Heat pipe

Abstract

A heat pipe has a tube with an open end and a closed end. Copper powder is sintered onto an inner surface of the tube to form a porous lining. Air is then evacuated to form a substantially vacuum state in the tube from the open end. Working fluid is added into the tube and the open end is sealed afterwards. In operation, heat generated by an electronic component is absorbed by the heat pipe and forms a heated region in the tube. Working fluid in the heated region evaporates and travels to a cool region and condenses. The working fluid is then driven by capillary force to circulate back to the heat region through the porous lining. This thermodynamic cycle continues as the heat is transferred and dissipated throughout the heat pipe in an extremely high efficiency.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat pipe comprising: 
 a vacuum tube having an open end and a sealed end;    copper powder sintered onto an inner surface of the vacuum tube to form a porous lining; and    working fluid contained in the vacuum tube,    whereby the working fluid is evaporated in a heated region of the heat pipe and travels in the vacuum tube in a gas phase and condenses in a cool region of the heat pipe, the working fluid then circulates back to the heated region by a capillary force via the porous lining such that a thermodynamic cycle is formed to transfer heat throughout the heat pipe.