Plate fins with vanes for redirecting airflow

Abstract

A fin for a heat sink is provided that includes a plate having a surface and an edge and at least one vane projecting outwardly from the surface and arranged relative to the edge so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air that is impinging upon the edge. A heat transfer system is also provided that includes a heat pipe having an elongate side and a fan that is arranged so as to direct a stream of air toward the elongate side of the heat pipe. At least one plate is arranged in parallel relation to a stream of air created by the fan. The plate includes an opening with the heat pipe positioned within the opening, a surface and an edge and at least one vane projecting outwardly from the surface and arranged relative to the edge so as to redirect a portion of the stream of air that is impinging upon the edge from the fan.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fin for a heat sink comprising: 
 a plate having a surface and an edge and at least one vane projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged relative to said edge so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.    
     
     
         2 . A fin according to  claim 1  wherein said plate includes a bent-edge that is bent outwardly relative to said surface so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.  
     
     
         3 . A fin according to  claim 1  comprising at least two vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged relative to said edge so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.  
     
     
         4 . A fin according to  claim 2  comprising at least two vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged relative to said edge so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.  
     
     
         5 . A fin according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged in a diverging pattern on said surface and so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.  
     
     
         6 . A fin according to  claim 2  comprising a plurality of vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged in a diverging pattern on said surface and so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.  
     
     
         7 . A heat transfer system comprising: 
 a heat pipe having an elongate side;    a fan arranged so as to direct a stream of air toward said elongate side of said heat pipe; and    at least one plate having an opening with said heat pipe positioned within said opening wherein said at least one plate comprises a surface and an edge and at least one vane projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged relative to said edge so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.    
     
     
         8 . A fin according to  claim 7  wherein said plate includes at least one bent-edge that is bent outwardly relative to said surface so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.  
     
     
         9 . A fin according to  claim 7  comprising at least two vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged relative to said edge so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.  
     
     
         10 . A fin according to  claim 8  comprising at least two vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged relative to said edge so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.  
     
     
         11 . A fin according to  claim 7  comprising a plurality of vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged in a diverging pattern on said surface and so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.  
     
     
         12 . A fin according to  claim 8  comprising a plurality of vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged in a diverging pattern on said surface and so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said edge.  
     
     
         13 . A heat transfer system comprising: 
 a cylindrical heat pipe having a central longitudinal axis;    a fan arranged to direct a stream of air at a substantially right angle to said central longitudinal axis of said heat pipe; and    a plurality of planar plates mounted upon said heat pipe in substantially perpendicular relation to said central longitudinal axis wherein each of said plates comprises at least one vane formed integrally with said plate and projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged relative to said fan so as to redirect that portion of a stream of air impinging upon said at least one vane.    
     
     
         14 . A fin according to  claim 13  wherein said plate comprises at least one bent-edge that is bent outwardly relative to said surface.  
     
     
         15 . A fin according to  claim 13  comprising at least two vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said vanes.  
     
     
         16 . A fin according to  claim 14  comprising at least two vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said vanes.  
     
     
         17 . A fin according to  claim 13  comprising a plurality of vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged in a diverging pattern on said surface and so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said vanes.  
     
     
         18 . A fin according to  claim 14  comprising a plurality of vanes each projecting outwardly from said surface and arranged in a diverging pattern on said surface so as to redirect a portion of a stream of air impinging upon said vanes.