BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Many aspects of the present device can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present device. Moreover, in the drawings like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinally cross-sectional view of a heat pipe in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a transversely cross-sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a transversely cross-sectional view of a heat pipe in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a transversely cross-sectional view of a heat pipe in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a transversely cross-sectional view of a heat pipe in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a transversely cross-sectional view of a heat pipe in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a transversely cross-sectional view of a heat pipe in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a heat pipe in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The heat pipe has a cylindrical configuration and includes a metal casing 10 made of highly thermally conductive materials such as copper or copper alloys, a first working fluid (not shown) contained in the casing 10 and a first capillary wick 12 arranged in an inner surface of the casing 10. The casing 10 includes an evaporating section 120 at one end, a condensing section 160 at the other end and an adiabatic section 140 arranged between the evaporating section 120 and the condensing section 160. A sealed heat reservoir 20 is mounted on the condensing section 160. A vapor channel 14 is defined along an axial direction of the heat pipe and is located at a center of the casing 10. The vapor channel 14 is surrounded by an inner surface of the first capillary wick 12 so as to guide vapor to flow therein.
The heat reservoir 20 has a hollow cylindrical configuration and is made of highly thermally conductive materials such as aluminum or copper or copper alloys. The heat reservoir 20 has a bigger radius than that of the heat pipe. The condensing section 160 of the heat pipe extends through the heat reservoir 20, thereby positioning the heat reservoir 20 thereon. The heat reservoir 20 comprises an outer wall 211 and a pair of lateral sides 221 connecting with two opposite ends of the outer wall 211 to form a sealed chamber. A second capillary wick 22 is formed on an inner surface of the heat reservoir 20 and an outer surface of the condensing section 160. A second working fluid (not shown) is contained in the heat reservoir 20. A vapor channel 24 is defined along an axial direction of the heat reservoir 20 and is located in a center of the heat reservoir 20 to guide vapor to flow therein. The heat reservoir 20 is vacuum-exhausted to make the second working fluid easy to evaporate.
As the evaporating section 120 of the heat pipe absorbs heat from a heat source, the first working fluid contained in the evaporating section 120 absorbs the heat and evaporates, and then carries the heat to the condensing section 160 in the form of vapor. Then, the heat is carried by the first working fluid in the form of vapor to the condensing section 160 where the heat is transferred to the heat reservoir 20. The second working fluid contained in the heat reservoir 20 absorbs the heat and evaporates. The heat reservoir 20 has a so large heat dissipating area that the heat at the condensing section 160 can be quickly absorbed and dissipated by the heat reservoir 20, thereby reducing the heat resistance of the heat pipe and enhancing the maximum heat transfer capacity of the heat pipe.
Alternatively, a cylinder inner wall (not shown) is formed in the heat reservoir 20. The inner wall interconnects the two opposite lateral sides 221. The condensing section 160 of the heat pipe is inserted into the heat reservoir 20 and engages with the inner wall of the heat reservoir 20, whereby the heat reservoir 20 is positioned on condensing section 160 of the heat pipe. Alternatively, the heat reservoir 20 is positioned on the condensing section 160 of the heat pipe by metallurgical or adhesive means.
FIG. 3 illustrates a heat pipe according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The heat pipe of the second embodiment is similar to that of the previous embodiment. However, a heat reservoir 20a replaces the heat reservoir 20 of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the heat reservoir 20a has a square cross section.
FIG. 4 illustrates a heat pipe according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the heat pipe has a similar structure to the heat pipe of the previous first embodiment. However, a casing 10b of the heat pipe replaces the casing 10 of the previous first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the casing 10b has a square cross section.
FIG. 5 illustrates a heat pipe according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the heat pipe has a similar structure to the heat pipe of the previous first embodiment. However, a heat reservoir 20c replaces the heat reservoir 20 of the previous first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the heat reservoir 20a has a triangular cross section.
FIG. 6 illustrates a heat pipe according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the heat pipe has a similar structure to the heat pipe of the previous third embodiment. However, a heat reservoir 20d replaces the heat reservoir 20 of the previous third embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the heat reservoir 20a has a square cross section.
FIG. 7 illustrates a heat pipe according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The heat pipe has a similar structure to the heat pipe of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a plurality of fins 26 are mounted on the outer wall 211 of the heat reservoir 20 to increase the heat dissipating area of the heat pipe.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
Patent Application
20070240856
