Multi-mode heat transfer using a thermal heat pipe valve

• US 6,167,955 B1
• Filed: 10/26/1999
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Van Brocklin, Andrew L., Bausch, James F., Sterner, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCKINNON, TERRELL L
• Application Number:
  US09/427,511
• Time in Patent Office: 434 Days
• Field of Search: 165/272, 165/104.26, 165/104.29, 165/104.14, 165/104.19, 165/104.22, 165/104.21, 174/15.2, 257/715, 257/720, 361/700, 361/707
• US Class Current: 165/272
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/06 Control arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/206 comprising thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/201 Cooling arrangements using cooling fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/207 Thermal management, e.g. cabinet temperature control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

An electronic device has a heat pipe containing a heat transfer fluid. The heat pipe has a first section and a second section. Inside the heat pipe is a valve disposed between the first section and second section of the heat pipe. The valve has an actuator that is used to regulate the flow of the heat transfer fluid between the first section and the second section of the heat pipe in response to a changed state detected by a sensor.

Claims

1. A valve disposed in a heat pipe comprising:

a first screen having at least one aperture adjacent to first end of the heat pipe;

a second screen having at least one aperture adjacent to second end of the heat pipe;

a shell, said shell having a first end and a second end, said first end occluded with said first screen, said second end occluded with said second screen;

an actuator, said actuator having a first end, a second end and a cavity, said cavity allows a flow of fluid between said first end and said second end, said actuator formed to fit within said shell and said second end of said actuator shaped to seal said at least one aperture of said first screen; and

at least one coil, said at least one coil producing a magnetic field in response to an electric current, said magnetic field penetrating said shell and said actuator attracted to said magnetic field.

2. The valve as in claim 1, further comprising a spring, said spring having a first end and a second end, said first end abutting said second screen, said first end of said actuator abutting said second end of said spring.

3. The valve as in claim 1, further comprising a field concentrator, said field concentrator circumscribing said coil whereby said field concentrator enhances said magnetic field within said shell.

4. The valve as in claim 1, wherein said second end of said actuator abuts and seals said at least one aperture of said first screen and retracts from said first screen in response to said magnetic field.

5. The valve as in claim 1, wherein said second end of said actuator abuts and seals said at least one aperture of said first screen in response to said magnetic field and retracts form said first screen when said magnetic field is not present.

6. The valve as in claim 1, wherein said second end of said actuator is shaped to fit inside of at least one aperture of said first screen and whereby the flow of fluid between said first end of said actuator and said second end of said actuator is proportional to the electric current supplied to said at least one coil.

7. The valve as in claim 1, wherein said actuator further comprises a lubricating material coated on its outer surface.

8. The valve as in claim 1, wherein said first screen further comprises a thermally isolating material.