A heat pipe is provided having a vessel with a closed first end, a second end,
and a wick on an inner surface that defines a passageway. A convex wall is positioned
at the second end so as to block the passageway. The convex wall is deformable
so as to move from a first position wherein a portion of the wall is convex to
a second position wherein the portion of the wall is concave. The convex wall may
include at least one stress concentrator so that upon an application of a force
to the convex wall, the stress concentrator causes the convex wall to buckle. A
method for forming a heat pipe is also provided comprising coating the interior
surface of the vessel with a wicking material and partially saturating the wick
with a working fluid. The vessel is then partially evacuated. A portion of the
vessel is pinched-off so as to seal the vessel. Then, the pinched-off portion of
the vessel is pressed so as to move it from a first position wherein the portion
is convex to a second position wherein the portion is concave.
