Sheet Heat Pipe

Abstract

To provide a sheet-like heat pipe capable of cooling a heat source by being in thermal contact with the heat source in a curved state. [Solution] The sheet-like heat pipe 1 of the present invention comprises a heat dissipation plate 2, a heat receiving plate 3, a capillary structure 4, and a flow path forming body 5. The capillary structure 4 and the flow path forming body 5 are enclosed in an internal space S1 formed between the heat dissipation plate 2 and the heat receiving plate 3. The heat dissipation plate 2 has a plurality of retaining protrusions 9 that protrude toward the heat receiving plate 3, and the flow path forming body 5 has a plurality of long holes 14. The heat receiving plate 3 and the capillary structure 4 abut against each other, and the retaining protrusions 9 and the flow path forming body 5 abut against each other. In the internal space S1, a first flow space S2 is formed between adjacent retaining protrusions 9, and the first flow space S2 and a second flow space S3 in the long holes 14 are connected by a three-dimensional intersection.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet-shaped heat pipe that is mounted on an apparatus having a heat source and cools the heat source by receiving heat from the heat source and transporting the heat. [Background technology]

[0002] In Patent Document 1, the applicant has proposed a sheet-shaped heat pipe that includes a heat dissipation plate, a heat reception plate, and a capillary structure housed therein.

[0003] The sheet-type heat pipe (1) described in Patent Document 1 has a first sheet body (11) formed with a plurality of supports (11C) by press drawing, and a capillary structure (31) is sandwiched between the supports (11C) and a sheet surface portion (12A) of a flat second sheet body (12) (see FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1).

[0004] The sheet-type heat pipe (1) described in Patent Document 1 performs cooling by bringing a heat source into thermal contact with the surface portion of the flat second sheet body (12), but it is not envisaged that the sheet-type heat pipe (1) will be folded for use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-030213 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, there are cases where the heat source has a curved shape, such as a cylindrical shape, and in order to bring the heat receiving portion into contact with such a heat source, a sheet-shaped heat pipe that can be used while being curved is desired.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet-shaped heat pipe that is capable of solving the above problems and cooling a heat source by being in thermal contact with the heat source in a curved state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The sheet-type heat pipe of the present invention comprises a first plate, a second plate, a capillary structure, and a flow path forming body, the capillary structure and the flow path forming body are enclosed in an internal space formed between the first plate and the second plate, the first plate is formed with a plurality of retaining protrusions protruding toward the second plate, the flow path forming body is formed with a plurality of long holes, the second plate and the capillary structure abut against each other, the retaining protrusions and the flow path forming body abut against each other, a first flow space is formed in the internal space between adjacent retaining protrusions, and the first flow space and a second flow space in the long holes are connected by a three-dimensional intersection. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to cool a heat source having a curved surface shape. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the heat dissipation plate side of the sheet-shaped heat pipe according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sheet-shaped heat pipe of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sheet-shaped heat pipe of the embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along line B-B. [Figure 6] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view of the sheet-shaped heat pipe of the embodiment in a curved state in contact with an equipment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the flow of a gas-phase working fluid in the sheet-shaped heat pipe of the embodiment. [Figure 10] 13 is a plan view illustrating the flow of a gas-phase working fluid in a modified example of the flow passage formation member of the sheet-shaped heat pipe of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating the flow of a gas-phase working fluid in another modified example of the flow passage formation member of the sheet-type heat pipe of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a sheet-type heat pipe according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the sheet-shaped heat pipe according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below using a sheet heat pipe (hereinafter, referred to as "SHP") mounted on various devices (not shown). Not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential requirements of the present invention.

[0012] 1 to 11 show an SHP 1 in a first embodiment of the present invention. The SHP 1 is configured to include a heat dissipation plate 2 as a first plate, a heat reception plate 3 as a second plate, a capillary structure 4, and a flow path formation body 5.

[0013] The heat dissipation plate 2 and the heat receiving plate 3 in this embodiment are made of austenitic stainless steel, and the capillary structure 4 and the flow path formation body 5 are housed (enclosed) in an internal space S1 formed by joining the outer peripheries of the heat dissipation plate 2 and the heat receiving plate 3. Note that the heat dissipation plate 2 and the heat receiving plate 3 may be made of an alloy mainly composed of titanium or copper, other than stainless steel.

