Heat sink with textured regions

Abstract

A heat exchanger and a method of manufacturing the heat exchanger is disclosed for dissipating heat from a heat generating component. The heat exchanger comprises a thermally conductive base in thermal communication with the component, a plurality of thermally conductive plate fins affixed to the base wherein the plate fins define a fin field and channels, and fluid control for controlling the fluid flow within the fin field. The individual fins of the heat exchanger comprise textured regions positioned about a side surface of the fins and extending into an adjacent channel. The positioning of the textured regions function to minimize formation of high pressure within the fin field by disturbing the fluid flow passing along the fins. Alternatively or in conjunction with the above-outlined embodiments, the heat exchanger may comprise a fluid control feature for substantially preventing premature egress of fluid from a top region of the fin field caused by the high pressure region within the fin field.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A heat exchanger comprising: 
 a thermally conductive base in thermal communication with said component;    a plurality of thermally conductive plate fins affixed to said base to define a fin field;    said fins have a top region, a bottom region, an inlet region, and an outlet region;    said fins comprise a plurality of spaced apart flow guides transverse to said inlet and outlet regions,    said flow guides traverse a portion of said top region and lie in a common plane; and    an interior plate fin includes a plurality of textured portions extending outwardly from a surface of said fin:    
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising a side plate fin having an aperture substantially contiguous with said base to provide fluid communication across said channel.  
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein said side fin comprises textured portions extending outwardly from a surface of said fin.  
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising an interior fin having an aperture located substantially contiguous with said base.  
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said textured portions are elliptical in shape.  
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said plate fins comprise an extension protruding from the top region of each discrete plate fin, wherein alignment of the extension with an adjacent extension forms said flow guide.  
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said flow guide is selected from the group consisting of a horizontal bar, a flat bar, a profiled bar, and a profiled bar having at least one point.  
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said flow guide covers a sufficient portion of said top region to restrict ingress of fluid and creating a near impingement condition.  
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein said textured portions increase pressure drop of fluid in said fin field.  
     
     
         10 . A method of dissipating heat from a heat generating component, comprising: 
 affixing a heat sink apparatus adjacent to the heat generating component, wherein said heat sink comprising a plurality of thermally conductive plate fins affixed to a thermally conductive base, and said plate fins defining a top region, a bottom region, an inlet region, and an outlet region,    said fins further comprising providing a plurality of spaced apart flow guides transverse to said inlet and outlet regions and lying in a common plane, and    providing a plurality of textured portions extending outwardly from a surface of said interior fin.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising forming eddy currents in fluid passing through the heat sink.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing an aperture substantially contiguous with said base for enhancing communication of fluid between an interior portion of said heat sink apparatus and an area exterior to said heat sink apparatus.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said flow guide is selected from the group consisting of a horizontal bar, a flat bar, a profiled bar and a profiled bar having at least one point.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising said flow guide providing structural integrity to said heat exchanger.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising said flow guide imparting a downward force on fluid within the fin field.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising said textured portions disturbing fluid passing along said fin.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising said textured portions disrupting formation of a boundary layer.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said textured portions increase pressure of said fluid.