Looped Capillary Heat Pipe Layout for Thin Cooling Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The performance of heat pipes with wicks deteriorates as the wick thickness decreases, limiting the implementation of ultra-compact cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A heat pipe design featuring a base plate with a capillary structure comprising patterned portions of varying diameters and bent turn portions, including a first capillary portion with a larger diameter and a second capillary portion with a smaller diameter, arranged to form a closed loop, with the highest number of turns at the central portion, enhancing capillary action and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a wick structure with decreased thickness is used, then the heat pipe becomes more compact, but the heat dissipation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wick structure from the heat pipe design, extracting the problematic component that caused performance deterioration. By eliminating the wick and using a smooth capillary structure instead, the patent achieves both compactness and improved heat dissipation performance, directly resolving the contradiction between compactness and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the capillary structure by introducing patterned portions with varying diameters. The capillary includes a first capillary portion with a larger diameter and a second capillary portion with a smaller diameter, creating optimal flow characteristics that improve heat dissipation while maintaining compactness.
2Ease of manufacture
If the capillary has uniform diameter throughout, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the working fluid circulation is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the capillary into multiple portions with different diameters: a first capillary portion with a larger diameter for efficient fluid intake and a second capillary portion with a smaller diameter for controlled flow. This segmentation optimizes the circulation efficiency while remaining manufacturable through standard patterning processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the capillary diameter at different locations. The first capillary portion has a larger diameter to facilitate rapid fluid supply from the heat source, while the second capillary portion has a smaller diameter to control and distribute the fluid evenly, creating optimal local conditions for heat dissipation at each segment.
3Area of stationary object
If the number of turn portions is increased at the central portion, then the heat dissipation area is expanded, but the capillary structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces turn portions that extend in the thickness direction (third dimension) from the base plate surface. By forming the capillary with turn portions that rise and fall from the base plate, the patent expands the heat dissipation area into three-dimensional space without increasing the planar footprint, effectively adding a dimensional layer to the heat dissipation structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses curved turn portions to connect the first and second capillary portions, creating smooth transitions that facilitate fluid flow. The curved geometry of the turn portions reduces flow resistance and prevents sharp corners that would cause turbulence, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving expanded heat dissipation 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
The design improves heat dissipation performance by ensuring uniform distribution and circulation of the working fluid, preventing fluid stagnation, and increasing the effective surface area for heat transfer, particularly in larger areas.
Implementation Method 1
These pipes induce capillary action without using a wick, allowing the working fluid to evaporate, condense, vibrate, and circulate effectively
Implementation Method 2
allowing the working fluid to evaporate, condense, vibrate, and circulate effectively
Implementation Method 3
allowing the working fluid to evaporate, condense, vibrate, and circulate effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pipe includes: a base plate; a capillary on the base plate and including a plurality of patterned portions connected to each other to form a closed loop; and a cover plate on one surface of the base plate and covering the capillary. Each of the plurality of patterned portions includes: a first capillary portion having a first diameter; a second capillary portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter; and a turn portion connecting the first capillary portion and the second capillary portion and being extended to be bent. The number of the turn portion per unit area is the greatest at a central portion of the base plate.