Liquid-to-air cooling system for portable electronic and computer devices

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.

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.