U.S. patent application number 10/183671 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-01 for liquid-to-air cooling system for portable electronic and computer devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Chu, Richard C., Ellsworth, Michael J. JR., Simons, Robert E..
Application Number | 20040001310 10/183671 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29735197 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040001310 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chu, Richard C. ; et
al. |
January 1, 2004 |
LIQUID-TO-AIR COOLING SYSTEM FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER
DEVICES
Abstract
A cooling system and method of fabrication are provided for
cooling a heat-generating electronic element within a portable
computer. The cooling system includes a cold plate assembly coupled
to a heat-generating electronic element, and a heat exchange
assembly disposed within the cover of the portable computer. The
heat exchange assembly includes a hollow channel for carrying
coolant, as well as a thermally conductive plate and air-cooled
fins. The hollow channel is coupled to one main surface of the
plate, while the air-cooled fins are coupled to an opposite main
surface of the plate. A conduit carries coolant between the cold
plate assembly and the hollow channel of the heat exchange
assembly, and a circulation pump circulates coolant through the
conduit between the cold plate assembly and the heat exchange
assembly in a manner to remove heat from the heat-generating
electronic component.
Inventors: |
Chu, Richard C.; (Hopewell
Junction, NY) ; Ellsworth, Michael J. JR.;
(Lagrangeville, NY) ; Simons, Robert E.;
(Poughkeepsie, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI PC
5 COLUMBIA CIRCLE
ALBANY
NY
12203
US
|
Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corporation
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
29735197 |
Appl. No.: |
10/183671 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.27 ;
165/104.33; 174/15.2; 361/699 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2200/201 20130101;
G06F 1/203 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/687 ;
165/104.33; 174/15.2; 361/699 |
International
Class: |
G06F 001/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cooling system for a portable computer which includes a
computer body having a heat generating electronic element therein,
and a display section having a screen connected in an openable
manner to the computer body, the cooling system comprising: a cold
plate assembly having a surface coupled to the heat generating
electronic element for extraction of heat generated thereby; a heat
exchange assembly disposed within the openable display section of
the portable computer, the heat exchange assembly including a
hollow channel for carrying coolant; a conduit for carrying coolant
between the cold plate assembly and the hollow channel of the heat
exchange assembly; a circulation pump for circulating coolant
through the conduit between the cold plate assembly and the heat
exchange assembly in a manner causing heat from the heat generating
electronic element to be transferred to the coolant, and carried by
the coolant to the heat exchange assembly for dissipation
therefrom; and wherein the heat exchange assembly includes a
thermally conductive plate and air-cooled fins, the hollow channel
being coupled to the thermally conductive plate for facilitating
the transfer of heat from coolant within the hollow channel to the
thermally conductive plate, and the air-cooled fins being coupled
to the thermally conductive plate for facilitating the dissipation
of heat transferred to the thermally conductive plate from the
coolant within the hollow channel.
2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the heat exchange
assembly further includes an air moving device disposed within the
openable display section of the portable computer, the air moving
device being positioned to move air across the air-cooled fins of
the heat exchange assembly.
3. The cooling system of claim 2, wherein the air moving device is
positioned and the air-cooled fins are configured to form a
converging plenum within the openable display section of the
portable computer to facilitate the movement of air across the
air-cooled fins.
4. The cooling system of claim 3, wherein the air moving device
comprises a low profile pancake type fan, and wherein the
air-cooled fins are defined by a folded fin structure.
5. The cooling system of claim 4, wherein the folded fin structure
is coupled to the thermally conductive plate, and is coupled to a
wall of the openable display section of the portable computer,
wherein an auxiliary heat transfer path is formed from the
thermally conductive plate through the folded fin structure to the
wall of the openable display section of the portable computer.
6. The cooling system of claim 4, wherein the openable display
section of the portable computer includes air intake openings near
the air moving device and air outlet vents aligned at least
partially to channels formed by the air cooling fins to facilitate
dissipation of air passing across the air-cooled fins.
7. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the air-cooled fins are
also coupled to a wall of the openable display section of the
portable computer, wherein an auxiliary heat transfer path is
defined from the thermally conductive plate through the air-cooled
fins to the wall of the openable display section of the portable
computer.
8. The cooling system of claim 7, wherein the air-cooled fins are
defined by a folded fin structure.
9. The cooling system of claim 7, wherein the hollow channel is
coupled to one main surface of the thermally conductive plate by
means of a thermal epoxy or solder, and wherein the air-cooled fins
are coupled to an opposite main surface of the thermally conductive
plate by means of a thermal epoxy or solder.
10. The cooling system of claim 9, wherein the air-cooled fins are
further coupled to the wall of the openable display section of the
portable computer by means of a thermal epoxy or solder.
11. An electronic apparatus comprising: a base housing having a
heat-generating component disposed therein; a lid supported on the
base housing for movement relative thereto between open and closed
positions; and a cooling system for dissipating operating heat
generated by the heat-generating component, the cooling system
including: a cold plate assembly having a surface coupled to the
heat-generating component; a heat exchange assembly disposed within
the lid housing, the heat exchange assembly including a hollow
channel for carrying coolant; a conduit for carrying coolant
between the cold plate assembly and the hollow channel within the
heat exchange assembly; a circulation pump for circulating coolant
through the conduit between the cold plate assembly and the heat
exchange assembly in a manner causing heat from the heat-generating
component to be transferred to the coolant, and carried by the
coolant to the heat exchange assembly for dissipation therefrom;
and wherein the heat exchange assembly includes a thermally
conductive plate and air-cooled fins, the hollow channel being
coupled to the thermally conductive plate for facilitating the
transfer of heat from coolant within the hollow channel to the
thermally conductive plate, and the air-cooled fins being coupled
to the thermally conductive plate for facilitating the dissipation
of heat transferred to the thermally conductive plate from coolant
within the hollow channel.
12. The electronic apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electronic
apparatus is one of a portable computer or a notebook computer.
13. The electronic apparatus of claim 11, wherein the heat exchange
assembly further includes an air moving device disposed within the
lid, the air moving device being positioned to move air across the
air-cooled fins of the heat exchange assembly.
14. The electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the air moving
device is positioned and the air-cooled fins are configured to form
a converging plenum within the lid to facilitate the movement of
air across the air-cooled fins.
15. The electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the air-cooled
fins are defined by a folded fin structure, and wherein the folded
fin structure is coupled to the thermally conductive plate, and is
coupled to a wall of the lid, wherein an auxiliary heat transfer
path is formed from the thermally conductive plate through the
folded fin structure to the wall of the lid of the electronic
apparatus.
16. The electronic apparatus of claim 11, wherein the air-cooled
fins are also coupled to a wall of the lid, wherein an auxiliary
heat transfer path is defined from the thermally conductive plate
through the air-cooled fins to the wall of the lid.
17. The electronic apparatus of claim 16, wherein the hollow
channel is coupled to one main surface of the thermally conductive
plate by means of a thermal epoxy or solder, and wherein the
air-cooled fins are coupled to an opposite main surface of the
thermally conductive plate by means of a thermal epoxy or
solder.
18. A method of fabricating a cooling system for a portable
computer which includes a computer body having a heat-generating
electronic element therein, and a display section having a screen
connected in an openable manner to the computer body, the method
comprising: coupling a cold plate assembly to the heat-generating
electronic element; disposing a heat exchange assembly within the
openable display section of the portable computer, the heat
exchange assembly including a hollow channel for carrying coolant;
providing a conduit for carrying coolant between the cold plate
assembly and the hollow channel within the heat exchange assembly;
disposing a circulation pump in the computer body for circulating
coolant through the conduit between the cold plate assembly and the
heat exchange assembly in a manner causing heat from the
heat-generating electronic element to be transferred to the
coolant, and carried by the coolant to the heat exchange assembly
for dissipation therefrom; and providing the heat exchange assembly
with a thermally conductive plate and air-cooled fins, the hollow
channel being coupled to the thermally conductive plate for
facilitating the transfer of heat from coolant within the hollow
channel to the thermally conductive plate, and the air-cooled fins
being coupled to the thermally conductive plate for facilitating
the dissipation of heat transferred to the thermally conductive
plate from coolant within the hollow channel.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing an air
moving device disposed within the openable display section of the
portable computer, the air moving device being positioned to move
air across the air-cooled fins of the heat exchange assembly.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising coupling the
air-cooled fins to a wall of the display section of the portable
computer, wherein an auxiliary heat transfer path is formed from
the thermally conductive plate through the air-cooled fins to the
wall of the openable display section of the portable computer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application contains subject matter which is related to
the subject matter of the following application, which is assigned
to the same assignee as this application. The below-listed
application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety:
[0002] "Cooling System for Portable Electronic and Computer
Devices", by Chu et al., U.S. Ser. No. 09/893,135, filed Jun. 27,
2001.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to a cooling system and method
for cooling high heat dissipating components within electronic and
computer system enclosures. More particularly, this invention
relates to a cooling system for removing heat from high heat
dissipating components located within portable electronic and
computer devices having a main body portion and a cover connected
in an openable manner to the main body portion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] High heat dissipating components located within small
confines of certain consumer electronic devices may create hot
spots at certain locations along the external casing of the device.
