HEAT PIPE STRUCTURE

Abstract

A heat pipe structure includes a tubular body. The tubular body has a first end and a second end and an airtight chamber. At least one capillary structure layer is disposed on a wall face of the tubular body. A working fluid is filled in the airtight chamber. Any of the first and second ends of the tubular body is such arranged as to be normal to a horizontal face. The first and second ends are respectively positioned at upper and lower ends of the tubular body. One end of the tubular body in contact with the horizontal face has a bulged space as an ice molecule releasing space after the working fluid is frozen.

Claims

1. A heat pipe structure comprising a tubular body having a first end, a second end, and an airtight chamber, at least one capillary structure layer disposed on a wall face of the tubular body, and a working fluid filled in the airtight chamber, the first end and second end being respectively positioned at an axial upper end and an axial lower end of the tubular body, where the tubular body is erected to stand vertically such that an elevation of the first end at the axial upper end is higher than an elevation of the second end at the axial lower end and wherein the second end of the tubular body has a bulged space configured as an ice molecule releasing space after the working fluid is frozen.

2. The heat pipe structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bulged space of the tubular body is positioned at the lower end of the tubular body, the bulged space having a capacity larger than that of any other portion of the tubular body.

3. (canceled)

4. The heat pipe structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bulged space is formed in such a manner that a tubular wall of the tubular body protrudes radially leftward or radially rightward to form the bulged space.

5. The heat pipe structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular body is made of a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum, copper, stainless steel and titanium.

6. The heat pipe structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working fluid is selected from a group consisting of water, coolant, methanol and acetone.

7. The heat pipe structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bulged space is formed in such a manner that the tubular wall of the tubular body radially protrudes to form an expanded space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can be best understood by referring to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the heat pipe structure of the present invention; and

[0011] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the heat pipe structure of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the heat pipe structure of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the heat pipe structure of the present invention. The heat pipe structure of the present invention includes a tubular body 1.

[0013] The tubular body 1 has a first end 11 and a second end 12 and an airtight chamber 13. At least one capillary structure layer 2 is disposed on a wall face of the tubular body 1. A working fluid 3 is filled in the airtight chamber 13. The working fluid 3 is selected from a group consisting of water, coolant, methanol and acetone. The capillary structure layer 2 is selected from a group consisting of sintered powders, channels, woven meshes and any combination thereof. The tubular body 1 is selected from a group consisting of circular tube, flat tube and square tube. The tubular body 1 is made of a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum, copper, stainless steel and titanium. Any of the first and second ends 11, 12 of the tubular body 1 is such arranged as to be normal to a horizontal face. That is, the tubular body 1 is vertically disposed. The first and second ends 11, 12 are respectively positioned at upper and lower ends of the tubular body 1. One end of the tubular body 1 in contact with the horizontal face has a bulged space 14 as an ice molecule releasing space after the working fluid 3 is frozen.

[0014] The bulged space 14 of the tubular body 1 has a capacity larger than that of any other portion of the tubular body 1. The bulged space 14 is formed in such a manner that the tubular wall of the tubular body 1 upright upward protrudes to form an expanded space. Alternatively, the bulged space 14 is formed in such a manner that the tubular wall of the tubular body 1 horizontally leftward or rightward protrudes to form an expanded space.

[0015] The problem solved by the present invention is that when the heat pipe is vertically used, the working fluid will accumulate at the lower end. At this time, in the case that the environmental temperature is lower than zero degree, the working fluid in the heat pipe at the lower end will be frozen so that the portion of the heat pipe in which the working fluid is frozen will be expanded or even exploded and broken. Therefore, in the present invention, when the heat pipe is vertically used, the bulged space 14 is formed at the lower end of the heat pipe as an ice molecule releasing space after the working fluid is frozen. Alternatively, both of two ends of the heat pipe can be formed with the bulged spaces 14. Still alternatively, the bulged space 14 can be formed on any portion of the heat pipe in accordance with the use state of the heat pipe.

[0016] The present invention has been described with the above embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications in such as the form or layout pattern or practicing step of the above embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.