Loop Heat Pipe Warped Conduit Reducing Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Loop type heat pipes face inefficiencies in heat transport due to high resistance within the conduit, hindering the circulation of the working fluid and subsequent cooling of heat-generating components.
Innovation Solution
The design involves a loop type heat pipe with a conduit formed by lower-side, intermediate, and upper-side metal layers, where at least one of the upper-side or lower-side metal layers is warped outward to increase the conduit's height, reducing resistance and enhancing fluid circulation, and a porous member is used in the liquid pipe to facilitate fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conduit height is increased to reduce resistance and improve fluid circulation, then heat transport performance is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex requiring multiple metal layers and warping processes
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is segmented into multiple metal layers (first metal layer, second metal layer, third metal layer) that can be independently formed and then bonded together. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized separately and enables the creation of the warped cross-sectional shape through controlled formation processes, resolving the contradiction between improved heat transport and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a conventional flat or simple curved conduit cross-section to a multi-dimensional warped cross-section where the conduit height varies along its length. This dimensional change increases the effective conduit height in critical regions, reducing flow resistance and improving heat transport performance without requiring a complete redesign of the entire conduit structure.
2Reliability
If the conduit height is increased through metal layer warping, then thermal resistance is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the need for controlled warping
Solution Approach 1:
The metal layers are formed with predetermined dimensions and properties before bonding, including pre-calculated thicknesses and warping characteristics. This preliminary action ensures that when the layers are bonded together, the conduit automatically achieves the desired warped cross-sectional shape with consistent height, reducing the need for post-assembly adjustments and improving manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls the conduit height by adjusting parameters such as metal layer thickness, material properties, and formation conditions. By changing these parameters systematically, the warping behavior can be predicted and controlled to achieve the optimal conduit height for minimizing thermal resistance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Productivity
If multiple metal layers are used to form the conduit, then heat transport efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex with additional bonding steps
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple metal layers are designed to bond to each other through self-aligning features and controlled formation processes. The layers inherently guide the bonding process through their geometric configuration and material properties, reducing the need for complex external bonding equipment and procedures. This self-service approach simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the heat transport efficiency benefits of multi-layer construction.
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 configuration reduces thermal resistance, improves heat transport performance, and allows for more efficient cooling of heat-generating components by smoothing the flow of the working fluid.
Implementation Method 1
increasing pressure inside the conduit to thereby warp at least one of the upper-side metal layer and the lower-side metal layer outward
Implementation Method 2
warp at least one of the upper-side metal layer and the lower-side metal layer outward
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator that is configured to vaporize a liquid working fluid
Implementation Method 4
uses phase change of a working fluid to transport heat
Implementation Method 5
a condenser that is configured to condense the vaporized working fluid into the liquid working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A loop type heat pipe includes: an evaporator configured to vaporize a liquid working fluid; a condenser configured to condense the vaporized working fluid into the liquid working fluid; a vapor pipe provided between the evaporator and the condenser; and a liquid pipe provided between the evaporator and the condenser. Each of the vapor pipe and the liquid pipe includes: a lower-side metal layer; an intermediate metal layer that is disposed on the lower-side metal layer; an upper-side metal layer that is disposed on the intermediate metal layer; and a conduit that is formed by the lower-side metal layer, the intermediate metal layer, and the upper-side metal layer, and at least one of the upper-side metal layer and the lower-side metal layer warps outward in a first portion of the vapor pipe.