US20020105786A1 - Cooling system for removing heat from an object - Google Patents
Cooling system for removing heat from an object Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020105786A1 US20020105786A1 US09/778,406 US77840601A US2002105786A1 US 20020105786 A1 US20020105786 A1 US 20020105786A1 US 77840601 A US77840601 A US 77840601A US 2002105786 A1 US2002105786 A1 US 2002105786A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- recited
- cooling system
- heat sink
- heat
- fan
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L23/00—Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices
- H01L23/34—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements
- H01L23/46—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements involving the transfer of heat by flowing fluids
- H01L23/467—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements involving the transfer of heat by flowing fluids by flowing gases, e.g. air
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
- H01L2924/0001—Technical content checked by a classifier
- H01L2924/0002—Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to cooling systems for facilitating the removal of heat from a variety of objects, and particularly to a technique that utilizes a combined heat sink and fan.
- Heat sinks have been used to facilitate the removal of heat from a given object.
- Heat sinks often include a plurality of fins that increase the rate at which heat is transferred from the object and dissipated to the environment.
- fans are used to circulate air in the vicinity of the heat sink to promote a greater rate of heat transfer from the heat sink to the surrounding environment.
- active heat sinks have been employed that utilize an axial fan dedicated to a specific heat sink.
- the axial fan is mounted to the heat sink or proximate the heat sink for providing a dedicated airflow over the heat sink.
- an axial fan is mounted proximate the distal ends of heat transfer fins and air is directed along the heat transfer fins towards the base of the heat sink.
- axial fans are susceptible to backpressure. When backpressure builds, the airflow effectively stops. This reduction or stoppage of airflow is problematic, because increases in the amount of heat removed from the heat sink is directly related to the velocity of the air flow induced by the fan.
- axial fans expel air in a circular or twisting motion due to the rotational movement of fan blades that extend radially outward from a center axis or hub. This arrangement leaves a “dead zone” extending axially outward from the hub, e.g. along the axis, of the fan. The air expelled by the fan blades moves in the circular or twisting motion around this dead zone.
- this dead zone When the fan is positioned adjacent the heat transfer fins of a heat sink, this dead zone often is disposed generally at the center of the heat sink which typically is the area of greatest heat generation. Also, the circulating or twisting air tends to move laterally against the heat transfer fins. The fins interrupt or stall the movement of the air creating stagnant air between the heat transfer fins. Furthermore, the airflow tends to take the path of least resistance which is outward through the sides of the fins rather than to the center surface of the heat sink. Whether due to backpressure, outflow of air, occurrence of the dead zone or blockage of the circulating airflow by the heat transfer fins, reduced or stalled airflow across the heat sink base and heat transfer fins substantially inhibits the removal of heat from a given object.
- the present invention features a technique that utilizes an active heat sink which may be combined with a variety of components or incorporated in a variety of devices.
- the technique utilizes a fan, such as a blower fan, in a manner that promotes a high velocity airflow across a heat sink.
- a blower fan is combined with a heat sink such that the heat sink acts as what would otherwise be the base of the blower housing.
- the heat sink is positioned generally at the area of highest air velocity in the blower fan prior to experiencing a reduction in velocity when the air is expelled from the blower fan housing.
- This embodiment and others can be combined with a variety of components, such as processors or other heat generating devices, that are utilized in many types of products.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary device utilizing an active heat sink, according to one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fan mounted to a heat sink, according to one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a front view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 3A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the device in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 6 - 6 of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2 mounted to an exemplary object for placement in an exemplary device, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 7A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the device in FIG. 7.
- an exemplary device 10 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- Device 10 can be any of a variety of devices having a component 12 that requires or benefits from a cooling system 14 .
- An exemplary component 12 is a heat-generating component, such as a processor or other “chip” that generate heat and benefit from or require removal of that heat.
- the heat generating component may be of a variety of other types that benefit from the removal of heat via cooling system 14 .
- device 10 represents a variety of devices that have components which require or benefit from the removal of heat.
- device 10 may comprise an electronic device.
- Such electronic devices include computers, servers, projectors, cameras and a variety of other devices.
- integrated circuits are often used and the resultant heat needs to be removed.
- Cooling system 14 promotes the uniform and rapid removal of heat from such components and devices.
- cooling system 14 comprises a heat sink 20 coupled to a fan 22 able to output a generally linear airflow, represented by reference numeral 24 .
- An exemplary fan 22 is a blower fan, and fan 22 will be referred to as a blower fan throughout this description.
- Alternative styles of blower fan 22 are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3A. However, it should be realized that other types of fans able to output an appropriate linear airflow may be utilized.
- An exemplary heat sink 20 includes a base 26 and a plurality of projections 28 for dissipating heat from base 26 .
- base 26 abuts component 12 , e.g. a heat generating component, such that heat is transferred through base 26 and along projections 28 for greater transfer or dissipation of heat to the surrounding environment.
- projections 28 comprise a plurality of heat transfer fins 30 separated by a plurality of channels 32 .
- Channels 32 may serve as airflow passages that direct the generally linear airflow 24 along heat transfer fins 30 to facilitate greater cooling. As discussed above, the higher the velocity of linear airflow 24 along heat sink 20 the greater the amount of heat that is removed from heat sink 20 .
- heat sink 20 also includes a pair of outer walls 34 that generally extend from base 26 to facilitate the coupling of fan 22 to heat sink 20 .
- Blower fan 22 comprises a housing 36 and a fan cage 38 (see also FIG. 5). Blower fan 22 also includes a motor 40 coupled to fan cage 38 to rotate fan cage 38 within housing 36 , as with conventional blower fans. (In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, motor 40 is used to rotate a pair of fan cages 38 .)
- the exemplary housing 36 includes a main housing portion 42 defining a curved inner surface 44 along which fan cage 38 moves during rotation. Housing 36 also includes an outlet 46 and an inlet 48 .
- fan cage 38 When fan cage 38 is rotated by motor 40 , air is drawn in through inlet 48 , accelerated along curved inner surface 44 and expelled through outlet 46 , as best illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6. Effectively, fan cage 38 moves air towards and through outlet 46 creating a lower pressure area in the center of the fan cage causing air to move into housing 36 through inlet 48 , as represented by arrow 50 .
- FIG. 3A air is drawn in through a pair of opposed inlets 48 and expelled through outlet 46 .
- blower fan 22 is not susceptible to stoppage of outflow due to pressure buildup as described above with respect to axial-style fans.
- the generally linear airflow 24 is substantially free of a centralized dead zone, as with axial fans, thereby allowing a more uniform airflow along heat sink 20 , e.g. through flow passages 32 and along heat transfer fins 30 .
- the linear flow is oriented generally parallel with the heat transfer fins 30 , avoiding the stoppage that otherwise occurs when air is circulated into the side of a heat transfer fin.
- the maximum velocity of air is along the base surface of the heat sink, which tends to be the highest source of heat.
- an exemplary fan cage 38 comprises a plurality of fan blades 52 .
- Fan blades 52 generally are arranged parallel with each other in a circular pattern designed for rotation within and along curved inner surface 44 of housing 36 .
- the substantially parallel fan blades 52 move air along curved inner surface 44 until expelled through outlet 46 .
- each fan blade 52 has a generally curved cross-section 54 , as best illustrated in FIG. 6.
- the curvature of fan blades 52 can be changed to, for example, the inverse of the curvature illustrated.
- fan blades 52 are held in place by an end ring 56 and an end plate 57 .
- fan blades 52 extend between end ring 56 and end plate 57 , however, a variety of other mounting systems may be used, including a central ring from which each fan blade 52 extends in opposite directions or a pair of end rings.
- housing 36 may be disposed for cooperation with heat sink 20 in a variety of positions and according to a variety of methods, the figures illustrate one way of taking advantage of the airflow generated by fan cage 38 .
- the exemplary housing 36 includes an open base region 58 to permit placement of housing 36 over heat sink 20 and heat transfer fins 30 .
- housing 36 would include a solid base portion disposed to fill the opening 58 for conducting airflow out of the housing through an outlet, such as outlet 46 . It is along this base region that the outflowing air experiences its highest velocities. Once the air is moved through an outlet, such as outlet 46 , the velocity slows.
- the exemplary embodiment illustrated uses heat sink 20 to fill open base region 58 .
- This deployment allows the heat sink to effectively form the base portion of housing 36 such that the highest velocity airflow produced by blower fan 22 occurs across heat sink 20 and, in this embodiment, along heat transfer fins 30 .
- High velocity airflow across heat transfer fins 30 permits substantially greater heat removal for a given capacity fan. Efficient use of the output airflow, permits selection of a lower capacity/lower power fan than would otherwise be required for a given application thus also reducing acoustical output.
- recessed region 60 is formed by forming a cutout section 62 in each of a plurality of the heat transfer fins 30 .
- the cutouts 62 may be arcuate to provide the overall recessed region 60 with a curvature generally matching the perimeter curvature of fan cage 38 .
- other forms and shapes may be used to prepare cutout 62 and recessed region 60 .
- recessed region 60 may be located such that heat transfer fins 30 have a greater reach or degree of extension proximate outlet 46 .
- These raised or extended portions 64 typically extend along fan cage 38 to fill outlet 46 , as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 .
- housing 36 may be designed with engagement features 66 designed to engage outer walls 34 of heat sink 20 .
- Engagement features 66 may be held to outer walls 34 by a variety of mechanisms, including adhesives, welds, clips or other methods of fastening.
- fan cage 38 is disposed intermediate heat sink 20 and housing 36 .
- heat transfer fins 30 are disposed within the maximum velocity area of blower fan 22 , other heat sink designs also can be employed.
- heat transfer fins 30 can be designed to extend from outlet 46 , be adjacent outlet 46 , coupled to outlet 46 via an enclosed tube, extended along curved inner surface 44 , etc.
- a variety of other heat transfer projections and elements can be utilized to facilitate the removal of heat.
- cooling system 14 is connected to a heat generating component (generally referred to as component 12 ), such as a processor 70 .
- a heat generating component such as a processor 70 .
- Processor 70 tends to produce the greatest heat, i.e., have the highest heat zone, at a central location 72 .
- Base 26 of heat sink 20 is mounted against an upper surface 74 of processor 70 such that heat zone 72 and at least a substantial portion of the upper surface 74 are disposed in cooperation with base 26 .
- a lower surface of base 26 is disposed in abutting engagement with upper surface 74 to facilitate a high degree of heat transfer from processor 70 to heat sink 20 .
- a contact surface can be formed across a die, a portion of the upper surface of processor 70 or across all of the upper surface of processor 70 .
- processor 70 heat is generated and conductively transferred to base 26 of heat sink 20 .
- the heat energy is then transferred from base 26 through heat transfer fins 30 which provide substantial surface area through which the heat may be dissipated to the surrounding air.
- blower fan 22 By operating blower fan 22 , a high velocity airflow is continually moved past the surfaces of fins 30 and across the surface of base 26 for rapid removal of heat. Because of the uniform and linear airflow 24 through heat transfer fins 30 , substantial removal of heat occurs throughout the heat sink and therefore across the extent of the contact surface between the heat sink 20 and processor 70 . In other words, no dead zone exists in the vicinity of high heat zone 72 of processor 70 .
- a variety of other heated or heat generating components can benefit from the rapid and uniform removal of heat as afforded by cooling system 14 .
- airflow can be supplied to blower 22 from a variety of desired locations via an appropriate airflow duct 80 .
- Duct 80 allows air to be drawn from a remote location within a chassis or from a location outside the chassis housing processor 70 .
- an outflow duct 82 can be used to direct the airflow expelled through outlet 46 to a desired location away from blower 22 .
- the use of one or both air ducts 80 , 82 can permit greater flexibility in the location of blower fan 22 and heat sink 20 .
- the materials utilized to construct the heat sink and the blower fan may vary; the size and design of the cooling system may be adjusted according to the design and application of components and/or devices in which the cooling system is utilized; the arrangement of the heat sink and fan can be adjusted and their relative positions can be changed; other types of fans able to provide a generally uniform, linear airflow may be utilized; and the cooling system may be used in combination with a variety of components and devices.
- the materials utilized to construct the heat sink and the blower fan may vary; the size and design of the cooling system may be adjusted according to the design and application of components and/or devices in which the cooling system is utilized; the arrangement of the heat sink and fan can be adjusted and their relative positions can be changed; other types of fans able to provide a generally uniform, linear airflow may be utilized; and the cooling system may be used in combination with a variety of components and devices.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates generally to cooling systems for facilitating the removal of heat from a variety of objects, and particularly to a technique that utilizes a combined heat sink and fan.
- In a variety of products and applications, it is beneficial to remove heat from certain objects or areas. For example, electronic devices, such as computers, servers, cameras, projectors, etc. often have heat producing components, such as processors or other microchips that generate heat. To ensure the desired operation and life of the component or overall device, it often is necessary or beneficial to cool such components.
- Many types of heat sinks have been used to facilitate the removal of heat from a given object. Heat sinks often include a plurality of fins that increase the rate at which heat is transferred from the object and dissipated to the environment. In some applications, fans are used to circulate air in the vicinity of the heat sink to promote a greater rate of heat transfer from the heat sink to the surrounding environment.
- Additionally, active heat sinks have been employed that utilize an axial fan dedicated to a specific heat sink. The axial fan is mounted to the heat sink or proximate the heat sink for providing a dedicated airflow over the heat sink. In a typical embodiment, an axial fan is mounted proximate the distal ends of heat transfer fins and air is directed along the heat transfer fins towards the base of the heat sink.
- However, whether this particular arrangement or others are used, existing active heat sinks are subject to a variety of problems that inhibit desired removal of heat. For example, axial fans are susceptible to backpressure. When backpressure builds, the airflow effectively stops. This reduction or stoppage of airflow is problematic, because increases in the amount of heat removed from the heat sink is directly related to the velocity of the air flow induced by the fan. Additionally, axial fans expel air in a circular or twisting motion due to the rotational movement of fan blades that extend radially outward from a center axis or hub. This arrangement leaves a “dead zone” extending axially outward from the hub, e.g. along the axis, of the fan. The air expelled by the fan blades moves in the circular or twisting motion around this dead zone.
- When the fan is positioned adjacent the heat transfer fins of a heat sink, this dead zone often is disposed generally at the center of the heat sink which typically is the area of greatest heat generation. Also, the circulating or twisting air tends to move laterally against the heat transfer fins. The fins interrupt or stall the movement of the air creating stagnant air between the heat transfer fins. Furthermore, the airflow tends to take the path of least resistance which is outward through the sides of the fins rather than to the center surface of the heat sink. Whether due to backpressure, outflow of air, occurrence of the dead zone or blockage of the circulating airflow by the heat transfer fins, reduced or stalled airflow across the heat sink base and heat transfer fins substantially inhibits the removal of heat from a given object.
- Another problem with certain types of fans, such as axial fans is the acoustical output, i.e., noise. As the flow capacity requirements increase, to combat backpressure for example, the noise output can rise to unacceptable levels.
- The present invention features a technique that utilizes an active heat sink which may be combined with a variety of components or incorporated in a variety of devices. The technique utilizes a fan, such as a blower fan, in a manner that promotes a high velocity airflow across a heat sink. In one example, a blower fan is combined with a heat sink such that the heat sink acts as what would otherwise be the base of the blower housing. Thus, the heat sink is positioned generally at the area of highest air velocity in the blower fan prior to experiencing a reduction in velocity when the air is expelled from the blower fan housing. This embodiment and others can be combined with a variety of components, such as processors or other heat generating devices, that are utilized in many types of products.
- The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and:
- FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary device utilizing an active heat sink, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fan mounted to a heat sink, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
- FIG. 3 is a front view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 3A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the device in FIG. 3;
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line6-6 of FIG. 3; and
- FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the device illustrated in FIG. 2 mounted to an exemplary object for placement in an exemplary device, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1; and
- FIG. 7A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the device in FIG. 7.
