Abstract: Dissipation of the heat produced by the operation of electronic circuitry may be improved by a heat sink which comprises a flat base from which a number of vertical fins extend. The fins are parallel to one another and define a number of parallel channels into which coolant flow is directed. The thermal resistance of the heat sink is optimized by setting fin thickness and channel width parameters to appropriate values. The heat sink may be attached in a heat conductive manner to a heat producing electronic component. One or more of these heat sinked components may be laid out in an in-line or staggered arrangement on a support in the form of a circuit pack. Cooling fluid is delivered to the circuit pack in a variety of ways to cool the heat sinked components. A method of determining the optimum fin thickness and channel width parameters involves determining a relationship between total thermal resistance of the heat sink and combinations of fin thickness and channel width parameters.

Abstract: Heat dissipation performance of a pin fin heat sink is improved by utilizing a flow guide arrangement. Flow guide members are positioned relative to the outer rows of the pin fins and longitudinal to fluid flow through the pin fin field of the heat sink. A gap between a lower edge of each flow guide member and a base surface of the heat sink forms apertures allowing potentially stagnant fluid in an interior region of the pin fin field of the heat sink to communicate with fluid flowing around the exterior of the heat sink. This causes a so-called "pump" action in which the potentially stagnant fluid is drawn along with the fluid flowing around the exterior of the heat sink.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for providing forced air cooling of components mounted on circuit boards in a stacked configuration. A plurality of perforations is provided in the circuit boards so that air flow in the channel between boards causes air to be sucked through the perforations to eliminate stagnant areas between components and provide local jet impingement cooling.

Abstract: A method for arranging components to be mounted on circuit packs to achieve improved cooling is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, components are arranged such that the longer dimension of each component is substantially parallel to the flow of a heat carrier as it streams from an inlet to an outlet. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, those components having larger aspect ratios are substantially placed near the outlet via which the heat carrier is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid-cooled circuit pack which includes heat generating components on a front surface of a circuit board and another surface opposite to the front surface to create a channel for the flow of cooling fluid over the components. An array of rods, or turbulators, are provided on the surface opposite the printed circuit board front surface to create disturbances in the fluid flow and enhance heat transfer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a means for cooling heat generating components mounted on the front surface of printed circuit boards. A conduit member is attached to the back surface of the board to form a sealed plenum and to provide direction of cooling fluid toward the components. Holes in the board establish cooling jets directed at the components from the plenum.