Heat pipe with inner layer

Abstract

A heat pipe ( 10 ) includes a main body ( 12 ), an inner layer ( 16 ), a chamber ( 13 ) and working material ( 18 ). The main body is made of metallic material having a high heat-transfer coefficient. The chamber is surrounded by the inner layer, and is substantially a vacuum. The working material is sealed in the chamber. The inner layer is fixed to an inner surface of the main body. The inner layer is inert to the working material, and isolates the working material from the main body. Furthermore, the working material readily globularizes when it is in contact with the inner layer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat pipe comprising: 
 a main body made of metallic material having great heat transfer capability;    an inner layer fixed to an inner surface of the main body and defining a sealed chamber therein; and    working material sealed in the chamber;    wherein the inner layer is inert to the working material and isolates the working material from the main body, and wherein the working material readily globularizes when it is in contact with the inner layer.    
     
     
         2 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is substantially a vacuum.  
     
     
         3 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the working material has low viscosity and is chemically stable.  
     
     
         4 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the working material has great heat absorption characteristics, and a low phase-change threshold temperature.  
     
     
         5 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the working material is water.  
     
     
         6 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the main body has low weight, and is resistant to deterioration.  
     
     
         7 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the main body is made of aluminum.  
     
     
         8 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 6 , where the main body is made of high carbon steel.  
     
     
         9 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is fixed to the inner surface of the main body by electroplating.  
     
     
         10 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is fixed to the inner surface of the main body by displacement.  
     
     
         11 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is made of copper or nickel.  
     
     
         12 . The heat pipe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises a plurality of protrusions that cooperatively form a wicking structure.  
     
     
         13 . A heat pipe assembly comprising: 
 a chassis adapted to abut against a heat generating device;    a plurality of heat pipes arranged in a matrix manner, each of said heat pipes including: 
 a tube-like main body made of metallic material having great heat transfer capability;  
 an inner layer applied to an inner surface of the main body and defining a chamber therein; and  
 working material circulated in the chamber; wherein 
 one end of the main body is in contact with the chassis.  
 
   
     
     
         14 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said end is embedded within the chassis.  
     
     
         15 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said main body is perpendicular to the chassis.  
     
     
         16 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , further including a plurality of fins spaced from one another with said heat pipes engageably extending therethrough.  
     
     
         17 . the assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said fins are perpendicular to said heat pipes.