[0014] 1 to 3, the heat dissipation plate 2 is formed in a generally rectangular thin plate shape and has a heat dissipation section 6, a joint section 7 formed on the outer periphery of the heat dissipation section 6, and an inclined section 8 formed between the heat dissipation section 6 and the joint section 7. In addition, the heat dissipation section 5 is formed with a plurality of holding protrusions 9.

[0015] The heat dissipation section 6, the inclined section 8, and the holding protrusions 9 are formed by sheet metal drawing. The holding protrusions 9 are formed over the entire length of the heat dissipation section 6 in the short-side direction, protruding toward the heat-receiving plate 3, and are provided in parallel at equal intervals. The short-side width W1 (see FIG. 4) of the holding protrusions 9 is preferably 2 mm or less in order to sufficiently secure a first flow space S2, which will be described later. The heat dissipation plate 2 is formed so that the heat dissipation section 6 and the inclined section 8 bulge out, but since multiple holding protrusions 9 are formed in the heat dissipation section 5, the heat dissipation plate 2 is less likely to buckle even if the internal space S1 is evacuated, as will be described later.

[0016] 3, the heat receiving plate 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular thin plate shape. The heat receiving plate 3 has a heat receiving portion 10 and a joint portion 11 formed on the outer periphery of the heat receiving portion 10 and joined to the joint portion 6 of the heat dissipation plate 2.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4, it is desirable that the thickness D1 of the heat dissipation plate 2 and the thickness D2 of the heat receiving plate 3 are each 20% or less of the total thickness D3 of the SHP1 in order to sufficiently secure the first flow space S2 and the second flow space S3 described later.

[0018] As shown primarily in FIG. 1, a nozzle portion 13 is formed in the center of one short side portion 12 of the SHP1 for injecting a working fluid (not shown) into the internal space S1 and evacuating the internal space S1.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the capillary structure 4 has substantially the same external shape as the heat dissipation portion 6 of the heat dissipation plate 2 in plan view. The capillary structure 4 has a capillary structure with fine gaps evenly distributed throughout in order to generate a strong capillary force in the liquid phase working fluid, and may be a metal fiber capillary structure, a metal fiber felt, a flat mesh body in which metal wires are aligned lengthwise and widthwise and woven, a nonwoven fabric (not shown), or the like. Note that the size of the gaps can be changed by changing the thickness and length of the metal fibers, so that various types of metal fiber capillary structures can be adopted. The same applies to metal fiber felt, mesh bodies, and nonwoven fabrics.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, the flow path forming body 5 has approximately the same external shape as the heat dissipation section 6 and the capillary structure 4 of the heat dissipation plate 2 in a plan view. The flow path forming body 5 has a plurality of long holes 14 extending in the longitudinal direction. Each of the long holes 14 is a through hole and is formed in parallel at equal intervals. The width W2 (see Fig. 3) of the long holes 14 is desirably 0.5 mm or more to ensure sufficient flow of the gas-phase working fluid.

[0021] The material of the flow path forming body 5 in this embodiment is the same as that of the capillary structure 4, and has a capillary structure with fine gaps evenly distributed throughout in order to generate a strong capillary force in the liquid phase working fluid. As with the capillary structure 4, a metal fiber capillary structure, a metal fiber felt, a flat mesh body in which metal wires are aligned lengthwise and widthwise and woven, a nonwoven fabric (not shown), etc. can be used. Note that the flow path forming body 5 can also be formed from a material different from that of the capillary structure 4, and may be a metal plate or the like that does not have a capillary structure.

[0022] When the capillary structure 4 and the flow path forming body 5 have a capillary structure as in this embodiment, the capillary structure 4 and the flow path forming body 5 may be formed integrally. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stacked capillary structure 4 and the flow path forming body 5 are sandwiched between the holding protrusion 9 of the heat dissipation plate 2 and the heat receiving part 10 of the heat receiving plate 3, but when the flow path forming body 5 has a capillary structure, a configuration in which only the flow path forming body 5 is sandwiched between the holding protrusion 9 and the heat receiving part 10 without using a separate capillary structure 4 may be used. Therefore, even if the claims state that a "capillary structure" and a "flow path forming body" are included, the "capillary structure" and the "flow path forming body" may be a single article.

