Internally enhanced tube with smaller groove top

Abstract

An internally enhanced heat pipe with a groove opening size that is smaller than the size of the groove bottom.

1 . A heat pipe, comprising: 
 a tubular member having an inner surface defining an inner diameter and having a longitudinal axis;    a plurality of fins having side walls and a top wall, the fins disposed on the inner surface of the tubular member, the fins disposed so as to define a groove between adjacent fins, the groove having an opening at the top and a groove bottom along the inner surface, the groove having sides defined by the side walls of the fins; and,    wherein the width of the groove at its widest portion is greater than the width of the groove opening.    
   
   
       2 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the groove is greater than the cross-sectional area of the fins.  
   
   
       3 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the fins have a trapezoidal shape.  
   
   
       4 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the fins are T-shaped.  
   
   
       5 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the fins are mushroom shaped.  
   
   
       6 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the fins are Y-shaped.  
   
   
       7 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the fins are angled toward each other to form a triangular shaped groove.  
   
   
       8 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the groove bottom is curved.  
   
   
       9 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the groove bottom is round.  
   
   
       10 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the groove height is 0.05 mm to 5 mm.  
   
   
       11 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , where the width of the groove opening is 0.05 mm to 5 mm.  
   
   
       12 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , where the groove pitch is 0.10 mm to 5 mm.  
   
   
       13 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of groove cross-sectional area to groove height is 0.02 mm to 1 mm.  
   
   
       14 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of groove cross-sectional/area to groove wall length is 0.01 mm to 1 mm.  
   
   
       15 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the groove opening to the largest width of the groove is 0.01 to 0.99.  
   
   
       16 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the height of the groove is greater than the width of the groove.  
   
   
       17 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the groove at the groove bottom is greater than the width of the groove opening.