Plate-type heat pipe and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

An exemplary plate-type heat pipe includes a condensing plate, an evaporating plate and a spherical supporting. The evaporating plate engages with the condensing plate to define a hermetic container. Working fluid is contained in the container. The supporting portion in the container is sandwiched between the condensing plate and the evaporating plate and abuts against the condensing plate and the evaporating plate.

1 . A plate-type heat pipe comprising:
 a condensing plate;   an evaporating plate engaged with the condensing plate to define a hermetic container;   working fluid contained in the container; and   a spherical supporting portion in the container sandwiched between and abutting against the condensing plate and the evaporating plate.   
     
     
         2 . The plate-type heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein a first wick structure is adhered on an inner surface of the evaporating plate, and the supporting portion extends through the first wick structure. 
     
     
         3 . The plate-type heat pipe of  claim 2 , wherein the evaporating plate comprises a heat absorbing portion adapted for contacting a heat source, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from edges of the heat absorbing portion, and a plurality of extending portions extending outwardly from a plurality of the sidewalls, the extending portions hermetically connecting the condensing plate. 
     
     
         4 . The plate-type heat pipe of  claim 3 , wherein the first wick structure is adhered on inner surfaces of the sidewalls and the heat absorbing portion. 
     
     
         5 . The plate-type heat pipe of  claim 4 , wherein a second wick structure is adhered on an inner surface of the condensing plate, and the supporting portion extends through the second wick structure. 
     
     
         6 . The plate-type heat pipe of  claim 5 , wherein a periphery of the second wick structure connects a periphery of the first wick structure. 
     
     
         7 . The plate-type heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion is metallic. 
     
     
         8 . A method for manufacturing a plate-type heat pipe, the method comprising:
 a) providing a first metallic sheet, a second metallic sheet and a supporting portion;   b) arranging the supporting portion between the first metallic sheet and the second metallic sheet; and   c) welding peripheries of the first and second metallic sheets together, thereby obtaining a hermetical container, the supporting portion inside the container and abutting against the first and second metallic sheets.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising, before b), disposing the first metallic sheet is in a first mold and forming a first wick structure on the first metallic sheet by sintering a first powder. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first mold includes a first mold portion and a second mold portion matching with the first mold portion, a cavity is defined between the first mold portion and the second mold portion, the first metallic sheet is received in the cavity and abuts against inner surfaces of the second mold portion, and a first receiving chamber is defined between the first mold portion and the first metallic sheet to receive the first powder. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising, before b), disposing the second metallic sheet in a second mold and forming a second wick structure on the second metallic sheet by sintering a second powder. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second mold comprises a first mold portion and a second mold portion matching with the first mold portion, a cavity is defined between the first mold portion and the second mold portion, the second metallic sheet is received in the cavity and abuts against inner surfaces of the second mold portion, and a second receiving chamber is defined between the first mold portion and the second metallic sheet to receive the second powder. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a protruding portion protrudes from the first mold portion the second mold and extends towards the second metallic sheet, and the second receiving chamber is defined between the protruding portion and the second metallic sheet. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a receiving hole is defined in the protruding portion, and the supporting portion is received in the receiving hole and abuts against the second metallic sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the supporting portion becomes integrally connected to the second wick structure when the second wick structure is formed. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein during the welding, the first and second metallic sheets are subjected to high temperature and high pressure for a predetermined period of time and the supporting portion penetrates through the first wick structure to abut against the firstmetallic sheet. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the supporting portion is metallic and has a spherical configuration.