[0023] In this embodiment, the heat dissipation plate 2, the heat receiving plate 3, the capillary structure 4, and the flow path formation body 5 are all formed from the same type of metallic material, that is, austenitic stainless steel. Therefore, the changes that occur over time (aging) in the heat dissipation plate 2, the heat receiving plate 3, the capillary structure 4, and the flow path formation body 5 can be made equivalent.

[0024] Here, the outline of the assembly method (manufacturing method) of the SHP 1 will be described. The heat dissipation plate 2, which has the heat dissipation portion 6, the inclined portion 8, and the holding protrusion 9 formed by sheet metal drawing, is oriented so that the inside faces up, and the flow path forming body 5 is placed on the heat dissipation portion 6. Next, the capillary structure 4 is placed on the flow path forming body 5. Next, the heat receiving plate 3 is overlapped, and the joint portion 7 of the heat dissipation plate 2 and the joint portion 11 of the heat receiving plate 3 are joined by welding. At this time, the capillary structure 4 and the flow path forming body 5 are sandwiched between the holding protrusion 9 of the heat dissipation plate 2 and the heat receiving portion 10 of the heat receiving plate 3, and are held so as not to move inside the SHP 1 (see Figs. 4 to 7). Next, a working fluid such as pure water is injected from the nozzle portion 13 into the internal space S1, and the inside of the internal space S1 is deaerated. After that, the base end portion of the nozzle portion 13 is sealed by welding, and unnecessary portions of the nozzle portion 13 are cut and removed. The position and number of the nozzles 13 can be appropriately determined in consideration of the size and shape of the SHP 1. The SHP 1 of this embodiment is used by abutting the heat receiving plate 3 against a cylindrical device P equipped with a heat source H (cooling target), so it is curved to match the shape of the device P as shown in FIG. 8. Specifically, the one-side short side portion 12 and the other-side short side portion 15 are curved so as to approach each other so that the heat receiving plate 3 side is on the inside. In this embodiment, the entire SHP 1 is curved in an arc shape, but only a part of the SHP 1 may be curved in response to the shape of the device P to be abutted. In that case, the holding convex portion 9 and the long hole 14 may not be formed in the part that is not curved, and the gas-phase working fluid may flow in the first flow space S2 in that part. In addition, it is also possible to abut against a device P having a circular arc-shaped concave surface by curving the one-side short side portion 12 and the other-side short side portion 15 so as to approach each other so that the heat receiving plate 3 side is on the outside.

[0025] Next, the operation and effect of the SHP1 configured as above when mounted on equipment P will be described. When the heat receiving section 10 of the heat receiving plate 3 of the SHP1 is brought into thermal contact with the heat source H of the mounted equipment P, the heat of the heat source is transferred to the heat receiving section 10, the liquid phase working fluid held in the capillary structure 4 and the flow path forming body 5 in the internal space S1 evaporates, and the gas phase working fluid flows toward the low temperature heat dissipation section 6, and heat transport takes place inside the SHP1. The heat transported to the heat dissipation section 6 is diffused outside the SHP1 and dissipated from the SHP1. This cools the heat source H and reduces the temperature rise of the equipment P.

[0026] As shown by the dashed arrows in FIG. 9, the gas-phase working fluid flows in the short-side direction of the SHP1 through the first flow space S2 formed between adjacent holding protrusions 9 (including between the inclined portions 8 and the holding protrusions 9). It also flows in the long-side direction of the SHP1 through the second flow space S3 in the long hole 14. The first flow space S2 and the second flow space S3 are connected by a multi-level intersection, and are lattice-shaped in plan view. Therefore, the gas-phase working fluid flows so as to diffuse in the short-side direction and the long-side direction in the internal space S1. The dashed arrows in FIG. 9 are an example of a part of the flow of the gas-phase working fluid.

[0027] The working fluid, which has transferred heat to the heat dissipation section 6 and has a lowered temperature, condenses and becomes a liquid-phase working fluid. The liquid-phase working fluid flows toward the heat source H due to the strong capillary force of the capillary structure 4 and the flow path formation body 5. In this way, heat transport continues as the working fluid circulates inside the internal space S1. Note that even if there are multiple heat sources H, the multiple heat sources H can be cooled as long as the heat sources H are thermally connected to the heat receiving section 10 of the heat receiving plate 3.

