Heat transfer device and method of making same

Abstract

A heat pipe is provided having an enclosed vapor chamber and a wick disposed within the vapor chamber. The wick comprises a plurality of lands having a thickness and a plurality of vents formed between the lands, wherein each vent includes a layer of wick having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the lands.

1 . A heat pipe comprising:
 an enclosed vapor chamber; and   a wick disposed within the vapor chamber, the wick comprising a plurality of lands having a thickness and a plurality of vents formed between the lands, wherein each vent includes a layer of wick having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the lands.   
     
     
         2 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the thicknesses of each of the plurality of the lands are the same and the thickness of the wick in each of the vents is the same. 
     
     
         3 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the lands and the vents are localized to a portion of the wick. 
     
     
         4 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the lands are equally spaced apart by the vents. 
     
     
         5 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein each of the vents is the same size and shape. 
     
     
         6 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of lands are shaped as ridges. 
     
     
         7 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lands of the wick forms an orthogonal pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The heat pipe of  claim 1 , wherein the wick in each of the vents is continuous between the lands. 
     
     
         9 . A heat pipe comprising:
 a first wall and a second wall, the second wall spaced apart and opposite from the first wall, the first and second walls defining a vapor chamber therebetween; and   a wick associated with the second wall, the wick having a plurality of vents, wherein each vent comprises a layer of wick which is adjacent to the second wall and which has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the wick.   
     
     
         10 . The heat pipe of  claim 9 , wherein the thickness of each vent is the same. 
     
     
         11 . The heat pipe of  claim 9 , wherein the vents are localized to a portion of the wick. 
     
     
         12 . The heat pipe of  claim 9 , wherein the vents are equally spaced apart. 
     
     
         13 . The heat pipe of  claim 9 , wherein each of the vents is the same size and shape. 
     
     
         14 . The heat pipe of  claim 9 , wherein the wick includes a plurality of ridges between the vents. 
     
     
         15 . The heat pipe of  claim 9 , wherein the wick between the vents forms an orthogonal pattern. 
     
     
         16 . The heat pipe of  claim 9 , wherein the wick in each of the vents is continuous between the lands. 
     
     
         17 . A heat pipe comprising:
 a top wall and a bottom wall defining a vapor chamber therebetween; and   a wick associated with the bottom wall, the wick having a plurality of vents, wherein each vent has a layer of wick at a bottom thereof comprising a vent wick.   
     
     
         18 . The heat pipe of  claim 17 , wherein the thickness of each vent wick is the same. 
     
     
         19 . The heat pipe of  claim 17 , wherein the vents are localized to a portion of the wick. 
     
     
         20 . The heat pipe of  claim 17 , wherein the vents are equally spaced apart. 
     
     
         21 . The heat pipe of  claim 17 , wherein each of the vents is the same size and shape. 
     
     
         22 . The heat pipe of  claim 17 , wherein the wick includes a plurality of ridges between the vents. 
     
     
         23 . The heat pipe of  claim 17 , wherein the wick between the vents forms an orthogonal pattern. 
     
     
         24 . The heat pipe of  claim 17 , wherein the vent wick is continuous between the lands.