NON-INVERTED MENISCUS LOOP HEAT PIPE/CAPILLARY PUMPED LOOP EVAPORATOR

• US 20030042009A1
• Filed: 09/04/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thermal Corporation (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thermal Corporation (Roper Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Phillips, A. L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,533,029 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/104.26
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/043 forming loops, e.g. capillary pumped loops
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/046 characterised by the material or the construction of the capillary structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/427 Cooling by change of state, e.g. use of heat pipes by liquefied gas H01L23/445
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00

Abstract

The invention introduces a two part wick for use in the evaporator of a two phase loop (LHP/CPL). The primary wick controls evaporation from the primary heat input area. The secondary or “distribution” wick separates the liquid and vapor volumes of the evaporator and feeds liquid to the primary wick. The secondary wick allows the primary wick to be configured so heat enters from the liquid side of the wick, this constitutes a non-inverted meniscus evaporator which can tolerate high heat fluxes without restricting vapor flow. The secondary wick is removed from the primary heat flow path lends itself to fabrication in small dimensions compatible with direct cooling of electronic devices.

Claims

1. An evaporator for a capillary pumped two phase loop comprising:

a primary wick which controls evaporation from a primary heat input area; and

,

a secondary wick which separates liquid and vapor volumes disposed in the evaporator, and which feeds liquid to the primary wick.

2. The evaporator of claim 1, wherein heat from the primary heat input area enters the evaporator on the liquid side of the primary wick.

3. The evaporator of claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary wicks are formed of different materials.

4. The evaporator of claim 1, wherein said secondary wick determines the loop pressure of the heat pipe.

5. The evaporator of claim 1, wherein said primary wick has larger pores than said secondary wick.

6. An evaporator structure comprising:

a first wick structure; and

,

a second wick structure disposed adjacent the first wick structure,

wherein a liquid disposed within the evaporator is adjacent said first wick structure such that said first wick structure lies between said liquid and said second wick structure.

7. A computer comprising:

a heat-producing apparatus; and

a heat pipe disposed adjacent the heat-producing apparatus, said heat pipe including a primary wick which controls evaporation from a primary heat input area of the heat producing apparatus, and a secondary wick which separates liquid and vapor volumes disposed in an evaporator section of the heat pipe, and which feeds liquid to the primary wick.

8. A computer comprising:

a heat-producing apparatus; and

a heat pipe disposed adjacent the heat-producing apparatus, said heat pipe including a first wick structure and a second wick structure disposed adjacent the first wick structure,

wherein a liquid disposed within an evaporator section of the heat pipe is adjacent said first wick structure such that said first wick structure lies between said liquid and said second wick structure.

9. A loop heat pipe system comprising:

a heat-producing apparatus;

a loop heat pipe with an evaporator section including a wick disposed on one side thereof,

wherein said evaporator section is coupled to the heat-producing apparatus on the one side thereof which includes the wick, such that the heat-producing apparatus is disposed on the convex side of the meniscus of liquid in the wick.

10. A method for cooling heat-producing equipment, comprising the step of:

disposing a heat-producing apparatus on the convex side of a meniscus of liquid located in a wick of a loop heat pipe.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the wick is disposed in an evaporator section of the loop heat pipe.