Compact electronics plenum

• US 7,027,300 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2003
• Issued: 04/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobility Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Lord, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US10/663,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20050057899A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 361/686, 361/687, 361/688, 361/690, 361/692, 361/695, 361702-705, 361714-719, 361/735, 361/741, 361/752, 361/756, 361/760, 361764-768, 361/785, 361/789, 361/700, 361/802, 361/816, 257706-727, 165/80.3, 165/80.4, 165/121, 165/122, 165/104.33, 165/104.34, 165/120, 165/185, 174/52.4, 174/16.3, 174/252, 174/254, 174/260, 174/15.1, 298/39, 298/40, 298/42, 298/45, 454/184
• US Class Current: 361/695
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/048 in the form of ribs integral with the element or local variations in thickness of the element, e.g. grooves, microchannels
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/467 by flowing gases, e.g. air H01L23/473 takes 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

Abstract

A plenum (12, 60) having a plurality of heat fins (40, 72) and also a receptacle (20) for receiving a heat generating component (22) in a friction fit arrangement. The plenum has a plurality of passageways (14, 66) defined by the plurality of fins arranged in rows, and also includes a plurality of openings (50, 76) disposed between the fin. The receptacle frictionally receives a respective heat generating component (22), and wicks heat to the fins. Air communicating through the passageways defined by the fins removes heat from the fins, and also creates a venturi effect to remove heat from within a housing via the openings to further cool the portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A cooling system, comprising:

a plenum formed of a thermally conductive material and having a base including a plurality of passageways adapted to pass air therethrough, the passageways being defined by a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base;

the plenum further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a heat generating component, the receptacle also extending from the base at a location proximate, but remote from, the fins, the receptacle being adapted to thermally transfer heat from the received heat generating component to the fins, wherein the base is comprised of a pair of electrically conductive portions separated from each other, and joined by, an electrically non-conductive portion, further comprising a pair of said receptacles, each said receptacle being coupled to a respective said conductive portion; and

a fan adapted to create air flow across the base and through the passageways.

2. The cooling system as specified in claim 1 wherein the base has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the fins extend outwardly from the upper surface and the receptacle extends outwardly from the lower surface.

3. The cooling system as specified in claim 1 wherein the base, the fins, and the receptacle are formed as a unitary member.

5. The cooling system as specified in claim 1 wherein the fins are formed generally parallel to one another to define the plurality of passageways.

6. The cooling system as specified in claim 1 further comprising a lid member coupled to the plenum to define the passageways, whereby the fins separate one passageway from another passageway.

10. The cooling system as specified in claim 1 wherein the fins are formed as a plurality of generally collinear fins in a plurality of rows.

12. The cooling system as specified in claim 1 wherein the fan is disposed proximate the exhaust port and draws air into the passageways via the intake port.

4. A cooling system, comprising:

a plenum formed of a thermally conductive material and having a base including a plurality of passageways adapted to pass air therethrough, the passageways being defined by a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base;

the plenum further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a heat generating component, the receptacle also extending from the base at a location proximate, but remote from, the fins, the receptacle being adapted to thermally transfer heat from the received heat generating component to the fins wherein the base is comprised of a first electrically conductive portion and a second electrically non-conductive portion, further comprising a pair of said receptacles, each said receptacle being coupled the one of the first and the second respective portions; and

a fan adapted to create air flow across the base and through the passageways.

7. A cooling system, comprising:

a plenum formed of a thermally conductive material and having a base including a plurality of passageways adapted to pass air therethrough, the passageways being defined by a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base;

the plenum further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a heat generating component, the receptacle also extending from the base at a location proximate, but remote from, the fins, the receptacle being adapted to thermally transfer heat from the received heat generating component to the fins, wherein the plenum has an intake port coupled to an exhaust port, wherein the passageways funnel from the intake port to the output port; and

a fan adapted to create air flow across the base and through the passageways.

8. The cooling system as specified in claim 7 wherein the exhaust port opposes the intake port.

9. The cooling system as specified in claim 7 wherein the exhaust port opens laterally from the base.

11. A cooling system, comprising:

a plenum formed of a thermally conductive material and having a base including a plurality of passageways adapted to pass air therethrough, the passageways being defined by a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base;

the plenum further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a heat generating component, the receptacle also extending from the base at a location proximate, but remote from, the fins, the receptacle being adapted to thermally transfer heat from the received heat generating component to the fins, wherein the base further includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough and communicating with the passageways, the openings being adapted to generate a venturi effect when air is communicated through the passageways; and

a fan adapted to create air flow across the base and through the passageways.

