BRAZED WICK FOR A HEAT TRANSFER DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
A capillary structure for a heat transfer device, such as a heat pipe is provided having a plurality of particles joined together by a brazing compound such that fillets of the brazing compound are formed between adjacent ones of the plurality of particles. In this way, a network of capillary passageways are formed between the particles to aid in the transfer of working fluid by capillary action, while the plurality of fillets provide enhanced thermal transfer properties between the plurality of particles so as to greatly improve over all heat transfer efficiency of the device. A method of making the capillary structure according to the invention is also presented.
1 . A method for making a capillary structure on an inside surface of a container, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a slurry of metal particles that are mixed with a brazing compound wherein said metal particles comprise a first melting temperature and said brazing compound comprises a second melting temperature that is lower than said first melting temperature;
(b) coating at least portion of said inside surface of said container with said slurry;
(c) drying said slurry to form a green wick; and,
(d) heating said green wick to a temperature that is no less than said second melting temperature and below said first melting temperature so that said brazing compound is drawn by capillary action toward adjacent of said metal particles so as to form heat-distribution fillets between said adjacent metal particles thereby to yield a brazed wick.
2 . A capillary structure formed according to the method of claim 1.