Heat pipe radiator

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat pipe radiator (10; 10a; 10b), having at least one central body (12) and two end caps (16; 16 ') arranged on opposite end sides of the at least one central body (12); 16a; 16a; 16b, 18), in which a plurality of flow channels (20) arranged parallel to one another for conducting a cooling medium are arranged, and which has a U-shaped deflection region (22; 22 ') for the cooling medium, which deflection region is formed for at least part of the two flow channels (20) arranged next to one another; 22a, 26), said end cap (16; 16a; 16a; 16b, 18) and the at least one central body (12) are integrally bonded, media-tight, in the form of at least one laser weld seam (44; 44a; 44a; 44b, 52).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a heat pipe radiator which is characterized by a particularly advantageous structural design with regard to the sealing of the heat pipe radiator in the region of an end cap and by a relatively simple, automatable production. Background Art

[0002] Heat pipe radiators are known in the prior art in various forms. They are characterized in that the cooling medium (refrigerant) in the heat transfer area in the heat pipe radiator evaporates, and the evaporated cooling medium is condensed again by cooling in another part and then flows back into the heat transfer area. The advantage is that such a heat pipe radiator can transport the cooling medium only based on the pressure difference between the mentioned areas, and no additional or separate pump device is required to supply the cooling medium. In addition, such a heat pipe radiator usually consists of at least one central body, which is closed at the end face by an end block. A cooling channel is arranged in the heat pipe radiator, which cooling channel can usually form a tortuous flow guide for the cooling medium, wherein a U-shaped turning area between two cooling channels arranged closely to each other is formed in the end cover.

[0003] Patent document EP 4 015 967 A1 discloses a heat pipe radiator of the type described above, which forms a meandering guide for the cooling medium and is produced by an extrusion process, in particular a continuous extrusion process. The end pieces of the heat pipe radiator are permanently connected to at least one central body by soldering, welding, gluing, clamping, pressing or other processes. Summary of the invention

[0004] The heat pipe radiator according to the invention having the features of claim 1 has the advantage that it allows a particularly simple and effective sealing of the flow channel that conducts the cooling medium in the region of the end block or end cap. In addition, leakage between the flow channels arranged parallel to one another is prevented in an effective manner. It is also important that the heat pipe radiator according to the invention can be manufactured particularly easily and process-reliably in terms of production technology and that the type of material connection does not lead to a reduction in the cross section of the flow channel compared to a soldered connection.

[0005] In the context of the above description, the heat pipe radiator according to the present invention having the features of claim 1 therefore has at least one central body and two end caps arranged on opposite end sides of the at least one central body, wherein a plurality of flow channels arranged parallel to each other are arranged in the central body, the flow channels are used to guide the cooling medium, and the end caps have a U-shaped turning area for guiding the cooling medium, which is constructed for at least a portion of the two flow channels arranged adjacent to each other and side by side, wherein a material-connected, medium-tight connection in the form of at least one laser weld is formed between the end caps and the at least one central body, wherein the end caps or the at least one central body have a receptacle for the at least one central body or the end caps, thereby forming an overlapping area between the end caps and the at least one central body, and wherein the at least one laser weld forms a closed sealing contour surrounding the flow channel.

[0006] Advantageous developments of the heat pipe heat sink according to the invention are listed in the dependent claims.

[0007] In a first advantageous arrangement of the at least one laser weld, it is provided that the at least one central body is at least substantially block-shaped and has a longitudinal axis extending in the direction of the flow channel, and that the laser weld is formed in the region of the end side of the end cap extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

[0008] As an alternative or in addition to such an arrangement of a laser weld, provision can be made for the laser weld to be formed in the overlapping region on the outer side surface of the at least one central body or on the outer side surface of the end cap.

[0009] In the last two suggested preferred structural improvements, it is provided that at least one additional laser weld is formed between the at least one central body and the end cover, and the at least one additional laser weld is arranged between the two deflection areas and the end side of the end cover along the longitudinal direction of the flow channel.

[0010] Preferably, the at least one additional laser weld extends to the at least one laser weld, thereby achieving a further closed sealing contour.

[0011] In a first possible design for forming a deflection region for the cooling medium, it is provided that the at least one central body has a dividing web for forming the flow channel, and the dividing web ends at different distances from the end cover on the side facing the end cover in order to form the deflection region. This design has the advantage that the end cover can be designed particularly simply.

[0012] In particular, it can be provided that the end cap is shaped like a cup and has a flat bottom region on one side of the at least one central body and a circumferential side wall arranged perpendicular to the bottom region.

[0013] In an alternative design of the central body which can be constructed relatively simply or results in relatively low manufacturing costs, it is provided that at least one central body has a dividing web for forming a flow channel, which ends at the same distance from the end cover on the side facing the end cover, and the deflection area is formed in the end cover.

[0014] If the at least one central body is configured as a continuous extrusion and is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the at least one central body can be manufactured particularly easily and relatively cheaply with sufficiently precise component tolerances. For the same reason, the end caps are preferably configured as flow extrusions and are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0015] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 shows a schematic longitudinal cross section of a heat pipe heat sink;

[0017] Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view showing a central body and an end cover of a heat pipe radiator in a state of being connected to each other;

[0018] Figure 3 Shown along Figure 2 A view in the direction of arrow III;

[0019] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view showing a partial area of ​​the improved heat pipe heat sink in the region of its end cap; and

[0020] Figure 5 A top view of the improved end cap is shown.

[0021] In the figures, identical elements or elements having the same function are provided with the same reference symbols. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Figure 1 The basic structure of a heat pipe radiator 10 is shown. The heat pipe radiator 10 has at least one central body 12, and in the embodiment shown, two central bodies 12 adjacent to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14 of the heat pipe radiator 10 have, for example, different lengths. The heat pipe radiator 10, which is configured in a block-like manner, is closed by two end caps 16, 18 on the mutually opposite end sides of the at least one central body 12. In the case of a plurality of central bodies 12, these central bodies are connected to each other at their opposite end sides in a medium-tight manner, in particular by a material connection such as brazing or welding (fusion welding).

[0023] The at least one central body 12 is preferably designed in the form of a continuous extrusion made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The at least one central body 12 has flow channels 20 arranged parallel to one another and extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis 14, which flow channels are used to guide an evaporable cooling medium or refrigerant (not shown). The flow channels 20 preferably have a rectangular or square cross section. The two end caps 16, 18, which are preferably also made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, are preferably produced in a flow extrusion process.

[0024] Alternatively, the end caps 16, 18 can also be made from metal powder (at least essentially consisting of aluminum or an aluminum alloy), for example by an additive manufacturing process, preferably by selective melting and subsequent solidification of metal powder, or by a process known from the prior art that allows sufficiently precise component tolerances to be achieved.

[0025] Inside the end cap 16, the U-shaped channel is designed as a deflection region 22, which is fluidically connected to two flow channels 20 arranged next to one another in the central body 12. The end cap 16 is arranged in the region of the so-called evaporator side 24, which is arranged in at least indirect heat-conducting contact with the component or assembly to be cooled.

[0026] In addition to the U-shaped channel serving as a turning area 26 for connecting two flow channels 20 arranged adjacent to each other in the central body 12, the end cover 18 also has a connecting channel 28 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 14, which connects two edge-side flow channels 20 in at least one central body 12, or the flow channels 20 that are spaced apart the most in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 14.

[0027] The flow channel 20 forms a meandering guide for the cooling medium together with the deflection regions 22 and 26 and the connecting channel 28. The region of the end cover 18 forms a condenser side 30, in which the cooling medium which evaporates in the evaporator region 24 and reaches the region of the condenser side 30 due to the pressure difference is condensed by cooling and can flow back into the evaporator region 24.

[0028] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The end region of the heat pipe heat sink 10 designed according to the invention is shown in detail in the region of the end cap 16. The explanations given below for the end cap 16 also apply in an analogous manner to the other end cap 18.

[0029] The end cap 16 is designed or shaped in a cup-like manner and has a flat bottom region 32 which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 14 . The bottom region 32 is delimited or surrounded by a circumferential side wall 34 which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 .

