Phase change material heat sink

Abstract

A phase change material heat sink includes a sealed enclosure containing a phase change material. A fluid passage element is in contact with the sealed enclosure and includes a thermal exchange layer in thermal contact with the top and that directs fluid in a first flow direction and a shunt passage element in thermal contact with at least one of the sides or the bottom and that directs fluid in a second flow direction.

1 . A phase change material heat sink comprising:
 a sealed enclosure containing a phase change material and including a top, a bottom and sides; and   a fluid passage element in contact with the sealed enclosure, the fluid passage element including a thermal exchange layer in thermal contact with the top and that directs fluid in a first flow direction and a shunt passage element in thermal contact with at least one of the sides or the bottom and that directs fluid in a second flow direction, wherein the fluid passage element is configured to direct the fluid through the shunt passage element before it is directed to the thermal exchange layer.   
     
     
         2 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 1 , wherein the sealed enclosure is formed at least partially of metal. 
     
     
         3 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 3 , wherein the sealed enclosure is formed of braised metal. 
     
     
         4 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material is wax. 
     
     
         5 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 1 , wherein the shunt passage element includes a first element and a second element, the first element being in contact with a first of the sides and the second element being in contact with a second of the sides. 
     
     
         6 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 1 , wherein the first flow direction is anti-parallel to the second direction. 
     
     
         7 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 1 , wherein the shunt passage element is in thermal contact with at least one of the sides and further comprising:
 a heat release element in thermal contact with the bottom or the sides of the sealed enclosure.   
     
     
         8 . A phase change material heat sink comprising:
 a sealed enclosure containing a phase change material and including a top, a bottom and sides; and   a fluid passage element in contact with the sealed enclosure, the fluid passage element including a thermal exchange layer in thermal contact with the top and that directs fluid in a first flow direction and a shunt passage element passing between the top and bottom that directs fluid in a second flow direction, wherein the fluid passage element is configured to direct the fluid through the shunt passage element before it is directed to the thermal exchange layer.   
     
     
         9 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 8 , wherein the sealed enclosure is formed of a metal. 
     
     
         10 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 9 , wherein the sealed enclosure is formed of braised metal. 
     
     
         13 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 8 , wherein the phase change material is wax. 
     
     
         14 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 8 , wherein the first flow direction is anti-parallel to the second direction. 
     
     
         15 . The phase change material heat sink of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a heat release element in thermal contact with the bottom of the sealed enclosure.   
     
     
         16 . A phase change material heat sink comprising:
 a sealed enclosure containing a phase change material and including outer walls; and   a fluid passage element in contact with the outer walls, the fluid passage element including a thermal exchange layer in thermal contact with one side of the outer walls that directs fluid in a first flow direction and a shunt passage element in thermal contact with another side of outer walls that directs fluid in a second flow direction, wherein the fluid passage element is configured to direct the fluid through the shunt passage element before it is directed to the thermal exchange layer.