Heat Pipe Structure With Bosses For Supporting Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thin heat pipe structures lack internal supporting strength, leading to potential collapse and reduced heat transfer performance due to compression of the wick structure, and exhibit low vapor-liquid circulation efficiency and production yield.
Innovation Solution
A heat pipe structure featuring a pipe body with a thin-sheet member and bosses, where the thin-sheet member has intersecting sections creating open spaces and bosses that enhance supporting strength and vapor-liquid circulation, allowing for improved capillary action and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If no internal supporting structure is provided in the thin heat pipe, then the structure remains simple and manufacturing is easy, but the heat pipe is subject to collapse and thermal expansion under pressure, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is segmented into multiple independent ribs extending from the first wall to the second wall, rather than using a single continuous support. This segmentation provides adequate structural strength while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin-sheet members forming the pipe body walls, which are flexible yet sufficiently strong when combined with the rib supports. This approach maintains the thin-profile advantage while achieving the required mechanical strength
2Strength
If the wick structure is compressed under pressure, then the structure remains compact, but the wick structure peels off from the inner wall surface, reducing heat transfer performance
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs are positioned and dimensioned to prevent the wick structure from peeling off before pressure is applied. By providing preliminary support that counteracts the peeling force, the design prevents the harmful effect of wick detachment and maintains reliable heat transfer performance under operating conditions
3Productivity
If only gravity or wick structure is used for liquid backflow, then the structure remains simple, but the vapor-liquid circulation efficiency is relatively low
Solution Approach 1:
The ribs are designed to dynamically respond to pressure differentials, providing enhanced support during high-pressure phases that correspond to high vapor generation rates. This dynamic adaptation improves circulation efficiency during peak operation without requiring complex active control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The wick structure utilizes porous material properties to enhance capillary action for liquid backflow. The porous structure provides sufficient capillary force to return condensed liquid to the hot end, improving circulation efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity
4Temperature
If the thin heat pipe structure is used, then the profile is low and heat transfer performance is improved, but the structure is subject to collapse and thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting ribs extend in the thickness dimension of the heat pipe, providing structural support perpendicular to the main heat transfer plane. This dimensional approach enables the thin heat pipe to maintain low profile while achieving adequate mechanical strength through strategic placement of support elements
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 enhanced structure provides increased supporting strength and heat transfer efficiency, enabling faster backflow of liquidized working fluid and improved capillary limit, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional heat pipes.
Implementation Method 1
improved capillary action and heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
vapor-liquid circulation efficiency
Implementation Method 3
heat transfer efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pipe structure includes a pipe body, a thin-sheet member, and a plurality of bosses. The pipe body internally defines a receiving space, in which a working fluid is provided. The thin-sheet member includes a plurality of first extended sections and a plurality of second extended sections. The first and the second extended sections are connected to and intersected with one another to thereby define a plurality of intersections and open spaces on the thin-sheet member. The bosses are provided on at least some of the intersections of the first and the second extended sections to provide supporting strength for the heat pipe structure as well as vapor-liquid circulation of the working fluid in the heat pipe structure.