Pulsating heat pipe radiator

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat pipe radiator (10; 10a-10p) having at least one meandering channel (11) for guiding a cooling medium, at least two components (16; 16 ') defining a cross-section of the at least one channel (11), 16a-16j, 16a-16j; 16 m; 16 o, 18; 18a; 18a; 18c-18j, 18c-18j; 18 m; 18o), at least the first component (16; 16a-16j, 16a-16j; 16 m; 16o) is produced using a molding process and preferably has ribs (26; 26 ') arranged parallel to each other. 26a; 26a; 26b; 26b; 26l; 26l; 65; 66) for laterally defining a cross section of the at least one channel (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pulsating heat pipe radiator, hereinafter referred to simply as a heat pipe radiator, characterized by its particularly advantageous manufacture, thereby enabling, in a particularly simple and advantageous manner, the adjustment of the required thermomechanical properties according to the corresponding application. Background Technology

[0002] Various forms of heat pipe radiators are known in the prior art. These heat pipe radiators are characterized by at least one channel, typically meandering, for guiding an evaporable cooling medium, such as glycerin or the like. The heat pipe radiator operates such that, in the evaporator region (arranged in at least indirect contact with the heat-generating component), the cooling medium located in at least one channel is heated to a temperature above its boiling point and evaporates. This vaporization is then forced by pressure pulsations into the condenser region of the heat pipe radiator, where the evaporated cooling medium condenses again and can then flow back to the evaporator region.

[0003] Typically, such heat pipe radiators consist of a central body or a first component, in which at least one channel is formed, the channel being closed on its opposite sides by end caps or similar components. The end caps or similar components allow the cooling medium to flow in opposite directions between two adjacent portions of the at least one channel, the channel being separated from each other by ribs in the first component. This allows the cooling medium to be guided or flow in a meandering manner within the heat pipe radiator. The central body is known to be designed, for example, as an extruded profile or composed of multiple interconnected components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The advantage of the (pulsating) heat pipe radiator according to claim 1 is that it is optimally adapted to the corresponding application. In particular, various geometries of the ribs, which define the various portions of the channel laterally, can be realized particularly easily in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, not only can flat radiators, i.e., radiators whose central or first component has a constant cross-section, be realized, but also radiators with special geometries in the region where the heat pipe radiator makes thermal contact with the device to be cooled, such as wider ribs, can be realized.

[0005] The present invention is based on the concept that, unlike existing technologies, the region forming at least one channel in a heat pipe radiator is composed of two components, namely a first component and a second component. The first component is manufactured using a molding process, and the second component covers the first component at least in the rib region. Through the molding process, various geometries or arrangements of the ribs can be achieved particularly easily in the first component. In contrast, the second component (in the form of a cap or base) is used to define the cross-section of at least one channel or to design the heat pipe radiator to be sealing against the medium. For this purpose, the first and second components are typically connected by a material-fit connection, thereby preventing leakage of the pressurized cooling medium within the region of at least one channel.

[0006] Against the backdrop of the above description, a heat pipe radiator having the features of claim 1 thus has at least one meandering channel for guiding the cooling medium. Furthermore, the heat pipe radiator comprises at least two components that define the cross-section of at least one channel. Here, the first component is manufactured using a molding process and preferably has ribs arranged parallel to each other, which laterally define the cross-section of at least one channel. Finally, it is specified that the second component, in the form of a cap or base, covers the first component at least in the area of ​​at least one channel.

[0007] The forming process used for the first component specifically, but not limited to, refers to die casting, flow stamping, forging, or extrusion. Materials used to form the first and / or second components include, for example, copper, aluminum, iron, steel, titanium, and their alloys. As mentioned above, the connection between the two components is preferably achieved through a material fit connection. Specifically, and again, but not limited to, laser welding, bonding, friction stir welding, etc., may also be considered.

[0008] Advantageous improvements to the heat pipe radiator according to the invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0009] The first preferred structural design specifies that the ribs have different widths, at least along a portion of their longitudinal extension. Different widths of ribs (with the same rib height) result in different width portions or different cross-sectional areas of at least one channel, depending on the application, which has proven advantageous for altering the local flow rate of the cooling medium.

[0010] Another preferred design for a heat pipe radiator specifies that the ribs have rectangular and / or trapezoidal cross-sections. In this case, both rectangular and trapezoidal ribs can be used inside the heat pipe radiator. Here, the cross-section of the ribs can be designed, for example, rounded in the area where the ribs connect to the second component. It is also conceivable to design a discontinuous, sealed connection between the two components within the rib area. More precisely, it is also feasible to allow small gaps between the ribs and the second component, which may arise, for example, due to dimensional tolerances during component manufacturing. The only important point is that both components are designed to be externally sealed to the medium, i.e., no cooling medium will leak from the heat pipe radiator.

[0011] Another advantage of heat pipe radiators is that their geometry can be easily locally adjusted according to existing conditions or the arrangement of the components to be cooled. Specifically, the first and / or second components are designed to have raised areas, at least locally, in the direction extending along the height of the ribs. These raised areas can then be arranged, for example, in direct thermal contact with the components to be cooled, without the need for intermediate elements or the like.

[0012] These ribs can also have different heights. This results in a localized variation in the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel (assuming the distance between each rib is the same). This allows for localized adjustment of flow rate or heat transfer characteristics.

[0013] In order to locally adapt to the device to be cooled or to affect the effect of the cooling medium, another preferred structural design of the heat pipe radiator specifies that the first and / or second components have at least one bulge with increased wall thickness on the outer side opposite to at least one channel.

[0014] Especially when the second component is designed not only as a (flat) cover or base, but also has flow elements or ribs, it can be specified that the second component is manufactured using a molding process, and that some ribs are constructed on the second component. This allows for some advantageous characteristics, such as the ability to achieve particularly narrow spacing between the ribs, which would be impossible or difficult to achieve simply by constructing all the ribs on the first component.

[0015] In order to achieve a form-fit connection between two parts in the area of ​​the rib, or to design these connections in a particularly simple and efficient manner when forming a material fit connection, it can be specified that the rib is embedded in the groove of the first part and / or the second part.

[0016] Heat pipe radiators typically require flow deflection elements in the area between two adjacent fins. These elements allow the cooling medium to flow in different directions within two directly parallel channels, creating a meandering flow path. For this purpose, a third component is typically provided for flow deflection between the fins. However, it is also possible to design corresponding elements or flow deflectors on the first and / or second components.

[0017] As mentioned above, it is important that the heat pipe radiator is designed to be externally sealed to the medium. To this end, it is stipulated that at least the first and second components are interconnected in a medium-sealing manner, at least at their edge portions, via a material-fitting connection. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Other advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first heat pipe radiator is shown in the region of its first component manufactured using a molding process. Figures 2 to 4 A partial cross-sectional view of a heat pipe radiator is shown to illustrate the ribs constructed differently on the first component and the second component of different shapes; Figure 5 The heat pipe radiator is shown with Figure 1 The longitudinal section view corresponding to the view shows that the heat pipe radiator has ribs that are increased in width in certain areas; Figure 6 and Figure 7 A partial cross-sectional view of a modified heat pipe radiator is shown, which has localized grooves or bulges. Figures 8 to 11 A partial cross-sectional view of another modified heat pipe radiator is shown, which has grooves for arranging cooling fins. Figure 12 It shows the relationship with Figures 8 to 11 The view corresponds to a partial cross-sectional view, in which grooves for ribs are formed on both parts; Figure 13 A partial cross-sectional view of a heat pipe radiator is shown, in which the second component is designed to be deformed in a wavy shape; Figures 14 to 16 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a heat pipe radiator with a specially designed deflection zone using two components is shown. Figure 17 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a heat pipe radiator is shown, in which the deflection region is achieved by a third component; Figure 18 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of a heat pipe radiator is shown, in which a second component is inserted into a groove surrounding the edge side of the first component; Figure 19 It shows in Figure 18 A partial cross-sectional view in plane AA; Figure 20 A perspective view of the second component is shown, in which the second component has a raised area for contact with the heating component.