[0030] according to Figure 2 As shown, the size of the bottom region 32 or the side wall 34 is such that the end cap 16 is configured as a receptacle 35 for the axial end region of the central body 12 facing the end cap, so that the side wall 34 surrounds the outer side surface 36 of the central body 12 at least almost without gap or abuts against the side surface 36. In addition, the bottom region 32 of the end cap 16 abuts against the end face 38 of the central body 12 facing the end cap 16.

[0031] In order to form flow channels 20 arranged next to one another, the central body 12 has dividing webs 40, 42 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 14, wherein the dividing webs 40 are designed in such a way that their length is shortened so that they do not extend to the bottom region 32 of the end cover 16. This allows a U-shaped turning region 26 to be formed between two adjacent flow channels 20, wherein the turning region 26 is laterally delimited by the dividing webs 42.

[0032] In order to connect the at least one end cap 16, 18 to the at least one central body 12 in a medium-tight manner so that the cooling medium located in the heat pipe radiator 10, which may have a pressure of, for example, up to 30 bar during operation, does not overflow from the heat pipe radiator 10, a material connection in the form of at least one laser weld 44 is formed between the at least one end cap 16, 18 and the at least one central body 12.

[0033] In order to form at least one laser weld seam 44, firstly Figure 2 As shown, the end cap 16 is pushed onto the end side of the central body 12 facing the end cap, so that an overlap area 46 is generated between the end cap 16 and the central body 12. Subsequently, at least one laser weld 44 is formed in the overlap area 46 between the central body 12 and the end cap 16 at a distance a from the bottom area 32 of the end cap 16 in a direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 14, so that the laser weld 44 forms a closed or surrounding sealing contour 48. Here, the sealing contour 48 has two parallel Figure 2 The first sealing section 49 extending from the drawing plane and two sealing sections perpendicular to Figure 2 The second sealing section 51 extends in the drawing plane.

[0034] according to Figure 2 It can be seen in particular that the laser weld 44 or the sealing contour 48 completely surrounds the flow channel 20 , since the laser weld 44 extends not only in the region of the separating webs 40 , 42 but also in the region of the side surface 36 of the central body 12 .

[0035] The laser weld 44 or the closed sealing contour 48 ensures that no coolant or refrigerant escapes from the region of the end cap 16. If the (sealing) contact between the separating web 42 and the end cap 16, i.e. in the bottom region 32 of the end cap 16, is ensured by suitable component tolerances between the receptacle 35 of the end cap 16 and the separating web 42, then overflow of coolant or refrigerant between the individual deflection regions 22 is generally avoided.

[0036] However, in particular in the case of relatively high pressures of the cooling medium or refrigerant and / or depending on component tolerances, provision can also be made for at least one additional laser weld 52 to be formed in the overlap region 46 between the central body 12 and the end cover 16 (or 18). Preferably, even a plurality of additional laser welds 52 are formed, i.e. one additional laser weld in each case in the region between the separating web 42 and the end cover 16 (or 18). Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the additional laser weld seams 52 each have a first sealing section 54 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 ( Figure 2 ) and perpendicular to Figure 2 The second sealing section 56 ( Figure 3 ). The respective first sealing section 54 and the second sealing section 56 of the additional laser weld seam 52 adjoin one another without gap, wherein the first section 54 extends as far as the first sealing section 49 of the laser weld seam 44 .

[0037] exist Figure 4 In the modified heat pipe heat sink 10a shown partially in FIG. 1 , the central body 12a has a stepped depression 58 on the end face facing the end cap 16a, which forms a receiving portion 59 for a section 61 of reduced cross section of the end cap 16a. The end cap 16a has a flat end face 62 on the side facing the central body 12a, which is in contact with the partition web 42 and is spaced apart from the partition web 40. As a result, the turning area 22a is formed by the central body 12a, not by the end cap 16a. The laser weld 44a extends at the section 64 of increased cross section of the end cap 12a, and in the region of this section, an overlapping area 46a is simultaneously formed between the end cap 16a and the central body 12a, and the laser weld 44a is configured to extend around and thereby form a closed sealing contour 48a.

[0038] at last, Figure 5The end cap 12b of the heat pipe heat sink 10b is shown, which makes it possible to dispense with machining of the central body 12 (not shown) by taking into account the different lengths of the separating webs 40, 42. To this end, the end cap 12b has an annular groove 70, into which the end side of the central body 12 can be immersed. The end cap 12b has an end face 72, from which a closed web 74 protrudes, into which two regions of the central body 12 arranged next to each other and having flow channels 20 are respectively immersed. The laser weld 44b is formed in the overlapping area 46b between the end cap 16b and the central body 12 and has a closed, surrounding sealing contour 48b.

[0039] The heat pipe radiators 10, 10a and 10b described so far can be changed or modified in various ways and methods without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention. For example, it can also be provided that a supply line (not shown) for filling with a cooling medium or refrigerant is arranged in the region of the end caps 16, 18. In addition, differently constructed or processed end caps 16, 18 and central body 12 are also conceivable. It is only important that a laser weld 44 with a closed sealing contour 48 is provided in the overlapping region between the end caps 16, 18 and the central body 12.

Claims

1. A heat pipe radiator (10; 10a; 10b), comprising at least one central body (12) and two end covers (16; 16a; 16b, 18) arranged at opposite end sides of the at least one central body (12), wherein a plurality of flow channels (20) arranged parallel to each other for guiding a cooling medium are arranged in the at least one central body (12), and the end covers have a U-shaped turning area (22; 22a, 26) for the cooling medium, which is configured for at least a portion of two flow channels (20) arranged adjacent to each other, wherein: A materially connected, medium-tight connection in the form of at least one laser weld (44; 44a; 44b, 52) is formed between the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18) and the at least one central body (12), wherein the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18) or the at least one central body (12) has a receiving portion (35; 59) for the at least one central body (12) or the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18), so that an overlapping area (46; 46a; 46b) is formed between the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18) and the at least one central body (12), and wherein the at least one laser weld (44; 44a; 44b) forms a closed sealing contour (48; 48a; 48b) surrounding the flow channel (20).

2. The heat pipe radiator according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The at least one central body (12) is at least essentially block-shaped and has a longitudinal axis (14) extending in the direction of the flow channel (20), and the laser weld (44; 44a; 44b) is formed in the region of the end side of the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18) extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (14).

3. The heat pipe radiator according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The laser weld (44; 44a; 44b) is formed in an overlapping area (46; 46a; 46b) on the outer side surface of the at least one central body (12) or on the outer side surface of the end caps (16; 16a; 16b, 18).

4. The heat pipe radiator according to claim 2 or 3, It is characterized in that At least one additional laser weld (52) is formed between the at least one central body (12) and the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18), and the at least one additional laser weld (52) is arranged between two turning areas (22; 22a, 26) and the end side of the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18) along the longitudinal direction of the flow channel (20).

5. The heat pipe radiator according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The at least one additional laser weld (52) extends to the at least one laser weld (44; 44a; 44b, 52).

6. The heat pipe radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, It is characterized in that The at least one central body (12) has a dividing web (40, 42) for forming the flow channel (20), and the dividing web (40, 42) ends at different distances from the end cover (16; 16a; 16a) on the side facing the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18) so as to form the turning area (22; 22a, 26).

7. The heat pipe radiator according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18) is configured in a pot-like manner and has a flat bottom area (32) on one side of the at least one central body (12) and a surrounding side wall (34) arranged perpendicular to the bottom area (32).

8. The heat pipe radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, It is characterized in that The at least one central body (12) has a dividing web (40, 42) for forming the flow channel (20), the dividing web (40, 42) ending at the same distance from the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18) on the side facing the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18), and the turning area (22; 22a, 26) is formed in the end cover (16; 16a; 16b, 18).

9. The heat pipe radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, It is characterized in that The at least one central body (12) is configured as a continuous extrusion and is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

10. The heat pipe radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, It is characterized in that The end cap (16; 16a; 16b, 18) is designed as a flow extrusion part and is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

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