Method of fabricating an oscillating heat pipe

Abstract

A method of fabricating an oscillating heat pipe includes building the oscillating heat pipe with a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process such that the oscillating heat pipe includes a body of solid material, an array of channels, an evaporator portion, and a condenser portion. The array of channels are disposed in the body and define a continuous loop through which a fluid flows. The array of channels is formed by cavities in the body as the body is formed with layer-by-layer additive manufacturing. An inner surface of a channel includes a flow directing feature that is configured to promote a first direction of flow and that is configured to provide resistance against a second direction of flow that is opposite the first direction of flow.

1 . An oscillating heat pipe comprising:
 a body of solid material;   an array of channels through which a fluid flows, the array of channels being disposed in the body, wherein the array of channels is formed by cavities in the body as the body is formed with layer-by-layer additive manufacturing;   an evaporator portion that includes a first end of the array of channels;   a condenser portion that includes a second end of the array of channels;   a first conduit extending from and fluidly connected to the array of channels; and   a second conduit extending from and fluidly connected to the array of channels.   
     
     
         2 . The oscillating heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of a channel of the array of channels comprises a flow directing feature that is configured to promote a first direction of flow of the fluid through the channel, and to resist a second direction of flow that is opposite the first direction of flow. 
     
     
         3 . The oscillating heat pipe of  claim 2 , wherein the flow directing feature comprises a cut-out with a frusto-conical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The oscillating heat pipe of  claim 2 , wherein the flow directing feature comprises a cut-out with a helical shape. 
     
     
         5 . The oscillating heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the array of channels comprises a plurality of concentric circles of channels. 
     
     
         6 . The oscillating heat pipe of  claim 5 , wherein the first end of the array of channels comprises a radially inward portion of the array of channels, wherein the second end of the array of channels comprises a radially outward portion of the array of channels. 
     
     
         7 . The oscillating heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the array of channels comprises a plurality of linear channels oriented parallel to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The oscillating heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein a material of the body comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The oscillating heat pipe of  claim 8 , wherein the material of the body comprises an optically transparent, an optically, translucent, or an optically opaque polymer material. 
     
     
         10 . The oscillating heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein a material of the body comprises a metal.