Flexible flow channel for a modular liquid-cooled thermal spreader

• US 20100064695A1
• Filed: 09/12/2008
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Lower, Nathan P., Wilcoxon, Ross K., Dlouhy, David W., Wooldridge, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,650,886 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/3.200
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/00 Pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 19/006 Micropumps F04B43/043 and F04B43/095 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/00 Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies F28D17/00, F28D19/00, F28D20/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2013/006 Heat conductive materials
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2250/08 Fluid driving means, e.g. pumps, fans
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2255/02 Flexible elements
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/12 Elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel, e.g. with channels F28D1/02, F28D1/03 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/0401 Bonding areas specifically adapted for bump connectors, e.g. under bump metallisation [UBM]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/73253 Bump and layer connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/473 by flowing liquids H01L23/4332, H01L23/4338 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00011 Not relevant to the scope of the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01019 Potassium [K]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/09701 Low temperature co-fired ceramic [LTCC]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 Impedance

Abstract

The present invention is a flexible liquid cooling loop for providing a thermal path between a heat source and a heat sink. The cooling loop includes a plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections configured for being in thermal contact with the heat source and the heat sink. The cooling loop further includes a plurality of mechanically flexible tubing sections configured for connecting the mechanically rigid sections to form the loop. The loop is configured for containing a liquid. The liquid is configured for being circulated within the loop for promoting transfer of thermal energy from the heat source to the heat sink via the loop.

Claims

1. A flexible liquid cooling loop for providing a thermal path between a heat source surface and a heat sink surface, comprising:

a plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections, at least one mechanically rigid tubing section included in the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections being configured for contacting the heat source surface, at least one mechanically rigid tubing section included in the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections being configured for contacting the heat sink surface; and

a plurality of mechanically flexible tubing sections, the plurality of mechanically flexible tubing sections configured for connecting the plurality of mechanically rigid sections to form the loop,

wherein the loop is configured for containing a liquid, said loop being further configured for promoting transfer of thermal energy from the heat source surface to the heat sink surface via the loop.

2. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loop is configured for being integrated with a thermal spreader.

3. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 2, wherein the thermal spreader is a mechanically flexible thermal spreader.

4. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid is an electrically-conductive liquid.

5. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a pump, the pump configured for being connected within the loop via a first pair of mechanically flexible tubing sections included in the plurality of mechanically flexible tubing sections, the pump further configured for circulating the liquid within the loop for promoting transfer of heat from the heat source surface to the heat sink surface via the loop.

6. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a thermoelectric generator, the thermoelectric generator configured for being connected within the loop via a second pair of mechanically flexible tubing sections included in the plurality of mechanically flexible tubing sections, the thermoelectric generator configured for being positioned within the loop at a heat transfer location for the loop, the thermoelectric generator further configured for tapping a portion of the thermal energy transferred to the loop from the heat source surface and transferred from the loop to the heat sink surface, generating electrical power from said tapped portion of the thermal energy and providing the electrical power to the pump for powering the pump.

7. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanically rigid tubing sections are constructed of metal.

8. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanically rigid tubing sections are constructed of organic materials.

9. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanically flexible tubing sections are constructed of elastomeric materials.

10. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat source surface is an electronics component for a vehicle and the heat sink surface is a vehicle mounting plate.

11. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 10, wherein electronics component for the vehicle and the vehicle mounting plate are connected via vibration isolators.

12. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanically rigid tubing sections are generally rectangular tubing sections.

13. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanically rigid tubing sections are connected to the mechanically flexible tubing sections via adhesive.

14. A flexible liquid cooling loop for providing a thermal path between a heat source surface and a heat sink surface, comprising:

mechanically flexible tubing; and

a plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections, the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections configured for being connected via the mechanically flexible tubing to form the loop, at least one mechanically rigid tubing section included in the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections being configured for contacting the heat source surface, at least one mechanically rigid tubing section included in the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections being configured for contacting the heat sink surface,

wherein the loop is configured for containing a liquid, said loop being further configured for promoting transfer of thermal energy from the heat source surface to the heat sink surface via the loop, said loop being further configured for integration within a mechanically flexible substrate of a mechanically compliant thermal spreader.

15. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 14, wherein the liquid is an electrically-conductive liquid.

16. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

a pump, the pump configured for being connected into the loop via the mechanically flexible tubing, the pump further configured for circulating the liquid within the loop for promoting transfer of heat from the heat source surface to the heat sink surface via the loop.

17. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

a thermoelectric generator, the thermoelectric generator configured for being connected into the mechanically flexible tubing, the thermoelectric generator configured for being positioned within the loop at a heat transfer location for the loop, the thermoelectric generator further configured for tapping a portion of the thermal energy transferred to the loop from the heat source surface and transferred from the loop to the heat sink surface, generating electrical power from said tapped portion of the thermal energy and providing the electrical power to the pump for powering the pump.

18. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mechanically rigid tubing sections are constructed of at least one of:

metal and organic materials.

19. A flexible liquid cooling loop as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mechanically flexible tubing is constructed of elastomeric materials.

20. A liquid cooling loop, for providing a thermal path between a heat source surface and a heat sink surface, comprising:

a plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections, each mechanically rigid tubing section included in the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections forming a first compartment and a second compartment; and

a plurality of mechanically flexible tubing sections, a first set of mechanically flexible tubing sections included in the plurality of mechanically flexible tubing sections being configured for connecting the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections via the first compartments of each mechanically rigid tubing section included in the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections, a second set of mechanically flexible tubing sections included in the plurality of mechanically flexible tubing sections being configured for connecting the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections via the second compartments of each mechanically rigid tubing section included in the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections, the plurality of mechanically rigid tubing sections configured for being connected via the first set of mechanically flexible tubing sections and the second set of mechanically flexible tubing sections to form the loop, said first compartments and second compartments preventing physical contact of the first set of mechanically flexible tubing sections and said second set of mechanically flexible tubing sections,

wherein the loop is configured for containing a liquid, said loop being further configured for promoting transfer of thermal energy from the heat source surface to the heat sink surface via the loop.