[0028] 10 and 11 show modified examples of the flow path forming body 5 in the SHP1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 shows an example of the flow path forming body 5 in which only the long holes 14 overlapping with the heat source H are formed in a plan view, and the other long holes 14 are not formed. Even when the number of the long holes 14 is reduced in this way, the gas-phase working fluid flows through the first flow space S2 and the second flow space S3 as shown by the dashed arrows, and diffuses in the short and long directions of the internal space S1. As in this modified example, it is possible to change the number of the long holes 14 and the length of the long holes 14 according to the position and size of the heat source H and the outer shape of the SHP1. The dashed arrows in FIG. 10 exemplify a part of the flow of the gas-phase working fluid.

[0029] In FIG. 11, a part of some of the long holes 14 is formed obliquely, and a part of the second flow space S3 crosses the first flow space S2 obliquely. Even if a part of the second flow space S3 crosses the first flow space S2 obliquely, the gas phase working fluid flows through the first flow space S2 and the second flow space S3 as shown by the dashed arrows, and diffuses in the short and long directions of the internal space S1. As in this modification, the first flow space S2 and the second flow space S3 do not necessarily cross each other at right angles, and may be formed to cross each other obliquely. The dashed arrows in FIG. 11 are examples of part of the flow of the gas phase working fluid.

[0030] As described above, the SHP1 of this embodiment comprises the heat dissipation plate 2, the heat receiving plate 3, the capillary structure 4, and the flow path forming body 5. The capillary structure 4 and the flow path forming body 5 are enclosed in the internal space S1 formed between the heat dissipation plate 2 and the heat receiving plate 3. The heat dissipation plate 2 is formed with a plurality of retaining protrusions 9 that protrude toward the heat receiving plate 3. The flow path forming body 5 is formed with a plurality of long holes 14. The heat receiving plate 3 and the capillary structure 4 abut against each other, and the retaining protrusions 9 and the flow path forming body 5 abut against each other. In the internal space S1, a first flow space S2 is formed between adjacent retaining protrusions 9. The first flow space S2 and the second flow space S3 in the long holes 14 are connected by a three-dimensional intersection. Therefore, even if the SHP1 is curved, the flow of the gas-phase working fluid is not impeded, and the gas-phase working fluid flows inside the first flow space S2 and the second flow space S3, allowing heat to be transported so as to diffuse in the short and long directions of the SHP1.

[0031] In the SHP1 of this embodiment, the multiple holding protrusions 9 are parallel to each other, and the width W1 in the short side direction of the holding protrusions 9 is 2 mm or less. Since the multiple holding protrusions 9 are formed parallel to each other, the multiple first flow spaces S2 formed are also parallel, and the gas phase working fluid can flow in parallel. Furthermore, since the width W1 in the short side direction of the holding protrusions 9 is short, at 2 mm or less, the width in the short side direction of the first flow space S2 can be increased and many first flow spaces S2 can be formed, and the first flow space S2 can be secured to be large. As a result, the total amount of gas phase working fluid that can flow inside the first flow space S2 can be increased.

[0032] Furthermore, in the SHP 1 of this embodiment, the heat dissipation plate 2, the heat receiving plate 3, the capillary structure 4, and the flow path formation body 5 are made of the same type of metal material. Therefore, the changes that occur over time (changes over time) in the heat dissipation plate 2, the heat receiving plate 3, the capillary structure 4, and the flow path formation body 5 can be made equivalent.

[0033] In the SHP1 of this embodiment, the multiple long holes 14 are parallel to each other, and the short-side width W2 of the long holes 14 is 0.5 mm or more. Therefore, the second flow space S3 allows the gas-phase working fluid to flow in parallel. In addition, by increasing the short-side width W2 of the long holes 14, the total amount of gas-phase working fluid that can flow inside the second flow space S3 can be increased.

[0034] In the SHP1 of this embodiment, the thickness D1 of the heat dissipation plate 2 and the thickness D2 of the heat reception plate 3 are each 20% or less of the total thickness D3 of the sheet-shaped heat pipe 1. This makes it possible to increase the volumes of the first flow space S2 and the second flow space S3, and to increase the total amount of gas-phase working fluid that can flow therethrough.

[0035] Furthermore, in the SHP 1 of this embodiment, the flow path formation body 5 has a capillary structure. Therefore, the capillary force generated by the flow path formation body 5 can cause the liquid phase working fluid to flow.

[0036] 12 and 13 show an SHP 21 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The SHP 21 is configured to include a heat dissipation plate 22 as a first plate, a heat reception plate 23 as a second plate, a capillary structure 24 housed therein, a flow path formation body 25, a one-side reinforcing member 26, and an other-side reinforcing member 27.

[0037] The heat dissipating plate 22 and the heat receiving plate 23 in this embodiment are made of austenitic stainless steel, and the capillary structure 24, the flow path forming body 25, the one-side reinforcing member 26 and the other-side reinforcing member 27 are housed (enclosed) in an internal space S4 formed by joining the outer peripheries of the heat dissipating plate 22 and the heat receiving plate 23. Note that the heat dissipating plate 22 and the heat receiving plate 23 may be made of an alloy mainly composed of titanium or copper, other than stainless steel.

[0038] 12, the heat dissipation plate 22 is formed in a generally rectangular thin plate shape and has a heat dissipation portion 28, a joint portion 29 formed on the outer periphery of the heat dissipation portion 28, and an inclined portion 30 formed between the heat dissipation portion 28 and the joint portion 29. In addition, a plurality of holding protrusions 31 are formed on the heat dissipation portion 28.

[0039] The heat dissipation portion 28, the inclined portion 30, and the holding protrusions 31 are formed by sheet metal drawing. The holding protrusions 31 are formed over the entire length of the heat dissipation portion 28 in the longitudinal direction, and each holding protrusion 31 protrudes toward the heat receiving plate 23 side and is provided in parallel at equal intervals. The width W3 (see FIG. 13) in the short side direction of the holding protrusions 31 is preferably 2 mm or less in order to sufficiently secure a first flow space S5 described later. The heat dissipation plate 22 is formed so that the heat dissipation portion 28 and the inclined portion 30 bulge out, but since the heat dissipation portion 28 is formed with a plurality of holding protrusions 31, the heat dissipation plate 22 is unlikely to buckle even if the internal space S4 is evacuated, as described later.

[0040] The heat receiving plate 23 is formed in a generally rectangular thin plate shape. The heat receiving plate 23 has a heat receiving portion 32, a joint portion 33 formed on the outer periphery of the heat receiving portion 32 and joined to the joint portion 29 of the heat dissipation plate 22, and an inclined portion 34 formed between the heat receiving portion 32 and the joint portion 33. The heat receiving portion 32 and the inclined portion 34 are formed by sheet metal drawing so as to protrude in the direction opposite to the heat dissipation plate 22.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 13, it is desirable that the thickness D4 of the heat dissipation plate 22 and the thickness D5 of the heat receiving plate 33 are each 20% or less of the total thickness D6 of the SHP 21 in order to sufficiently secure the first flow space S5 and the second flow space S6.

[0042] A nozzle portion 36 is formed in the center of one short side portion 35 of the SHP 21 for injecting a working fluid (not shown) into the internal space S4 and for evacuating the internal space S4.

[0043] The capillary structure 24 is formed in a rectangular thin plate shape. The capillary structure 24 has a capillary structure with fine gaps evenly distributed throughout in order to generate a strong capillary force in the liquid phase working fluid, and may be a metal fiber capillary structure, a metal fiber felt, a flat mesh body in which metal wires are aligned lengthwise and widthwise and woven, a nonwoven fabric (not shown), or the like. Note that the size of the gaps can be changed by changing the thickness and length of the metal fibers, so that various types of metal fiber capillary structures can be adopted. The same applies to metal fiber felt, mesh bodies, and nonwoven fabrics.

[0044] The flow path forming body 25 has a rectangular thin plate shape, and is formed with a plurality of long holes 37 extending in the longitudinal direction. The long holes 37 are through holes, and are formed in parallel at equal intervals. The short-side width W4 (see FIG. 12) of the long holes 37 is desirably 0.5 mm or more to ensure sufficient flow of the gas-phase working fluid.

[0045] The material of the flow path forming body 25 in this embodiment is the same as that of the capillary structure 24, and has a capillary structure with fine gaps evenly distributed throughout in order to generate a strong capillary force in the liquid phase working fluid. As with the capillary structure 4, a metal fiber capillary structure, a metal fiber felt, a flat mesh body in which metal wires are aligned lengthwise and widthwise and woven, a nonwoven fabric (not shown), etc. can be used. Note that the flow path forming body 25 can also be formed of a material different from that of the capillary structure 24, and may be a metal plate or the like that does not have a capillary structure.

[0046] When the capillary structure 24 and the flow path forming body 25 have a capillary structure as in this embodiment, the capillary structure 24 and the flow path forming body 25 may be formed integrally. In addition, in this embodiment, the overlapping capillary structure 24 and the flow path forming body 25 are sandwiched between the holding protrusion 31 of the heat dissipation plate 22 and the heat receiving part 32 of the heat receiving plate 23, but when the flow path forming body 25 has a capillary structure, a configuration in which only the flow path forming body 25 is sandwiched between the holding protrusion 31 and the heat receiving part 32 without using a separate capillary structure 24 may be used. Therefore, even if the claims state that a "capillary structure" and a "flow path forming body" are included, the "capillary structure" and the "flow path forming body" may be a single article.

[0047] In this embodiment, the heat dissipation plate 22, the heat receiving plate 23, the capillary structure 24, and the flow path formation body 25 are all formed from the same type of metallic material, that is, austenitic stainless steel. Therefore, the changes that occur over time (aging) in the heat dissipation plate 22, the heat receiving plate 23, the capillary structure 24, and the flow path formation body 25 can be made to be equivalent.

[0048] The one-side reinforcing member 26 and the other-side reinforcing member 27 are made of a metal with high thermal conductivity such as copper or a copper alloy, and have a long and narrow rectangular parallelepiped shape. The one-side reinforcing member 26 and the other-side reinforcing member 27 have the same shape. In the past, a sheet-like heat pipe (not shown) that does not have reinforcing members such as the one-side reinforcing member 26 and the other-side reinforcing member 27 required a process of improving the warping by performing a heat treatment because unintended warping occurs in the heat dissipation plate, the heat receiving plate, etc. during the manufacturing process. However, in this embodiment, the one-side reinforcing member 26 and the other-side reinforcing member 27 are provided in the internal space S4 to suppress unintended warping of components such as the heat dissipation plate 22 and the heat receiving plate 23.

[0049] Here, an outline of an assembly method (manufacturing method) of the SHP 21 will be described. The heat-receiving plate 23, on which the heat-receiving portion 32 and the inclined portion 34 are formed by sheet metal drawing, is oriented with the inside facing up, and the one-side reinforcing member 26 and the other-side reinforcing member 27 are placed on the heat-receiving portion 32. The one-side reinforcing member 26 is disposed along the inclined portion 34 on the side that will become the one-side long side portion 38 of the SHP 21, and the other-side reinforcing member 27 is disposed along the inclined portion 34 on the side that will become the other-side long side portion 39 of the SHP 21. Next, the capillary structure 24 is placed on the heat-receiving portion 32. At this time, the capillary structure 24 is disposed between the one-side reinforcing member 26 and the other-side reinforcing member 27. Next, the flow path forming body 25 is placed on the capillary structure 24. The capillary structure 24 and the flow path forming body 25 are disposed so as not to overlap with the one-side reinforcing member 26 and the other-side reinforcing member 27. Next, the heat dissipation plates 22 are overlapped, and the joints 29 of the heat dissipation plates 22 and the joints 33 of the heat receiving plates 23 are joined by welding. At this time, the capillary structure 24 and the flow path forming body 25 are sandwiched between the holding protrusions 31 of the heat dissipation plates 22 and the heat receiving parts 32 of the heat receiving plates 23, and are held so as not to move inside the SHP 21. Next, a working fluid such as pure water is injected from the nozzle part 36 into the internal space S4, and the internal space S4 is deaerated. Thereafter, the base end part of the nozzle part 36 is sealed by welding, and unnecessary parts of the nozzle part 36 are cut and removed. The position and number of the nozzle parts 36 can be appropriately determined in consideration of the size and shape of the SHP 21. The SHP 21 of this embodiment is used by abutting the heat receiving plate 23 against a cylindrical device P equipped with a heat source H (cooling target), so it is curved to match the shape of the device P. Specifically, the one-side long side portion 38 and the other-side long side portion 39 are curved so as to approach each other so that the heat receiving plate 23 side is on the inside. In this embodiment, the entire SHP 21 is curved in an arc shape, but only a part of the SHP 21 may be curved in accordance with the shape of the device P to be abutted against. In that case, the holding protrusion 31 and the long hole 37 may not be formed in the part that is not curved, and the gas-phase working fluid may flow in the first flow space S5 in that part. Also, by curving the one-side short side portion 38 and the other-side short side portion 39 so as to approach each other so that the heat receiving plate 23 side is on the outside, it is possible to abut against a device P having a circular arc-shaped concave surface.