These hot spots may be uncomfortable to the touch, and in some
cases may cause injury. Therefore, it is desirable to dissipate
heat away from the high heat generating components located within
the enclosure of small form factor devices in such a way as to keep
the internal components within their specified operating
temperature range and to preclude the creation of hot spots along
the exterior of the enclosure, and particularly along the bottom of
the enclosure.
[0005] A number of prior techniques have been used to remove heat
from heat generating components located within the confines of a
computer system enclosure. For example, cooling integrated circuit
devices within notebook computers has evolved from the simple
attachment of a finned heat sink to the top surface of the device,
to the development of finned heat sinks having integral fans. More
recent developments have included the use of forced cooling air to
cool one side of a heat spreading plate having an integrated
circuit attached to the other side. Although these heat transfer
methods have proved sufficient in the past, they do not provide the
heat removal capacity and/or efficiency needed to cool current and
future high-performance microprocessors in portable general-purpose
computers and other thin profile electronic devices.
[0006] What is needed then is an apparatus and method which solves
the aforementioned problems associated with cooling internal
electronic circuits located within portable consumer electronic and
computer devices. Particularly, what is needed is a highly
efficient cooling system that is conformable to the size and power
consumption restrictions imposed by small form factor and thin
profile electronic devices, such as, for example, notebook
computers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Briefly described, provided herein in one aspect is a
cooling system for a portable electronic device, such as a portable
computer, which includes a computer body having a heat generating
electronic element therein, and a display section having a screen
connected in an openable manner to the computer body. The cooling
system includes a cold plate assembly and a heat exchange assembly.
The cold plate assembly has a surface coupled to the heat
generating electronic element for extraction of heat generated
thereby, and the heat exchange assembly is disposed within the
openable display section of the portable computer. The heat
exchange assembly includes a hollow channel for carrying coolant. A
conduit is provided for carrying coolant between the cold plate
assembly and the hollow channel of the heat exchange structure; and
a circulation pump is also provided for circulating coolant
therethrough. Specifically, the circulation pump circulates coolant
between the cold plate assembly and the heat exchange assembly in a
manner so as to cause heat from the heat generating electronic
element to be transferred to the coolant, and carried by the
coolant to the heat exchange assembly for dissipation therefrom.
The heat exchange assembly further includes a thermally conductive
plate and air-cooled fins. The hollow channel is coupled to one
main surface of the thermally conductive plate for facilitating the
transfer of heat from coolant within the channel to the plate, and
the air-cooled fins are coupled to an opposite main surface of the
thermally conductive plate for facilitating the dissipation of heat
transferred to the thermally conductive plate.
[0008] In another aspect, an electronic apparatus is provided which
includes a base housing having a heat-generating component disposed
therein, and a lid housing supported on the base housing for
movement relative thereto between open and closed positions. A
cooling system is also provided for dissipating operating heat
generated by the heat-generating component. The cooling system
includes a cold plate assembly having a surface coupled to the
heat-generating component, and a heat exchange assembly disposed
within the lid housing. The heat exchange assembly includes a
hollow channel for carrying coolant. A conduit carries coolant
between the cold plate assembly and the hollow channel within the
heat exchange assembly. A circulation pump is provided for
circulating coolant through the conduit between the cold plate
assembly and the heat exchange assembly in a manner to cause heat
from the heat-generating component to be transferred to the
coolant, and carried by the coolant to the heat exchange assembly
for dissipation therefrom. The heat exchange assembly further
includes a thermally conductive plate and air-cooled fins. The
hollow channel is coupled to one main surface of the thermally
conductive plate for facilitating the transfer of heat from coolant
within the hollow channel to the thermally conductive plate, and
the air-cooled fins are coupled to an opposite main surface of the
thermally conductive plate for facilitating the dissipation of heat
transferred to the thermally conductive plate from coolant within
the hollow channel.
