A loop heat pipe structure and power device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a loop heat pipe structure and a power device, comprising an evaporator, wherein the evaporator is rotatably connected to an inner ring, the inner ring is rotatably connected to an outer ring, and the outer ring is rotatably connected to a support frame. The inner ring and the outer ring are concentrically arranged, the inner ring adopts a hollow structure and is connected to the evaporator, and the interior of the inner ring is filled with a capillary core at a position corresponding to the liquid inlet end of the evaporator, so that the working medium can circulate between the evaporator and the inner ring; the relative rotation axis between the evaporator and the inner ring is a first axis, the relative rotation axis between the inner ring and the outer ring is a second axis, and the relative rotation axis between the outer ring and the support frame is a third axis. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis, and the second axis is perpendicular to the third axis. The loop heat pipe structure of the present invention can work stably under a bumpy state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of heat pipes, and in particular to a loop heat pipe structure and a power device. Background Art

[0002] The statements herein merely provide background information related to the present invention and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] The rapid development of electronic technology in recent years, coupled with the high frequency and high speed of electronic devices and the denser and smaller integrated circuits, has led to increasing heat generation per unit volume of electronic devices, placing higher demands on their heat dissipation performance. Heat pipes, with their excellent heat transfer, temperature uniformity, quiet operation, simple structure, and no additional power consumption, have become one of the most promising technologies for solving the heat dissipation problem in electronic devices.

[0004] A loop heat pipe is a closed-loop heat pipe. It typically consists of an evaporator, a condenser, and gas-liquid pipelines. Its operating principle is as follows: a heat load is applied to the evaporator, causing the working fluid to evaporate on the outer surface of the evaporator's capillary wick. The resulting vapor flows through the vapor channel into the vapor pipeline, then into the condenser, where it condenses into liquid and is subcooled. The reflux liquid flows through the liquid pipeline into the liquid main channel, replenishing the evaporator's capillary wick, and so on. The working fluid's circulation is driven by the capillary pressure generated by the evaporator's capillary wick, requiring no external power.

[0005] Loop heat pipes are widely used to dissipate heat from various power devices. Power devices are critical components in equipment, and their operating condition directly impacts the reliability, safety, and service life of the entire device. In addition to effectively dissipating heat, reliability is also crucial for power device cooling solutions. Traditional loop heat pipes and power devices are directly fixed to the equipment. When used in bumpy environments, the evaporator's efficiency can be significantly reduced or even fail, causing the power devices in the equipment to malfunction and dissipate heat, resulting in rapid temperature increases and burnout. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a loop heat pipe structure that can operate smoothly under conditions such as bumps.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0008] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a loop heat pipe structure, including an evaporator, the evaporator is rotatably connected to an inner ring, the inner ring is rotatably connected to an outer ring, the outer ring is rotatably connected to a support frame, the inner ring and the outer ring are concentrically arranged, the inner ring adopts a hollow structure and is connected to the evaporator, and the interior of the inner ring is filled with a capillary wick at a position corresponding to the liquid inlet end of the evaporator, so that the working medium can circulate between the evaporator and the inner ring.

[0009] The relative rotation axis between the evaporator and the inner ring is the first axis, the relative rotation axis between the inner ring and the outer ring is the second axis, and the relative rotation axis between the outer ring and the support frame is the third axis. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis, and the second axis is perpendicular to the third axis so that the evaporator can remain stable in a bumpy state.

[0010] Optionally, the evaporator is rotatably connected to the inner ring through two first connecting members, wherein one first connecting member is arranged at one end of the evaporator, and the other first connecting member is arranged at the other end of the evaporator, and the two first connecting members are coaxially arranged and the axis passes through the center of the inner machine ring.

[0011] Optionally, the first connecting member adopts a hollow structure, the first connecting member is connected to the inner ring and the evaporator, and the interior of the first connecting member is filled with a capillary core.

[0012] Optionally, the inner ring is rotatably connected to the outer ring via two second connecting members, and the two second connecting members are coaxially arranged with their axes passing through the centers of the inner ring and the outer ring.

[0013] Optionally, the outer ring is rotatably connected to the support frame via two third connecting members, and the two third connecting members are coaxially arranged and pass through the centers of the outer ring and the inner ring.

[0014] Optionally, the support frame includes a first support column and a second support column, and the outer ring is arranged between the first support column and the second support column and is rotatably connected to the first support column and the second support column.

[0015] Optionally, the inner ring is provided with a heat sink at a position where it is rotatably connected to the outer ring.

[0016] Optionally, the evaporator includes a shell, a capillary wick is provided in the shell, a steam collecting chamber is provided on one side of the capillary wick, and the steam collecting chamber is located at the gas outlet end of the evaporator.

[0017] Optionally, a steam collecting groove is provided on one side of the bottom of the internal space of the evaporator close to the gas outlet end, and the steam collecting groove is connected to the steam collecting chamber.

[0018] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a power device provided with the loop heat pipe structure described in the first aspect.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0020] 1. In the loop heat pipe structure of the present invention, the evaporator and the inner ring are rotationally connected around a first axis, the inner ring and the outer ring are rotationally connected around a second axis, and the outer ring and the support frame are rotationally connected around a third axis. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis, and the second axis is perpendicular to the third axis. When the support frame is shaken in any direction, since the evaporator, the outer ring and the inner ring are all rotationally connected, no torque can be applied to the evaporator, so the evaporator can remain stable, avoiding the problem of reduced working efficiency or even failure of the loop heat pipe, and improving the stability, reliability and service life of the loop heat pipe during use.

[0021] 2. In the loop pipe heat structure of the present invention, a heat sink is provided at the connection position between the inner ring and the outer ring, which increases the heat exchange area and improves the efficiency of condensing steam into liquid.

[0022] 3. In the loop heat pipe structure of the present invention, the evaporator is arranged inside the inner ring, and the inner ring is a ring-shaped structure, so that no matter what state the inner ring and the outer ring are in, there is always a part that can circulate the working medium, and the loop heat pipe can operate stably. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute improper limitations on the present invention.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the third connecting member of Example 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of an evaporator according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Among them, 1. Base support, 2. Support column, 3-1. Third connecting part I, 3-1-1. Rotating shaft, 3-1-2. Sleeve, 3-2. Third connecting part II, 4. Outer ring, 5-1. Second connecting part I, 5-2. Second connecting part II, 6-1. Heat sink, 6-2. Heat sink, 7. Inner ring, 7-1. Capillary wick, 8-1. First connecting part I, 8-2. First connecting part II, 9. Evaporator, 9-1. Capillary wick, 9-2. Steam collecting tank, 9-3. Steam collecting chamber, 10. Heat source. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] For the convenience of description, if the words "upper" and "lower" appear in the present invention, they only indicate that they are consistent with the upper and lower directions of the drawings themselves, and do not limit the structure. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] This embodiment provides a loop heat pipe structure, such as Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, it includes an evaporator 9, an inner ring 7, an outer ring 4 and a support frame. The outer ring 4 is rotatably connected to the support frame, the inner ring 7 is rotatably connected to the outer ring 4, the evaporator 9 is rotatably connected to the inner ring 7, and the centers of the inner ring 7 and the outer ring 4 are located at the same point, that is, the outer ring 4 and the inner ring 7 are concentrically arranged.

[0031] The support frame includes a bottom support 1 , and two support columns 2 are provided on the upper surface of the bottom support 1 , which are a first support column and a second support column respectively provided on the bottom support.

[0032] The outer ring 4 is arranged between the first support column and the second support column. The outer ring 4 is made of heat-conducting material. One side of the outer ring 4 is rotatably connected to the first support column through a third connecting member Ⅰ3-1, and the other side of the outer ring 4 is rotatably connected to the second support column through another third connecting member Ⅱ3-2.

[0033] The third connecting member I3-1 includes a sleeve 3-1-2, which is welded and fixed to the outer ring 4 through a mounting hole 4-1 provided on the outer ring 4. A rotating shaft 3-1-1 is provided in the sleeve 3-1-2, and the rotating shaft 3-1-1 is rotatably connected to the sleeve 3-1-2. The rotating shaft 3-1-1 is fixedly connected to the support column 2, thereby realizing the rotational connection between the outer ring 4 and the first support column and the second support column.

[0034] In this embodiment, the third connecting member I3-1 and the third connecting member II3-2 are coaxially arranged, and the axes of the two third connecting members pass through the center of the outer ring 4. The axis of the two third connecting members is the third axis, and the third axis is the relative rotation axis between the outer ring 4 and the support column 2. In this embodiment, the third axis is an axis in a horizontal plane.

[0035] The inner ring 7 is located inside the outer ring 4 and is rotatably connected to the outer ring 4. The inner ring 7 and the outer ring 4 are concentrically arranged, that is, the centers of the inner ring 7 and the outer ring 4 are located at the same point.

[0036] The upper and lower ends of the inner ring 7 are rotatably connected to the outer ring 4 through the second connecting member I5-1 and the second connecting member II5-2. The structure of the second connecting member is the same as that of the first connecting member, and will not be repeated here.

[0037] The two second connecting members are coaxially arranged and their axes pass through the axis of the inner ring 7. The axes of the second connecting members are perpendicular to the axes of the first connecting members.

[0038] In this embodiment, the axis on which the second connecting member is located is the second axis, which is the axis of relative rotation between the inner ring 7 and the outer ring 4. The second axis is perpendicular to the third axis. In this embodiment, the second axis is a line located in a vertical plane.

[0039] The evaporator 9 is located inside the inner ring 7, and the liquid inlet end and the steam outlet end of the evaporator 9 are rotatably connected to the inner ring 7 through the first connecting member II 8-2 and the first connecting member I 8-1 respectively.

[0040] The two first connecting members are coaxially arranged and the axes of the first connecting members pass through the center of the inner ring 7 .

[0041] The axis of the first connecting member is the axis of relative rotation between the evaporator 9 and the inner ring 7 , which is the first axis. The first axis is an axis in a horizontal plane, and the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0042] In this embodiment, the inner ring 7 is a hollow structure, and its interior is filled with a capillary core 7-1 at a position corresponding to the liquid inlet end of the evaporator. Accordingly, the difference between the first connecting member and the second connecting member and the third connecting member is only that the rotating shaft of the first connecting member is a tubular structure, one end of the first connecting member is connected to the evaporator 9, and the other end is connected to the internal space of the inner ring.

[0043] The interior of the rotating shaft of the first connecting member II 8-2 is filled with a capillary core 8-2-1.

[0044] The evaporator 9 includes an outer shell, which is rotatably connected to the inner ring through a first connecting piece. The first space inside the outer shell near the liquid inlet end is filled with a capillary core 9-1, and the second space near the steam outlet end serves as a steam collecting chamber 9-3.

[0045] The bottom end of the shell is used to be fixedly connected to the part of the power device to be cooled, so more steam is generated at the bottom of the evaporator. In order to reduce the flow resistance of the steam, a steam collecting tank 9-2 is set at the bottom of the first space of the evaporator near the steam outlet end, and the steam collecting tank 9-2 is connected to the steam collecting chamber 9-3.

[0046] In this embodiment, the support frame is used to connect with the frame of a ship, aerospace equipment or other equipment, and is bumped along with the equipment. The bottom of the evaporator 9 shell is used to fix the part of the power device to be cooled, that is, to fix the heat source 10.

[0047] In order to further improve the condensation effect of steam, a heat sink is provided at the end of the inner ring for connection with the outer ring. The heat sink 6-1 corresponds to the position of the second connector 5-1, and the heat sink 6-2 corresponds to the position of the second connector 5-2. Preferably, the heat sink is made of copper to increase the heat dissipation area of the inner ring and ensure the condensation effect of the steam.

[0048] When the equipment is bumpy, since the evaporator 9, outer ring 4 and inner ring 7 are all rotationally connected, no torque can be applied to the evaporator 9, so the evaporator 9 can remain stable, avoiding the problem of reduced working efficiency or even failure of the loop heat pipe, and improving the stability, reliability and service life of the loop heat pipe during use. Since the evaporator is connected to the power device, the stability of the power device can also be guaranteed, avoiding damage to the power device.

[0049] The working principle of this embodiment is:

[0050] The heat dissipation of the power device applies a thermal load to the evaporator. The working fluid evaporates on the outer surface of wick 9-1 in evaporator 9, generating vapor that flows through steam collecting groove 9-2 and into steam collecting chamber 9-3. When the gas in steam collecting chamber 9-3 reaches a certain level, the vapor enters inner ring 4. Heat dissipated by inner ring 4, the heat sink, and the second connector condenses the vapor into liquid. The reflux liquid enters evaporator 9 through inner tube 4, replenishing wick 9-1 in evaporator 9, and the cycle continues. In this embodiment, the working fluid circulation is driven by capillary pressure generated by the wick and gravity, requiring no external power.

[0051] The evaporation process occurs in the evaporator 9, which contains a capillary wick 9-1 and a vapor collecting groove 9-2. One side of the capillary wick is a collecting chamber 9-3, which is connected to the collecting groove 9-2. When the bottom of the evaporator 9 receives heat from the heat source 10, the heat sink of the power device, the liquid working medium in the capillary wick 9-1 evaporates. The evaporated gaseous working medium flows through the collecting groove 9-2 into the collecting chamber 9-3 or directly into the collecting chamber 9-3. When the gas in the collecting chamber 9-3 reaches a certain level, it overflows through the first connector I8-1 and enters the interior of the inner ring 7.

