Liquid cooling unit and heat exchanger therefor

Abstract

A heat exchanger allows establishment of first and second flat spaces, namely parallel flat spaces along a reference. The heat exchanger is inserted in a closed circulating loop for coolant. The first and second flat spaces have a cross-section larger than that of a cylindrical duct of the closed circulating loop. These flat spaces serve as a flow passage for the coolant. An increased cross-section enables a reduction in the flow speed of the coolant. The coolant is allowed to slowly flow through the first and second flat spaces. The coolant thus contacts with the first and second plates and the third and fourth plates for a longer time. The heat of the coolant is sufficiently transferred to the first and second plates and the third and fourth plates. The efficiency of heat radiation is enhanced.

1 . A heat exchanger for a liquid cooling unit, comprising: 
 a first plate extending along a reference plane;    a second plate opposed to a surface of the first plate so as to define a first flat space along the first plate between the first plate and the second plate;    a third plate extending along the reference plane, the first and third plates extending along parallel lines established within the reference plane; and    a fourth plate opposed to a surface of the third plate so as to define a second flat space along the third plate between the third plate and the fourth plate, the first and second flat spaces extending along parallel lines.    
   
   
       2 . A liquid cooling unit comprising: 
 a closed circulating loop;    a heat receiver inserted in the closed circulating loop, the heat receiver having a thermal conductive plate received on an electronic component, the heat receiver defining a flow passage on the thermal conductive plate; and    a heat exchanger inserted in the closed circulating loop so as to absorb heat from coolant, wherein    the heat exchanger includes:    a first plate extending along a reference plane;    a second plate opposed to a surface of the first plate so as to define a first flat space along the first plate between the first plate and the second plate;    a third plate extending along the reference plane, the first and third plates extending a long parallel lines established within the reference plane; and    a fourth plate opposed to a surface of the third plate so as to define a second flat space along the third plate between the third plate and the fourth plate, the first and second flat spaces extending along parallel lines.    
   
   
       3 . An electronic apparatus comprising: 
 an electronic component;    a closed circulating loop;    a heat receiver inserted in the closed circulating loop, the heat receiver having a thermal conductive plate received on the electronic component; and    a heat exchanger inserted in the closed circulating loop so as to absorb heat from coolant, wherein    the heat exchanger includes:    a first plate extending along a reference plane;    a second plate opposed to a surface of the first plate so as to define a first flat space along the first plate between the first plate and the second plate;    a third plate extending along the reference plane, the first and third plates extending along parallel lines established within the reference plane; and    a fourth plate opposed to a surface of the third plate so as to define a second flat space along the third plate between the third plate and the fourth plate, the first and second flat spaces extending along parallel lines.