US5173256A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Liquid metal matrix thermal paste
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-11-08
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Granted: 1992-12-22
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Expires: 2011-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A liquid metal matrix thermal paste comprises a dispersion of non-reacting thermally conductive particles in a low melting temperature liquid metal matrix. The particles preferably are silicon, molybdenum, tungsten or other materials which do not react with gallium at temperatures below approximately 100° C. The preferred liquid metals are gallium and indium eutectic, gallium and tin eutectic and gallium, indium and tin ternary eutectic. The particles may be coated with a noble metal to minimize surface oxidation and enhance wettability of the particles. The liquid metal matrix thermal paste is used as a high thermally conducting paste in cooling high power dissipation components in conjunction with a conventional fluid cooling system.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard B. Booth
- 👤 Gary W. Grube
- 👤 Peter A. Gruber
- 👤 Igor Y. Khandros
- 👤 Arthur R. Zingher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:50
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C1/00; C22C1/02; B; B22; B22F; B22F1/00; B22F1/17; H; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/20; H10W40/25; H10W40/257
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A thermal cooling system comprising: a component to be cooled; a cooling system; and a liquid metal matrix thermal paste comprising a dispersion of thermally conductive particles disposed in a liquid metal matrix selected from the group consisting of liquid gallium and its alloys, said particles being non-reactive with said liquid metal matrix at a temperature below approximately 100° C., whereby the fraction and dispersion of the particles in the liquid metal matrix are such that the resulting paste has a predetermined thermal conductivity and permanently remains compliant, said paste being dispersed between said component and said cooling system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A thermal cooling system comprising: a component to be cooled; a cooling system; and a liquid metal matrix thermal paste comprising a dispersion of thermally conductive particles disposed in a liquid metal matrix selected from the group consisting of liquid gallium and its alloys, said particles being non-reactive with said liquid metal matrix at a temperature below approximately 100° C., whereby the fraction and dispersion of the particles in the liquid metal matrix are such that the resulting paste has a predetermined thermal conductivity and permanently remains compliant, said paste being dispersed between said component and said cooling system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A thermal cooling system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cooling system comprises a piston and chip cooling system, and said paste is disposed between the piston and the component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A thermal cooling system as set forth in claim 1, where said cooling system comprises a piston, cylinder and chip cooling system, and said paste is disposed between the piston and the cylinder.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of preparing a liquid metal thermal paste comprising the steps of: providing a liquid metal matrix selected from the group consisting of liquid gallium and its alloys; and dispersing thermally conductive particles into said liquid metal, said particles being non-reactive with said liquid metal matrix at a temperature below approximately 100° C., whereby the fraction and dispersion of the particles in the liquid metal matrix are such to form a mixture having a predetermined thermal conductivity and permanently remaining compliant.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of preparing a liquid metal thermal paste comprising the steps of: providing a liquid metal matrix selected from the group consisting of liquid gallium and its alloys; and dispersing thermally conductive particles into said liquid metal, said particles being non-reactive with said liquid metal matrix at a temperature below approximately 100° C., whereby the fraction and dispersion of the particles in the liquid metal matrix are such to form a mixture having a predetermined thermal conductivity and permanently remaining compliant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method of preparing a liquid metal matrix thermal paste as set forth in claim 4, wherein said dispersing is by mixing and subsequent exposure to a roll mill.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-06-22 | 1996-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-22 | 2000-06-22 | 2000-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-22 | 2004-06-22 | 2004-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |