Thin heat pipe structure and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A thin heat pipe structure includes a pipe body, a thin-sheet member, and a plurality of bosses. The pipe body internally defines a receiving space, in which a working fluid is provided. The thin-sheet member includes a plurality of open spaces, and the bosses are provided in the open spaces, so that the bosses and the thin-sheet member are disposed in the receiving space of the pipe body at the same time. A method of manufacturing thin pipe structure is also disclosed for manufacturing thin heat pipe structure with reduced time and labor, and protecting a wick structure formed in the thin heat pipe structure against damage. Therefore the thin heat pipe structure can be manufactured with increased good yield and at reduced manufacturing cost.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing thin heat pipe structure, comprising the following steps:
 preparing a flat pipe and a thin-sheet member having a plurality of open spaces and a plurality of bosses formed thereon; and   disposing the thin-sheet member in the flat pipe and sealing the flat pipe.   
     
     
         10 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the bosses are associated with the thin-sheet member by punching the bosses into the open spaces on the thin-sheet member. 
     
     
         11 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the bosses are formed in the open spaces on the thin-sheet member by sintering metal powder filled in the open spaces. 
     
     
         12 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the open spaces on the thin-sheet member are formed by means of punching. 
     
     
         13 . The manufacturing method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a diffusion bonding step after the step of disposing the thin-sheet member in the flat pipe and before the step of sealing the flat pipe, so as to connect the bosses to the flat pipe through diffusion bonding.