Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention dissipate heat from an electronic device to provide an efficient and universally applied thermal solution for high heat generating electronic devices. The apparatus comprises an evaporator, a condenser, a heater and conduits. The evaporator, condenser, and conduits define a closed system that has an interior volume which is partially filled with a liquid coolant. The evaporator is thermally connected to an electronic device, such as a processor, and removes thermal energy from the processor by evaporating the liquid coolant. When the apparatus is oriented such that no liquid coolant is in contact with the evaporator, the heater applies thermal energy to the coolant until the coolant begins to boil. Boiling the liquid coolant causes bubbles to form within the liquid coolant. The volume of the bubbles generated by boiling raises the level of the liquid coolant within the closed system until the liquid coolant comes into contact with the evaporator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods in accordance with the present invention provide a system to create turbulence inside microchannels of a microchannel cooling subsystem to disrupt vapor locks therein.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods in accordance with the present invention provide a system to create turbulence inside microchannels of a microchannel cooling subsystem to disrupt vapor locks therein.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a method and apparatus for cooling integrated circuit devices are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a thermosiphon having an evaporator portion coupled to a first surface of a heat source and a condenser portion coupled to the evaporator portion distal from the first surface of the heat source. A remote heat exchanger is coupled to the condenser of the thermosiphon. In addition, one or more thermoelectric elements are coupled between the heat exchanger and the condenser of the thermosiphon. In one embodiment, the remote heat exchanger, the thermoelectric elements and the condenser portion of the thermosiphon are located outside a chassis of a one rack unit (1U) server computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing vapor inside a liquid pump at the start up operation of the pump. In addition, a method and apparatus for removing liquid inside a compressor at the start up operation of the compressor. The pump and compressor each include a sensor attached to them that determines the physical state (i.e., liquid or vapor) of a material inside the pump or compressor. If vapor is detected inside the pump, a thermoelectric module connected to the pump is powered to condense the vapor into a liquid. Likewise, if liquid is detected inside the compressor a heater connected to the compressor is powered to evaporate the liquid into a vapor. After the state of the material inside the pump or compressor is changed, the pump or compressor is powered up for operation in a cooling system.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a method and apparatus for cooling integrated circuit devices are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a thermosiphon having an evaporator portion coupled to a first surface of a heat source and a condenser portion coupled to the evaporator portion distal from the first surface of the heat source. A remote heat exchanger is coupled to the condenser of the thermosiphon. In addition, one or more thermoelectric elements are coupled between the heat exchanger and the condenser of the thermosiphon. In one embodiment, the remote heat exchanger, the thermoelectric elements and the condenser portion of the thermosiphon are located outside a chassis of a one rack unit (1U) server computer.

Abstract: A computer system and its method of cooling are provided. A vapor chamber serves as a heat spreader for heat from the microelectronic die. A thermoelectric module serves to cool the vapor chamber and maintain proper functioning of the vapor chamber, thus keeping the microelectronic die cooled. A controller receives input from five temperature sensors, and utilizes the input to control current to the thermoelectric module and voltage/current to a motor that drives a fan and provides additional cooling. A current sensor allows the controller to monitor and limit power provided to the thermoelectric module.

Abstract: A method and device for thermal conduction is provided. Devices and methods are shown that include the ability to dissipate increased amounts of heat due to the use of an active heat transfer device. Devices and methods are shown that share the necessary heat transfer between a passive heat transfer device and an active heat transfer device, thus increasing the amount of heat dissipated while maintaining reliability of the individual components. Devices and methods are shown that include an increased length of the heatsink which can keep large temperature differences between heat transfer structures and the heat transfer fluid such as air.

Abstract: A heat pipe is provided, which includes at least one outer structural wall, a wicking structure, and an inner retaining wall for the wicking structure. The outer structural wall has condenser, intermediate, and evaporator sections sequentially after one another. The wicking structure includes a plurality of wicking components onto which a fluid condenses at the condenser section when heat transfers therefrom out through the condenser section, flows thereon through the intermediate section, and evaporates therefrom when heat transfers thereto through the evaporator section. The wicking components are held in place between the intermediate section and an outer surface of the inner retaining wall. The fluid evaporating from the evaporator section recirculates past an inner surface of the inner retaining wall to the condenser section.

Abstract: A heat-transfer device has a sealed vapor chamber with a phase-change fluid therein, and a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) element with a cooled side in thermal contact with the vapor chamber and a heated side in contact with heat-dissipation fins. The TEC element decreases the temperature of the vapor chamber and increases the temperature of the fins for improved efficiency. The vapor chamber is defined between concentrically positioned tubes, and a tunnel region is located within the inner tube. Additional TEC elements within the tunnel region further dissipate heat. In two-phase natural convection embodiments, TEC elements may further cool liquid returning to the heat source. Parallel heat dissipation paths may also be provided. In a two-phase forced convection embodiment, a TEC element may further cool liquid returning to the heat source, and additional TEC elements may be provided on the condenser. In some embodiments, active feedback controls the amount of energy transferred by a TEC element.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for applying and removing of a thermal interface material (TIM). According to one embodiment, a flow of heat is directed towards the TIM to soften the TIM, and the TIM is applied to a heat sink.

Abstract: Piezoelectric fan assemblies are provided to provide a conduction path and forced convection for space-limited electronic devices in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The fan blade of a piezoelectric fan is thermally coupled to the heat source, such as, but not limited to, the fins of a heat sink, the condenser of the heat pipe, and to the thermal mass of a heat spreader or block. The high amplitude resonant vibration of the fan blade causes formation of a high velocity unidirectional flow stream. Maximum airflow occurs on axes of the piezoelectric fan's centerline, relative to both width and height dimensions. Air intake is above and below the swept out plane of the fan blade. The air flow provides forced convection for the fan blade and, secondarily, for the heat source.

Abstract: A heat-transfer device has a sealed vapor chamber with a phase-change fluid therein, and a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) element with a cooled side in thermal contact with the vapor chamber and a heated side in contact with heat-dissipation fins. The TEC element decreases the temperature of the vapor chamber and increases the temperature of the fins for improved efficiency. The vapor chamber is defined between concentrically positioned tubes, and a tunnel region is located within the inner tube. Additional TEC elements within the tunnel region further dissipate heat. In two-phase natural convection embodiments, TEC elements may further cool liquid returning to the heat source. Parallel heat dissipation paths may also be provided. In a two-phase forced convection embodiment, a TEC element may further cool liquid returning to the heat source, and additional TEC elements may be provided on the condenser. In some embodiments, active feedback controls the amount of energy transferred by a TEC element.

Abstract: A heat pipe is provided, which includes at least one outer structural wall, a wicking structure, and an inner retaining wall for the wicking structure. The outer structural wall has condenser, intermediate, and evaporator sections sequentially after one another. The wicking structure includes a plurality of wicking components onto which a fluid condenses at the condenser section when heat transfers therefrom out through the condenser section, flows thereon through the intermediate section, and evaporates therefrom when heat transfers thereto through the evaporator section. The wicking components are held in place between the intermediate section and an outer surface of the inner retaining wall. The fluid evaporating from the evaporator section recirculates past an inner surface of the inner retaining wall to the condenser section.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention dissipate heat from an electronic device to provide an efficient and universally applied thermal solution for high heat generating electronic devices. The apparatus comprises an evaporator, a condenser, a heater and conduits. The evaporator, condenser, and conduits define a closed system that has an interior volume which is partially filled with a liquid coolant. The evaporator is thermally connected to an electronic device, such as a processor, and removes thermal energy from the processor by evaporating the liquid coolant. When the apparatus is oriented such that no liquid coolant is in contact with the evaporator, the heater applies thermal energy to the coolant until the coolant begins to boil. Boiling the liquid coolant causes bubbles to form within the liquid coolant. The volume of the bubbles generated by boiling raises the level of the liquid coolant within the closed system until the liquid coolant comes into contact with the evaporator.

Abstract: A phase change heat exchanger and method for cooling a heat dissipating electronic component, such as an electronics package, transfers heat from the electronic component by way of a heatsink including a base in heat conducting relation with the electronic component and fins arranged in heat conducting relation at one end thereof with the base. The efficiency of the fins is increased by also transferring heat from the base to the fins at a location spaced from the one end thereof using a phase change fluid separated from the fins. A chamber containing the phase change fluid is defined between two telescoping tubes which extend peripherally about the fins to form a tunnel or duct through which a cooling fluid such as air can be flowed in contact with the fins. A further increase in cooling efficiency is obtained using an additional remote heat exchangers attached to the surface of the chamber.

Abstract: A phase change beat exchanger and method for cooling a heat dissipating electronic component, such as an electronics package, transfers heat from the electronic component by way of a heatsink including a base in heat conducting relation with the electronic component and fins arranged in heat conducting relation at one end thereof with the base. The efficiency of the fins is increased by also transferring heat from the base to the fins at a location spaced from the one end thereof using a phase change fluid separated from the fins. A chamber containing the phase change fluid is defined between two telescoping tubes which extend peripherally about the fins to form a tunnel or duct through which a cooling fluid such as air can be flowed in contact with the fins. A further increase in cooling efficiency is obtained using an additional remote heat exchangers attached to the surface of the chamber.

Abstract: A heat sink, is made to have a decreased thermal resistance (sink to ambient heat dissipation) and increased heat transfer coefficient by reducing the thickness of the thermal boundary layer. The heat sink includes a thermally conductive base and a plurality of fins extending from a surface of the thermally conductive base. The fins are made of a thermally conductive mesh material. Alternatively, the heat sink can include a thermally conductive base and a plurality of pins extending perpendicularly from a surface of the thermally conductive base, the plurality of pins being made of a thermally conductive material, and being arranged in a plurality of rows, and a plurality of wires extending parallel to the thermally conductive base, each of the wires connecting the pins of one of the plurality of rows.

Abstract: A heat dissipation device including a heat spreader or support structure having a first surface and a second surface with a flange extending from the heat spreader second surface. A heat exchanger is disposed within a housing and the housing is attached to the flange.

Abstract: A heat sink, is made to have a decreased thermal resistance (sink to ambient heat dissipation) and increased heat transfer coefficient by reducing the thickness of the thermal boundary layer. The heat sink includes a thermally conductive base and a plurality of fins extending from a surface of the thermally conductive base. The fins are made of a thermally conductive mesh material. Alternatively, the heat sink can include a thermally conductive base and a plurality of pins extending perpendicularly from a surface of the thermally conductive base, the plurality of pins being made of a thermally conductive material, and being arranged in a plurality of rows, and a plurality of wires extending parallel to the thermally conductive base, each of the wires connecting the pins of one of the plurality of rows.