Fin with elongated hole and heat pipe with elongated cross section

Abstract

An assembly includes a heat pipe and one or more fins. The heat pipe has an envelope with two elongated flat sides and two curved portions connecting the flat sides. The elongated sides have a length that is substantially greater than the radius of curvature of the curved portions. Each fin comprises a plate. The plate has a hole through it. The hole is sized to accommodate the envelope. The hole has two elongated flat sides and two curved portions connecting the flat sides. The elongated sides have a length that is substantially greater than a radius of curvature of the curved portions. The plate has at least one collar portion adjacent to the hole. The collar portion extends approximately in a direction normal to the plate. The collar portion is sized so as to accommodate the method of attachment of the fin to the envelope.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fin comprising a plate, 
 said plate having a hole therethrough, the hole having two elongated flat sides and two curved portions connecting the flat sides, the elongated sides having a length that is substantially greater than a radius of curvature of the curved portions,    said plate having at least one collar portion adjacent to the hole, the collar portion extending approximately in a direction normal to said plate.    
     
     
         2 . The fin of  claim 1 , wherein the plate has at least two collar portions, separated from one another by a pair of slots.  
     
     
         3 . The fin of  claim 1 , wherein the collar portion is formed by drawing.  
     
     
         4 . A heat pipe assembly, comprising: 
 a heat pipe having an envelope, the envelope having two elongated flat sides and two curved portions connecting the flat sides, the elongated sides having a length that is substantially greater than a radius of curvature of the curved portions; and    at least one fin comprising a plate, the plate having a hole therethrough that is sized to accommodate the envelope, the hole having two elongated flat sides and two curved portions connecting the flat sides, the elongated sides having a length that is substantially greater than a radius of curvature of the curved portions, the plate having at least one collar portion adjacent to the hole, the collar portion extending approximately in a direction normal to the plate.    
     
     
         5 . The heat pipe assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the plate has at least two collar portions, separated from one another by a pair of slots.  
     
     
         6 . The heat pipe assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the collar portion is formed by stamping.  
     
     
         7 . The heat pipe assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the collar portion is further formed by drawing.  
     
     
         8 . The heat pipe assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the assembly includes a plurality of fins.  
     
     
         9 . A method for making a heat pipe assembly, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a heat pipe having an envelope, the envelope having two elongated flat sides and two curved portions connecting the flat sides, the elongated sides having a length that is substantially greater than a radius of curvature of the curved portions;    forming a fin having a hole therethrough sized and shaped so as to accommodate the envelope; and    placing the fin on the envelope.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising drawing a collar portion of the fin adjacent to the hole, so that the collar portion extends approximately in a direction normal to the fin.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the stamping step includes forming a collar portion of the fin adjacent to the hole, so that the collar portion extends approximately in a direction normal to the fin.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising cutting two or more notches in the collar portion.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the forming step includes stamping the fin from a plate.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the stamping step includes cutting two or more notches in the collar portion.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the forming step includes: 
 stamping a hole in the plate that is slightly smaller than a cross section of the heat pipe, and    drawing a portion of the plate located around the hole, so as to form a collar sized to receive the heat pipe.    
     
     
         16 . A fin comprising a plate wherein said plate has a hole defined therethrough, said hole having two elongated flat sides and two curved portions connecting the flat sides, the elongated sides having a length that is substantially greater than a radius of curvature of the curved portions, said plate having at least one collar portion adjacent to the hole, the collar portion extending approximately in a direction normal to said plate, wherein the plate has at least two collar portions, separated from one another by a plurality of slots.  
     
     
         17 . The fin of  claim 16  wherein the plate has at least one bent edge that is spaced away from said collar.  
     
     
         18 . The fin of  claim 16  wherein the plate has at least one embossed surface.  
     
     
         19 . A heat pipe assembly, comprising: 
 a heat pipe having an envelope, the envelope having two elongated flat sides and two curved portions connecting the flat sides, the elongated sides having a length that is substantially greater than a radius of curvature of the curved portions; and    a plate having a hole defined therethrough for accepting a portion of said heat pipe, said hole having two elongated flat sides and two curved portions connecting the flat sides, the elongated sides having a length that is substantially greater than a radius of curvature of the curved portions, said plate having at least one collar portion adjacent to the hole, the collar portion extending approximately in a direction normal to said plate, wherein the plate has at least two collar portions, separated from one another by a plurality of slots.    
     
     
         20 . The fin of  claim 19  wherein the plate has at least one bent edge that is spaced away from said collar.  
     
     
         21 . The fin of  claim 19  wherein the plate has at least one embossed surface.