Folded Capillary Support Structure for Planar Heat Pipes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional planar heat pipes face limitations in size and angle of inclination due to limited capillary action, rigidity issues, and the need for additional support structures, which restrict their ability to efficiently transfer heat over large areas and maintain even temperature distribution.
Innovation Solution
A planar heat transfer device with a folded capillary support structure that provides both capillary action and mechanical support, formed from a wire mesh to maintain the distance between walls and enhance capillary effect, allowing for efficient heat transport and distribution without additional spacers or support structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional planar heat pipes are used with traditional capillary structures, then heat transfer efficiency is maintained over small areas, but the device size is limited and cannot be scaled to large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support structure and capillary structure into a single integrated folded capillary support structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate support structures and dimples, allowing the heat pipe to be scaled to large areas while maintaining reliable heat transfer through the unified structure that provides both mechanical support and capillary action.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded capillary support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support to maintain the spacing between walls, enables capillary action for working fluid transport, and supports larger device areas. This multi-functionality allows the structure to scale to large areas while maintaining heat transfer reliability.
2Strength
If additional support structures and dimples are incorporated to maintain structural integrity, then rigidity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure and capillary structure are merged into a single folded capillary support structure. This integration eliminates the need for additional separate support structures and dimples, reducing device complexity while maintaining the necessary structural rigidity through the folded design.
3Area of stationary object
If the heat pipe size is increased to cover larger areas, then heat distribution coverage is improved, but capillary action becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary support structure is folded in at least one direction, creating a three-dimensional configuration within the two-dimensional heat pipe plane. This folding increases the effective capillary rise height without increasing the horizontal footprint, enabling the heat pipe to cover larger areas while maintaining effective capillary action for working fluid transport.
4Temperature
If the spacing between walls is increased to ensure vapor space, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The folded capillary support structure simultaneously provides the necessary spacing between walls for efficient heat transfer and the structural stability to maintain that spacing. The folded configuration creates a rigid structure that prevents wall collapse while maintaining the optimal vapor space distance.
5Ease of manufacture
If conventional manufacturing methods are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but manufacturing precision is limited for large-area devices
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the capillary support structure by folding it in at least one direction. This parameter change allows the structure to achieve the necessary rise height and mechanical strength for large-area heat pipes while maintaining compatibility with conventional layer-by-layer sintering manufacturing methods, thus improving manufacturing precision without completely changing the manufacturing process.
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
The device achieves effective heat distribution and removal over large areas, enabling larger sizes and varied angles of inclination, with improved rigidity and capillary action, preventing local overheating and ensuring efficient heat transport through the folded capillary structure.
Implementation Method 1
The capillary support structure extends, folded in at least one direction, between the first wall and the second wall to provide support and capillary action for condensed working fluid. This enables the transport of condensed working fluid through the capillary support structure from the second wall to the first wall.
Implementation Method 2
During this transport, the liquid working fluid 450 successively evaporates along the first wall 410 (due to a heat source acting there). Near the second wall 420, the gaseous working fluid condenses
Implementation Method 3
Near the second wall 420, the gaseous working fluid condenses and flows vertically downwards in the liquid phase. Thus, the entire cavity 400 forms a heat cycle for the working fluid.
Implementation Method 4
A working fluid is located in the resulting cavity, which continuously condenses and evaporates during operation. This phase transition makes it possible to transfer large amounts of heat at a constant temperature level.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A planar heat transfer device for heat distribution and removal from a planar heat source (50) is disclosed. The device comprises: a cavity (100) bounded by a first wall (110) for coupling to the planar heat source (50) and an opposing second wall (120), and containing a working fluid (150); and a capillary support structure (200) that extends folded in at least one direction (R) between the first wall (110) and the second wall (120) to provide support and capillary action for condensed working fluid (151), enabling the transport of condensed working fluid (151) through the capillary support structure (200) from the second wall (120) to the first wall (110).