Heat Pipe Wick Structure for Reflux and Dry-Out Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat transport devices face issues with working fluid drying out in the evaporation section due to insufficient reflux and increased flow rates of cooling air, especially when dealing with heating elements with high heat generation amounts.
Innovation Solution
A heat transport device with distinct heat transport sections having different directions, incorporating wick structures with varying capillary forces and a reflux promoting body to facilitate the return of the working fluid to the evaporation section, ensuring efficient reflux even under high heat generation conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat generation amount of heating elements increases, then the cooling demand increases, but the working fluid flow rate increases causing reflux hindrance and potential drying out
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transport member is divided into multiple heat transport sections (first, second, third, fourth, fifth sections) with different heat transport directions. The wick structure is also segmented to extend throughout all sections, creating localized capillary action zones that facilitate reflux in each section independently, preventing fluid accumulation and drying out even at high flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the heat transport member have different heat transport directions configured according to local requirements. The wick structure is distributed throughout all sections to provide localized capillary forces where needed, ensuring that reflux occurs in each section based on its specific thermal and fluid dynamic conditions
2Productivity
If the flow rate of cooling air is increased, then heat dissipation efficiency improves, but phase change is promoted causing working fluid accumulation in condensation section
Solution Approach 1:
The condensation sections (fourth and fifth sections) are divided into separate heat transport directions, and the wick structure extends into both sections to facilitate distributed reflux. This segmentation prevents fluid accumulation in a single location by creating multiple reflux pathways that handle the increased phase change load from high cooling air flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple heat transport directions are configured in different spatial dimensions (first section in one direction, second and third sections in other directions, fourth and fifth sections in left-to-right direction). This multi-dimensional arrangement distributes the phase change and reflux processes across different spatial zones, preventing fluid accumulation even when high cooling air flow rates promote extensive phase change
3Reliability
If a wick structure with large capillary force is used, then working fluid reflux is improved, but the wick structure retains working fluid causing insufficient reflux to evaporation section
Solution Approach 1:
The wick structure is segmented and distributed throughout multiple heat transport sections rather than being concentrated in one location. Each section's wick structure provides localized capillary action that facilitates reflux while allowing the working fluid to continue flowing through the system, preventing both fluid accumulation and retention that would block further reflux
Solution Approach 2:
The wick structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it facilitates capillary reflux in each heat transport section, allows continuous working fluid flow through the system, and distributes the phase change load across multiple sections. This multi-functionality enables the wick structure to promote reflux without retaining excessive fluid that would prevent continued circulation
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
Prevents the working fluid from drying out by enhancing reflux, maintaining effective heat transport performance even under conditions of high heat generation and increased cooling air flow rates, while allowing for space-saving design.
Implementation Method 1
the wick structure having a relatively large capillary force such as a sintered body of metal powder, and the working fluid are housed
Implementation Method 2
an evaporation section thermally connected to a heating element
Implementation Method 3
the working fluid in a liquid phase is caused to flow back to the first section from the fourth section and the fifth section
Implementation Method 4
a second heat transport section connected at a condensation section of the first heat transport section
Data Source
AI summary
The heat transport device includes a first wick structure provided in the internal space of the first heat transport section, and extending from the evaporation section to the condensation section, a second wick structure provided on an inner surface of the second heat transport section, and extending along the heat transport direction of the second heat transport section, and a reflux promoting body provided on the second wick structure, extending along the heat transport direction of the second heat transport section, and having a capillary force, wherein a capillary force of the first wick structure is larger than the capillary force of the reflux promoting body, and the capillary force of the reflux promoting body is larger than a capillary force of the second wick structure, or the capillary force of the reflux promoting body is equal to the capillary force of the second wick structure.