Corrugated Graphite Sheet Heat Transfer Device

Abstract

A heat transfer device includes at least one laminated structure. Each laminated structure includes: a graphite sheet core that has a pattern of corrugations over at least a portion thereof; a graphite sheet first outer layer with an inner surface that contacts a first surface of the core; and a graphite sheet second outer layer with an inner surface that contacts a second surface of the core.

1 . A heat transfer device that comprises at least one laminated structure, each laminated structure comprising:
 a graphite sheet core that has a pattern of corrugations over at least a portion thereof;   a graphite sheet first outer layer with an inner surface that contacts a first surface of the core; and   a graphite sheet second outer layer with an inner surface that contacts a second surface of the core.   
     
     
         2 . The heat transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern of corrugations comprises an undulating pattern. 
     
     
         3 . The heat transfer device of  claim 2 , wherein the undulating pattern is generally sinusoidal. 
     
     
         3 . The heat transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern of corrugations comprises a rectilinear zigzag pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The heat transfer device of  claim 3 , wherein the rectilinear zigzag pattern comprises a pattern of generally tooth-shaped ridges. 
     
     
         5 . The heat transfer device of  claim 3 , wherein the rectilinear zigzag pattern comprises a pattern of generally wedge-shaped ridges. 
     
     
         6 . The heat transfer device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastening for fastening the first and second layers to the core. 
     
     
         7 . The heat transfer device of  claim 6 , wherein the fastening comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The heat transfer device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first fastening to fasten an outer surface of at least one of the outer layers to a heat source; and   a second fastening to fasten an outer surface of at least one of the outer layers to a heat sink.   
     
     
         9 . The heat transfer device of  claim 8 , wherein the fastenings comprise an adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The heat transfer device of  claim 8 , wherein the fastenings comprise fastening assemblies. 
     
     
         11 . The heat transfer device of  claim 1 , further comprising a stack of the laminated structures, with the laminated structures in the stack in thermal contact with a heat source. 
     
     
         12 . The heat transfer device of  claim 11 , wherein the stack of the laminated structures comprises a heat sink. 
     
     
         13 . The heat transfer device of  claim 11 , wherein the patterns of corrugations of adjacent laminated structures in the stack are in alignment with each other. 
     
     
         14 . The heat transfer device of  claim 11 , wherein the patterns of corrugations of adjacent laminated structures in the stack criss-cross each other. 
     
     
         15 . The heat transfer device of  claim 11 , wherein distal ends of the laminated structures are in direct thermal contact with the heat source. 
     
     
         16 . The heat transfer device of  claim 11 , further comprising a fastening that fastens the laminated structures together in the stack. 
     
     
         17 . The heat transfer device of  claim 16 , wherein the fastening comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The heat transfer device of  claim 16 , wherein the fastening comprises a fastening assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The heat transfer device of  claim 16 , further comprising a fastening to fasten the stack to the heat source. 
     
     
         20 . The heat transfer device of  claim 19 , wherein the fastening comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         21 . The heat transfer device of  claim 19 , wherein the fastening comprises a fastening assembly. 
     
     
         22 . A heat transfer device that comprises:
 a laminated structure comprising a graphite sheet core that has a pattern of corrugations over at least a portion thereof, a graphite sheet first outer layer with an inner surface that contacts a first surface of the core and a graphite sheet second outer layer with an inner surface that contacts a second surface of the core;   a first fastening to fasten an outer surface of at least one of the outer layers to a heat source; and   a second fastening to fasten an outer surface of at least one of the outer layers to a heat sink.   
     
     
         23 . The heat transfer device of  claim 22 , wherein the fastenings comprise an adhesive. 
     
     
         24 . The heat transfer device of  claim 22 , wherein the fastenings comprise fastening assemblies. 
     
     
         25 . A heat sink that comprises:
 a stack of laminated structures, each laminated structure comprising a graphite sheet core that has a pattern of corrugations over at least a portion thereof, a graphite sheet first outer layer with an inner surface that contacts a first surface of the core and a graphite sheet second outer layer with an inner surface that contacts a second surface of the core; and   a fastening that fastens the laminated structures together in the stack and to a heat source;   wherein the stack of laminated structures comprises a heat sink.   
     
     
         26 . The heat transfer device of  claim 25 , wherein the patterns of corrugations of adjacent laminated structures in the stack are in alignment with each other. 
     
     
         27 . The heat transfer device of  claim 25 , wherein the patterns of corrugations of adjacent laminated structures in the stack criss-cross each other. 
     
     
         28 . The heat transfer device of  claim 25 , wherein distal ends of the laminated structures are in direct thermal contact with the heat source.