US5020586A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air-cooled heat exchanger for electronic circuit modules
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1989-09-08
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Granted: 1991-06-04
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Expires: 2009-09-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for cooling an electronic circuit module includes a heat sink in thermal contact with the circuit module and a device for directing cooling gas at the heat sink. The heat sink includes multiple fins defining channels between them, a base having a surface for contact with the circuit module, and a plurality of passages located between the fins and the base and interconnecting with the channels. At least a part of the cooling gas flows between the fins and absorbs thermal energy from the fins and then flows through the passages and absorbs additional thermal energy. The fins and the passages provide a large area of contact with the cooling air and reduce the pressure drop through the heat sink. The heat sink provides a path for efficient conduction of thermal energy from the circuit module to the fins and prevents the formation in the cooling air of recirculating eddies which can reduce heat transfer.
Inventors
- 👤 Vivek Mansingh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:31
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/40; H10W40/43; F; F28; F28F; F28F3/00; F28F3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for cooling an object, comprising: a heat sink having a surface for thermal contact with said object, said heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them and means defining a plurality of passages located between said fins and said surface, said passages interconnecting with said channels, said heat sink further including ribs between said fins; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink such that said cooling gas flows at least in part through said channels into said passages, said ribs directing said cooling gas toward said passages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for cooling an object, comprising: a heat sink having a surface for thermal contact with said object, said heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them and means defining a plurality of passages located between said fins and said surface, said passages interconnecting with said channels, said heat sink further including ribs between said fins; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink such that said cooling gas flows at least in part through said channels into said passages, said ribs directing said cooling gas toward said passages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said channels are parallel to each other and said passages are perpendicular to said channels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 2 said surface is planar and wherein said cooling gas is directed at said heat sink in a direction generally perpendicular to surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said heat sink is generally rectangular in shape, wherein said channels terminate at a first pair of opposite side edges thereof and wherein said passages terminate at a second pair of opposite side edges thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said ribs are generally triangular in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for cooling an object, comprising: a heat sink having a surface for thermal contact with said object, said heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them and means defining a plurality of passages located between said fins and said surface, said passages interconnecting with said channels, said heat sink comprising fin elements separated by spacer elements in a laminated construction, said passages extending through said fin elements, said spacer elements each including a base portion and rib portions projecting from said base portion; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink such that said cooling gas flows at least in part through said channels into said passages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus for cooling an object, comprising: a heat sink having a surface for thermal contact with said object, said heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them and means defining a plurality of passages located between said fins and said surface, said passages interconnecting with said channels, said heat sink comprising fin elements separated by spacer elements in a laminated construction, said passages extending through said fin elements, said spacer elements each including a base portion and rib portions projecting from said base portion; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink such that said cooling gas flows at least in part through said channels into said passages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said fin elements each include a fin portion and a base portion separated by rib portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said rib portions extend between said fins and conduct thermal energy from said base to said fins.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said rib portions are generally triangular in shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for cooling a circuit module, comprising: a heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them, a base having a surface for thermal contact with said circuit module and a plurality of ribs interconnecting said base and said fins, said ribs defining between them a plurality of passages interconnecting with said channels, said heat sink being fabricated as a laminated assembly of fin elements and spacer elements each comprising metal sheets; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink in a direction generally perpendicular to said passages such that said cooling gas flows at least in part through said channels into said passages and through said passages.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for cooling a circuit module, comprising: a heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them, a base having a surface for thermal contact with said circuit module and a plurality of ribs interconnecting said base and said fins, said ribs defining between them a plurality of passages interconnecting with said channels, said heat sink being fabricated as a laminated assembly of fin elements and spacer elements each comprising metal sheets; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink in a direction generally perpendicular to said passages such that said cooling gas flows at least in part through said channels into said passages and through said passages.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for cooling a circuit module, comprising: a heat sink for thermal contact with said circuit module, said heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them, a base having a surface for thermal contact with said circuit module, a plurality of passages located between said fins and said base and interconnecting with said channels, and ribs located between said fins; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink such that at least a part of said cooling gas flows between said fins and absorbs thermal energy from said fins and then flows into and through said passages, said ribs directing said cooling gas toward said passages.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for cooling a circuit module, comprising: a heat sink for thermal contact with said circuit module, said heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them, a base having a surface for thermal contact with said circuit module, a plurality of passages located between said fins and said base and interconnecting with said channels, and ribs located between said fins; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink such that at least a part of said cooling gas flows between said fins and absorbs thermal energy from said fins and then flows into and through said passages, said ribs directing said cooling gas toward said passages.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said channels are parallel to each other and said passages are perpendicular to a long dimension of said channels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said ribs conduct thermal energy from said base to said fins.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said cooling gas is directed at said heat sink in a direction generally perpendicular to said passages.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said ribs are generally triangular in shape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said ribs between said fins are tapered so as to direct said cooling gas toward said passages.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said cooling gas comprises air.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said circuit module includes plural heat-generating elements and wherein said heat-generating elements are located in alignment with said ribs such that thermal energy from said heat-generating elements is efficiently conducted through said ribs to said fins.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein another part of said cooling gas flows through said channels without entering said passages and adsorbs thermal energy from said fins.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
Cooling apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein said heat sink is generally rectangular in shape, wherein said channels terminate at a first pair of opposite side edges thereof and wherein said passages terminate at a second pair of opposite side edges thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for cooling a circuit module, comprising: a heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them, a base having a surface for thermal contact with said circuit module and a plurality of ribs interconnecting said base and said fins, said ribs defining between them a plurality of passages interconnecting with said channels, said ribs including rib portions between said fins; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink in a direction generally perpendicular to said passages such that said cooling gas flows at least in part through said channels into said passages and through said passages, said rib portions directing said cooling gas toward said passages.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for cooling a circuit module, comprising: a heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them, a base having a surface for thermal contact with said circuit module and a plurality of ribs interconnecting said base and said fins, said ribs defining between them a plurality of passages interconnecting with said channels, said ribs including rib portions between said fins; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink in a direction generally perpendicular to said passages such that said cooling gas flows at least in part through said channels into said passages and through said passages, said rib portions directing said cooling gas toward said passages.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for cooling a circuit module, comprising: a heat sink for thermal contact with said circuit module, said heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them, a base having a surface for thermal contact with said circuit module and a plurality of passages located between said fins and said base and interconnecting with said channels, said heat sink being fabricated as a laminated assembly of fin elements and spacer elements between said fin elements, said passages extending through said fin elements; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink such that at least a part of said cooling gas flows between said fins and absorbs thermal energy from said fins and then flows into and through said passages.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for cooling a circuit module, comprising: a heat sink for thermal contact with said circuit module, said heat sink including multiple fins defining channels between them, a base having a surface for thermal contact with said circuit module and a plurality of passages located between said fins and said base and interconnecting with said channels, said heat sink being fabricated as a laminated assembly of fin elements and spacer elements between said fin elements, said passages extending through said fin elements; and means for directing a cooling gas at said heat sink such that at least a part of said cooling gas flows between said fins and absorbs thermal energy from said fins and then flows into and through said passages.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-03 | 1994-12-03 | 1995-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-03 | 1998-12-03 | 1999-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-03 | 2002-12-03 | 2003-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |