Multi-layer wick structure of heat pipe

A multi-layer wick structure of the heat pipe, comprising a hollow heat pipe body and a weave mesh of the wick structure provided on the internal surface of the heat pipe body, wherein the weave mesh of the wick structure is subjected to at least one folding such that the periphery thereof is curled into a circle. By folding the weave mesh of the wick structure, it can be formed into a multi-layer structure. Then, after inserting the multi-layer wick structure and by the shrinking process of the heat pipe body, the wick structure can be tightly attached to the internal surface of the heat pipe body, thereby to increase the capillary force of the heat pipe and the amount of liquid to be delivered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multi-layer wick structure of a heat pipe, and more particularly, to a wick structure of a heat pipe having multiple wick layers.

2. Description of Related Art

The heat pipe has been applied in various types of electronics products for delivering large amount of heat without consuming significant power because of the characteristics of high thermal transmission capacity, high thermal transmission speed, high thermal conduction efficiency, light weight, none mobile element, simple structure and versatile applications. The conventional heat pipe includes a wick structure attached to an interior surface of a heat-pipe body. The wick structure includes a weaving mesh that has capillary effect, such that a working fluid filled in the heat pipe can be delivered by using the capillary effect of the wick structure. Further, in order to improve the capillary force, the wick structure has been formed into multiple layers, thereby to increase the amount of the working fluid to be delivered.

As shown inFIG. 1, the weaving mesh of a wick structure1ain a conventional heat pipe is curled into a multi-layer structure. When the curled wick structure1ais inserted into the heat pipe body2a, a sintering process is required to attach the curled wick structure1ato the internal surface of the heat pipe body2a. However, during the sintering process, since the weaving mesh of the wick structure1ais too soft, and the tightness between the superimposed portion A of the wick structure1aand the internal surface is insufficient, the wick structure1awill be softened and collapsed during the high-temperature annealing process, such that the wick structure1acannot be completely attached to the internal surface of the heat pipe body2a.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to provide a multi-layer wick structure of the heat pipe. A weave mesh of the wick structure is subjected to at least one folding in accordance with the actual demands, such that the weave mesh of the wick structure can be formed into a multi-layer structure. By the shrinking process of the heat pipe body, the weave mesh of the wick structure between layers can be tightly attached to the internal surface of the heat pipe body, thereby to increase the capillary force of the heat pipe and the amount of liquid to be delivered.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a multi-layer wick structure of the heat pipe comprising a hollow heat pipe body and a weave mesh of the wick structure provided on the internal surface of the heat pipe body, wherein the weave mesh of the wick structure is subjected to at least one folding such that the periphery thereof is curled into a circle. By folding the weave mesh of the wick structure to form a multi-layer structure, inserting the multi-layer wick structure into the heat pipe body, and shrinking the heat pipe body, the wick structure can be tightly attached to the internal surface of the heat pipe body.

The above summaries are intended to illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, which will be best understood in conjunction with the detailed description to follow, and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to make the Examiner further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present invention, the following detailed description is made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are used for illustration but not for limitation to the present invention.

With reference toFIGS. 2 to 6, the present invention provides a multi-layer wick structure of a heat pipe. By the shrinking process of the heat pipe body2a, the weave mesh of the wick structure1between layers can be tightly attached to the internal surface of the heat pipe body2.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, first, a weave mesh of the wick structure1is prepared, and then, the weave mesh of the wick structure is subjected to at least one folding in accordance with the actual demands, such that a multi-layer wick structure is formed. In the embodiment of the present invention, the weave mesh wick structure1is subjected to one folding to form a first wick layer10and a second wick layer11. The first wick layer10is intended to be provided on the outmost layer, and its width is larger than that of the second wick layer11to be provided on the inner layer. Then, by curling the first and second wick layers10,11, the peripheral length of the first wick layer10will be larger than that of the second wick layer11. Thus, the structure as shown inFIG. 3is formed.

With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, another heat pipe body2is prepared. Further, the diameter of the heat pipe body2is larger than that to be formed. Therefore, when the above wick structure1is inserted into the heat pipe body2, the first and second wick layer10,11can be curled into an open circle in the heat pipe body2, as shown inFIG. 5.

As shown inFIG. 6, finally, by shrinking the heat pipe body2to the intended diameter, the first and second wick layer10,11provided therein will also be compressed by the shrinking process to be curled into a circle. As a result, the wick structure1between layers can be tightly attached to the internal surface of the heat pipe body2without being easily collapsed during the high-temperature annealing process, thereby to keep a sufficient heat conductivity of the heat pipe.

Further, since the first and second wick layers10,11are formed into weave meshes woven by warps extending in the axial direction of the heat pipe body2and woofs surrounding in the radial direction of the heat pipe body2. The warps and woofs of the first and second wick layer10,11can be made by two materials having different melting points. For example, the warps can be made by phosphor bronze, and the woofs can be made by oxygen-free copper. As a result, during the sintering process, the material having a lower melting point will reach the sintering temperature and be sintered faster than the other material having a higher melting temperature. Thus, during the sintering process, the material having a higher melting temperature is used for supporting the material having a lower temperature.

Accordingly, by using the above structure, the multi-layer wick structure of the present invention can be achieved.

Further,FIG. 7is a cross sectional view showing another embodiment of the heat pipe product of the present invention. The first wick layer10provided on the outmost layer can be partially formed on one side of the internal surface of the heat pipe body2, and cooperates with the second wick layer11provided on the inner layer to form a curl having a closed circle. Therefore, a wick structure having a partially thickened layer is attained to increase the capillary force in a portion of the heat pipe and the amount of liquid to be delivered.

Thus, with the method for forming the multi-layer wick structure of the present invention and the product thereof, since the multi-layer wick structure1does not need to be curled into a closed circle before being inserted into the heat pipe body2, the insertion is thus easier. By the shrinking process and thus the shrinking force of the heat pipe body2, the first and second wick layer10,11can be tightly attached to the internal surface of the heat pipe body2so as to provide sufficient support to the wick structure1.