[0009] In a further aspect, a method of fabricating a cooling
system is provided for a portable computer which includes a
computer body having a heat-generating electronic element, and a
display section with a screen connected in an openable manner to
the computer body. The method includes: coupling a cold plate
assembly to the heat-generating electronic element; disposing a
heat exchange assembly within the openable display section of the
portable computer, the heat exchange assembly including a hollow
channel for carrying coolant; providing a conduit for carrying
coolant between the cold plate assembly and the hollow channel
within the heat exchange assembly; disposing a circulation pump in
the computer body for circulating coolant through the conduit
between the cold plate assembly and the heat exchange assembly in a
manner causing heat from the heat-generating electronic element to
be transferred to the coolant, and carried by the coolant to the
heat exchange assembly for dissipation therefrom; and providing the
heat exchange assembly with a thermally conductive plate and air
cooled fins, the hollow channel being coupled to the thermally
conductive plate for facilitating the transfer of heat from coolant
within the hollow channel to the thermally conductive plate, and
the air-cooled fins being coupled to the thermally conductive plate
for facilitating the dissipation of heat transferred to the
thermally conductive plate from coolant within the hollow
channel.
[0010] Advantageously, provided herein is a liquid-to-air cooling
system which significantly increases the cooling capacity of a
portable computer. This allows a heat-generating component, such as
a microprocessor disposed within the body of the portable computer,
to either run at a faster rate, or for a given component, allows
the portable computer environment to run cooler, thereby extending
reliability. In one embodiment, a water-to-air cooling system is
described which employs forced water flow to provide a
significantly lower thermal resistance path from, for example, a
processor module in the body of a portable computer to a heat
exchange assembly disposed within the openable cover. A folded fin
structure can be employed within the heat exchange assembly to
provide increased surface area for heat transfer. The higher heat
transfer coefficient provided by forcing air flow through the
air-cooled fins results in a significantly lower thermal resistance
path for heat within coolant passing through the heat exchange
assembly to ambient air. Further, an auxiliary thermal path is
created in one aspect from the heat exchange assembly directly to
the back wall of the cover via thermal conduction. Thus, in the
event that the air moving device malfunctions, the portable
computer could still operate at reduced power via natural
convection and radiation off the cover. Still further, by
dissipating heat away from the high heat-generating component(s)
disposed within the body of the portable computer, the components
are more readily maintained within their specified operating
temperature range, and the creation of hot spots along the exterior
of the portable computer is precluded.
[0011] Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects
of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered
a part of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent
from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side elevational illustration of a portable
computer showing in partial breakaway one embodiment of a cooling
system disposed therein, in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side elevational illustration of the portable
computer of FIG. 1 showing in partial breakaway the cooling system
thereof in greater detail, in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3A is a side, cross-sectional illustration of the
portable computer of FIGS. 1 & 2 identifying a portion thereof
for enlargement as
[0016] FIG. 3B, in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the heat
exchange assembly of FIG. 3A, in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4A is a front plan view of the heat exchange assembly
of FIGS. 1-3B showing a coolant carrying channel of the assembly
coupled to one main surface of a thermally conductive plate, in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 4B is a back plan view of the heat exchange assembly of
FIGS. 1-3B showing air-cooled fins and an air moving device coupled
to an opposite main surface of the thermally conductive plate, in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0020] Generally stated, a liquid-to-air cooling system and method
for removing heat from a heat generating component located within a
thin-profile consumer electronic or computer system enclosure are
described herein. In the following description, specific details
are set forth such as material types, processing steps, etc., in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art
that the invention may be practiced without these specific details.
In other instances, well known elements or processing techniques
have not been shown in particular detail in order to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. In order to
illustrate the need for cooling systems that are capable of being
integrated within an enclosure having limited available space, this
discussion focuses principally on removing heat from integrated
circuits housed within portable computers, such as notebook and
laptop computers. It will be recognized, however, that such focus
is for descriptive purposes only and that the cooling system and
method of the present invention are applicable to other thin
profile electronic devices, which are collectively referred to
herein as "portable computers".
[0021] Improving computer performance invariably translates into
increasing power dissipation. Nowhere does this pose a greater
challenge than in a portable computer, such as a laptop computer.
