Loop Heat Pipe Reinforcing Member for Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Loop heat pipes face deformation issues due to volume expansion of the working fluid during phase changes, particularly when the ambient temperature is lower than the freezing point of the fluid, leading to mechanical stress and potential failure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating reinforcing members within the outer metal layers of the loop heat pipe's components, which are higher in rigidity than the outer metal layers, to enhance mechanical strength and prevent deformation during volume expansion, along with a porous body to guide the fluid using capillary force, and eliminating the need for thick plating layers that can cause stress-related issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the loop heat pipe uses thin outer metal layers, then heat conduction efficiency is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates causing deformation during volume expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining thin outer metal layers (for heat conduction) with a reinforcing member made of different material (for mechanical strength). The evaporator includes an outer metal layer with thickness of 10 µm to 50 µm for thermal efficiency, coupled with a reinforcing member having elastic modulus of 60 GPa or higher, creating a composite structure that achieves both thermal performance and mechanical durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing member is nested within the outer metal layer structure. The outer metal layer and the reinforcing member are positioned such that the reinforcing member is embedded in or adjacent to the outer metal layer, forming a nested configuration where the thin thermal-conductive layer works together with the embedded structural support element.
2Strength
If thick plating layers are applied to enhance mechanical strength, then strength is improved, but stress-related issues and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the structural support function from the thermal conduction component. Instead of using thick plating that combines both thermal and structural functions (creating complexity), the design separates these functions: the thin outer metal layer handles thermal conduction while the dedicated reinforcing member provides structural support, eliminating the need for complex thick plating processes.
3Temperature
If the loop heat pipe operates at ambient temperatures below the freezing point of the working fluid, then cooling performance is improved, but volume expansion occurs causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing member provides preliminary anti-action by being pre-installed in the evaporator structure to counteract the anticipated volume expansion force. When the working fluid freezes and expands at sub-freezing temperatures, the reinforcing member's high rigidity (elastic modulus of 60 GPa or higher) resists the expansion pressure, preventing deformation of the heat pipe components before damage can occur.
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 solution effectively suppresses deformation of the loop heat pipe components during volume expansion, improving durability and eliminating the need for stress-prone plating layers, while allowing for the selection of materials that might react with the working fluid, thus enhancing the pipe's mechanical strength and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator that vaporizes a working fluid by heat of a heating component
Implementation Method 2
a condenser that cools and liquefies the vaporized working fluid
Implementation Method 3
a porous body to guide the fluid using capillary force
Data Source
AI summary
A loop heat pipe includes: an evaporator configured to vaporize a working fluid; a condenser configured to condense the working fluid; a liquid pipe that connects the evaporator and the condenser to each other; and a vapor pipe that connects the evaporator and the condenser to each other. Each of the evaporator, the condenser, the liquid pipe and the vapor pipe includes: a pair of outer metal layers; an intermediate metal layer provided between the pair of outer metal layers; and a flow channel defined by the pair of outer metal layers and the intermediate metal layer. At least one of the evaporator, the condenser, the liquid pipe and the vapor pipe further includes a reinforcing member that is built in at least one of the pair of outer metal layers and that is higher in rigidity than the pair of outer metal layers.