U.S. patent application number 10/395933 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-10 for axial heat-dissipating device.
Invention is credited to Luo, Chin-Kuang.
Application Number | 20040108104 10/395933 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32466567 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040108104 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Luo, Chin-Kuang |
June 10, 2004 |
Axial heat-dissipating device
Abstract
An axial heat-dissipating device includes a heat-dissipating
unit and a fan unit. The heat-dissipating unit includes an upright
heat-transfer member having a lower end adapted to be disposed on a
heat-generating source, a plurality of angularly spaced apart
heat-dissipating fins provided on the heat-transfer member, and a
hollow shell body that is disposed to surround the heat-dissipating
fins. The shell body has a top end portion and a lower end portion
which is formed with at least one radial air inlet that permits
flow of air into the shell body. The fan unit is mounted on the top
end portion of the shell body, and is operable so as to draw hot
air out of the shell body.
Inventors: |
Luo, Chin-Kuang; (Taichung
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TROP PRUNER & HU, PC
8554 KATY FREEWAY
SUITE 100
HOUSTON
TX
77024
US
|
Family ID: |
32466567 |
Appl. No.: |
10/395933 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/181 ;
165/182; 165/80.3; 257/E23.088; 257/E23.099; 257/E23.102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 23/367 20130101;
F28F 13/00 20130101; H01L 23/467 20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101;
H01L 23/427 20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101; F28F 2013/001
20130101; H01L 2924/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/181 ;
165/182; 165/080.3 |
International
Class: |
F28F 001/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 8, 2002 |
TW |
091132959 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An axial heat-dissipating device comprising: a heat-dissipating
unit including an upright heat-transfer member having a lower end
adapted to be disposed on a heat-generating source, a plurality of
angularly spaced apart heat-dissipating fins provided on said
heat-transfer member, and a hollow shell body that is disposed to
surround said heat-dissipating fins, said shell body having a top
end portion and a lower end portion which is formed with at least
one radial air inlet that permits flow of air into said shell body;
and a fan unit mounted on said top end portion of said shell body
and operable so as to draw hot air out of said shell body.
2. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said heat-transfer member includes a base member adapted to be
disposed on the heat-generating source, and a heat-guiding post
that extends uprightly from said base member.
3. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said heat-dissipating fins radiate from said heat-guiding post in
radial outward directions.
4. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said base member and said heat-guiding post cooperate to form a
heat-dissipating cavity.
5. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said base member has a top side formed with a lower cavity, and
said heat-guiding post is formed with an upper cavity that is
registered with said lower cavity, said upper and lower cavities
cooperatively constituting said heat-dissipating cavity.
6. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein
said heat-dissipating unit further includes a thermal conductor
received in said heat-dissipating cavity.
7. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein
said thermal conductor is a heat-conducting rod.
8. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein
said thermal conductor is a heat-conducting pipe.
9. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein
said thermal conductor has an outer wall surface coated with a
heat-conducting paste.
10. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 4,
wherein said heat-dissipating cavity is filled with a thermally
conductive material.
11. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 4,
wherein said heat-dissipating cavity has an inner wall surface
coated with a thermally conductive material.
12. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 4,
wherein said heat-dissipating cavity is a sealed vacuum
chamber.
13. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 12,
wherein said heat-dissipating cavity is filled with a thermally
conductive material.
14. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 2,
wherein said base member, said heat-guiding post, said
heat-dissipating fins, and said shell body are connected
integrally.
15. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 2,
wherein said base member, said heat-guiding post and said
heat-dissipating fins are connected integrally.
16. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 2,
wherein said base member and said heat-guiding post are connected
integrally.
17. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 3,
wherein said heat-guiding post and said heat-dissipating fins are
connected integrally.
18. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 2,
wherein said base member has an upwardly converging top surface,
each of said heat-dissipating fins having a lower edge that
complements and that is in contact with said top surface of said
base member.
19. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising a thermoelectric generator mounted on a top end
of said heat-transfer member and coupled electrically to said fan
unit for supplying electric power thereto.
20. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said fan unit is an exhaust fan.
21. The axial heat-dissipating device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein each of said heat-dissipating fins is coated with a
thermally conductive material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application
No. 091132959, filed on Nov. 8, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a heat-dissipating device, more
particularly to an axial heat-dissipating device capable of quick
heat dissipation.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a conventional heat-dissipating device adapted
to be mounted on top of a heat-generating component 12 that is
disposed on a circuit board 11 of an electronic device. The
heat-generating component 12 can be a central processing unit, an
integrated circuit, or the like. The heat-dissipating device
includes an aluminum heat-dissipating fin unit 13 disposed in
thermal contact with the heat-generating component 12, and a fan 14
oriented toward the fin unit 13. The fin unit 13 has a bottom
portion provided with a heat-conducting plate 15 that is formed
from copper and that facilitates the transfer of heat generated by
the heat-generating component 12 to the fin unit 13. However, such
a conventional heat-dissipating device has the following
setbacks:
[0006] 1. Although aluminum and copper have quite high temperature
coefficients of conductivity, their combined heat-dissipating
effect is not very satisfactory, resulting in that the surface
temperature of the heat-generating component 12 remains higher than
that of the fin unit 13. That is, currents of air blown by the fan
14 can only disperse the heat around the fin unit 13, and cannot
reach the surface of the heat-generating component 12 to dissipate
the heat of the heat-generating component 12.
[0007] 2. In view of the aforesaid, when heat gradually accumulates
on the surface of the heat-generating component 12, since the
conventional heat-dissipating device cannot effectively dissipate
the high heat, the operation of the heat-generating component 12
will be affected, which may result in shutdown of or even damage to
the electronic device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide
an axial heat-dissipating device that is capable of quick heat
dissipation.
[0009] Accordingly, an axial heat-dissipating device of the present
invention includes:
[0010] a heat-dissipating unit including an upright heat-transfer
member having a lower end adapted to be disposed on a
heat-generating source, a plurality of angularly spaced apart
heat-dissipating fins provided on the heat-transfer member, and a
hollow shell body that is disposed to surround the heat-dissipating
fins, the shell body having a top end portion and a lower end
portion which is formed with at least one radial air inlet that
permits flow of air into the shell body; and
[0011] a fan unit mounted on the top end portion of the shell body
and operable so as to draw hot air out of the shell body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a conventional
heat-dissipating device;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first preferred
embodiment of an axial heat-dissipating device according to the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first
preferred embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 4 is another exploded perspective view of the first
preferred embodiment, which is taken from a different angle;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a sectional view to illustrate the first preferred
embodiment in part;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second
preferred embodiment of an axial heat-dissipating device according
to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a sectional view to illustrate the third preferred
embodiment of an axial heat-dissipating device according to the
present invention in part;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an exploded sectional view of the third preferred
embodiment in part, illustrating that a base member, a heat-guiding
post and heat-dissipating fins are connected integrally;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a sectional view to illustrate the fourth
preferred embodiment of an axial heat-dissipating device according
to the present invention in part, showing integral connection among
a base member, a heat-guiding post, and heat-dissipating fins;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view to illustrate the fourth
preferred embodiment in part; and
[0023] FIG. 11 is a sectional view to illustrate the fifth
preferred embodiment of an axial heat-dissipating device according
to the present invention in part, showing integral connection among
a base member, a heat-guiding post, heat-dissipating fins, and a
shell body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Before the present invention is described in greater detail,
it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same
reference numerals throughout the disclosure.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the first preferred embodiment of
an axial heat-dissipating device 2 according to the present
invention is shown to be adapted for mounting on a heat-generating
source 3 (see FIG. 5), which can be a central processing unit, an
integrated circuit, or the like. In this embodiment, the
heat-generating source 3 is a central processing unit. As shown,
the axial heat-dissipating device 2 includes a heat-dissipating
unit 4 and a fan unit 6. The heat-dissipating unit 4 includes a
heat-transfer member 40 having a lower end adapted to be disposed
on the heat-generating source 3, a plurality of angularly spaced
apart heat-dissipating fins 400 provided on the heat-transfer
member 40, and a hollow shell body 100 that is disposed to surround
the heat-dissipating fins 400. The heat-transfer member 40 includes
a base member 8 adapted to be disposed on the heat-generating
source 3, and a heat-guiding post 91 that extends uprightly from
the base member 8. In this embodiment, the base member 8 is
circular, but may have any other suitable geometric shape. The base
member 8 has a bottom surface 81 adapted to be disposed on the
heat-generating source 3, and an upwardly converging top surface
82. The top surface 82 is formed with at least one lower cavity 83
in a central portion thereof. In this embodiment, four lower
cavities 83 are provided.