[0020] Components that are identical or have the same function in the figure are marked with the same reference number. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 The (pulsating) heat pipe radiator 10, shown in longitudinal section, is used to cool electronic devices or components that generate heat during operation, particularly those not shown. For this purpose, the heat pipe radiator 10 is thermally connected to the device or assembly to be cooled on its evaporator side 13 in a manner known per se and therefore not shown. The thermally conductive connection can be made, for example, by a thermally conductive adhesive or by a direct mechanical connection to the heat pipe radiator 10.

[0022] Inside the heat pipe radiator 10, a cooling medium (not shown) in an evaporable liquid form is arranged in at least one channel 11. The cooling medium, whose heat is evaporated by the heat from the device or assembly to be cooled, flows from the evaporator side 13 to the condenser side 14 within at least one channel 11 of the heat pipe radiator 10, where it is further cooled to a temperature below the condensation temperature by an ambient cold source or otherwise, after which it flows back towards the evaporator side. This operation of the heat pipe radiator 10 is known in the prior art and will not be described further.

[0023] The heat pipe radiator 10 has a housing 12 consisting of at least two components 16 and 18, wherein component 18 is only located in the housing. Figures 2 to 4 As can be seen, the two components 16 and 18 are connected to each other at least partially in a medium-sealing manner, so that the cooling medium in the channel 11 of the heat pipe radiator 10 cannot leak out from the housing 12 of the heat pipe radiator 10.

[0024] The first component 16 is manufactured using a forming process and is specifically made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, while the second component 18 can be manufactured using either a forming process or other methods, such as by deformation processing from a (flat) sheet metal part. Preferably, the second component 18 is made of the same material as the first component 16 to avoid thermal stress caused by the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion.

[0025] The first component 16 is constructed in the shape of a groove, and in relation to... Figure 1 The drawing plane extends parallel to the plane and has a flat bottom 22. According to Figure 1The bottom 22 is defined by a surrounding edge portion 24. Within the edge portion 24, the first component 16 has a plurality of ribs 26 arranged parallel to each other for guiding cooling medium within a meandering channel 11. The channel 11 also has deflection regions 28, 30 for the cooling medium at the end regions on the end sides of the ribs 26, such that the cooling medium guided between the ribs 26 can flow alternately in one direction or another in the direction of the channel 11, as indicated by arrows 31, 32.

[0026] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the edge portion 24, together with the rib 26, forms a (unique) annular channel 11 for the cooling medium. For this reason, the channel 11 has a connecting channel 35 on the side of the deflection region 30 opposite to the deflection region 28, which connects the channel segments 37, 38 on the two edge sides of the channel 11 to each other.

[0027] It should be further pointed out that, in Figure 1 In a variation of the embodiment shown, channel 11 can also be designed as a channel 11 closed on both sides, omitting the connecting channel 35, which is also known in the prior art.

[0028] Such as using Figure 1 It can be seen that the ribs 26 can have different widths b1 and b2, wherein the width b2 is greater than the width b1. In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 26 of different widths are arranged alternately in the direction extending along the direction of arrow 33.

[0029] Furthermore, the cross-section of rib 26 can be designed in different ways. For this purpose, first refer to... Figure 2 .exist Figure 2 As can be seen, ribs 26a with rectangular cross-sections are provided. Given the above description, the width of ribs 26a can vary. Furthermore, in... Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment also shows a rib 26b with inclined sides. In particular, the cross-section of the rib 26b can also be designed as trapezoidal.

[0030] Figure 2 It is also shown that the second component 18, serving as the covering element 19, is connected to the first component 16 at least in the region of the edge portion 24, and additionally in the region of most of the ribs 26a, 26b. The connection between the two components 16, 18 can be designed, in particular, as a material-fit connection 36. This material-fit connection refers, in particular (but not limited to), to brazing, soldering, fusion welding (especially laser welding), or possible bonding. Figure 2It can also be seen that, between ribs 26a, 26b and the second component 18, in areas where no material fit connection 36 is formed, a small gap 38 may be formed if necessary. However, depending on the manufacturing process or component tolerances and the material fit connection 36, contact may also exist between ribs 26a, 26b and the second component 18, even if no material fit connection 36 is formed there.

[0031] Figure 3 The diagram shows a case where the rib 26b has a rounded portion 40 formed on the side facing the second component 18.

[0032] In contrast, according to Figure 4 The heat pipe radiator 10a only has ribs 26a including a rectangular cross-section. (This is in contrast to...) Figures 1 to 3 Unlike the first component 16a, the second component 18a is planarly constructed only within the edge portion 24 of the first component 16a. Outside the edge portion 24, the second component 18a has an inclined edge 46 projecting toward the first component 16a, with a portion 48 extending parallel to the bottom 22 of the first component 44. Within the region of portion 48, the second component 18a can be additionally connected to the first component 16a, particularly by a material fit connection (not shown). This is especially true when only contact is formed between the edge portion 24 of the first component 16a and the second component 18a.

[0033] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a heat pipe radiator 10b, whose first component 16b includes ribs 52 in addition to ribs 26 having different widths b1 and b2 if necessary. Viewed longitudinally, the ribs 52 locally have a width b3 greater than the widths b1 and b2, thereby forming raised portions 53 on opposite sides of the longitudinally extending portion of the ribs 52. This reduces the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 11 in the region of portion 53.

[0034] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The diagram shows heat pipe radiators 10c and 10d, in which first components 16c and 16d have regions 55 and 56 raised relative to the remaining surfaces. The second component 18c of heat pipe radiator 10c is designed as a flat component, while the second component 18d of heat pipe radiator 10d conforms to the shape of the first component 16d, so that the height h of the channel 11 within heat pipe radiator 10d remains constant due to the raised region 57. In contrast, the channels 11 of heat pipe radiator 10c have different heights h1 and h2.

[0035] Figures 8 to 11Other heat pipe radiators 10e to 10h are partially shown in the figure. All heat pipe radiators 10e to 10h are characterized in that the second components 18e to 18h each have groove-shaped recesses 63 and 64, into which the ends of the ribs 65 and 66 of the first components 16e to 16h extend. The recesses 63 each have a rectangular cross-section corresponding to the rectangular cross-section of the rib 65, while the recesses 64 are rounded. The ribs 66 may be designed flat or rounded on the side facing the recess 64.

[0036] Figure 12 In this embodiment, the heat pipe radiator 10i has a first component 16i with an edge portion 24. Viewed along the direction of the double arrow 66, the first component has alternating grooves 67 (in this embodiment, the grooves 67 are rounded) and ribs 26 (in this embodiment, the ribs 26 are rounded). Like the first component 16i, the second component 18i is manufactured using a molding process and, in this embodiment, has rectangularly designed grooves 68 for receiving the end sides of the ribs 26 of the first component 16i, and rectangularly cross-sectional ribs 26 extending into the grooves 67 of the first component 16i.

[0037] Figure 13 The image shows a heat pipe radiator 10j, in which a second component 18j is designed as a corrugated sheet metal piece. The second component 18j is connected to some ribs 26 of the first component 16j, specifically via laser weld seams 70, within the area of ​​a groove 69.

[0038] for Figure 14 The heat pipe radiator 10k shown consists of two components 16k and 18k. The first component 16k is designed with ribs 26, while the second component 18k, also manufactured using a molding process, has ribs 26k. Viewed along the direction of the double arrow 71, the ribs 26 and 26k of the two components 16k and 18k are arranged alternately. On one side of the heat pipe radiator 10k, the first component 16k also has a deflection portion 72 extending along the direction of the double arrow 83, in which the ends of the ribs 26 and 26k are arranged alternately.

[0039] Figure 15 The difference between the heat pipe radiator 10l shown and the heat pipe radiator 10k is that the deflection portion 72l is part of the rib 26l formed on the second component 18l.

[0040] for Figure 16 The heat pipe radiator 10m shown has a deflection portion 72m formed on the second component 18m, while all the ribs 26 are formed on the first component 16m.

[0041] exist Figure 17The diagram shows a heat pipe radiator 10n, which, in addition to two components 16n and 18n with ribs 26, also has a third component 74. The third component 74 forms a deflection portion 72n.

[0042] exist Figure 18 and 19 The diagram shows a heat pipe radiator 10o, with its second component 18o fully inserted into a recess 76 of the first component 16o. The first component 16o also has partial or linear ridges 78 that extend through corresponding reverse openings on the second component 18o. In the region of the ridges 78, the connection between the two components 16o, 18o is made, for example, by friction stir welding.

[0043] Finally, Figure 20 A heat pipe radiator 10p is shown, characterized in that a first component 16p and / or a second component 18p have one or more protrusions 80 formed on the outer side opposite to a channel 11 (not shown) to shorten the spacing or distance between the heat-conducting components. In the region of the protrusions 80, the heat pipe radiator 10p has an increased wall thickness on the first component 16p and / or the second component 18p, which can be achieved particularly easily in manufacturing technology through a molding process.

[0044] The heat pipe radiators 10, 10a to 10p described so far can be modified or altered in a variety of ways without departing from the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. Heat pipe radiator (10; 10a-10p) having at least one meandering channel (11) for guiding a cooling medium, at least two components (16; 16a-16j; 16m; 16o, 18; 18a; 18c-18j; 18m; 18o) defining a cross section of the at least one channel (11), wherein, At least the first component (16; 16a-16j; 16m; 16o) is manufactured in a forming process and preferably has ribs (26; 26a; 26b; 26l; 65; 66) arranged parallel to one another for laterally delimiting the cross section of the at least one channel (11), and wherein the second component (18; 18a; 18c-18j; 18m; 18o) covers the first component (16; 16a-16j; 16m; 16o) in the form of a lid or a base at least in the region of the at least one channel (11).

2. Heat pipe radiator according to claim 1, characterized in that The ribs (26; 26a; 52) have different widths (b1, b2, b3) at least over a portion of their longitudinal extension.

3. Heat pipe radiator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The ribs (26; 26a; 26b; 26l; 65; 66) have a rectangular and / or trapezoidal cross section.

4. Heat pipe radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first component (16c; 16d) and / or the second component (18d) has a raised region (56-57) at least locally in a direction extending in the height direction of the ribs (26).

5. Heat pipe radiator according to claim 4, characterized in that The ribs (26) have different heights (h1, h2).

6. Heat pipe radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first component (16p) and / or the second component (18p) has at least one raised region (80) with an increased wall thickness on the outer side facing away from the at least one channel (11).

7. Heat pipe radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The second component (18i; 18k; 18o) is manufactured in a forming process and some of the ribs (26) are configured on the second component (18i; 18k; 18o).

8. Heat pipe radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The ribs (26; 65; 66) are embedded in grooves (63; 64; 67; 68; 69) of the first component (16e-16j) and / or the second component (18e-18j).

9. Heat pipe radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The heat pipe radiator is provided with a third component (74) for flow deflection of the cooling medium between the ribs (26).

10. Heat pipe radiator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that At least the first component (16; 16a-16j; 16m; 16o) and the second component (18; 18a; 18c-18j; 18m; 18o) are connected to one another in a media-tight manner at least in the edge portion (24) by a material-fit connection (36).

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