Liquid Cooling System Cold Plate Assembly

Abstract

A cold plate assembly consisting of a thermally conductive base component with an insert having a high thermal transfer characteristic adapted for contacting the surface of a heat source on one side. The surface of the base component opposite from the insert is surrounding by a housing defining an enclosed volume through with a flow of liquid coolant is directed. Inlet baffles adjacent to a fluid inlet in the housing direct the incoming flow of liquid coolant towards the surface of the base component in proximity to the insert, facilitating an efficient transfer of thermal energy from the heat source to the liquid coolant through the insert and base component. Optional extensions or fins extending into the liquid coolant contained in the enclosed volume from the surface of the base component further facilitate the transfer of thermal energy from the heat source.

1 . A cold plate assembly for use with a liquid cooling system, comprising:
 a base component formed from a material having a first thermal transfer characteristic and adapted for partial immersion in a flow of liquid coolant on a first surface;   a housing defining an enclosed volume over said first surface, said housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for directing a flow of liquid coolant through said enclosed volume and in contact with said first surface of said base component;   an insert recessed within a second surface of said base component, opposite said first surface, and is isolated from said flow of liquid coolant, said insert composed of a material having a second thermal transfer characteristic which is greater than said first thermal transfer characteristic, and which is adapted on at least one surface for contacting a heat source to facilitate a transfer of heat from said heat source to said base component; and   wherein said housing further includes an inlet baffle in proximity to said fluid inlet, said inlet baffle projecting within said enclosed volume from a surface of said housing, and directing an incoming flow of said liquid coolant towards said first surface of said base component.   
     
     
         2 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  where said inlet baffle defines a channel. 
     
     
         3 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said inlet baffle defines a cylindrical guide directed axially towards said first surface of said base component. 
     
     
         4 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said base and insert materials is copper. 
     
     
         5 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said base and insert materials is aluminum. 
     
     
         6 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said insert material is copper, wherein said base material is aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said insert is coupled to said base component by a bonding, welding, soldering, or brazing means. 
     
     
         8 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said base component is a molded component. 
     
     
         9 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  further including a mounting clip structure external to said housing, said mounting clip structure securing said base component and said insert in contact with said heat source. 
     
     
         10 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said base component includes a plurality of protrusions on said first surface adapted for immersion in said flow of liquid coolant within said enclosed volume, said plurality of protrusions providing an increased surface area for an exchange of heat between said fluid transfer component and said flow of liquid coolant. 
     
     
         11 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said base component includes a plurality of protrusions on said first surface adapted for immersion in said flow of liquid coolant within said enclosed volume, said plurality of protrusions directing a flow of liquid coolant within said enclosed volume. 
     
     
         12 . The cold plate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said housing is integrally formed with said base component.