Multi-layer mesh wicks for heat pipes
Heat pipe ( 400 ) includes a heat pipe body ( 402 ) having an inner cavity ( 408 ), and a wick structure ( 404 ) disposed in the inner cavity. The wick structure includes a first woven mesh layer ( 410 ) and a second woven mesh layer ( 412 ) disposed on the first woven mesh layer. The first woven mesh layer is a first weave pattern of thermally conductive fibers ( 103 ) having a first warp direction (W 3 or W 4 ) and the second woven mesh layer is a second weave pattern of thermally conductive fibers ( 105 ) having a second warp direction (W 5 or W 6 ). The second woven mesh layer is disposed on the first woven mesh layer such that the first and the second warp directions are rotationally offset by an inter-layer warp offset angle (γ i ).
1. A heat pipe, comprising:
a heat pipe body including at least one peripheral wall which circumscribes an inner cavity; and
a wick structure disposed in said inner cavity adjacent an interior surface defined by said peripheral wall and circumscribing an interior portion of said cavity, said wick structure comprising a first woven mesh layer and a second woven mesh layer disposed on said first woven mesh layer, said first and second woven mesh layers forming a stack extending from said interior surface of said peripheral wall,
wherein said first woven mesh layer comprises a first weave pattern of thermally conductive fibers having a first warp direction, wherein said second woven mesh layer comprises a second weave pattern of thermally conductive fibers having a second warp direction, and wherein said second woven mesh layer is disposed on said first woven mesh layer such that said first and said second warp directions are rotationally offset by a first inter-layer warp offset angle (γ i ) greater than 2.5 degrees and less than 87.5 degrees, and
wherein said wick structure further comprises a third woven mesh layer disposed on said second woven mesh layer, wherein said third woven mesh layer comprises a third weave pattern of thermally conductive fibers having a third warp direction, and wherein said third woven mesh layer is disposed on said second woven mesh layer such that at least one of said first and said second warp directions are rotationally offset from said third warp direction by a second inter-layer warp offset angle (γ 2 ) greater than 2.5 degrees and less than 87.5 degrees, and wherein a relative magnitude difference between γ 1 and γ 2 is greater than 2.5 degrees.
2. The heat pipe of claim 1 , wherein γ 1 is greater than 5 degrees and less than 85 degrees.
3. The heat pipe of claim 1 , wherein γ 1 is greater than 40 degrees and less than 50 degrees.
4. The heat pipe of claim 1 , wherein said first and said second weave patterns are the same.
5. The heat pipe of claim 1 , wherein said first and said second weave patterns are different with respect to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of the way in which the thermally conductive fibers are positioned in relation to said first and second warp directions respectively, and how transverse thermally conductive fibers cross over and under the thermally conductive fibers in the first and second warp direction, respectively.
6. The heat pipe of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said thermally conductive fibers in said first weave pattern and at least a portion of said thermally conductive fibers in said second weave pattern are different in at least one of size or composition.
7. The heat pipe of claim 1 , wherein at least one of said second and said third weave patterns is different than said first weave pattern with respect to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of the way in which the thermally conductive fibers are positioned in relation to said first, second and third warp directions respectively, and how transverse thermally conductive fibers cross over and under the thermally conductive fibers in the said first, second and third warp direction, respectively.