Micro-Tube Heat Pipe Structure for Low-Resistance Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pipes face limitations due to high heat resistance, complex manufacturing processes, and poor sustainability against pressure, leading to restricted applications and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat pipe with a micro tubes array, featuring a solid heat conductor with parallel micro tubes sealed by a gradually shrinking sealing strip formed through cold welding, and reinforced with curled joints, allowing for efficient heat conduction and enhanced pressure resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If heat pipes are arranged side by side with metal conducting plates mounted therearound, then the advantages of heat pipes can be fully profited, but the air cavities existing between the pipes lead to a large heat resistance and lower heat conduction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple heat pipes into a single integrated heat pipe structure with a unified evaporating section containing multiple micro tubes. This eliminates the air cavities between separate pipes while maintaining the advantages of multiple heat pipe channels, thereby resolving the contradiction between utilizing heat pipe advantages and avoiding heat resistance from air gaps.
2Shape
If heat pipes are welded to constitute a juxtaposition structure, then a plate-shaped surface is formed, but the throughput is quite low due to low welding efficiency and poor welding quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heat pipe structure into a unified body with multiple independent micro tubes within the evaporating section. This eliminates the need for welding multiple separate heat pipes together to form a plate structure, thereby dramatically improving manufacturing throughput while maintaining the plate-shaped surface configuration.
3Reliability
If general heat pipe with porous wick is used, then heat conduction can be achieved, but the fabrication process is complicated and maintenance is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the porous wick component from the heat pipe structure. Instead of using a porous wick for heat conduction, the design relies on direct phase-change heat transfer within the sealed micro tubes. This simplification removes the complicated fabrication process and maintenance requirements associated with porous wicks while maintaining effective heat conduction capability.
4Reliability
If circular shape tube with certain diameter is used, then heat pipe function is achieved, but the contact area with elements to be cooled is small and equivalent heat resistance is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single circular tube to a multi-dimensional micro tube array within the evaporating section. By arranging multiple micro tubes in parallel, the design dramatically increases the total contact area with elements to be cooled while maintaining the heat pipe function of each individual tube, thereby reducing the equivalent heat resistance.
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 novel heat pipe design significantly reduces heat resistance, increases heat conduction efficiency, and enhances reliability and pressure endurance, enabling broader applications and simplified manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
the micro tubes being filled therein with working medium which exchanges heat through phase change
Implementation Method 2
The main heat conduction mechanism of heat pipes is evaporation and condensation
Implementation Method 3
The main heat conduction mechanism of heat pipes is evaporation and condensation
Implementation Method 4
at least one of the two ends of the heat conductor is provided with a sealing strip of gradually shrinking shape which is formed by cold welding for sealing
Implementation Method 5
A heat pipe with micro tubes array comprises a solid heat conductor provided therein with two or more parallel micro tubes
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat pipe with micro tubes (2), comprised of a solid heat conductor (1) provided therein with two or more parallel micro tubes (2), the micro tubes being filled therein with working medium which exchanges heat through phrase change; and the two ends of the heat conductor (1) are sealed and at least one of them is provided with a sealing strip of gradually shrinking shape that is formed from cold welding. A manufacturing process for the heat pipe and a heat-exchange system comprised of the heat pipe.