Heat spreader system for cooling heat generating components

United States Patent [w]

Havey et al.

[54] HEAT SPREADER SYSTEM FOR COOLING HEAT GENERATING COMPONENTS

[75] Inventors: Mort L. Havey, Dallas; William

Robert Hitch, Garland, both of Tex.

[73] Assignee: Raytheon Company, Lexington, Mass.

[21] Appl. No.: 08/848,998 [22] Filed: May 2, 1997

Related U.S. Application Data

[60] Provisional application No. 60/064,857, Apr. 18, 1997.

[51] Int. CI. H05K 7/20

[52] U.S. CI 361/699; 62/64; 62/259.2;

165/80.4; 174/15.1; 361/695

[58] Field of Search 62/64; 165/80.4,

165/104.33, 903, 908; 174/15.1; 257/714;

361/688-689, 698-699

[56] References Cited

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[ii] Patent Number: 5,943,211 [45] Date of Patent: Aug. 24,1999

4,407,136 10/1983 de Kanter .

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Primary Examiner—Gregory Thompson
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Baker & Botts, L.L.P.

[57] ABSTRACT

An isothermal equilibrium system takes point sources of heat generated by the operation of heat generating components and spreads the heat throughout the system where the heat may be dissipated. An atomizer for atomizing a liquid coolant, is positioned inside a sealed housing. The atomized liquid coolant is distributed as a thin film over the surface of the heat generating components and the wall of the sealed housing. Heat is transferred from the surface of the heat generating components by vaporization of at least a portion of the thin film of liquid coolant. The coolant vapor condenses on the housing and other cool surfaces and returns to the liquid state. The system heat is then removed from the outer surfaces of the housing using conventional heat transfer mechanisms including free or forced air convection and/or circulation of liquid coolant over the exterior of the housing. If additional cooling is desired, heat exchanger tubes may be included inside the sealed housing. An input liquid or gaseous coolant is circulated through the exchanger tubes. Heat is transferred to the coolant and then conducted away from the heat generating component housing.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets