Thin Heatpipe Wick Structure with Longitudinal Ridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thin heatpipes in information handling systems face challenges in efficiently transferring heat due to limited space, which restricts the heat transferring capacity.
Innovation Solution
A thin heatpipe design featuring a wick formed as a plurality of longitudinal ridges, where each ridge extends from one inner surface of the tube to contact the opposing inner surface, dividing the interior into multiple vapor cavity areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the heatpipe is made thin to maintain a slim profile, then the width is reduced, but the heat transferring capacity deteriorates due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The wick is segmented into multiple longitudinal ridges that divide the vapor cavity into multiple separate vapor cavity areas. This segmentation allows the limited width space to be utilized more efficiently by creating multiple heat transfer pathways, thereby maintaining heat transferring capacity despite the reduced overall width of the heatpipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick structure transitions from a conventional two-dimensional planar configuration to a three-dimensional multi-ridge configuration. The ridges extend longitudinally and rise vertically to contact both inner surfaces of the tube, utilizing the vertical dimension within the limited width to increase heat transfer surface area and capacity without increasing the heatpipe's overall width.
2Power
If the wick is formed to contact both inner surfaces to improve heat transfer, then the wick structure becomes more complex, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
A mandrel with a pre-formed ridge structure is inserted into the tube before the wick formation process. The mandrel's ridges serve as a template that guides the wick material to form the desired multi-ridge structure contacting both inner surfaces. This preliminary action simplifies manufacturing by providing a physical guide rather than requiring complex direct formation of the wick structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel acts as an intermediary tool during the wick formation process. It transfers the desired ridge geometry to the wick material, enabling the creation of a complex wick structure that contacts both inner surfaces without requiring complex manufacturing equipment or processes. The mandrel is removed after wick formation, leaving the finalized wick structure.
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 design effectively spreads heat across the width of the thin heatpipe and transfers heat longitudinally, enhancing the heat transferring capacity while maintaining a slim profile.
Implementation Method 1
A thin heatpipe design featuring a wick formed as a plurality of longitudinal ridges, where each ridge extends from one inner surface of the tube to contact the opposing inner surface, dividing the interior into multiple vapor cavity areas
Implementation Method 2
a working fluid in the plurality of vapor cavity areas
Implementation Method 3
a wick formed in the tube, the wick comprising a plurality of ridges, each ridge formed longitudinally on an inner surface of the tube... the plurality of ridges divides an interior of the tube into a plurality of vapor cavity areas
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more embodiments, a thin heatpipe may comprise a tube with a wick formed as a plurality of longitudinal ridges, each ridge in contact with a first portion of an inner surface corresponding to a first side of the tube and extending to contact a portion of the inner surface associated with an opposite side of the tube. The ridges may divide the interior of the tube into a plurality of vapor cavity areas.