Present day laptops have their heat removed via natural convection
and radiation from the outer casing. Designs have been proposed to
improve laptop cooling by better spreading heat within the main
chassis or processor compartment. In addition, schemes have been
suggested to provide a means of transporting heat into the notebook
cover housing the liquid crystal display. While these methods may
help the cooling situation, heat rejection from the cover is still
limited by the poor heat transfer coefficients attained with
natural convection or radiation. This situation is significantly
improved herein by implementing heat removal by forced convection.
Specifically, described hereinbelow is a technique for utilizing
forced convection to transport heat both internally and externally
of the portable computer.
[0022] Advantageously, heat is more effectively transferred to an
openable cover of a portable computer in accordance with the
present invention by incorporating an active liquid cooling loop
into the electronics apparatus, and by coupling the liquid cooling
loop to a heat exchange assembly disposed within the openable
cover. FIG. 1 depicts a portable computer, generally denoted 10,
having one embodiment of a liquid-to-air cooling system in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Portable
computer 10 includes a computer body 12 having a keyboard and/or
keypad 13 on an upper surface thereof, and a cover 14 which is
connected in an openable manner to the computer body. For example,
in one embodiment, one or more hinges (not shown) could be provided
so that cover 14 pivots between an open and closed position
relative to computer body 12. Cover 14 includes a user viewable
screen 15.
[0023] One or more heat-generating electronic elements 16 are
disposed within computer body 12 from which heat is to be removed.
In this embodiment, heat produced by element 16 is transferred to
an active liquid cooling loop via a low profile cold plate 20. Cold
plate assemblies for cooling heat-generating components are
described in various issued United States Letters Patents,
including U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,213,194; 6,035,655; 6,034,872;
5,970,731; 5,954,127; 5,934,364; 5,896,922. In one embodiment, the
low profile cold plate essentially comprises a continuous tubular
liquid passage attached to the processor module by means of a
mechanical clamp or thermal epoxy.
[0024] Liquid coolant, water in one example, is pumped via a
miniature circulation pump 22 (such as a centrifugal pump) through
flexible plastic tubing 24 into a heat exchange assembly 30
disposed within cover 14 of portable computer 10. Tubing 24 is
preferably continuous between the computer body and the cover to
minimize heat transfer interferences. Within the heat transfer
assembly, the heated liquid undergoes cooling as heat is
transferred to the ambient environment, as explained below.
[0025] The heat exchange assembly 30 includes, in one embodiment, a
continuous tube or channel 26 in fluid communication with tubing
24. The continuous channel is coupled to one main surface of a
thermal spreader or thermally conductive plate 32. Air-cooled fins
34 are coupled to an opposite main surface of thermally conductive
plate 32. Operationally, heat from coolant within channel 26 is
transferred to the thermally conductive plate, and from the
thermally conductive plate to the air-cooled fins for dissipation
to the ambient environment, for example, through air outlet vents
36 in cover 14. In one embodiment, each air outlet vent 36 could
align to a respective air passage or channel defined by air-cooled
fins 34.
[0026] The heat exchange assembly 30 within cover 14 of portable
computer 10 is shown in further detail in FIG. 2. The heat exchange
assembly 30 resides in the space between, for example, the liquid
crystal display panel 15 and an outer, back wall 17 of cover 14.
The cooling channel 26 may comprise a continuous serpentine
configuration (see FIG. 4A) wherein multiple horizontally disposed
channel sections 27 are provided coupled to the thermally
conductive plate 32 to provide reasonably uniform heat transfer to
the thermally conductive plate, and hence to the air-cooled fins
34.
[0027] FIGS. 3A & 3B depict further details of the portable
computer 10 embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 & 2. In FIG. 3A,
body 12 is shown to include other electronics 40, such as a hard
drive, CD rom drive, etc., while a more detailed embodiment of heat
exchange assembly 30 within cover 14 is depicted in FIG. 3B.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3B, cooling channel 26, in fluid
communication with tubing 24 (FIG. 1) is spaced from the user
viewable display screen 15. Cooling channel 26 may be oval in
cross-section as shown by the horizontally extending portion 27.
During fabrication, cooling channel 26 may initially have a
circular cross-section, and then undergo compression to obtain the
depicted structure. By compressing the cooling channel, a lower
profile is obtained, as well as an increased contact area with the
thermally conductive plate 32.
