Cooling apparatus having low profile extrusion and method of manufacture therefor

• US 6,988,315 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Inventors: DeVilbiss, Roger S., Parish, Overton L. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Omgba, Essama
• Application Number:
  US10/328,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20030089487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 298/900.3, 298/900.32, 298/900.45, 298/900.46, 298/900.5, 298/900.9, 165/104.19, 165/104.21, 165/104.22, 165/104.26, 165/104.28, 165/104.33, 165/104.38, 165/108
• US Class Current: 29/890.045
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 1/0246 heat-exchange elements having several adjacent conduits forming a whole, e.g. blocks
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0233 the conduits having a particular shape, e.g. non-circular cross-section, annular F28D15/0241, F28D15/0266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0283 Means for filling or sealing heat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2015/0225 Microheat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0029 Heat sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0031 Radiators for recooling a coolant of cooling systems
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 1/022 with multiple channels
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/427 Cooling by change of state, e.g. use of heat pipes by liquefied gas H01L23/445
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/473 by flowing liquids H01L23/4332, H01L23/4338 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49353 Heat pipe device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49377 Tube with heat transfer means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49378 Finned tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49385 Made from unitary workpiece, i.e., no assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49396 Condenser, evaporator or vaporizer making

Abstract

A method for removing heat from a heat generating component using a low profile extrusion with a plurality of micro tubes extended there through. The low profile extrusion is placed into thermal connection with heat producing components. A heat transfer fluid removes heat via an adiabatic process.

Claims

1. A method of removing heat from a heat generating component comprising:

positioning an evaporator section of a low profile member adjacent a heat generating component;

transferring heat from said heat generating component to a heat transfer fluid contained within at least one microtube and located within said evaporator section of said low profile member;

migrating, via said at least one microtube, the heat transfer fluid to which heat was transferred to a condenser region of said low profile member;

cooling said fluid within said condenser region; and

returning, via said at least one microtube, said cooled fluid to said evaporator section;

wherein said step of cooling said fluid is enhanced by a plurality of low profile extrusion members that are mounted as fins on the evaporation section of the low profile member, the low profile extrusion members manufactured as heat pipes capable of phase change heat transfer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said step of transferring heat to said heat transfer fluid changes phase of said heat transfer fluid from a liquid to a gas; and

said step of cooling said fluid within said condenser region changes phase of said heat transfer fluid from a gas to a liquid.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said migration of said heated fluid to said condenser region is due to wicking of said heat transfer fluid.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of cooling said fluid is enhanced by at least one capillary groove on an interior surface of each of a plurality of micro tubes.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

crimping first and second ends of said low profile member to seal an interior space of said low profile member.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of crimping folds a plurality of longitudinal members from a vertically offset position to a substantially horizontal position.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of welding said first and second ends of said low profile member after crimping said ends.