Heat spreaders with vias
First Claim
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1. A method of assembling a thermal management system, comprising:
- (a) forming a hole through a thickness of an anisotropic graphite planar element, the planar element having first and second oppositely facing major planar surfaces, the hole having a cross-sectional shape having maximum cross-sectional dimension parallel to the plane of the planar element;
(b) providing a thermal via constructed of an isotropic material, the thermal via having a cross-sectional shape complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the hole and having a minimum cross-sectional dimension larger than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the hole, wherein the thermal via includes a stem and a first flange, the stem comprising the minimum cross-sectional dimension; and
(c) press fitting the thermal via into the hole of the graphite planar element until the first flange engages one of the major planar surfaces of the graphite planar element, thereby creating a close fit between the thermal via and graphite planar element, so that heat from a heat source can be conducted through the via into the thickness of the planar element.
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Abstract
Constructions for and methods of manufacturing graphite heat spreaders having thermal vias placed therethrough are provided. Thermal vias having one or two flanges are disclosed, as are flush thermal vias. Graphite heat spreaders having surface layers covering the graphite material are provided. Graphite heat spreaders having a layer of cladding for increased structural integrity are provided. Also disclosed are methods of co-forging a graphite heat spreader element with a metal thermal via in place therein.
106 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of assembling a thermal management system, comprising:
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(a) forming a hole through a thickness of an anisotropic graphite planar element, the planar element having first and second oppositely facing major planar surfaces, the hole having a cross-sectional shape having maximum cross-sectional dimension parallel to the plane of the planar element; (b) providing a thermal via constructed of an isotropic material, the thermal via having a cross-sectional shape complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the hole and having a minimum cross-sectional dimension larger than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the hole, wherein the thermal via includes a stem and a first flange, the stem comprising the minimum cross-sectional dimension; and (c) press fitting the thermal via into the hole of the graphite planar element until the first flange engages one of the major planar surfaces of the graphite planar element, thereby creating a close fit between the thermal via and graphite planar element, so that heat from a heat source can be conducted through the via into the thickness of the planar element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11)
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9. A method of assembling a thermal management system, comprising:
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(a) forming a hole through a thickness of an anisotropic graphite planar element, the planar element having first and second oppositely facing major planar surfaces, the hole having a cross-sectional shape having maximum cross-sectional dimension parallel to the plane of the planar element; (b) providing a thermal via constructed of an isotropic material, the thermal via is in the shape of a cylindrical disc having chamfered edges having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the graphite planar element and a cross-sectional shape complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the hole and having a minimum cross-sectional dimension larger than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the hole; (c) press fitting the thermal via into the hole of the graphite planar element such that the graphite planar element bulges adjacent the chamfered edges of the via forming peripheral bulges, thereby creating a close fit between the thermal via and graphite planar element, so that heat from a heat source can be conducted through the via into the thickness of the planar element; and (d) compressing the peripheral bulges so that the via is flush with both of the major planar surfaces of the graphite planar element.
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12. A thermal management system, comprising:
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an anisotropic graphite planar element having first and second opposed major planar surfaces; and a thermal via, constructed of an isotropic material, the via being embedded in the graphite planar element and having first and second exposed ends flush with the first and second opposed major planar surfaces, respectively, of the graphite planar element, the via having a recess defined thereon and the graphite planar element overlapping the recess. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A thermal management system, comprising:
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an anisotropic graphite planar element having first and second oppositely facing major planar surfaces and having a thickness defined between the planar surfaces, the planar element having a relatively high thermal conductivity parallel to the planar surfaces and having a relatively low thermal conductivity across the thickness, the planar element having a cavity defined therethrough between the planar surfaces, the cavity being defined by an inner cavity wall; a thermal via having; a stem extending through the cavity and closely engaging the inner cavity wall; a flange extending laterally from the stem and closely engaging one of the planar surfaces of the planar element; and the via being constructed of an isotropic material so that heat from a heat source can be conducted through the via into the thickness of the planar element; and a push-on nut, received over and frictionally engaging the stem of the thermal via, the nut snugly engaging the other of the planar surfaces of the planar element other than the one of the planar surfaces engaged by the flange, so that the planar element is sandwiched between the flange and the nut. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of assembling a thermal management system, comprising:
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(a) forming a hole through a thickness of an anisotropic graphite planar element, the planar element having first and second oppositely facing major planar surfaces, the hole having a cross-sectional shape having maximum cross-sectional dimension parallel to the plane of the planar element; (b) providing a thermal via constructed of an isotropic material, the thermal via having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the graphite planar element and a cross-sectional shape complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the hole and having a minimum cross-sectional dimension larger than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the hole; and (c) press fitting the thermal via into the hole of the graphite planar element, thereby creating a close fit between the thermal via and graphite planar element, so that heat from a heat source can be conducted through the via into the thickness of the planar element; and (d) cladding one of the major planar surfaces of the planar element and covering the via with the cladding.
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Specification