Axial Capillary Heat Pipe for Vapor Chamber Fluid Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat dissipation units with vapor chambers and heat pipes suffer from poor capillary transfer efficiency due to random fluid flow, leading to insufficient working fluid circulation and potential dry burn issues.
Innovation Solution
A heat dissipation unit with an axial capillary structure, where an axial capillary structure is integrated into the inner circumference of a tubular body and connected to a case capillary structure, facilitating axial flow of cooled working fluid back into the case, enhancing capillary transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tubular wall capillary structure formed of sintered powder body or woven mesh is used in the heat pipe, then capillary attraction is provided to suck condensed working fluid, but the cooled liquid working fluid cannot quickly flow back to the vapor chamber and capillary transfer efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous mesh capillary structure (313) formed by sintering metal powder or weaving metal mesh, which provides capillary channels for working fluid transport. The porous structure creates capillary pressure to drive liquid flow from the condensation section back to the evaporation section, resolving the contradiction between providing capillary attraction and maintaining high flow speed through optimized pore distribution and connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe combines multiple materials including the porous mesh capillary structure made of metal powder or metal mesh, the aluminum alloy case, and the working fluid (distilled water or alcohol). This composite structure integrates the capillary wicking function of the porous material with the thermal conduction of metal components, achieving both reliable capillary transfer and efficient heat dissipation.
2Area of stationary object
If the vapor chamber has a wider heated area for directly attaching to a heat source, then heat conduction area is increased, but the vapor working fluid flows in quite random directions so that heat conduction and dissipation performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vapor chamber into functional zones: a heat source contact section with larger area for attaching to electronic components, and a condensation section with the heat pipe assembly. This segmentation directs vapor flow from the heat source area toward the condensation area, preventing random flow while utilizing the wide heated area for effective heat absorption from multiple heat-generating components.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the vapor chamber are designed with different characteristics: the heat source contact section has high thermal conductivity and large area for heat absorption, while the condensation section is equipped with the porous mesh capillary structure and heat pipe for efficient condensate return. This local optimization ensures that each area performs its specific function effectively, maintaining high heat dissipation performance across the entire wide heated area.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables more efficient axial flow of the working fluid, improving heat dissipation efficiency and preventing dry burn by ensuring consistent vapor-liquid circulation.
Implementation Method 1
Under the axial capillary attraction of the axial capillary structures, a cooled working fluid (liquid working fluid) will quickly axially flow back into the case
Implementation Method 2
the vapor working fluid in the heat pipe can flow in a unified direction... the vapor working fluid in the vapor chamber flows in quite random directions... the vapor-liquid circulation can be continuously repeatedly performed to dissipate the heat
Data Source
AI summary
A heat dissipation unit with axial capillary structure includes a case and at least one tubular body. The case has an internal case chamber and at least one opening in communication with the case chamber. A case capillary structure is formed in the case chamber. The tubular body has at least one axial capillary structure, an open end and a closed end. The open end and the closed end together define a tubular body chamber in communication with the open end. The axial capillary structure is disposed in the tubular body and the open end is plugged in the opening. The axial capillary structure directly abuts against and connects with the case capillary structure disposed on the bottom side of the case in the case. The heat dissipation unit with axial capillary structure is able to achieve better capillary transfer effect.