[0052] When the outer ring 4 and the inner ring 7 are in a vertical state, the upper half of the inner ring 7 serves as the gas-liquid pipeline of the loop heat pipe, and the heat sink and the second connector Ⅰ5-1 can be regarded as a good heat dissipation conductor, which introduces heat into the outer ring to play a condensation role. The inner ring between the steam outlet end of the evaporator 9 and the second connector Ⅰ5-1 serves as a gas flow channel, and the inner ring between the second connector 5-1 and the liquid inlet end of the evaporator 9 serves as a liquid flow channel.

[0053] When the inner ring 7 and the outer ring 4 are in a horizontal state, all parts of the inner ring 7 can serve as channels for the circulation of the working medium.

[0054] In this embodiment, when the inner ring 7 and outer ring 4 are in a vertical position, after the vapor condenses on the heat sink and second connector 5-1 on the upper half of the inner ring 7, it is pushed by the vapor and its own gravity and flows back to the first connector 8-2 at the liquid inlet end of the evaporator. Inside the first connector 8-2 is a capillary wick 8-2-1 with the same porosity as that inside the evaporator 9. Under the action of capillary wick 8-2-1, the liquid working medium is carried back to the evaporator 9 for further circulation. The liquid working medium condensed on the second connector 5-2 and heat sink below the inner ring 4, although pushed by the vapor, cannot overcome the effect of gravity and cannot complete the circulation.

[0055] Therefore, no matter what state the outer ring 4 and the inner ring 7 are in, there is always one side of the inner ring where the working medium can circulate, and the loop heat pipe can operate stably.

[0056] Example 2

[0057] This embodiment provides a power device equipped with the loop heat pipe structure described in Example 1, wherein the heat dissipation portion of the power device is fixed to the bottom wall of the evaporator housing. The other structures of the power device can adopt existing structures and will not be described in detail here.

[0058] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and variations are possible for those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A loop heat pipe structure, comprising an evaporator, characterized in that: The evaporator is rotatably connected to the inner ring, which is rotatably connected to the outer ring, which is rotatably connected to the support frame. The inner and outer rings are concentrically arranged. The inner ring adopts a hollow structure and is connected to the evaporator. The inner ring is filled with a capillary wick at a position corresponding to the liquid inlet end of the evaporator to allow the working medium to circulate between the evaporator and the inner ring. The relative rotation axis between the evaporator and the inner ring is the first axis, the relative rotation axis between the inner ring and the outer ring is the second axis, and the relative rotation axis between the outer ring and the support frame is the third axis. The first axis is perpendicular to the second axis, and the second axis is perpendicular to the third axis.

2. A loop heat pipe structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The evaporator is rotatably connected to the inner ring through two first connecting members, wherein one first connecting member is arranged at one end of the evaporator, and the other first connecting member is arranged at the other end of the evaporator. The two first connecting members are coaxially arranged and the axis passes through the center of the inner machine ring.

3. A loop heat pipe structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first connecting member adopts a hollow structure, is communicated with the inner ring and the evaporator, and is filled with a capillary core.

4. The loop heat pipe structure according to claim 1, wherein: The inner ring is rotatably connected to the outer ring through two second connecting members. The two second connecting members are coaxially arranged and the axes pass through the centers of the inner ring and the outer ring.

5. The loop heat pipe structure according to claim 1, wherein: The outer ring is rotatably connected to the support frame through two third connecting members, and the two third connecting members are coaxially arranged and pass through the centers of the outer ring and the inner ring.

6. The loop heat pipe structure according to claim 1, wherein: The support frame includes a first support column and a second support column. The outer ring is arranged between the first support column and the second support column and is rotatably connected to the first support column and the second support column.

7. The loop heat pipe structure according to claim 1, wherein: The inner ring is provided with a heat sink at a position where it is rotatably connected to the outer ring.

8. The loop heat pipe structure according to claim 1, wherein: The evaporator comprises a shell, a capillary core is arranged in the shell, a steam collecting chamber is arranged on one side of the capillary core, and the steam collecting chamber is located at the gas outlet end of the evaporator.

9. The loop heat pipe structure according to claim 8, characterized in that: A steam collecting groove is provided on one side of the bottom of the internal space of the evaporator close to the gas outlet end, and the steam collecting groove is communicated with the steam collecting chamber.

10. A power device, characterized in that: A loop heat pipe structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is provided.

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