US5390734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heat sink
Assignee: Lytron Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-28
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Granted: 1995-02-21
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Expires: 2013-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A heat sink is provided having a bundle of thermally conductive fibers that extend from a heat receiving end to a heat dissipating end where they are splayed as extremely numerous fins of one or plural coalesced fibers to enlarge the effective heat convecting area. The splayed fins are supported or maintained in a splayed array by a structure. Heat dissipation capability is augmented by forcing a cooling fluid such as air through the splayed fins. The fins are initially caused to separate or splay by various techniques including electrostatic spreading, layering, tape rolling, selective coating removal, and elastic rebound, and are maintained in the splayed position by a frame, adhesion, or elastomers.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Voorhes
- 👤 Richard D. Goldman
- 👤 Robert R. Lopez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:37
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/20; H10W40/22; H10W40/226; H10W40/228; F; F28; F28F; F28F13/00; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/2039; H05K7/20436; H05K7/20445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern; and means for maintaining said plurality of fins in said splayed pattern, said means for maintaining being independent of said fins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern; and means for maintaining said plurality of fins in said splayed pattern, said means for maintaining being independent of said fins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The heat sink of claim 1, wherein said fibers are graphite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The heat sink of claim 1, wherein said fibers are aluminum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The heat sink of claim 1, wherein said fibers are copper.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The heat sink of claim 1, wherein a portion of said first fiber bundle end is metal impregnated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The heat sink of claim 5, wherein said metal includes aluminum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The heat sink of claim 5, wherein said metal includes copper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The heat sink of claim 1, wherein said fins have a circular cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The heat sink of claim 1, wherein said fins have an oval cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The heat sink of claim 1, wherein said fins have a rectangular cross-section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The heat sink of claim 1, wherein said fins are flat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The heat sink of claim 1, wherein a portion of said fiber bundle is compressed sufficiently to minimize air within said fiber bundle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
139 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; and each said fin being parallel to an adjacent fin proximate said first fiber bundle end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
139 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; and each said fin being parallel to an adjacent fin proximate said first fiber bundle end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
148 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; and at least a portion of each said fiber proximate said first fiber bundle end separated from an adjacent fiber by a supplemental thermal conductor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
148 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; and at least a portion of each said fiber proximate said first fiber bundle end separated from an adjacent fiber by a supplemental thermal conductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The heat sink of claim 14, wherein said supplemental thermal conductor is a metallic film.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The heat sink of claim 15, wherein said metallic film includes copper.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heat sink of claim 14, wherein said supplemental thermal conductor includes a plurality of graphite fibers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
133 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; and said fiber bundle being provided with an insulating layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
133 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; and said fiber bundle being provided with an insulating layer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
153 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; means for retaining each fin in spaced apart relation from an adjacent fin; and said means for retaining including a plurality of strips separating said plurality of fins into layers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
153 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; means for retaining each fin in spaced apart relation from an adjacent fin; and said means for retaining including a plurality of strips separating said plurality of fins into layers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The heat sink of claim 19, wherein each of said plurality of strips includes a plurality of depressions, each said depression positioning a single fin therein.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
144 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; means for retaining each fin in spaced apart relation from an adjacent fin; and said means for retaining including an adhesive.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
144 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; means for retaining each fin in spaced apart relation from an adjacent fin; and said means for retaining including an adhesive.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
144 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; means for retaining each fin in spaced apart relation from an adjacent fin; and said means for retaining including an elastomer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
144 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; means for retaining each fin in spaced apart relation from an adjacent fin; and said means for retaining including an elastomer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
146 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; means for retaining each fin in spaced apart relation from an adjacent fin; and said means for retaining includes a plurality of pins.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
146 words
A heat sink, comprising: a fiber bundle expanded in a cooling region into a plurality of separate fins of one or more fibers each and having a heat dissipation surface area in said cooling region that includes the total area of all fins; said fiber bundle including a plurality of thermally conductive fibers extending from a first fiber bundle end to a second expanded fiber bundle end forming said plurality of fins; the fins at said second expanded fiber bundle end being spaced apart from adjacent ones of said fins in a splayed pattern that freely admits a flow of an environmental fluid therebetween in said cooling region; the fins thus splayed in the cooling region having a vast heat dissipation surface area; means for retaining each fin in spaced apart relation from an adjacent fin; and said means for retaining includes a plurality of pins.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-02-20 | 1998-08-22 | 1999-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-20 | 2002-08-22 | 2003-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-20 | 2006-08-22 | 2007-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |