METHOD OF FORMING A HEAT PIPE
First Claim
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1. A method of forming a heat pipe comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting a tube having a desired length and formed from a deformable material;
b. forming a cylinder of wick material with an outer diameter which closely approximates the inner diameter of the tube and formed from a deformable material having higher tensile strength than the tube;
c. positioning the cylinder in the tube; and
, d. thereafter, applying pressure to generally diametrically opposite sides of the assembly in an amount sufficient to deform the tubing'"'"''"'"'s circular cross-section to a cross-section throughout a substantial portion of the length which has at least one generally flat exterior wall.
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Abstract
The specification and drawings disclose flat heat pipe structures and methods for forming same. One embodiment comprises an outer tube into which a second tube of wick material is inserted. The outer tube and the wick tube are selected so that the wick has a higher tensile strength. Thereafter, the outer tube can be deformed to a flattened configuration and the higher tensile strength of the wick causes it to closely engage the inner surface of the outer tube. The second embodiment comprises a sandwich-like construction of outer wall forming plate members, wick sheets, and intermediate spacers bonded to both the wick sheets and the outer wall forming plates.
132 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of forming a heat pipe comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting a tube having a desired length and formed from a deformable material;
b. forming a cylinder of wick material with an outer diameter which closely approximates the inner diameter of the tube and formed from a deformable material having higher tensile strength than the tube;
c. positioning the cylinder in the tube; and
, d. thereafter, applying pressure to generally diametrically opposite sides of the assembly in an amount sufficient to deform the tubing'"'"''"'"'s circular cross-section to a cross-section throughout a substantial portion of the length which has at least one generally flat exterior wall.
- a. selecting a tube having a desired length and formed from a deformable material;
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2. The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure is applied in a manner so that the diametrically opposite sides are deformed so as to both be generally flat and parallel substantially throughout the length of the tube.
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3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the ends of the tube are sealed.
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4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cylinder is provided with a length slightly less than the length of said tube and wherein the cylinder is positioned entirely within said tube.
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5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said cylinder is formed from fine wire screen.
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6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the ends of said tube are sealed after the tube has been deformed the desired cross-section.
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7. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein portions of the exterior surfaces of said tubing are coated with electrical insulating material.
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8. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the tube is formed from hard copper and the wick material is phospher bronze screening.
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9. The method of claim 1 wherein the interior of said tube is provided with longitudinally extending score lines.
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10. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein said score lines are formed by abrading the interior of said tube.
Specification