with heat pipe 110
and heat pipe 210 enables additional performance and increased
amounts of thermal energy that is drawn away from heat source 108
and dissipated by heat system 200 than by a single heat pipe.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of heat pipe 310 and shows
first portion 312, second portion 314, body 316, array 318 of
channels 320, and third portion 334.
[0047] Third portion 334 is a middle portion of heat pipe 310 that
is positioned between first portion 312 and second portion 314.
FIG. 5 with heat pipe 310 shows first portion 312 and second
portion 314 situated perpendicular to third portion 334. For
example, first portion 312 extends along a first plane, second
portion extends along a second plane, and third portion 334 extends
along a third plane. The first plane of first portion 312 is
perpendicular to the third plane of third portion 334. Also, the
second plane of second portion 314 is perpendicular to the third
plane of third portion 334. Additionally, the first plane of first
portion 312 is parallel to the second plane of second portion 314.
In other examples, first portion 312, second portion 314, and/or
third portion 334 can extend in directions and at angles such that
first portion 312, second portion 314, and/or third portion 334 are
not perpendicular and/or parallel to one another.
[0048] The three-dimensional configuration of heat pipe 310, which
is enabled by layer-by-layer additive manufacturing, allows for
transfer of thermal energy across multiple planes and across a
range of heights that are not possible with existing
two-dimensional heat pipes.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE EMBODIMENTS
[0049] A method of fabricating an oscillating heat pipe includes
building the oscillating heat pipe with a layer-by-layer additive
manufacturing process such that the oscillating heat pipe includes
a body of solid material, an array of channels, an evaporator
portion, and a condenser portion. The array of channels are
disposed in the body and define a continuous loop through which a
fluid flows. The array of channels is formed by cavities in the
body as the body is formed with layer-by-layer additive
manufacturing. An inner surface of a channel includes a flow
directing feature that is configured to promote a first direction
of flow and that is configured to provide resistance against a
second direction of flow that is opposite the first direction of
flow.
[0050] The method of the preceding paragraph can optionally
include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the
following steps, features, configurations and/or additional
components.
[0051] A first conduit can extend from and/or fluidly connect to
the array of channels and/or a second conduit can be formed to
extend from and/or fluidly connect to the array of channels.
[0052] Pressurized air can be inserted through the first conduit
and/or into the array of channels after the oscillating heat pipe
is built, and/or the pressurized air can be drawn out of the array
of channels and/or out through the second conduit, wherein the
pressurized air can clean particulates from the array of
channels.
[0053] Air can be removed from the array of channels through the
first conduit to draw a vacuum in the array of channels, and/or a
liquid can be inserted into the array of channels through the
second conduit to charge the array of channels.
[0054] The flow directing feature can comprise a cut-out with a
frusto-conical shape.
[0055] The flow directing feature can comprise a cut-out with a
helical shape.
[0056] The array of channels can be formed to comprise a series of
concentric circles of channels, wherein the first end of the array
of channels can comprise a radially inward portion of the array of
channels, wherein the second end of the array of channels can
comprise a radially outward portion of the array of channels.
[0057] A material of the body can comprise a metal.
[0058] The additive manufacturing process can comprise a directed
energy deposition or a powder bed fusion process.
[0059] The additive manufacturing process can comprise a fused
filament fabrication, a photopolymerization, or a powder sintering
process.
[0060] A material of the body can comprise a polymer.
[0061] The material of the body can comprise an optically
transparent, an optically, translucent, or an optically opaque
polymer material.
[0062] An oscillating heat pipe includes a body, an array of
channels, an evaporator portion, a condenser portion, a first
conduit, and a second conduit. The array of channels is disposed in
the body and is formed by cavities in the body as the body is
formed with layer-by-layer additive manufacturing. The evaporator
portion includes a first end of the array of channels. The
condenser portion includes a second end of the array of channels.
The first conduit extends from and is fluidly connected to the
array of channels. The second conduit extends from and is fluidly
connected to the array of channels.
[0063] The oscillating heat pipe of the preceding paragraph can
optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or
more of the following features, configurations and/or additional
components.
[0064] An inner surface of a channel of the array of channels can
comprise a flow directing feature that can be configured to promote
a first direction of flow of the fluid through the channel and/or
that can be configured to provide resistance against a second
direction of flow that is opposite the first direction of flow.
[0065] The flow directing feature can comprise a cut-out with a
frusto-conical shape.
[0066] The flow directing feature can comprise a cut-out with a
helical shape.
[0067] The array of channels can comprise a series of concentric
circles of channels.
[0068] The first end of the array of channels can comprise a
radially inward portion of the array of channels, wherein the
second end of the array of channels can comprise a radially outward
portion of the array of channels.
[0069] The array of channels can comprise a plurality of linear
channels oriented parallel to each other.
[0070] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will
include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *