Complex dimple geometry for improved plate-fin heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat sink including a substrate having an upper surface. A plurality of fins extends outwardly from the upper surface. The plurality of fins extend from a base to a tip and a fin height is defined by a distance between the base and the tip. A plurality of dimples are round and 3D-printed. The plurality of dimples are located between the plurality of fins or on the plurality of fins.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat sink comprising:
 a substrate having an upper surface; and   a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the upper surface, wherein the plurality of fins extend from a base to a tip and a fin height is defined by a distance between the base and the tip;   a plurality of dimples being round and 3D-printed; and   wherein the plurality of dimples are located between the plurality of fins or on the plurality of fins.   
     
     
         2 . The heat sink of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of fins define a plurality of channels along a longitudinal direction across the upper surface; and
 wherein the plurality of dimples are disposed between at least one of the channels. 
 
     
     
         3 . The heat sink of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of fins define a first channel and a second channel;
 wherein the plurality of dimples include a first group of dimples and a second group of dimples, wherein the first group of dimples are arranged in a first pattern within the first channel, and the second group of dimples are arranged in a second pattern within the second channel, wherein the second pattern is different than the first pattern. 
 
     
     
         4 . The heat sink of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of dimples are disposed on the plurality of fins within a region that is less than 30% of the fin height or above 70% of the fin height. 
     
     
         5 . The heat sink of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the plurality of dimples extends outwardly from at least one of the plurality of fins adjacent a base of the at least one of the plurality of fins. 
     
     
         6 . The heat sink of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of dimples is disposed adjacent a first end of a first fin and a second end of a second fin; and
 wherein the first fin and the second fin are arranged in a common row. 
 
     
     
         7 . A heat sink comprising:
 a substrate having an upper surface, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side;   a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the upper surface along a longitudinal direction from adjacent the first side to adjacent the second side;   a plurality of dimples having side surfaces that converge to a peak, and have a parabolic shape;   wherein the plurality of dimples are located on the upper surface between the plurality of fins or on a surface of the plurality of fins; and   wherein the plurality of dimples are 3D-printed dimples.   
     
     
         8 . The heat sink of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of fins define at least one channel;
 wherein the plurality of dimples include a first group of dimples and a second group of dimples; and 
 wherein the first group of dimples are arranged in a first pattern within the at least one channel, and the second group of dimples are arranged in a second pattern within the at least one channel, wherein the second pattern is different than the first pattern. 
 
     
     
         9 . The heat sink of  claim 8  wherein the at least one channel includes the first pattern adjacent the first side and the second pattern adjacent the second side. 
     
     
         10 . The heat sink of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of dimples include a first shape and a second shape;
 wherein the plurality of fins define at least one channel; and 
 wherein the at least one channel includes the plurality of dimples with the first shape and the second shape. 
 
     
     
         11 . The heat sink of  claim 10  wherein the at least one channel includes the first shape adjacent the first side and the second shape adjacent the second side. 
     
     
         12 . The heat sink of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of dimples include a first group of dimples arranged in a first pattern and a second group of dimples arranged in a second pattern;
 wherein the plurality of dimples include a first shape and a second shape; 
 wherein the plurality of fins define at least one channel; and 
 wherein the at least one channel includes the first pattern, the second pattern, and the plurality of dimples with the first shape and the second shape. 
 
     
     
         13 . The heat sink of  claim 7  wherein the parabolic shape is concave or convex. 
     
     
         14 . A heat sink comprising:
 a substrate having an upper surface, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side;   a plurality of fins extending outwardly from the upper surface along a longitudinal direction from adjacent the first side to adjacent the second side, wherein the plurality of fins extend from a base to a tip and a fin height is defined by a distance between the base and the tip;   wherein the substrate defines a first set of dimples located on the upper surface between the plurality of fins, and wherein the first set of dimples have a dimple height less than 30% of the fin height; and   wherein the plurality of fins define a second set of dimples on a surface of the plurality of fins that is less than 30% of the fin height or above 70% of the fin height.   
     
     
         15 . The heat sink of  claim 14  wherein the first set of dimples have a lead end and a trail end opposite the lead end; and
 wherein the lead end or the trail end is orientated relative to at least one gap between adjacent ends of at least two of the plurality of fins in a common row. 
 
     
     
         16 . The heat sink of  claim 14  wherein the first set of dimples have a lead end and a trail end opposite the lead end;
 wherein the plurality of fins are nonlinear plate fins; and 
 wherein the lead end of at least one of the first set of dimples is orientated tangentially to a curvature of at least one of the plurality of fins for controlling a flow of a fluid along the substrate. 
 
     
     
         17 . The heat sink of  claim 14  wherein the plurality of fins define at least one channel; and
 wherein the at least one channel includes at least two of the first set of dimples with a common shape and a different dimension. 
 
     
     
         18 . The heat sink of  claim 14  wherein the first set of dimples include a symmetrical airfoil shape and a cambered airfoil shape. 
     
     
         19 . The heat sink of  claim 18  wherein the plurality of fins define at least one channel; and
 wherein the first set of dimples having the symmetrical airfoil shape are located centrally within the at least one channel and the first set of dimples having the cambered airfoil shape are located adjacent the plurality of fins defining the at least one channel. 
 
     
     
         20 . The heat sink of  claim 14  wherein the first set of dimples include a first airfoil shape and a second airfoil shape;
 wherein the first set of dimples having the first airfoil shape are located adjacent the first side; and 
 wherein the first set of dimples having the second airfoil shape are spaced apart from the first side.