Heat Pipe With Variable Capillary Sintered Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pipes used in electronic components face challenges in maintaining effective heat dissipation under increased heat generation and in cold environments, where the working fluid can freeze and cause deformation or destruction of the container, leading to deteriorated heat transport properties.
Innovation Solution
A heat pipe design featuring a sintered body layer with varying capillary forces and porosity along its length, where the first sintered part with a higher capillary force functions as the evaporation part, the second sintered part with a lower capillary force functions as the heat insulation part, and the groove part facilitates smooth reflux of the working fluid, preventing freezing and enhancing heat transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heat pipe is installed in a cold environment, then the working fluid may be frozen and the volume expands, but this leads to deformation and destruction of the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the container by introducing groove parts that create capillary forces, altering how the working fluid behaves in cold conditions. The groove parts modify the container's internal structure to prevent fluid pooling and freezing-induced damage
Solution Approach 2:
The groove parts act as an intermediary structure between the container wall and the working fluid. These grooves create capillary channels that mediate the interaction, allowing the fluid to be retained through capillary forces rather than relying solely on gravitational pooling, thus preventing freezing damage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a non-freezing solution is used to prevent freezing of the working fluid, then freezing is avoided, but heat transport properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the chemical composition of the working fluid (which would deteriorate heat transport properties), the patent changes the physical structure of the container by adding groove parts. This structural parameter change enables freezing prevention while maintaining the original fluid's superior heat transport characteristics
3Strength
If the wall thickness of the container is increased to prevent deformation and destruction due to freezing, then container strength is improved, but heat transport properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the container's internal structure by introducing groove parts rather than simply increasing overall wall thickness. This segmentation approach provides structural reinforcement against freezing-induced stresses while maintaining thin walls that favor heat transport properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the container by introducing groove features instead of increasing wall thickness. This parameter change achieves both goals: preventing freezing damage through capillary retention while maintaining excellent heat transport through thin walls
4Productivity
If a sintered body with high capillary force is used in the evaporation part, then liquid suction performance is improved, but heat dissipation properties are insufficient under high heat generation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating groove parts with specific capillary characteristics in the evaporation section, while the condensation section maintains different properties. This local differentiation allows high capillary force where needed for liquid suction while maintaining appropriate heat dissipation characteristics in the condensation 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 ensures excellent heat transport properties even under tougher conditions, prevents drying out of the working fluid, and avoids the need for non-freezing solutions or thick containers, maintaining efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the sintered body layer includes a first sintered part located in an evaporation part of the heat pipe, and a second sintered part located in a heat insulation part between the evaporation part and a condensation part of the heat pipe, the second sintered part being continuous with the first sintered part, and a capillary force of the first sintered part is larger than a capillary force of the second sintered part
Implementation Method 2
the groove part facilitates smooth reflux of the working fluid, preventing freezing and enhancing heat transport
Implementation Method 3
a working fluid sealed in a hollow part of the container
Implementation Method 4
a heat pipe including a pipe member including a heating element mounted on an outer peripheral surface thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to providing a heat pipe that can exhibit excellent heat transport properties under tougher use conditions such as a situation in which an amount of heat generation by electronic components further increases. A heat pipe including: a container having a tubular shape in which an end surface of one end part and an end surface of another end part are sealed, the container including an inner wall surface in which a groove part is formed; a sintered body layer provided on the inner wall surface of the container, the sintered body layer being formed by sintering a powder; and a working fluid sealed in a hollow part of the container, wherein: the sintered body layer includes a first sintered part located in an evaporation part of the heat pipe, and a second sintered part located in a heat insulation part between the evaporation part and a condensation part of the heat pipe, the second sintered part being continuous with the first sintered part, and a capillary force of the first sintered part is larger than a capillary force of the second sintered part.