Passive thermal regulator for temperature sensitive components

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards a passive thermal regulator that is suitable for use in electronic devices, such as optical nodes and amplifiers. The thermal regulator regulates hot and cold temperatures surrounding temperature sensitive components. The thermal regulator includes a heat pipe filled with water, a plastic insulator, and a copper slug inserted into the insulator. The thermal regulator transfers heat to and from the temperature sensitive component by absorbing heat in the copper slug. When the temperature is excessively hot, the heat pipe absorbs the heat from the copper slug and conducts the heat to the dissipation end of the heat pipe. When the temperature is excessively cold, the water in the heat pipe freezes, thereby reducing conduction of the heat. The plastic insulator prohibits the heat absorbed by the copper slug from dissipating into the housing and surrounding air, thereby allowing the heat to transfer to the component.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A thermal regulator comprising: 
 a heat pipe in close proximity to a temperature sensitive component;    a plastic insulator having a cutout placed physically on top of the heat pipe; and    a copper slug inserted into the cutout of the plastic insulator being in close proximity to the temperature sensitive component for transferring heat from the temperature sensitive component and for transferring the heat to the heat pipe when the temperature surrounding the temperature sensitive component is excessively hot, and for transferring heat to the temperature sensitive component when the temperature is excessively cold.    
     
     
         2 . The thermal regulator of  claim 1 , wherein the heat pipe includes water, and wherein the water freezes when the temperature surrounding the temperature sensitive component drops below 0° Celcius.  
     
     
         3 . The thermal regulator of  claim 2 , wherein when the water freezes in the heat pipe and conduction of the heat decreases, the plastic insulator prohibits the dissipation of heat from the copper slug, thereby allowing heat to transfer from the copper slug to the temperature sensitive component.  
     
     
         4 . The thermal regulator of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensitive component includes a copper heat sink, and wherein the copper slug transfers heat to and from the copper heat sink.  
     
     
         5 . An electronic device for receiving and transmitting signals, the electronic device including temperature sensitive components each having a copper heat sink and a thermal regulator for regulating the temperature surrounding the temperature sensitive component, the electronic device comprising: 
 an input port for receiving the signals;    a housing for enclosing the temperature sensitive components;    a thermal regulator in close proximity to the copper heat sinks for regulating the temperature of the temperature sensitive components, the thermal regulator comprising: 
 a heat pipe including water;  
 a plastic insulator placed on the opposite side to the temperature sensitive component on the heat pipe; and  
 a copper slug inserted into the plastic insulator and in close proximity to the copper heat sink for transferring heat from the copper heat sink and for transferring the heat to the heat pipe when the temperature surrounding the temperature sensitive component exceeds a hot temperature rating of the temperature sensitive component, and for transferring heat to the copper heat sink when the temperature surrounding the temperature sensitive component exceeds the cold temperature rating.  
   
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein, when the water freezes in the heat pipe, the plastic insulator prohibits the dissipation of heat from the copper slug into the housing and surrounding air, thereby allowing heat to transfer from the copper slug to the temperature sensitive component.