Heat Pipe Structure and Thermal Module Using Same

Abstract

A thermal module includes a heat pipe structure, a plurality of heat radiation fins and a fan. The heat pipe structure includes a pipe having a first end, a second end and a middle section. The first and the second end are located adjacent to each other and form two heat-absorption sections, and the middle section forms a heat-dissipation section and is extended from the first end to the second end in a curve to have a substantially round shape defining a central opening. The heat radiation fins are arranged on the middle section of the pipe. The fan is correspondingly mounted to the heat-dissipation section and is faced to the heat radiation fins. With these arrangements, the thermal module is cost-effective and has largely upgraded heat transfer efficiency.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat pipe structure comprising a pipe having a first end, a second end and a middle section; the first end being located adjacent to the second end, and both of the first and the second end forming a heat-absorption section; the middle section forming a heat-dissipation section and being extended from the first end to the second end in a curve to form a substantially round shape and define a central opening. 
     
     
         2 . The heat pipe structure as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of heat radiation fins provided on the middle section of the pipe; the heat radiation fins being tightly attached to one side of the middle section, and any two adjacent ones of the heat radiation fins together defining a heat dissipation passage between them. 
     
     
         3 . The heat pipe structure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the heat radiation fins are continuously arranged on along one side of the middle section within a range from 90 to 360 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The heat pipe structure as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the heat-absorption section is directly attached to a heat-producing element. 
     
     
         5 . A thermal module, comprising:
 a heat pipe structure including a pipe having a first end, a second end and a middle section; the first end being located adjacent to the second end, and both of the first and the second end forming a heat-absorption section; the middle section forming a heat-dissipation section and being extended from the first end to the second end in a curve to form a substantially round shape and define a central opening;   a plurality of heat radiation fins being provided on the middle section of the pipe, and any two adjacent ones of the heat radiation fins together defining a heat dissipation passage between them; and   a fan being correspondingly mounted to the middle section of the pipe, and having at least one air-in side and an air-out side; and the air-out side being faced toward the heat dissipation passages.   
     
     
         6 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan correspondingly mounted to one side of the middle section and is locate above the central opening defined by the middle section of the pipe; and wherein the fan has one air-in side provided on a central portion of an upper cover of the fan, and the air-out side is provided on a periphery of the fan to communicate with the heat dissipation passages. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan correspondingly mounted to one side of the middle section and is locate above the central opening defined by the middle section; and wherein the fan has two air-in sides, one of the air-in sides being provided on a central portion of an upper cover of the fan while the other on a central portion of a lower cover of the fan, and both of the two air-in sides being communicable with the central opening defined by the middle section of the pipe; and wherein the air-out side is provided on a periphery of the fan to communicate with the heat dissipation passages. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the heat radiation fins are continuously arranged on along one side of the middle section of the pipe within a range from 90 to 360 degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the heat radiation fins are continuously arranged on along one side of the middle section of the pipe within a range from 90 to 360 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the heat-absorption sections are tightly attached to one side of a thermally conductive member, and the thermally conductive member being attached at another opposite side to a heat-producing element. 
     
     
         11 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the heat-absorption sections are tightly attached to one side of a thermally conductive member, and the thermally conductive member being attached at another opposite side to a heat-producing element. 
     
     
         12 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the heat-absorption sections are tightly attached to a heat-producing element. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the heat-absorption sections are tightly attached to a heat-producing element. 
     
     
         14 . A thermal module, comprising:
 a heat pipe structure including a pipe having a first end, a second end and a middle section; the first end being located adjacent to the second end, and both of the first and the second end forming a heat-absorption section; the middle section forming a heat-dissipation section and being extended from the first end to the second end in a curve to form a substantially round shape and define a central opening;   a plurality of heat radiation fins, and any two adjacent ones of the heat radiation fins together defining a heat dissipation passage between them; and   a fan being correspondingly mounted to the middle section of the pipe, and having at least one air-in side, an air-out side, an upper cover and a heat-transfer lower cover; the heat-transfer lower cover having one side attached to the middle section; the heat-transfer lower cover and the upper cover together defining a receiving space between them, and the receiving space being communicable with the at least one air-in side and the air-out side; the receiving space being used to receive a fan wheel of the fan and the heat radiation fins that are located adjacent to the air-out side; the at least one air-in side being selectively provided on a central portion of the upper cover or the heat-transfer lower cover; and the air-out side being provided on a periphery of the fan to face toward the heat dissipation passages.   
     
     
         15 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the heat-transfer lower cover is extended beyond the middle section toward the first and the second end of the pipe, and the first and the second end of the pipe being attached to one side of the heat-transfer lower cover. 
     
     
         16 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the fan is a centrifugal fan and has two air-in sides, one of the air-in sides being provided on a central portion of the upper cover of the fan while the other on a central portion of the heat-transfer lower cover of the fan, and both of the two air-in sides being communicable with the central opening defined by the middle section of the pipe. 
     
     
         17 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the heat radiation fins located in the receiving space are continuously arranged adjacent to the air-out side within a range from 90 to 360 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the heat radiation fins located in the receiving space are continuously arranged adjacent to the air-out side within a range from 90 to 360 degrees. 
     
     
         19 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the heat-absorption sections are directly tightly attached to a heat-producing element. 
     
     
         20 . The thermal module as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the heat-transfer lower cover has one side attached to the heat-absorption sections and another opposite side attached to a heat-producing element.