[0026] The heat-guiding post 91 is formed with an upper cavity 911
that is registered with the lower cavity 83 and that cooperates
with the lower cavity 83 to form a heat-dissipating cavity 110. In
this embodiment, four upper cavities 911 are provided to be
respectively registered with the four lower cavities 83 so as to
form four heat-dissipating cavities 110 (see FIG. 5),
respectively.
[0027] The heat-dissipating fins 400 extend from the heat-guiding
post 91 in radial outward directions. Each adjacent pair of the
heat-dissipating fins 400 define a channel 400' therebetween. Each
of the heat-dissipating fins 400 has a curved lower edge 401 that
complements and that is in contact with the converging top surface
82 of the base member 8.
[0028] The shell body 100 has a lower end portion formed with a
bottom opening 101 and a plurality of radial air inlets 103 that
are in fluid communication with the channels 400' so as to permit
flow of ambient air into the shell body 100 and through the
channels 400', and a top end portion formed with a top opening 102
and a plurality of radial retaining holes 104. The air inlets 103
are also adapted to receive fasteners (not shown) for positioning
the axial heat-dissipating device 2.
[0029] The fan unit 6 is mounted removably on the top end portion
of the shell body 100 and is operable so as to draw hot air out of
the shell body 100 through the top opening 102. The fan unit 6
includes an annular frame 62, an impeller member 61 connected to
the annular frame 62, and a plurality of snap fasteners 63
extending downwardly from a bottom end of the annular frame 62 so
as to engage the retaining holes 104, thereby positioning the fan
unit 6 on the shell body 100. Preferably, the fan unit 6 is an
exhaust fan.
[0030] The heat-dissipating unit 4 further includes a thermal
conductor 5 received in the heat-dissipating cavity 110. The
thermal conductor 5 may be one of a heat-conducting rod and a
heat-conducting pipe. In this embodiment, four thermal conductors 5
are received respectively in the four heat-dissipating cavities
110, and each of the thermal conductors 5 preferably has an outer
surface coated with a heat-conducting paste 7. It is noted that a
superconducting heat-conducting rod can achieve quick conduction of
heat from the heat-generating source 3.
[0031] Alternatively, each of the heat-dissipating cavities 110 may
be filled with a thermally conductive material or may have an inner
wall surface coated with a thermally conductive material. In
another alternative, the heat-dissipating cavities 110 are vacuumed
to form sealed vacuum chambers which are filled with a thermally
conductive material, such as water, methanol, acetone, ammonia,
nitrogen, sodium, lithium, or mixtures thereof, or with a
superconductor material. It is noted that the term "filled" as used
herein can be construed to mean "completely filled" or "partially
filled."
[0032] It is further noted that each of the heat-dissipating fins
400 is preferably coated with a thermally conductive material
10.