- Referring generally to FIG. 1, an
exemplary device 10 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention.Device 10 can be any of a variety of devices having acomponent 12 that requires or benefits from acooling system 14. Anexemplary component 12 is a heat-generating component, such as a processor or other “chip” that generate heat and benefit from or require removal of that heat. However, the heat generating component may be of a variety of other types that benefit from the removal of heat viacooling system 14. - Similarly,
device 10 represents a variety of devices that have components which require or benefit from the removal of heat. For example,device 10 may comprise an electronic device. Such electronic devices include computers, servers, projectors, cameras and a variety of other devices. In the devices listed, integrated circuits are often used and the resultant heat needs to be removed.Cooling system 14 promotes the uniform and rapid removal of heat from such components and devices. - Referring generally to FIGS. 2, 3,3A and 4, an
exemplary cooling system 14 is illustrated. In this embodiment,cooling system 14 comprises aheat sink 20 coupled to afan 22 able to output a generally linear airflow, represented byreference numeral 24. Anexemplary fan 22 is a blower fan, andfan 22 will be referred to as a blower fan throughout this description. Alternative styles ofblower fan 22 are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3A. However, it should be realized that other types of fans able to output an appropriate linear airflow may be utilized. - An
exemplary heat sink 20 includes abase 26 and a plurality ofprojections 28 for dissipating heat frombase 26. Generally,base 26abuts component 12, e.g. a heat generating component, such that heat is transferred throughbase 26 and alongprojections 28 for greater transfer or dissipation of heat to the surrounding environment. In the illustrated embodiment,projections 28 comprise a plurality of heat transfer fins 30 separated by a plurality ofchannels 32.Channels 32 may serve as airflow passages that direct the generallylinear airflow 24 alongheat transfer fins 30 to facilitate greater cooling. As discussed above, the higher the velocity oflinear airflow 24 alongheat sink 20 the greater the amount of heat that is removed fromheat sink 20. When a relatively high velocity airflow flows along the substantial surface area created byheat transfer fins 30 ofheat sink 20, large amounts of heat are rapidly dissipated to the surrounding environment. In the specific embodiment illustrated,heat sink 20 also includes a pair ofouter walls 34 that generally extend frombase 26 to facilitate the coupling offan 22 toheat sink 20. -
Blower fan 22 comprises ahousing 36 and a fan cage 38 (see also FIG. 5).Blower fan 22 also includes amotor 40 coupled tofan cage 38 to rotatefan cage 38 withinhousing 36, as with conventional blower fans. (In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A,motor 40 is used to rotate a pair offan cages 38.) - The
exemplary housing 36 includes amain housing portion 42 defining a curvedinner surface 44 along whichfan cage 38 moves during rotation.Housing 36 also includes anoutlet 46 and aninlet 48. Whenfan cage 38 is rotated bymotor 40, air is drawn in throughinlet 48, accelerated along curvedinner surface 44 and expelled throughoutlet 46, as best illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6. Effectively,fan cage 38 moves air towards and throughoutlet 46 creating a lower pressure area in the center of the fan cage causing air to move intohousing 36 throughinlet 48, as represented byarrow 50. (In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, air is drawn in through a pair ofopposed inlets 48 and expelled throughoutlet 46.) - Because of the design of
fan cage 38 andfan housing 36,blower fan 22 is not susceptible to stoppage of outflow due to pressure buildup as described above with respect to axial-style fans. Additionally, the generallylinear airflow 24 is substantially free of a centralized dead zone, as with axial fans, thereby allowing a more uniform airflow alongheat sink 20, e.g. throughflow passages 32 and alongheat transfer fins 30. Furthermore, the linear flow is oriented generally parallel with theheat transfer fins 30, avoiding the stoppage that otherwise occurs when air is circulated into the side of a heat transfer fin. Also, the maximum velocity of air is along the base surface of the heat sink, which tends to be the highest source of heat. - As best illustrated in FIG. 5, an
exemplary fan cage 38 comprises a plurality offan blades 52.Fan blades 52 generally are arranged parallel with each other in a circular pattern designed for rotation within and along curvedinner surface 44 ofhousing 36. Thus, asfan cage 38 is rotated, the substantiallyparallel fan blades 52 move air along curvedinner surface 44 until expelled throughoutlet 46. In this embodiment, eachfan blade 52 has a generallycurved cross-section 54, as best illustrated in FIG. 6. It should be noted that the curvature offan blades 52 can be changed to, for example, the inverse of the curvature illustrated. Additionally,fan blades 52 are held in place by anend ring 56 and anend plate 57. In this embodiment,fan blades 52 extend betweenend ring 56 andend plate 57, however, a variety of other mounting systems may be used, including a central ring from which eachfan blade 52 extends in opposite directions or a pair of end rings. - Although
housing 36 may be disposed for cooperation withheat sink 20 in a variety of positions and according to a variety of methods, the figures illustrate one way of taking advantage of the airflow generated byfan cage 38. As illustrated, theexemplary housing 36 includes anopen base region 58 to permit placement ofhousing 36 overheat sink 20 andheat transfer fins 30. In a conventional blower fan,housing 36 would include a solid base portion disposed to fill theopening 58 for conducting airflow out of the housing through an outlet, such asoutlet 46. It is along this base region that the outflowing air experiences its highest velocities. Once the air is moved through an outlet, such asoutlet 46, the velocity slows. - Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment illustrated uses
heat sink 20 to fillopen base region 58. This deployment allows the heat sink to effectively form the base portion ofhousing 36 such that the highest velocity airflow produced byblower fan 22 occurs acrossheat sink 20 and, in this embodiment, alongheat transfer fins 30. High velocity airflow acrossheat transfer fins 30, of course, permits substantially greater heat removal for a given capacity fan. Efficient use of the output airflow, permits selection of a lower capacity/lower power fan than would otherwise be required for a given application thus also reducing acoustical output. - One way of utilizing the high velocity airflow along the base or bottom of housing36 (see FIG. 6) is to form a recessed
region 60 inheat sink 20 to accommodatefan cage 38. In one embodiment, recessedregion 60 is formed by forming acutout section 62 in each of a plurality of theheat transfer fins 30. Thecutouts 62 may be arcuate to provide the overall recessedregion 60 with a curvature generally matching the perimeter curvature offan cage 38. However, other forms and shapes may be used to preparecutout 62 and recessedregion 60. - By way of example, recessed
region 60 may be located such thatheat transfer fins 30 have a greater reach or degree of extensionproximate outlet 46. These raised orextended portions 64 typically extend alongfan cage 38 to filloutlet 46, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. - As best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and5,
housing 36 may be designed with engagement features 66 designed to engageouter walls 34 ofheat sink 20. Engagement features 66 may be held toouter walls 34 by a variety of mechanisms, including adhesives, welds, clips or other methods of fastening. In this manner,fan cage 38 is disposedintermediate heat sink 20 andhousing 36. - When
fan cage 38 is rotated bymotor 40, inflowingair 50 is drawn throughinlet 48 and pushed or moved along curvedinner surface 44 byfan blades 52. The air is continually accelerated along curvedinner surface 44 and into contact withheat sink 20 which is a continuation fromsurface 44. In this example, the air is moved alongair passages 32 throughheat transfer fins 30 until it is expelled throughoutlet 46, as best illustrated in FIG. 6. - Although
heat transfer fins 30 are disposed within the maximum velocity area ofblower fan 22, other heat sink designs also can be employed. For example,heat transfer fins 30 can be designed to extend fromoutlet 46, beadjacent outlet 46, coupled tooutlet 46 via an enclosed tube, extended along curvedinner surface 44, etc. Additionally, a variety of other heat transfer projections and elements can be utilized to facilitate the removal of heat. - Referring generally to FIG. 7, an exemplary use of cooling
system 14 can be explained. In this embodiment, the cooling system is connected to a heat generating component (generally referred to as component 12), such as aprocessor 70.Processor 70 tends to produce the greatest heat, i.e., have the highest heat zone, at acentral location 72.Base 26 ofheat sink 20 is mounted against anupper surface 74 ofprocessor 70 such thatheat zone 72 and at least a substantial portion of theupper surface 74 are disposed in cooperation withbase 26. Typically, a lower surface ofbase 26 is disposed in abutting engagement withupper surface 74 to facilitate a high degree of heat transfer fromprocessor 70 toheat sink 20. For example, a contact surface can be formed across a die, a portion of the upper surface ofprocessor 70 or across all of the upper surface ofprocessor 70. - During operation of
processor 70, heat is generated and conductively transferred to base 26 ofheat sink 20. The heat energy is then transferred frombase 26 throughheat transfer fins 30 which provide substantial surface area through which the heat may be dissipated to the surrounding air. By operatingblower fan 22, a high velocity airflow is continually moved past the surfaces offins 30 and across the surface ofbase 26 for rapid removal of heat. Because of the uniform andlinear airflow 24 throughheat transfer fins 30, substantial removal of heat occurs throughout the heat sink and therefore across the extent of the contact surface between theheat sink 20 andprocessor 70. In other words, no dead zone exists in the vicinity ofhigh heat zone 72 ofprocessor 70. As discussed above, a variety of other heated or heat generating components can benefit from the rapid and uniform removal of heat as afforded by coolingsystem 14. - As illustrated best in FIG. 7A, airflow can be supplied to
blower 22 from a variety of desired locations via anappropriate airflow duct 80.Duct 80 allows air to be drawn from a remote location within a chassis or from a location outside thechassis housing processor 70. - Similarly, an
outflow duct 82 can be used to direct the airflow expelled throughoutlet 46 to a desired location away fromblower 22. The use of one or bothair ducts blower fan 22 andheat sink 20. - It will be understood that the foregoing description is of exemplary embodiments of this invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. For example, the materials utilized to construct the heat sink and the blower fan may vary; the size and design of the cooling system may be adjusted according to the design and application of components and/or devices in which the cooling system is utilized; the arrangement of the heat sink and fan can be adjusted and their relative positions can be changed; other types of fans able to provide a generally uniform, linear airflow may be utilized; and the cooling system may be used in combination with a variety of components and devices. These and other modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
Claims (45)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/778,406 US6459580B1 (en) | 2001-02-07 | 2001-02-07 | Cooling system for removing heat from an object |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/778,406 US6459580B1 (en) | 2001-02-07 | 2001-02-07 | Cooling system for removing heat from an object |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020105786A1 true US20020105786A1 (en) | 2002-08-08 |
US6459580B1 US6459580B1 (en) | 2002-10-01 |
Family
ID=25113231
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/778,406 Expired - Lifetime US6459580B1 (en) | 2001-02-07 | 2001-02-07 | Cooling system for removing heat from an object |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6459580B1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040201957A1 (en) * | 2003-04-11 | 2004-10-14 | Wu Shan Ping | Method and apparatus for cooling a modular computer system with dual path airflow |
US20050053468A1 (en) * | 2003-08-11 | 2005-03-10 | Ricky Kuan | Cooling apparatus with a front loaded axial flow fan |
US20100175554A1 (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2010-07-15 | Dell Products L.P. | Cooling system with debris filtering |
US20210203891A1 (en) * | 2018-05-25 | 2021-07-01 | Sharp Nec Display Solutions, Ltd. | Electronic device and projectors |
Families Citing this family (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
TW537428U (en) * | 2002-02-08 | 2003-06-11 | Foxconn Prec Components Co Ltd | Air conducting device for computer |
US6711016B2 (en) * | 2002-05-07 | 2004-03-23 | Asustek Computer Inc. | Side exhaust heat dissipation module |
US6989988B2 (en) * | 2003-02-21 | 2006-01-24 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Duct for cooling multiple components in a processor-based device |
US6978827B2 (en) * | 2003-05-23 | 2005-12-27 | Tyco Electronics Canada Ltd. | Active heat sink |
US7061758B2 (en) * | 2003-11-20 | 2006-06-13 | Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd. | Heat-dissipating fan device |
US7059388B2 (en) * | 2003-12-19 | 2006-06-13 | Kuo Ta Chang | Heat dissipating device |
US20050199369A1 (en) * | 2004-03-15 | 2005-09-15 | Chen Shih H. | Dual centrifugal fan structure and heat dissipation device having the fan structure |
US20060021735A1 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2006-02-02 | Industrial Design Laboratories Inc. | Integrated cooler for electronic devices |
US20060098414A1 (en) * | 2004-11-10 | 2006-05-11 | Meng-Cheng Huang | Heat sink |
US20060185832A1 (en) * | 2005-02-23 | 2006-08-24 | Asia Vital Component Co., Ltd. | Heat radiation module with transverse flow fan |
KR100760750B1 (en) * | 2005-06-08 | 2007-09-21 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Heat sink and plasma display device comprising the same |
US8202045B2 (en) | 2008-06-26 | 2012-06-19 | Intel Corporation | Blower fan for low profile environment |
CN101742888B (en) * | 2008-11-14 | 2013-02-20 | 富准精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Radiation device and electronic equipment using same |
US9253928B2 (en) | 2011-06-27 | 2016-02-02 | Henkel IP & Holding GmbH | Cooling module with parallel blowers |
US8767400B2 (en) | 2011-06-27 | 2014-07-01 | The Bergquist Torrington Company | Cooling module with parallel blowers |
US9825343B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2017-11-21 | Johnson Controls Technology Company | Battery module passive thermal management features and positioning |
US10658717B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2020-05-19 | Cps Technology Holdings Llc | Battery module active thermal management features and positioning |
US10720683B2 (en) | 2014-09-30 | 2020-07-21 | Cps Technology Holdings Llc | Battery module thermal management features for internal flow |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5309983B1 (en) * | 1992-06-23 | 1997-02-04 | Pcubid Computer Tech | Low profile integrated heat sink and fan assembly |
US6047765A (en) * | 1996-08-20 | 2000-04-11 | Zhan; Xiao | Cross flow cooling device for semiconductor components |
-
2001
- 2001-02-07 US US09/778,406 patent/US6459580B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040201957A1 (en) * | 2003-04-11 | 2004-10-14 | Wu Shan Ping | Method and apparatus for cooling a modular computer system with dual path airflow |
US6958906B2 (en) | 2003-04-11 | 2005-10-25 | Shan Ping Wu | Method and apparatus for cooling a modular computer system with dual path airflow |
US20050053468A1 (en) * | 2003-08-11 | 2005-03-10 | Ricky Kuan | Cooling apparatus with a front loaded axial flow fan |
US20100175554A1 (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2010-07-15 | Dell Products L.P. | Cooling system with debris filtering |
US20210203891A1 (en) * | 2018-05-25 | 2021-07-01 | Sharp Nec Display Solutions, Ltd. | Electronic device and projectors |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6459580B1 (en) | 2002-10-01 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6459580B1 (en) | Cooling system for removing heat from an object | |
US7120019B2 (en) | Coaxial air ducts and fans for cooling and electronic component | |
US6688379B2 (en) | Heat dissipation device with high efficiency | |
US5335143A (en) | Disk augmented heat transfer system | |
US7391611B2 (en) | Heat-dissipating device and a housing thereof | |
US6565428B2 (en) | Duct flow-type fan | |
US20040246677A1 (en) | Computer cooling apparatus | |
US6892800B2 (en) | Omnidirectional fan-heatsinks | |
US5794687A (en) | Forced air cooling apparatus for semiconductor chips | |
US6885555B2 (en) | Cooling system for electronic devices | |
US7198094B2 (en) | Finned device for removing heat from an electronic component | |
JP5078872B2 (en) | Heat sink with centrifugal fan | |
JP2007234957A (en) | Heat sink with centrifugal fan | |
US20040200608A1 (en) | Plate fins with vanes for redirecting airflow | |
US5873407A (en) | Windblown-type heat-dissipating device for computer mother board | |
KR100939992B1 (en) | Cooling Apparatus, and Electric-Electronic Equipment with the Cooling Apparatus | |
JPH08195456A (en) | Cooler for electronic apparatus | |
US6816374B2 (en) | High efficiency heat sink/air cooler system for heat-generating components | |
US20050225941A1 (en) | Centrifugal fan type cooling module | |
US20050141992A1 (en) | Fan assembly | |
US9409264B2 (en) | Interleaved heat sink and fan assembly | |
JPH07234035A (en) | Radiator | |
GB2383682A (en) | Heat sink for CPU | |
US7094028B2 (en) | Outlet airflow direction control device | |
JP2006237366A (en) | Heat sink |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION, TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FIORA, TROY A. DELLA;MUNDT, KEVIN W.;JONES, JOSEPH A.;REEL/FRAME:011552/0496;SIGNING DATES FROM 20010131 TO 20010201 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: COMPAQ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, L.P., TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:018471/0962 Effective date: 20010620 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P., TEXAS Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:COMPAQ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, L.P.;REEL/FRAME:018552/0946 Effective date: 20021001 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |