1. A heat transfer device comprising:
a first fluid transfer element including:
a first surface and a second surface, and
at least one vapor groove formed into the second surface of the first element to allow for the condensation and passage of a vapor generated by a vaporizable liquid; and
a second fluid transfer element in communication with the first fluid transfer element, the second fluid transfer element including:
a third surface and a fourth surface, and
at least one condensate groove formed into the third surface of the second element, wherein the condensate grieve is configured to transport the vaporizable liquid,
wherein the capillary force generated by the at least one condensate groove is higher than the capillary force generated by the at least one vapor groove.
2. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the at least one vapor groove differs from the dimensions of the at least one condensate groove.
3. The heat transfer device of claim 2, wherein the size of the at least one condensate groove is smaller than the size of the at least one vapor groove.
4. The heat transfer device of claim 2, wherein the geometryshape of the at least one condensate groove differs from the geometry of the at least one vapor groove.
5. The heat transfer device of claim 4, wherein:
the at least one condensate groove possesses a geometry including a sharp corner; and
the at least one vapor groove possesses a rounded shape.
6. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein the at least one vapor groove possesses a rounded shape and the at least one condensate groove possesses a polygonal shape.
7. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein:
the second fluid transfer element defines an evaporation region;
the second fluid transfer element further comprises a multi-wick structure having a wicking power that increases with decreasing distance to the evaporation region.
8. The heat transfer device of claim 7, wherein:
the second fluid transfer element includes an evaporation region, and
the multi-wick structure is a boiling enhancement multi-wick structure formed over the evaporation region.
9. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein:
the at least one condensate groove possesses a shape selected from the group consisting of a rounded shape and a polygonal shape; and
the at least one vapor groove possesses a shape selected from the group consisting of: a rounded shape and a polygonal shape.
10. The heat transfer device of claim 1 further comprising an air groove formed into at least one of the first surface of the first fluid transfer element or the fourth surface of the second fluid transfer element.
11. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein:
the at least one vapor groove comprises a plurality of grooves spaced apart so as to define a plurality of crests between the grooves; and
the at least one condensate groove comprises a plurality of grooves spaced apart so as to define a plurality of crests between the grooves,
wherein the crests of the first fluid transfer element and the crests of the second fluid transfer element are selectively joined to form crest joints.
12. The heat transfer device of claim 1 further comprising an edge joint coupling the first fluid transfer element to the second fluid transfer element such that a fluid tight seal is created.
13. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein:
the overall vapor groove structure pattern is selected from the group consisting of a grid pattern, a leaf-vein pattern, and combinations thereof; and
the overall condensate groove structure pattern is selected from the group consisting of a grid pattern, a leaf-vein pattern, a multi-wick structure patent, and combinations thereof.
14. The heat transfer device of claim 1 further comprising a vaporizable liquid housed within the transfer device.
15. The heat transfer device of claim 1, wherein:
the second fluid transfer element defines an evaporation region; and
the condensate groove is configured to transport the liquid toward the evaporation region.
16. A heat transfer device comprising:
a first fluid transfer element including:
a first surface and a second surface,
a plurality of condensate grooves formed into the second surface of the first element, wherein the condensate grooves are spaced to form a plurality of crests defined by the area between the grooves; and
a second fluid transfer element including:
a third surface and a fourth surface, and
a plurality of vapor grooves formed into the first surface of the second element, wherein the vapor grooves are spaced to form a plurality of crests defined by the area between the grooves,
wherein one or more of the crests of the first fluid transfer element selectively contact one or more of the crests of the second fluid transfer element to form one or more contact areas.
17. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein the capillary force generated by each of the plurality of condensate grooves is higher than the capillary force generated by each of the plurality of vapor grooves.
18. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein the dimensions of the plurality of vapor grooves differs from the dimensions of the plurality of condensate grooves.
19. The heat transfer device of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of condensate grooves is sized smaller than each of the plurality of vapor grooves.
20. The heat transfer device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of condensate grooves possesses a shape that differs from the shape of the plurality of vapor grooves.
21. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein the second fluid transfer element further comprises a multi-wick structure in communication with the condensate grooves, the multi-wick structure being formed into the third surface of the second fluid transfer element.
22. The heat transfer device of claim 21, wherein:
the second fluid transfer element includes an evaporation region, and
the multi-wick structure is a boiling enhancement multi-wick structure disposed over the evaporation region.
23. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein:
each of the vapor grooves possesses a shape selected from the group consisting of a rounded shape and a polygonal shape; and
each of the condensate grooves possesses a shape selected from the group consisting of a rounded shape and a polygonal shape.
24. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein:
the overall vapor groove structure pattern is selected from the group consisting of a grid pattern, a leaf-vein pattern, and combinations thereof; and
the overall condensate groove structure pattern is selected from the group consisting of a grid pattern, a leaf-vein pattern, a multi-wick structure, and combinations thereof.
