Flexible heat pipe and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

In a flexible heat pipe and a manufacturing method thereof, the flexible heat pipe includes a first tube body, a second tube body arranged apart from the first tube body, a flexible section, a wick structure, and a working fluid. The flexible section includes an annular elastomer and a soft encapsulating layer. The annular elastomer connects the first tube body and the second tube body. The soft encapsulating layer is set around the annular elastomer. The capillary structure is settled inside the first tube body, the second tube body, and the annular elastomer. The working fluid is filled inside the first tube body, the second tube body, and the soft encapsulating layer. Then, the flexible heat pipe can be bent to any angle or in any direction according to practical demands.

1 . A flexible heat pipe, comprising:
 a first tube body;   a second tube body, arranged apart from the first tube body;   a flexible section, interconnected to the first tube body and the second tube body, and including an annular elastomer and a soft encapsulating layer, and the annular elastomer being coupled to the first tube body and the second tube body, and the soft encapsulating layer being coupled to the first tube body and the second tube body and installed around an exterior of the annular elastomer;   a wick structure, installed inside the first tube body, the second tube body and the annular elastomer; and   a working fluid, filled inside the first tube body, the second tube body and the soft encapsulating layer.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube body and the second tube body are vertical tubes. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible heat pipe of  claim 2 , wherein the annular elastomer is a helical spring. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible heat pipe of  claim 3 , wherein the soft encapsulating layer is a copper foil. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible heat pipe of  claim 4 , wherein the helical spring has a free length smaller than an axial length of the copper foil, such that a receiving section is formed separately at both ends of the copper foil for passing and receiving the first tube body and the second tube body respectively. 
     
     
         6 . A manufacturing method of a flexible heat pipe, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a first tube body and a second tube body, both having a first wick structure;   (b) providing an annular elastomer with an end coupled to the first tube body;   (c) providing a second wick structure, passing the second wick structure into the annular elastomer and attaching the second wick to the first wick structure of the first tube body;   (d) coupling the second tube body to another end of the annular elastomer, and attaching the second wick structure to the first wick structure of the second tube body; and   (e) providing a soft encapsulating layer coupled to the first tube body and the second tube body and wrapped around an exterior of the annular elastomer.   
     
     
         7 . The manufacturing method of a flexible heat pipe as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the first tube body and the annular elastomer in the Step (b) are coupled by a soldering method. 
     
     
         8 . The manufacturing method of a flexible heat pipe as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the second tube body and the annular elastomer in the Step (d) are coupled by a soldering method. 
     
     
         9 . The manufacturing method of a flexible heat pipe as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the soft encapsulating layer and each tube body in the Step (e) are coupled by a soldering method. 
     
     
         10 . The manufacturing method of a flexible heat pipe as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a step (f) of filling a working fluid into the second tube body, and vacuuming and sealing the first tube body and the second tube body.