[0033] In use, when the working temperature of the heat-generating
source 3 rises, the heat-dissipating cavities 110 having the
thermal conductors 5 or the thermally conductive material therein
transfer the heat quickly from the heat-generating source 3
upwardly and across the heat-dissipating fins 400 that provide an
extensive heat-dissipating area. In addition, the fan unit 6 draws
relatively cold ambient air through the air inlets 103 into the
shell body 100. Due to the configuration of the upwardly converging
top surface 82 of the base member 8, the air is drawn quickly
upward through the channels 400' to carry away the air around the
heat-dissipating unit 4. The hot air is then discharged to the
ambient through the fan unit 6. Thus, the preferred embodiment
provides an excellent heat-dissipating effect. It is noted that the
heat-dissipating fins 400 can be configured to be spiral in shape
for faster air currents.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 6, the second preferred embodiment of
an axial heat-dissipating device 2 according to the present
invention further comprises a thermoelectric generator 120 mounted
on a top end of the heat-transfer member 40, and a heat-dissipating
fin member 130 mounted on the top end of the heat-transfer member
40. Furthermore, the top end portion of the shell body 100 confines
a recess 100'. The heat-dissipating fin member 130 includes a
plurality of radial fins that define channels 400", and is disposed
in the recess 100' such that the channels 400" are in fluid
communication with the channels 400' and such that the shell body
100 surrounds the heat-dissipating fins 400 and the
heat-dissipating fin member 130. The fan unit 6 is mounted on top
of the heat-dissipating fin member 130. The thermoelectric
generator 120 in this embodiment is a thermocouple that has a hot
side 121 in contact with an upper end of the heat-guiding post 91
and a cold side in contact with a bottom central portion 132 of the
heat-dissipating fin member 130. A heat-conducting paste can be
disposed between the hot side 121 and the upper end of the
heat-guiding post 91 and between the cold side 122 and the bottom
central portion 132. In addition, the thermoelectric generator 120
is coupled electrically to the fan unit 6 by an electric cable 140
for supplying electric power thereto. When heat is conducted from
the heat-generating source 3 through the heat-guiding post 91, a
temperature difference is created between the hot and cold sides
121, 122 of the thermoelectric generator 120, thereby resulting in
production of an electric current (direct current). When the
temperature difference exceeds 50 degrees Celsius, the electric
current thus produced is sufficient to actuate the fan unit 6 to
draw ambient air into the shell body 100 through the air inlets 103
and out of the shell body 100 so as to help carry away the heat
around the heat-dissipating unit 4. Two or more thermoelectric
generators 120 can be connected in series to increase the output
current, if desired. As such, the thermoelectric generator 120 not
only provides a power source to help dissipate heat, it can also
reduce power consumption of the electronic system, such as a
computer system, incorporating the second preferred embodiment of
this invention.
[0035] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the third preferred
embodiment of an axial heat-dissipating device according to the
present invention is shown to be substantially similar to the first
preferred embodiment. The major differences therebetween reside in
that the base member 8', the heat-guiding post 91' and the
heat-dissipating fins 400 are connected integrally such that the
heat-dissipating cavity 110' that is constituted by the upper
cavity 911' of the heat-guiding post 91' and the lower cavity 83'
of the base member 8' extends continuously through the heat-guiding
post 91' and the base member 8'. The heat-dissipating cavity 110'
preferably has an inner wall surface coated with a thermally
conductive material 10.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the fourth preferred
embodiment of an axial heat-dissipating device according to the
present invention is shown to be substantially similar to the third
preferred embodiment. The difference therebetween resides mainly in
that each of the heat-dissipating fins 400 confines a receiving
space 402 that is communicated with the upper cavity 911' and the
lower cavity 83' so as to cooperatively constitute the
heat-dissipating cavity 110'. As in the previous embodiments, the
heat-dissipating cavity 110' preferably has an inner wall surface
coated with a thermally conductive material 10.
[0037] With reference to FIG. 11, the fifth preferred embodiment of
an axial heat-dissipating device according to the present invention
is shown to be substantially similar to the fourth preferred
embodiment. The difference therebetween resides mainly in that the
base member 8', the heat-guiding post 91', the heat-dissipating
fins 400, and the shell body 100 are connected integrally. As in
the previous embodiments, the heat-dissipating cavity 110' is
preferably filled with a thermally conductive material 10.
[0038] In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that the present
invention is capable of overcoming the aforesaid drawbacks
associated with the prior art, and can provide an enhanced
heat-dissipating effect.
[0039] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *