Loop thermosiphon 3d vapor chamber

Abstract

A 3 D vapor chamber includes a lower body defining an evaporator region, a header positioned above the lower body, conduits extending between the lower body and the header, a condenser region, and a working fluid located within at least one of the lower body, the header, or the conduits. The conduits are configured to direct a flow of the working fluid to and from the lower body and the header. A portion of the working fluid is configured to be in vaporized form during use, and another portion of the working fluid is configured to be in liquid form during use. The conduits are arranged such that the vaporized working fluid and the liquid working fluid are configured to flow in a same direction in at least one of the conduits.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A 3D vapor chamber comprising:
 a lower body defining an evaporator region;   a header positioned above the lower body;   conduits extending between the lower body and the header;   a condenser region; and   a working fluid located within at least one of the lower body, the header, or the conduits,   wherein the conduits are configured to direct a flow of the working fluid to and from the lower body and the header, wherein a portion of the working fluid is configured to be in vaporized form during use, and another portion of the working fluid is configured to be in liquid form during use, wherein the conduits are arranged such that the vaporized working fluid and the liquid working fluid are configured to flow in a same direction in at least one of the conduits.   
     
     
         2 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the vaporized working fluid and the liquid working fluid are configured to flow in a same direction in the condenser region. 
     
     
         3 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the lower body defines a hollow interior and a recessed well, wherein the recessed well defines at least a portion of the evaporator region. 
     
     
         4 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 3 , wherein the lower body defines a liquid reservoir configured to receive the liquid working fluid from the condenser region and to direct the liquid working fluid toward the recessed well, wherein the liquid reservoir includes a lower reservoir wall, an upper reservoir wall, a side reservoir wall that extends from the lower reservoir wall to the upper reservoir wall, and a boundary wall that extends upwardly from the lower reservoir wall and terminates before reaching the upper reservoir wall. 
     
     
         5 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 4 , wherein the boundary wall has a serpentine shape. 
     
     
         6 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 4 , further comprising a wick structure that extends into the recessed well, wherein the wick structure includes a peripheral portion that extends upwardly out of the recessed well and wraps up and over the boundary wall. 
     
     
         7 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 6 , wherein the peripheral portion physically contacts the upper reservoir wall, and also physically contacts the first lower reservoir wall, and wherein the peripheral portion is configured to inhibit the vaporized working fluid from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one of the conduits is a first conduit, wherein the wick structure is a first wick structure, wherein the 3D vapor chamber further includes a second conduit and a second wick structure extending vertically within the second conduit, wherein the second wick structure is configured to direct the liquid working fluid toward the first wick structure. 
     
     
         9 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 8 , wherein the header includes posts configured to provide structural support for the header, wherein the posts have non-circular cross-sectional shapes to facilitate a flow of the working fluid through the header along a lateral direction. 
     
     
         10 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the conduits include a first conduit having a first width, and a second conduit having a second width different than the first width, wherein the condenser includes air-cooled fins arranged in stacks, and wherein a density of the air-cooled fins in one stack is different than a density of air-cooled fins in a different stack. 
     
     
         11 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 1 , wherein the evaporator region includes a lower wall and extended surfaces that extend upwardly from the lower wall, wherein the evaporator region further includes a wick structure that extends at least partially over the extended surfaces. 
     
     
         12 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 11 , wherein the extended surfaces are fins that define a matrix in the evaporator region, wherein the extended surfaces are configured to provide structural support for the evaporator region. 
     
     
         13 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 12 , wherein the evaporator region further includes posts extending vertically upwardly from the fins, wherein the wick structure further extends over the posts. 
     
     
         14 . A 3D vapor chamber comprising:
 a lower body defining an evaporator region;   a header positioned above the lower body;   conduits extending between the lower body and the header, wherein the conduits are configured to direct a flow of working fluid between the lower body and the header; and   a condenser region positioned between the lower body and the header;   wherein the evaporator region includes a lower wall, and extended surfaces that extend upwardly from the lower wall, wherein the evaporator region further includes a wick structure that extends at least partially over the extended surfaces.   
     
     
         15 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 14 , wherein the extended surfaces are fins that define a matrix in the evaporator region, wherein the extended surfaces are configured to provide structural support for the evaporator region. 
     
     
         16 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 15 , wherein the evaporator region further includes posts extending vertically upwardly from the fins, wherein the wick structure further extends over the posts. 
     
     
         17 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 16 , wherein each of the extended surfaces includes a root located where the extended surface rises upwardly from the lower wall, wherein the wick structure has a first thickness along one of the fins, and a second thickness at one of the roots, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness. 
     
     
         18 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 16 , wherein each of the fins has a first width and each of the posts has a second width, wherein the first width is greater than the second width. 
     
     
         19 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 14 , wherein the wick structure includes powder ribs. 
     
     
         20 . The 3D vapor chamber of  claim 14 , wherein the wick structure is positioned in the lower body so as to block movement of a vaporized portion of the working fluid, and to force the vaporized portion of the working fluid to enter one or more of the conduits, and to flow up into the header before flowing back down through one or more of the conduits.