[0029] Depending upon the construction of thermally conductive
plate 32, the cooling channel 26 may be soldered or epoxied 42 to
the plate 32. For example, coil 26 may be soldered to the thermally
conductive plate 32 if the plate is made of copper, or may be
attached with a thermal epoxy if plate 32 is made of aluminum.
[0030] Attached to the opposite main surface of thermally
conductive plate 32 is, in one embodiment, a folded fin structure
34 which has multiple folded fin surfaces disposed in opposing
relation to the main surface of plate 32. The folded fin structure,
which may be made of a continuous sheet of thin corrugated copper
or aluminum, defines air channels 35 and has folded fin surfaces
adjacent to the thermally conductive plate for attaching 44 to the
plate by means of solder if the plate is made of copper, or a
thermal epoxy if the plate is made of aluminum. The opposite folded
fin surfaces of the folded fin structure may be attached 46 to the
inside of back wall 17 of cover 14, for example, by means of a
thermal epoxy.
[0031] Those skilled in the art should note from the above
discussion of FIG. 3B, that provided herein is, in one aspect, an
auxiliary cooling path defined by coupling the air-cooled fins to
the thermally conductive plate and to the back wall of the cover.
Thus, a direct path is provided for removal of heat by natural
convection and radiation off the back wall of the cover. As a
further enhancement, additional heat control could be provided by
attaching a thermal couple to the thermally conductive plate. If
the temperature of the plate increased to a certain level, then a
command could be provided to slow the heat generating component
(e.g., processor) so that the component is not dissipating as much
heat.
[0032] FIGS. 4A & 4B depict front and back plan views of the
heat exchange assembly disposed within cover 14. In FIG. 4A, one
embodiment of cooling channel 26 is shown overlying a main surface
of thermally conductive plate 32. As noted above, cooling channel
26 may include various configurations, including a serpentine
configuration having multiple horizontally extending channel
portions 27. Cooling channel 26 is in fluid communication with
tubing 24 (FIG. 1), and receives coolant, such as water, through an
inlet 29 and returns the coolant to the base of the portable
computer through an outlet 31.
[0033] FIG. 4B depicts one embodiment of the folded fin structure
34 coupled to the back side of thermally conductive plate 32, which
again is disposed within the openable cover 14 of the portable
computer. Cover 14 is shown to include air outlet vents 36 on a
side surface thereof, and air inlet vents 37 along a top edge.
Mounted in one end of cover 14 is a low profile pancake fan 50
which actively forces air through the air cooled channels 35
defined by the air-cooled fins 34. The pancake fan 50 draws in room
air and delivers it through the parallel flow channels 35 to exit
out air vents 36 formed in the side of cover 14. In this
embodiment, a converging plenum is formed as shown within the cover
to more evenly distribute the air provided by pancake fan 50 to
channels 35.
[0034] Various alternative air-cooled fin embodiments could be
provided as part of a heat exchange assembly in accordance with the
principles of the present invention. For example, if air fin
cooling is to be employed without the use of an active air moving
device, then it may be desirable to orient the fins vertically,
wherein air would move through the cover by natural convection with
inlet and outlet vents being provided in the bottom edge and top
edge, respectively, of the cover.
[0035] To summarize, those skilled in the art should note from the
above discussion that provided herein, in one aspect, is a
water-to-air cooling system which employs forced water flow to
provide a significantly lower thermal resistance path from a
processor module to a heat exchange assembly disposed within the
cover. The folded fin structure of the heat exchange assembly
further provides increased surface area for heat transfer, and the
higher heat transfer coefficients provided by forced air flow
through the air-cooled fins result in a significantly lower thermal
resistance path from the thermally conductive plate to ambient air.
Further, as noted above, an auxiliary thermal path is created
through the thermally conductive fins from the plate of the heat
exchange assembly to the back wall of the cover via thermal
conduction. Thus, in the event that the air moving device
malfunctions, the portable computer could still operate at reduced
power via natural convection and radiation off the cover. Further,
it should be noted that various types of liquid coolant could be
employed within the cooling system. For example, the coolant could
comprise water, a water and alcohol mixture, or a water and glycol
mixture. Those skilled in the art will realize that other coolant
mixtures could also be employed.
[0036] Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and
described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the relevant art that various modifications, additions,
substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be
within the scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims.
* * * * *