Stacked low profile cooling system and method for making same

• US 7,150,312 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Inventors: Quisenberry, Tony, Parish, Overton L. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): CIRIC, LJILJANA V
• Application Number:
  US10/926,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20050039887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 165/80.3, 165/185, 165/104.21, 165/104.26, 165/104.33, 361/699, 361/700, 257714-716, 174/15.2
• US Class Current: 165/104.21
• 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: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• 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 23/467 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 stacked array of low profile heat pipes each with a plurality of micro tubes extended therethrough. The stacked low profile heat pipes are placed into thermal connection with heat producing components. A heat transfer fluid is contained in the micro tubes of the low profile heat pipes and removes the heat from the heat producing components.

Claims

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

a plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes for containing a heat transfer fluid, the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes having a first end section and a second end section;

fin stock in thermal contact with at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes;

wherein the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes have a plurality of micro tubes disposed therein;

wherein the first end section of the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes is in thermal contact with a coupling element adapted for thermal contact with the at least one heat generating component;

wherein at least one of the plurality of phase plane heat pipes diverges outwardly from other ones of the plurality of phase plane heat pipes, thereby forming the second end section with an increased spaced relationship relative to the first end section; and

wherein the second end section includes means for fluidly connecting the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes.

2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the first end section forms an evaporator section for allowing the heat transfer fluid to evaporate therein.

3. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the second end section forms a condenser section for dissipating heat from the heat transfer fluid.

4. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes comprises three low profile phase plane heat pipes.

5. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the fin stock is in thermal contact with a portion of two of the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes.

6. The cooling system of claim 5, wherein the fin stock is in thermal contact with a central one and an outer one of the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes.

7. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes are parallel one to the other at the first end section and the second end section.

8. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes diverge one from the other between the first end section and the second end section.

9. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of low profile phase plane heat pipes diverges between an angle of 0 and 90 degrees.