US 6,651,732 B2 · Thermally conductive elastomeric heat dissipation assembly with snap-in heat transfer conduit

Abstract

A composite heat dissipation assembly having a net shape injection molded thermally conductive elastomeric heat sink and at least one integral heat pipe is provided in the present invention. The molded conformable heat sink is formed from a base elastomeric material that is loaded with thermally conductive filler. The base material is mixed with the filler and net shape molded to form the outer geometry of the assembly. Within the geometry of the part an integral channel is formed that is capable of receiving a heat pipe. The channel is formed to have an opening that is slightly smaller than the outer cross-sectional dimensions of the heat pipe. When the heat pipe is pressed into the channel a portion of the elastomeric material is compressed and the reactionary force of the compressed material firmly presses the elastomer into thermal communication with the outer surface of the heat pipe. In addition, the manner in which the elastomer mates to the surface of the heat pipe reduces junction resistance between the surface of the heat pipe and the outer component, thereby eliminating the need to use glue or conformable thermal interface to assemble the part.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A thermally conductive elastomeric composite heat dissipation assembly, comprising:

a thermally conductive body including an elastomeric base matrix loaded with a thermally conductive filler, said body including surface area enhancements and at least one channel, said channel having a bottom wall, having two side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said side walls being spaced apart at a distance from one another, forming a lateral expandable opening therebetween;
interface pads, said interface pads being integrally formed with said outer component;
and
a sealed tubular pipe filled with a phase change media, said pipe having an outer diameter, said outer diameter being larger than said distance between said side walls of said channel, said tubular pipe placed into said lateral expandable opening between said side walls and frictionally retained in said channel.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Thermally conductive elastomeric heat dissipation assembly with snap-in heat transfer conduit

Life of this patent

Thermally conductive elastomeric heat dissipation assembly with snap-in heat transfer conduit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17