Heat pipe structure

• US 10,619,941 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2017
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delta Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Delta Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Huang, Shih-Lin
• Primary Examiner(s): Jonaitis, Justin M
• Application Number:
  US15/718,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20180087844A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 165 804, 165170, 165168, 16510421, 16510426, 16510419, 16510413, 16510414
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0233 the conduits having a particular shape, e.g. non-circular cross-section, annular F28D15/0241, F28D15/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0283 Means for filling or sealing heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/04 with tubes having a capillary structure
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2210/02 with particular branching, e.g. fractal conduit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2275/025 by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2275/061 by diffusion bonding
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2275/065 by ultrasonic or vibration welding
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2275/067 by laser welding
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/12 Elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel, e.g. with channels F28D1/02, F28D1/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/26 Arrangements for connecting different sections of heat-exchange elements, e.g. of radiators connecting different sections in water heaters F24H9/14 , connecting headers with inlet or outlet fittings F28F9/0246
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20336 Heat pipes, e.g. wicks or capillary pumps

Abstract

A heat pipe structure includes a first plate, a second plate and a plurality of wick structures. The second plate is connected to the first plate to form a chamber. The wick structures are disposed in the chamber, and the distribution shape of the wick structures is approximately the same as the shape of a portion of the chamber. The chamber is formed by at least one coupling portion and three or more extending portions. The coupling portion communicates with the extending portions, and the contour of the connected first and second plates is different from that of the chamber.

Claims

1. A heat pipe structure, comprising:

a first plate;

a second plate connected to the first plate to form a chamber, wherein the chamber is formed by at least one coupling portion and three or more extending portions, and the coupling portion communicates with the extending portions;

a plurality of supporting structures disposed at the coupling portion; and

a plurality of wick structures disposed in the chamber, wherein a distribution shape of the wick structures is approximately the same as a shape of a portion of the chamber, the supporting structures are located within the chamber formed by the first and second plates and are structures separate from the first and second plates.

2. The heat pipe structure of claim 1, wherein a length, a width or a height of at least one of the extending portions is different from lengths, widths or heights of the other extending portions.

3. The heat pipe structure of claim 1, wherein thicknesses or sizes of the first and second plates are different.

4. The heat pipe structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second plates are connected by a heating welding or fit bonding process at a point close to a side wall of the chamber to form a sealing portion.

5. The heat pipe structure of claim 4, wherein the heating welding process comprises a laser welding, a diffusion welding, a supersonic welding or any of their combinations.

6. The heat pipe structure of claim 4, wherein the frit bonding process comprises a hard welding, a glue bonding or any of their combinations.

7. The heat pipe structure of claim 4, wherein the heating welding or frit bonding process is a lateral connecting type.

8. The heat pipe structure of claim 1, wherein the first plate or the second plate is directly contacted with an external heat source.

9. The heat pipe structure of claim 1, further comprising:

at least a water injecting channel communicating with the chamber.