Flat heat pipe

Abstract

A thin flat heat pipe capable of transporting heat even if it is bent is provided. The flat heat pipe comprises: a working fluid to be evaporated when heated and to be condensed when the heat dissipates; and a wick, which is formed by bundling a plurality of thin wires while twisting along a center axis thereof, and which is adapted to create a capillary pressure for returning the liquid phase working fluid to a portion where evaporation takes place. The wick is arranged over the entire length of the flat container while being in contact with both upper and lower inner faces of the container or with an inner side face of the container in a manner such that an inner space of the container for letting through an evaporated working fluid is not closed, and a contact portion between the wick and the container is fixed by sintering over the entire length of the wick.

1 . A flat heat pipe, which transports heat by a working fluid to be evaporated when heated and to be condensed when the heat dissipates therefrom, comprising:
 a container, which is flattened and in which the working fluid is encapsulated; and   a wick, which is formed by bundling a plurality of thin wires while twisting along a center axis thereof, and which is adapted to create a capillary pressure when the liquid phase working fluid penetrates thereto;   wherein the wick thus formed of the thin wires is arranged over the entire length of the container while being in contact with both an upper inner face and a lower inner face of the container or with an inner side face of the container in a manner not to close an inner space of the container for letting through an evaporated working fluid; and   any of a contact portion between the wick and the container is fixed by sintering over the entire length of the wick.   
     
     
         2 . The flat heat pipe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the thin wire includes a copper wire. 
     
     
         3 . The flat heat pipe as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bundle of thin wires is straightened before bundling by applying a thermal treatment thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The flat heat pipe as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the thermal treatment includes an annealing. 
     
     
         5 . The flat heat pipe as claimed in any of  claim 1  to  4  or  6 , wherein the container is formed by flattening a pipe holding the bundle of thin wires in its width center. 
     
     
         6 . The flat heat pipe as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the bundle of thin wires is straightened in before bundling by applying a thermal treatment thereto.