13. A cooling system, comprising:

a plenum formed of a thermally conductive material and having a base including a plurality of passageways adapted to pass air therethrough, the passageways being defined by a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base;

the plenum further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a heat generating component, the receptacle also extending from the base at a location proximate, but remote from, the fins, the receptacle being adapted to thermally transfer heat from the received heat generating component to the fins, wherein the plenum receptacle is adapted to receive the heat generating component in a friction fit arrangement; and

a fan adapted to create air flow across the base and through the passageways.

14. The cooling system as specified in claim 13 wherein the receptacle extends away from the fins.

15. The cooling system as specified in claim 14 wherein the receptacle is opposed from the fins.

16. In combination;

A cooling system, comprising;

a plenum formed of a thermally conductive material and having a base including a plurality of passageways adapted to pass air therethrough, the passageways being defined by a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base;

the plenum further comprising at least one receptacle adapted to receive a heat generating component, the receptacle also extending from the base at a location proximate, but remote from, the fins, the receptacle being adapted to thermally transfer heat to the fins;

a fan adapted to create air flow across the base and through the passageways;

a housing enclosing a plurality of components, wherein the base further includes a plurality of openings communicating the passageways to the enclosed components, whereby the fan creates a venturi effect proximate the openings to thermally draft heat from the enclosed components to the passageways; and

a heat generating component disposed in, and thermally coupled to, the receptacle so as to thermally transfer heat generated by the heat generating component to the fins.

17. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the base has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the fins extend from the upper surface and the receptacle extends from the lower surface.

18. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the base, the fins, and the receptacle are formed as a unitary member.

21. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the fins are formed generally parallel to one another and define the plurality of passageways.

22. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 further comprising a lid member coupled to the plenum to define the passageways, whereby the fins separate one passageway from another passageway.

26. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the fins are formed as a plurality of generally collinear fins disposed in a plurality of fin rows.

27. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the fan is disposed proximate the exhaust port and draws air into the passageways via the intake port.

29. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the receptacle extends away from the fins.

30. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the receptacle is opposed from the fins.

31. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the heat generating component is an electrical component.

32. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the heat generating component is a resistor.

33. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the heat generating component is transistor.

34. The cooling system as specified in claim 16 wherein the heat generating component is an integrated circuit.

19. A cooling system, comprising:

a plenum formed of a thermally conductive material and having a base including a plurality of passageways adapted to pass air therethrough, the passageways being defined by a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base;

the plenum further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a heat generating component, the receptacle also extending from the base at a location proximate, but remote from, the fins, the receptacle being adapted to thermally transfer heat from the received heat generating component to the fins, wherein the base is comprised of a pair of electrically conductive portions separated from each other, and joined by, an electrically non-conductive portion, further comprising a pair of said receptacles, each said receptacle being coupled to a respective said conductive portion; and

a fan adapted to create air flow across the base and through the passageways; and

a housing enclosing a plurality of components, wherein the base further includes a plurality of openings communicating the passageways to the enclosed components, whereby the fan creates a venturi effect proximate the openings to thermally draft heat from the enclosed components to the passageways.

20. A cooling system, comprising:

a plenum formed of a thermally conductive material and having a base including a plurality of passageways adapted to pass air therethrough, the passageways being defined by a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base;

the plenum further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a heat generating component, the receptacle also extending from the base at a location proximate, but remote from, the fins, the receptacle being adapted to thermally transfer heat from the received heat generating component to the fins, wherein the base is comprised of a pair of electrically conductive portions and a electrically non-conductive portion disposed therebetween, further comprising a pair of said receptacles, each said receptacle being coupled to one of said conductive portion; and

a fan adapted to create air flow across the base and through the passageways.

23. A cooling system, comprising:

a plenum formed of a thermally conductive material and having a base including a plurality of passageways adapted to pass air therethrough, the passageways being defined by a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base;

the plenum further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a heat generating component, the receptacle also extending from the base at a location proximate, but remote from, the fins, the receptacle being adapted to thermally transfer heat from the received heat generating component to the fins, wherein the plenum has an intake port coupled to an exhaust port, wherein the passageways funnel from the intake port to the output port; and

a fan adapted to create air flow across the base and through the passageways.

24. The cooling system as specified in claim 23 wherein the exhaust port opposes the intake port.

25. The cooling system as specified in claim 23 wherein the exhaust port opens downwardly from the base.

28. A cooling system, comprising:

a plenum formed of a thermally conductive material and having a base including a plurality of passageways adapted to pass air therethrough, the passageways being defined by a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the base;

the plenum further comprising a receptacle adapted to receive a heat generating component, the receptacle also extending from the base at a location proximate, but remote from, the fins, the receptacle being adapted to thermally transfer heat from the received heat generating component to the fins, wherein the plenum receptacle receives the heat generating component in a friction fit arrangement; and

a fan adapted to create air flow across the base and through the passageways.