HEAT-CONDUCTING MODULE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
The present invention relates to a heat-conducting module and a method for manufacturing the same. A hollow aluminum tube (110) is put on a corresponding heat pipe (111) to form an aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11). Then, one or more aluminum-skinned heat pipes (11) are disposed in a casting space (22) of a die casting mold (2). Molten aluminum materials are filled in the die casting space (11) of the die casting mold (2) to form a heat-conducting module (1). By using a die casting process, molten aluminum materials are used to cover at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11), thereby finishing the heat-conducting module (1).
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat-conducting module and a method for manufacturing the same. Particularly, the present invention relates to a heat-conducting module which is made by using molten metallic materials to cover aluminum-skinned heat pipes via a die casting process and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of Prior Art
Heat-conducting elements such as heat pipes are used to dissipate heat or transfer heat. The interior of the heat pipe is made to be vacuumed. A working fluid is filled into the heat pipe to generate a phase change therein. When the working fluid is heated, it evaporates to become vapors, thereby carrying away the heat. Then, the vapor phase of the working fluid condenses to return its liquid phase and to circulate in the heat pipe. In order to manufacture a plate-type heat pipe, conventionally, a plurality of heat pipes is disposed in a solid or hollow metallic plate. Alternatively, a tubular heat pipe is rolled or pressed to form a plate-type heat pipe.
However, the strength of the conventional plate-type heat pipe is insufficient. Further, it is difficult for heat-dissipating elements such as fins to be provided on the conventional plate-type heat pipe. As for the plate-type heat pipe formed by covering heat pipes by a solid or hollow metallic plate, it is an important issue to consider the thermal resistance generated by the gap between the heat pipe and the metallic plate. As for the plate-type heat pipe made by heat pipes penetrating into a solid metallic plate, it is difficult to control the tolerance between the penetrating heat pipe and the metallic plate. If the tolerance is larger, a gap will be formed between the heat pipe and the metallic plate, and thus a heat-conducting medium has to be applied in this gap. If the tolerance is smaller, the penetration of the heat pipe into the metallic plate becomes more difficult. As for the plate-type heat pipe made by embedding heat pipes in a metallic plate, the heat transfer effect between the heat pipe and the metallic plate will be deteriorated because the metallic plate is made of a material (aluminum) different from the material (copper) of the heat pipe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a heat-conducting module and a method for manufacturing the same. The heat-conducting module is made by using molten metallic materials to cover at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe by a die casting process. More specifically, the heat-conducting module employs the aluminum material as a heat-conducting medium because the aluminum material can generate a good heat-dissipating effect and a better heat transfer effect. On the other hand, the heat-conducting module of the present invention is chemically stable and thus will not be separated or explored easily. Further, it has a better corrosion resistance.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a heat-conducting module, including steps of:
a) putting a hollow aluminum tube on a heat pipe to make an aluminum-skinned heat pipe;
b) disposing at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe into a casting space of a die casting mold;
c) filling aluminum materials in the casting space of the die casting mold to form a heat-conducting module, wherein the heat-conducting module includes an aluminum base and at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe, the aluminum base covers the at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe;
wherein the aluminum materials are melted to cover the at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe by a die casting process, thereby obtaining the heat-conducting module.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a heat-conducting module including an aluminum base and at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe disposed in the aluminum base, wherein the aluminum-skinned heat pipe comprises a heat pipe and an aluminum tube tightly covering the heat pipe.
In order to make the Examiner to better understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present invention, a detailed description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is noteworthy to point out that the drawings is provided for the illustration purpose only, but not intended for limiting the scope of the present invention.
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After the drawing process, the aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 is taken off from the mounting base 3 and the movable stage 4. Then, both ends of the aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 are sealed. More specifically, two aluminum sealing heads 112 are used to seal two ends 113 of the hollow aluminum tube 110, so that the heat pipe 111 is completely covered by the hollow aluminum tube 110. The aluminum sealing head 112 may be made of the same material as that of the hollow aluminum tube 110 or the aluminum base 10.
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In the thus-formed heat-conducting module 1 made by covering the aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 with molten metallic materials, since the hollow aluminum tube 110 acts as an aluminum skin to cover the heat pipe 111, a good heat-dissipating effect and a better heat transfer effect can be achieved between the aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 and the aluminum base 10. On the other hand, since the heat-conducting module 1 is made by using a die casting process to cover the aluminum-skinned heat pipe 11 with molten metallic materials, the present invention has a better corrosion resistance.
Therefore, with the above method, the heat-conducting module of the present invention can be obtained.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various equivalent variations and modifications can still occur to those skilled in this art in view of the teachings of the present invention. Thus, all such variations and equivalent modifications are also embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a heat-conducting module, including steps of:
- a) putting a hollow aluminum tube (110) on a corresponding heat pipe (111) to form an aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11);
- b) disposing the at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11) into a casting space (22) of a die casting mold (2); and
- c) filling aluminum materials into the casting space (22) of the die casting mold (2) to form a heat-conducting module (1), wherein the heat-conducting module (1) comprises an aluminum base (10) and the at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11), and the aluminum base (10) covers the at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11);
- wherein molten aluminum materials cover the at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11) by a die casting process to thereby form the heat-conducting module (1).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11) in the step a) is made by drawing the hollow aluminum tube (110) to cover the heat pipe (111).
3. The method according to claim 2, further including a step of sealing both ends of the hollow aluminum tube (110) with two aluminum sealing heads (112).
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the die casting mold (2) in the step b) comprises a first mold part (20) and a second mold part (21), and the first mold part (20) and the second mold part (21) are brought into tight contact with each other to form the casting space (22), thereby forming the aluminum base (10).
5. A heat-conducting module, including:
- an aluminum base (10); and
- at least one aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11) disposed in the aluminum base (10);
- wherein the aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11) comprises a heat pipe (111) and an aluminum tube (110) covering the heat pipe (111).
6. The heat-conducting module according to claim 5, wherein the aluminum base (10) is made of aluminum-based metals or alloys thereof.
7. The heat-conducting module according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of aluminum-skinned heat pipes (11) are disposed in the aluminum base (10) at intervals.
8. The heat-conducting module according to claim 5, wherein the aluminum-skinned heat pipe (11) is sealed by aluminum sealing heads (112) at both ends (113) of the aluminum tube (110).
9. The heat-conducting module according to claim 8, wherein the aluminum sealing heads (112) are made of aluminum-based metals or alloys.
10. The heat-conducting module according to claim 5, wherein the aluminum tube (110) is made of aluminum-based metals or alloys.
11. The heat-conducting module according to claim 5, wherein the aluminum pipe (110) is a hollow tube to be put on the heat pipe (111).
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 9, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 11, 2013
Applicant:
Inventors: Chia-Yu LIN (New Taipei City), Lei-Lei Liu (Hui Zhou City)
Application Number: 13/345,849
International Classification: F28D 15/04 (20060101); B22D 19/00 (20060101); B21D 53/02 (20060101);