Tin-Coated Heat Pipe Container for Water Corrosion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pipes using aluminum, aluminum alloys, or magnesium alloys with water as a working fluid face corrosion and hydrogen gas generation due to chemical reactions, leading to deteriorated heat transport characteristics, especially when subjected to deformation or increased thermal loads.
Innovation Solution
A heat pipe design featuring a container substrate coated with a first film of tin or tin alloy and a second film containing tin oxide or hydroxide, with optional intermediate layers, to prevent corrosion and hydrogen gas generation during deformation or high thermal loads, while maintaining excellent heat transport characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If aluminum or aluminum alloy is used as container material and water as working fluid, then weight is reduced and heat transport characteristics are improved, but chemical reaction occurs causing hydrogen gas generation and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
A covering layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the aluminum container and water working fluid. This covering layer prevents direct contact and chemical reaction between the reactive materials, eliminating hydrogen gas generation and corrosion while allowing the lightweight aluminum container to be used with water as working fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe employs a composite structure consisting of the aluminum container material combined with a protective covering layer. This composite approach maintains the weight advantage of aluminum while adding corrosion resistance through the covering layer, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and reliability.
2Reliability
If hard protective film is formed on container inner surface, then corrosion resistance is improved, but defects such as cracks occur during bending or under thermal load
Solution Approach 1:
The covering layer is designed with specific physical and chemical parameters that differ from hard protective films. By controlling the formation conditions and composition of the covering layer, it achieves an optimal balance between corrosion resistance and flexibility, preventing crack formation during bending or thermal cycling while maintaining protection against corrosion.
3Reliability
If covering layer is formed on container inner surface, then corrosion resistance is improved, but heat transport characteristics may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The covering layer is applied selectively on the inner surface of the container with controlled thickness and properties. By optimizing the local characteristics of the covering layer, it provides sufficient corrosion protection while minimizing its impact on heat transfer, thus balancing reliability and energy efficiency.
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 prevents corrosion and hydrogen gas generation, ensuring durable and efficient heat transport even under thermal stress and deformation, thus enhancing the reliability and longevity of heat pipes in applications with high heat generation.
Implementation Method 1
aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, and a magnesium alloy are apt to chemically react with water, and if water is used as a working fluid in a container made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, or a magnesium alloy and the like, a hydrogen gas is generated by the chemical reaction between the container and the water
Implementation Method 2
the chemical reaction between aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, or a magnesium alloy as the material of a container and water as a working fluid causes the container to be corroded
Implementation Method 3
water may be used from the viewpoint of excellent heat transport characteristics
Implementation Method 4
A heat pipe may be used as a method for cooling electronic components
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pipe includes a container including a container substrate and a working fluid enclosed in the container. The working fluid contains water. The heat pipe includes a first film containing tin and/or a tin alloy on at least an inner surface of the container substrate and a second film formed on at least a part of a surface of the first film and containing an oxide and/or hydroxide containing tin.