Cooling apparatus having low profile extrusion and method of manufacture therefor

• US 20030127215A1
• Filed: 12/31/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Thermotek Incorporated
• Inventors: DeVilbiss, Roger S., Parish, Overton L. IV
• Granted Patent: US 6,981,322 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/104.33
• CPC Class Codes: B21C 23/085 Making tubes B21C23/10 take precedence
• 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: 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 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

Abstract

A cooling apparatus has a low profile extrusion with a plurality of micro tubes extended there through. In the caps interconnect the ends of the micro tubes in fluid communications and to inlet and outlet tubes. The low profile extrusion is placed into thermal connection with heat producing components. A heat transfer fluid is circulated through the micro tubes of the low profile extrusion, and a heat exchanger removes the heat from the heat transfer fluid.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing fluid filled low profile extrusions, comprising the steps of:

placing a coil within an oven;

evacuating said coil;

filling said coil with a heat transfer fluid;

heating said coil until all of said fluid is in a vapor phase;

crimping said coil;

sealing said coil; and

cutting said coil into lengths.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of charging said coil with a fluid comprises the step of charging said coil with water.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of charging said coil with a fluid comprises the step of charging said coil with glycol.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of charging said coil with a fluid comprises the step of charging said coil with alcohol.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of charging said coil with a fluid comprises the step of charging said coil with a conventional refrigerant.

6. A cooling apparatus for removing heat from at least one heat generating component, said cooling apparatus comprising:

a low profile member internally comprising a plurality of micro tubes, said member having an evaporator portion and a condenser portion, said evaporator portion having a first exterior surface adapted for receiving heat from the at least one heat generating component; and

wherein said plurality of micro tubes are adapted to receive a heat transfer fluid.

7. The cooling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of micro tubes further comprise an internal wick structure to facilitate heat removal via capillary action

8. The cooling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said internal wick structure comprises internal fins.

9. The cooling apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of said plurality of micro tubes are individually sealed.

10. The cooling apparatus of claim 9, wherein said condenser section is elevated with respect to said evaporator section.