Patent ID: 6065529
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B64G,F28D,H05K

Abstract:
A heat pipe assembly including a thermally integrated heat pipe disposed in a host structure for conducting heat away from a heat generating body, comprising:an elongated heat pipe contained in a channel opening within the host structure, wherein said heat pipe is adapted to move independently of said host structure, so that the host structure and the heat pipe are free to thermally expand and contract relative to one another, said channel opening having an inner wall surface and said heat pipe having an outer wall surface,said heat pipe being coextensively enveloped by said host structure along its longitudinal extent with its outer wall surface spaced apart from the inner wall surface of the host structure forming a finite gap therebetween;a sealing device for sealing the ends of the channel opening in said host structure;a fluid filling said gap for independently supporting the heat pipe radially and axially within the host structure; andan expansion device disposed within at least one end of the host structure between said sealing device and said heat pipe for permitting the heat pipe to expand axially within the host structure and independent from the fluid, whereby the thermal integration of the heat pipe relative to the host structure and the heat generating body is maintained.