Variable-Thickness Heat Pipe for Cold-Plate-Free Thermal Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pipe systems require a cold plate for enhanced thermal management, which increases the system's size and footprint, and do not efficiently manage thermal energy transfer without it.
Innovation Solution
A heat pipe with variable thickness and diameter is developed, where a thin-walled portion is connected to a thick-walled portion without a cold plate, allowing for increased thermal mass and surface area for improved heat absorption and dissipation, reducing the overall size of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cold plate is used to enhance thermal management, then thermal dissipation is improved, but system size and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cold plate functionality directly into the heat pipe structure by creating a heat pipe with variable wall thickness. The expanded first portion with increased wall thickness performs both heat pipe function and cold plate heat spreading function, eliminating the need for a separate cold plate component and reducing overall system footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe features local variation in wall thickness, with a first portion having increased wall thickness compared to a second portion. This local quality change allows the thick-walled section to provide enhanced thermal mass and heat spreading capability at the heat sink interface, while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Temperature
If a cold plate is used to spread heat over larger surface area, then uniform temperature distribution is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat pipe and cold plate into a single integrated component. The variable wall thickness design allows the heat pipe itself to perform heat spreading function, eliminating the need for separate cold plate with fins or cooling structures, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining uniform temperature distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe with variable wall thickness serves multiple functions: it acts as both the heat pipe for thermal energy transport and as a cold plate for heat spreading and dissipation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall thermal management system.
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 enhances thermal conductivity and dissipation without the need for a cold plate, while allowing for a reduced or omitted cold plate, thereby improving thermal energy transfer and reducing the system's size and footprint.
Implementation Method 1
It relies on the principles of phase change and capillary action to achieve rapid and efficient heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
It relies on the principles of phase change and capillary action to achieve rapid and efficient heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
a thick-walled portion having a greater thermal mass, thereby providing increased heat absorption
Implementation Method 4
This configuration enhances thermal conductivity and dissipation without the need for a cold plate
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for manufacturing a heat pipe that includes a variable wall thickness and/or a variable diameter. The heat pipe may be formed by subjecting a pipe to a thickness processing and an expansion processing. The heat pipe may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may have a first diameter and a first wall thickness. The second portion may have a second diameter larger than the first diameter, and a second wall thickness larger than the first wall thickness.