[0050] Next, the operation and effect of the SHP 21 configured as above when mounted on equipment will be described. When the heat receiving section 32 of the heat receiving plate 23 of the SHP 21 is brought into contact with the heat source H of the installed equipment P, the heat of the heat source is transferred to the heat receiving section 32, the liquid phase working fluid held in the capillary structure 24 and the flow path forming body 25 in the internal space S4 evaporates, and the gas phase working fluid flows toward the heat dissipation section 28, which has a low temperature, and heat transport takes place inside the SHP 21. The heat transported to the heat dissipation section 28 is diffused outside the SHP 21 and dissipated from the SHP 21. This cools the heat source H and reduces the temperature rise of the equipment P.

[0051] The gas-phase working fluid flows in the longitudinal direction of the SHP 21 through the flow space S5 formed between adjacent holding protrusions 31. It also flows in the lateral direction of the SHP 21 through the flow space S6 in the pores 37. That is, the flow spaces S5 and S6 of the gas-phase working fluid are lattice-shaped in plan and bottom views. Therefore, the gas-phase working fluid flows so as to diffuse in the lateral and longitudinal directions within the internal space S4.

[0052] The working fluid, whose temperature has been reduced by transferring heat to the heat dissipation section 28, condenses and becomes a liquid-phase working fluid. The liquid-phase working fluid flows toward the heat source H due to the strong capillary force of the capillary structure 24 and the flow path formation body 25. In this manner, heat transport continues as the working fluid circulates inside the internal space S4. Note that even if there are multiple heat sources H, the multiple heat sources H can be cooled as long as the heat sources H are thermally connected to the heat receiving section 32 of the heat receiving plate 23.

[0053] As described above, the SHP 21 of this embodiment comprises the heat dissipation plate 22, the heat receiving plate 23, the capillary structure 24, and the flow path forming body 25, and the capillary structure 24 and the flow path forming body 25 are enclosed in the internal space S4 formed between the heat dissipation plate 22 and the heat receiving plate 23. The heat dissipation plate 22 is formed with a plurality of retaining protrusions 31 that protrude toward the heat receiving plate 23, and the flow path forming body 25 is formed with a plurality of long holes 37, so that the heat receiving plate 23 and the capillary structure 24 abut against each other, the retaining protrusions 31 and the flow path forming body 25 abut against each other, a first flow space S5 is formed between adjacent retaining protrusions 31 in the internal space S4, and the first flow space S5 and the second flow space S6 in the long holes 37 are connected by a three-dimensional intersection. Therefore, even if the SHP21 is curved, the flow of the gas-phase working fluid is not impeded, and the gas-phase working fluid flows inside the first flow space S5 and the second flow space S6, thereby allowing heat to be transported so as to diffuse in the short and long directions of the SHP21.

[0054] In the SHP 21 of this embodiment, the multiple holding protrusions 31 are parallel to each other, and the width W3 of the holding protrusions 31 in the short side direction is 2 mm or less. Since the multiple holding protrusions 31 are formed parallel to each other, the multiple first flow spaces S5 formed are also parallel, and the gas phase working fluid can flow in parallel. Furthermore, since the width W3 of the short side direction of the holding protrusions 31 is short at 2 mm or less, the width of the first flow space S5 in the short side direction can be increased and many first flow spaces S5 can be formed, and the first flow space S5 can be made large. As a result, the total amount of gas phase working fluid that can flow inside the first flow space S5 can be increased.

