Toroidal low-profile extrusion cooling system and method thereof

• US 7,147,045 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2004
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Inventors: Parish, Overton L., Hester, Darren C., Quisenberry, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): WALBERG, TERESA J
• Application Number:
  US10/827,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20050006061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 165/104.33, 165/104.21, 165/104.26, 165/185, 361/699, 361/700, 257714-716, 174/15.2
• US Class Current: 165/104.33
• 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 2015/0225 Microheat pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0029 Heat sinks
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 1/022 with multiple channels
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2260/02 having microchannels
• 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 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 toroidally shaped LPE with a plurality of microtubes extending through the LPE is disclosed. The LPEs are placed into thermal connection with heat producing components. A heat transfer fluid is contained in the microtubes of the LPEs and removes the heat from the heat producing components. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b)

Claims

1. A cooling system for removal of heat from at least one heat generating component, the cooling system comprising:

a generally planar portion for positioning substantially near said at least one heat generating component;

a low-profile extrusion having an inner and outer external surface and having a first sealed end and a second sealed end, said low-profile extrusion including said generally planar portion and being curved upon itself into a generally toroidal shape such that said second sealed end is disposed generally opposite said first sealed end, wherein said first sealed end and said second sealed end are oriented opposite from said generally planar portion; and

wherein the low-profile extrusion includes a first arcuate portion extending from the generally planar portion to the first sealed end, and a second arcuate portion extending from the generally planar portion to the second sealed end, the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion forming segments of a generally circular body portion, each of the first arcuate portion and the second arctuate portion having the same generally constant arc radius measured from a common focus point central to the generally circular body portion;

an interior space formed by said inner external surface of said low-profile extrusion;

said low-profile extrusion having an external surface adapted for thermal connection to said at least one heat generating component;

a plurality of micro-tubes formed in the interior of said low-profile extrusion and adapted for containing a heat transfer fluid inside the micro-tubes; and

a fin structure in thermal connection with the exterior surfaces of said extrusion.

2. The cooling system of claim 1, further comprising:

a spring structure abutting said fin structure and adapted for thermal connection of said cooling system to said heat generating component.

3. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the fin structure extends along a portion of the low-profile extrusion excluding the generally planar portion.

4. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the low-profile extrusion includes a condenser section and an evaporator section.

5. A generally toroidally-shaped heat pipe cooling system for removing heat from at least one heat generating component, the system comprising:

a low-profile extrusion having a first sealed end and a second sealed end, the low-profile extrusion being curved upon itself and forming a generally toroidal shape such that said second sealed end is disposed generally opposite said first sealed end;

at least one fin structure extending from at least one surface of the low-profile extrusion;

a generally planar portion for positioning substantially near said at least one heat generating component;

wherein said first sealed end and said second sealed end are oriented opposite from said generally planar portion;

wherein the low-profile extrusion includes said generally planar portion a first arcuate portion extending from the generally planar portion to the first sealed end, and a second arcuate portion extending from the generally planar portion to the second sealed end, the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion forming segments of a generally circular body portion, each of the first arcuate portion and the second arctuate portion having the same generally constant arc radius measured from a common focus point central to the generally circular body portion.

6. The cooling system of claim 5, wherein the fin structure extends along at least a portion of an exterior surface of the low-profile extrusion.

7. The cooling system of claim 5, wherein the fin structure extends along at least a portion of an interior surface of the low-profile extrusion.

8. The cooling system of claim 5, wherein the fin structure is formed of a single extrusion.

9. The cooling system of claim 5, wherein the fin structure extends across the first sealed end and the second sealed end of the low-profile extrusion.

10. The generally toroidally-shaped heat pipe cooling system of claim 5, wherein the low-profile extrusion includes a condenser section and an evaporator section.

11. A method for cooling heat generating elements, the method comprising:

placing a generally planar portion of a generally toroidally-shaped heat pipe substantially near at least one of the heat generating elements, the generally toroidally-shaped heat pipe including a low-profile extrusion having a first sealed end and a second sealed end, the low-profile extrusion being curved upon itself forming a generally toroidal shape such that said second sealed end is disposed generally opposite said first sealed end;

drawing air across the generally toroidally-shaped heat pipe via a fan structure; and

wherein said first sealed end and said second sealed end are oriented opposite from said generally planar portion and

wherein the low-profile extrusion includes a first arcuate portion extending from the generally planar portion to the first sealed end, and a second arcuate portion extending from the generally planar portion to the second sealed end, the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion forming segments of a generally circular body portion, each of the first arcuate portion and the second arctuate portion having the same generally constant arc radius measured from a common focus point central to the generally circular body portion.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the generally toroidally-shaped heat pipe includes a fin structure along at least one of an inner and an outer surface.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fin structure is formed as a single extrusion.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of drawing air comprises pulling air through the generally toroidally-shaped heat pipe.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of drawing air comprises pushing air through the generally toroidally-shaped heat pipe.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the low-profile extrusion includes a condenser section and an evaporator section.