25. The heat transfer device of claim 16, further comprising an air groove formed into at least one of the first surface of the first fluid transfer element or the fourth surface of the second fluid transfer element.
26. The heat transfer device of claim 16 further comprising an edge joint coupling the first fluid transfer element to the second fluid transfer element such that a fluid tight seal is created.
27. The heat transfer device of claim 16 further comprising a vaporizable liquid housed within the transfer device.
28. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein:
the second fluid transfer element defines an evaporation region; and
the condensate grooves are configured to transport the liquid toward the evaporation region.
29. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein at least about 10% of areas forming the contact areas are functionally joined together to form crest joints.
30. The heat transfer device of claim 16, wherein:
the plurality of condensate grooves comprises condensate grooves possessing a shape including a sharp corner; and
the plurality of vapor grooves comprises grooves possessing a rounded shape.
31. A method of forming a vapor chamber device to minimize pressure forces while maintaining vapor spreading capabilities, the method comprising:
(a) providing a first fluid transfer element including a first surface and a second surface;
(b) forming at least one vapor channel into the second surface of the first element, wherein the vapor channel allows the condensation and passage of a vapor generated by a vaporizable fluid;
(c) providing a second fluid transfer element in communication with the first fluid transfer element, the second fluid transfer element including a third surface and a fourth surface; and
(d) forming at least one condensate channel into the third surface of the second element, the condensate channel being operable to transport the vaporizable fluid,
wherein the capillary force of the at least one condensate channel is higher than the capillary force of the at least one vapor channel.
32. The method of claim 31 further comprising:
(e) sealing the heat transfer device to form a fluid tight seal; and
(f) charging the heat transfer device with the vaporizable liquid.
33. A method of forming a vapor chamber device, the method comprising:
(a) providing a first fluid transfer element including a first surface and a second surface;
(b) forming a plurality of condensate channels into the second surface of the first element, wherein the condensate channels are spaced to form a plurality of crests defined by the area between the channels;
(c) providing a second fluid transfer element including a third surface and a fourth surface;
(d) forming a plurality of vapor channels into the third surface of the second element, wherein the vapor channels are spaced to form a plurality of crests defined by the area between the channels; and
(e) selectively contacting one or more of the crests of the first fluid transfer element with one or more of the crests of the second fluid transfer element to form contact areas with the vapor chamber.
34. The method of claim 33 further comprising (f) sealing the contact areas together to form a crest joint.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A respiratory interface device comprising:
a frame member having a plurality of tabs spaced apart on a peripheral edge of the frame member and projecting outwardly therefrom; and
a cushion device including a plurality of detents, each of the plurality of detents being spaced apart on a peripheral edge of the cushion device and projecting forwardly from the peripheral edge of the cushion device, each of the plurality of detents having an inside surface perpendicular to the peripheral edge of the cushion device, an outside surface perpendicular to the peripheral edge of the cushion device and an opening formed therethrough, wherein each of the detents has a curved recessed surface formed therein and located between the inside surface and the outside surface to thereby provide a guide to position each of the plurality of tabs downward into the opening of a corresponding one of the plurality of detents, and wherein each of the plurality of detents is positioned to engage with a corresponding one of the plurality of tabs to removably couple the cushion device to the frame member.
2. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the cushion device comprises a cushion portion and a ring coupled to the cushion portion, wherein the ring comprises the peripheral edge of the cushion device, and wherein the detents project forwardly relative to the ring.
3. The respiratory interface device of claim 2, wherein the ring and the detents are integrally formed and are constructed of a substantially rigid material.
4. The respiratory interface device of claim 2, wherein the cushion portion and the ring are coupled together by overmolding the cushion portion to the ring.
5. The respiratory interface device of claim 2, wherein the ring has three sides, and wherein the plurality of detents includes three detents, each of the detents being positioned on a different side of the ring.
6. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the cushion device comprises a cushion portion, and wherein the detents are directly attached to the cushion portion.
7. The respiratory interface device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of detents includes three detents.
8. The respiratory interface device of claim 7, wherein each of the three detents is positioned on a different side of the cushion device.
9. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the cushion device comprises a cushion portion, and wherein the detents are integrally formed as part of the cushion portion.
10. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein said frame member includes a forehead support member.
11. The respiratory interface device of claim 10, wherein the forehead support member includes an opening defined by a peripheral edge, and wherein a portion of the cushion device is received through the opening of the forehead support member and engages the peripheral edge of the opening of the forehead support member.
12. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the cushion device comprises a cushion portion constructed of a substantially flexible material.
13. The respiratory interface device of claim 12, wherein the substantially flexible material is a silicon material.
14. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the frame member includes three sides, and wherein the plurality of tabs includes three tabs, each tab being positioned on a different side of the frame member.
15. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the frame member has a first opening comprising an inlet.
16. The respiratory interface device of claim 1, wherein the inside surface and the outside surface of each detent defines a thickness of each detent that is less than a thickness of the peripheral edge of the cushion device.