[0055] In the SHP 21 of this embodiment, the heat dissipation plate 22, the heat receiving plate 23, the capillary structure 24, and the flow path formation body 25 are formed from the same type of metal material. Therefore, the changes that occur over time (changes over time) in the heat dissipation plate 22, the heat receiving plate 23, the capillary structure 24, and the flow path formation body 25 can be made equivalent.

[0056] In the SHP 21 of this embodiment, the multiple slots 37 are parallel to each other, and the short-side width W4 of the slots 37 is 0.5 mm or more. Therefore, the second flow space S6 allows the gas-phase working fluid to flow in parallel. In addition, by increasing the short-side width W4 of the slots 37, the total amount of gas-phase working fluid that can flow inside the second flow space S6 can be increased.

[0057] In the SHP 21 of this embodiment, the thickness D4 of the heat dissipation plate 22 and the thickness D5 of the heat reception plate 23 are each 20% or less of the total thickness D6 of the SHP 21. This makes it possible to increase the volumes of the first flow space S5 and the second flow space S6, and to increase the total amount of gas-phase working fluid that can flow therethrough.

[0058] In the SHP 21 of this embodiment, the flow path formation body 25 has a capillary structure. Therefore, the capillary force generated by the flow path formation body 25 can cause the liquid phase working fluid to flow.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the external shape of the SHP 1, 21 may be other external shapes corresponding to the position of the heat source H of the device P on which the SHP 1, 21 is mounted and the arrangement of surrounding components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 SHP (Sheet Heat Pipe) 2 Heat dissipation plate (first plate) 3 Heat receiving plate (second plate) 4 Capillary structure 5 Flow path formation body 9 Retaining protrusion 14 long hole 21 SHP (Sheet Heat Pipe) 22 Heat dissipation plate (first plate) 23 Heat receiving plate (second plate) 24 Capillary structure 25 Flow path formation body 31 Retaining protrusion 37 long hole D1 Thickness of heat sink plate 2 (thickness of first plate) D2 Thickness of heat receiving plate 3 (thickness of second plate) D3 Total thickness of SHP1 (total thickness of sheet heat pipe) D4 Thickness of heat dissipation plate 22 (thickness of first plate) D5 Thickness of heat receiving plate 23 (thickness of second plate) D6 Total thickness of SHP21 (total thickness of sheet heat pipe) S1 interior space S2 First Fluid Space S3 The second fluid space S4 interior space S5 The first fluid space S6 The second fluid space W1: Width of the holding protrusion 9 in the short side direction (width of the holding protrusion in the short side direction) W2 Width of the long hole 14 in the short direction (width of the long hole in the short direction) W3: Width of the holding protrusion 31 in the short side direction (width of the holding protrusion in the short side direction) W4 Short side width of slot 37 (short side width of slot)

Claims

1. A first plate; A second plate; a capillary structure; A flow path forming body, the capillary structure and the flow path forming body are enclosed in an internal space formed between the first plate and the second plate, The first plate is formed with a plurality of holding protrusions protruding toward the second plate, A plurality of long holes are formed in the flow path forming body, the second plate and the capillary structure are in contact with each other, The holding protrusion and the flow path forming body are brought into contact with each other, In the internal space, a first flow space is formed between adjacent holding protrusions, A sheet-shaped heat pipe, characterized in that the first flow space and the second flow space within the long hole are connected to each other through a three-dimensional intersection.

2. The plurality of holding protrusions are parallel to each other, 2. The sheet-shaped heat pipe according to claim 1, wherein the width of the holding protrusion in the short direction is 2 mm or less.

3. 2. The sheet-type heat pipe according to claim 1, wherein the first plate, the second plate, the capillary structure, and the flow passage formation body are formed from the same type of metal material.

4. The plurality of slots are parallel to one another; 2. The sheet-shaped heat pipe according to claim 1, wherein the width of the long hole in the short direction is 0.5 mm or more.

5. 2. The sheet-shaped heat pipe according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first plate and the thickness of the second plate are each 20% or less of the total thickness of the sheet-shaped heat pipe.

6. 2. The sheet-shaped heat pipe according to claim 1, wherein the flow passage forming member has a capillary structure.

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