# Patent

## Title
Processing apparatus for continuously conveying heat pipes

## Abstract

A processing apparatus for continuously conveying heat pipes includes a feeder and at least one processing station. The feeder includes a processing stage, which includes a feeding end and an exiting end opposite to the feeding end. A feeding direction is defined from the feeding end and toward the exiting end and the processing station is arranged along the feeding direction. The feeding end is higher than the exiting end.

## Background
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a processing apparatus for continuously conveying heat pipes, and more particularly to a processing apparatus for juxtaposing the heat pipes and moving the heat pipes along a slanting surface by gravity, whereby the heat pipes can be continuously conveyed and processed.
2. Description of Prior Art
The heat pipes are suitable for heat dissipation of electronic device dues to high thermal conductivity, fast thermal conductivity, light weight, fixed structure, simple structure and versatile usage. Moreover, the heat pipes can dissipate massive heat with no electrical power consumption. The conventional heat pipes are provided with wick structure on inner wall thereof and the wick structure is made of mesh with capillary function. By the capillary function, the working fluid in the heat pipe can be conveyed.
The heat pipes are manufactured by a series of processes including cleaning and annealing of pipe, filling working fluid, removing non-condensation gas and sealing the pipe. During those processes, the pipes are conveyed and clamped by mechanic clips. The pipe wall has the risk of damaging by the clips. The clamping involves the expanding and shrinking of clips such that the process time is prolonged and the yield is degraded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is to provide a processing apparatus for juxtaposing the heat pipes and moving the heat pipes along a slanting surface by gravity, whereby the heat pipes can be continuously conveyed and processed with necessary steps such as fluid injection, degas, sealing and solder. Therefore, the pipes can be continuously manufactured and the yield is enhanced.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a processing apparatus for continuously conveying heat pipes includes a feeder and at least one processing station. The feeder includes a processing stage, which includes a feeding end and an exiting end opposite to the feeding end. A feeding direction is defined from the feeding end and toward the exiting end and the processing station is arranged along the feeding direction. The feeding end is higher than the exiting end.
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.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself however may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, which describes certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows the exit operation of the present invention.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the present invention provides a processing apparatus for continuously conveying heat pipes and comprising a feeder 2 and at least one processing station 3.
The feeder 2 comprises a processing stage 20 with a feeding end 200 and an exiting end 201 opposite to the feeding end 200. The feeding end 200 is slightly higher than the exiting end 201 when the pipes 1 are horizontally arranged on the processing stage 20 such that the pipes 1 are slantingly arranged. As shown in this figure, a feeding direction 21 extends from the feeding end 200 and toward the exiting end 201 and the pipes 1 are moved along the feeding direction 21. Moreover, the pipes 1 juxtapose on the processing stage 20 in parallel manner and each of the pipes 1 is moved along the feeding direction 21 by pushing force of a pipe 1 behind.
The processing station 3 is arranged on the processing stage 20 and along the feeding direction 21. The processing station 3 may be provided with a filling unit 33 to fill working fluid into the heat pipe 1, a heating unit 30 for removing gas from the pipe 1, a pressing unit 31 or a soldering unit 32 for sealing the pipe 1, those units are optionally provided for processing need. The processing station 3 is arranged on the processing stage 20 and along the feeding direction 21, wherein the units are optionally arranged. The pipes 1 are arranged in parallel and close to each other. Therefore, the pipes 1 are pushed together and subsequently subjected to various processed such as fluid injection, degas, sealing and solder. Therefore, the pipes are continuously manufactured and the yield is enhanced.
With reference now to FIG. 3, guarding flanges 202 are provided on left and right sides of the processing stage 20 and a press tab 203 is provided atop the guarding flange 202 to define a transmission space 204 for the passage of the pipe 1. The provision of the guarding flanges 202 limits the pipes 1 to move atop the processing stage 20 and the press tab 203 prevent the undulance of the pipes during moving. Therefore, the pipes 1 are stably moved by pushing.
Moreover, the processing apparatus for heat pipes further comprises an exit unit 4 arranged at the exiting end 201 and comprising a dispenser 41 driven by a pneumatic cylinder 40. When the pipes 1 are performing respective processes on the processing stage 20, the dispenser 41 blocks the exiting end 201 to prevent the movement of the pipes. After the pipes 1 finish respective processes on the processing stage 20, the dispenser 41 exits the finished pipes 1 completing the whole process and the pipes 1 to be process are sent from the feeding end 200. Moreover, a supporting plate 5 is provided to support the finished pipes 1 and move the pipes 1 to a deposit place.
The processing apparatus for parallel conveying heat pipes can be constructed in above manner.
In above-mentioned processing apparatus for parallel heat pipes, the pipes can be prevented from damage, which may be caused by conventional mechanic clip. Mover, the pipes 1 are continuously juxtaposed and the processing stage 20 is slantingly arranged. The pipes 1 are naturally moved due to the gravity and the inclined face of the processing stage 20. The pipes 1 are pushed to subject to various processes including fluid injection, degas, sealing and solder. Therefore, the pipes are continuously manufactured and the yield is enhanced.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have suggested in the foregoing description, and other will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

## Claims

1. A processing apparatus for continuously conveying heat pipes, comprising:
a feeder comprising a processing stage with a feeding end and an exiting end opposite to the feeding end, a feeding direction being defined from the feeding end and toward the exiting end, the feeding end being higher than the exiting end;
a plurality of guarding flanges on both sides of the processing stage, and a press tab provided atop each of the guarding flange to define a transmission space therebetween; and
at least one processing station arranged on the processing stage along the feeding direction.

2. The processing apparatus for continuously conveying heat pipes as in claim 1, further comprising an exit unit arranged at the exiting end of the feeder.

3. The processing apparatus for continuously conveying heat pipes as in claim 2, wherein the exit unit comprises a dispenser controlled by a pneumatic cylinder.

4. The processing apparatus for continuously conveying heat pipes as in claim 2, wherein the exit unit is connected to a supporting plate.