USPatent applicationPatented

Heat collector

Granted 12 Dec 2006 · 1 office action

Life of the application

8 dated events
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Abstract

An improved heat collector in a fluid-cooling system for a computer includes a case, and a cooling plate. The case comprises a water inlet, a water outlet, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is a heat collecting face. The cooling plate is firmly connected to the top surface of the case, the cooling plate further comprising a plurality of cooling fins protruded upwards. A natural airflow can be formed among the cooling fins of the heat collector; therefore the heat collector can also radiate heat to air to improve the cooling efficiency.

Description

4 parts
›BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved heat collector, and more particularly, to an improved heat collector in a fluid-cooling system for a computer.

2. Description of the Related Art

Please refer to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 . FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a prior art fluid-cooling device for a computer. FIG. 2 shows separation of an upper cover from a lower cover of the prior art heat collector for a fluid-cooled computer. FIG. 3 is a front view of the prior art heat collector for a fluid-cooled computer.

A prior art heat collector 2 for a fluid-cooled computer is adhered onto a CPU 1 and serially connected to a cooler 3 to form a fluid-cooling circulation system. After the heat collector 2 absorbs heat from the CPU 1 , heated fluid flows into the cooler 3 for cooling, and then cooled fluid flows back to the collector 2 , which completes the fluid circulation loop. The prior art heat collector 2 for a fluid-cooling computer is composed of an upper cover 21 , a heat collecting plate 23 , and a lower cover 22 . The prior art heat collector 2 utilizes a plurality of fins on the heat collecting plate 23 in the lower cover 22 to collect heat generated by the CPU 1 , and a flowing fluid to carry the heat collected by the plurality of fins 231 to the cooler 3 , or other portions, for cooling.

However, as CPUs operate at higher and higher speeds, increasing amounts of heat are being generated by these CPUs, making it necessary to have better computer fluid-cooling systems.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved heat collector to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

›SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A main objective of the present invention is to provide a heat collector improvement, which comprises a case, and a cooling plate. The case comprises a water inlet, a water outlet, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is a heat collecting face. The cooling plate is firmly connected to the top surface of the case, the cooling plate further comprising a plurality of cooling fins protruded upwards.

A natural airflow can be formed among the cooling fins of the heat collector therefore the heat collector can also radiate heat to air to improve the cooling efficiency.

Furthermore, the case and the cooling plate are made of metal, and the cooling plate is welded (or screwed) and sealed onto the top surface of the case.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

›BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a prior art fluid-cooling device for computer.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an upper cover and a lower cover of the prior art heat collector for a fluid-cooling computer.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the prior art heat collector for a fluid-cooling computer.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of an improved heat collector according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a heat-improved collector according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an improved heat collector according to the present invention.

›DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of an improved heat collector according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, an improved heat collector 5 comprises: a case 50 which comprises a water inlet 512 , a water outlet 513 , a top surface 510 , a bottom surface 520 , and a cooling plate 53 . The bottom surface 520 is a heat collecting face 521 and is adjusted for an exothermal electronic unit 6 , such as a CPU. The cooling plate 53 is firmly connected to the top surface of the case, and the cooling plate further comprises a plurality of cooling fin 531 protruded upwards.

Please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 . FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of an improved heat collector according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an improved heat collector according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the top surface 510 of the case 50 further comprises an opening 511 , and the cooling plate 53 seals against the opening 511 . The cooling plate 53 is welded and sealed onto the opening 511 , or any other sealing method may be used. The case 50 further comprises a lower case 52 and an upper case 51 that covering the lower case 52 . The water inlet 512 and the water outlet 513 may both be disposed on the upper case 51 , or on the lower case 52 , or separately disposed on the upper case 51 and the lower case 52 . The case 50 also comprises an airtight chamber 501 ; the airtight chamber 501 comprises a plurality of partition strips 541 disposed on the lower case 52 .

Please refer to FIG. 6 again. In the drawing, the case 50 is made of metal, such as copper.

The improved heat collector of the present invention has the following advantages:

(1) It is able to improve the cooling rate of the CPU or of other exothermal electronic units.

(2) It is able to directly and cool the exothermal electronic unit.

(3) It is able to radiate some heat with the cooling fins 531 , while simultaneously using a moving fluid to transport the remaining heat to the cooling device.

Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims as granted

8 claims

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Classifications

5 codes
IPC · International Patent Classification
Section F — Mechanical engineering; lighting; heating; weapons
  • F28F7/02
Section G — Physics
  • G06F1/20
Section H — Electricity
  • H01L23/473
USPC · US Patent Classification
165/80.4165/80.5

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File wrapper

⤢ drag to zoomApr 2005Jul 2005Oct 2005Jan 2006Apr 2006Jul 2006Oct 2006Jan 2007USPTOApplicantNon-final rejectionResponse after non-final
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Pendency
1.7 y
627 days filing → grant
Office actions
1
non-final + final
Responses
1
no RCE
Examiner
Teresa J. Walberg
art unit 3753 · TC 3700
Citations: 3 back · 2 forward

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Chain of title

⤢ drag to zoom20062008201020122014201620182020202220242026Owner 1
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