Heat sink with turbulent structures

Abstract

A planar fin for use in a heat sink includes turbulent structures extending from the sides of the planar fin. Each turbulent structure defines a longitudinal axis and having a first edge that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and connected to a planar surface of the fin. Each turbulent structure also includes a second edge opposite the first edged and in free space. The second edge defines a periphery that varies in distance from the first edge along the length of the longitudinal axis. The periphery of each second edge is further shaped such that turbulent flow of a fluid is induced in the flow flowing over the second edge at at least a predefined flow rate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This specification relates generally to providing cooling to electronic equipment.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices generate heat through power consumption. Excessive heat generation without sufficient cooling can lead to damage and failure of electronic devices. Electronic devices may be cooled by cooling systems such as heat sinks. Heat sinks are passive heat exchangers that transfer heat from electronic devices to a fluid medium.

SUMMARY

Heat sinks can be used to cool electronic devices, e.g., processors, memories, network devices, and other heat generating devices. In computing systems, heat sinks can be used to cool central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), tensor processing units (TPU), chipsets, and random access memory (RAM) modules, and other electronic devices.

A heat sink is a passive heat exchanger that can transfer heat generated by an electronic device to a lower temperature fluid medium, such as air or a liquid coolant. The fluid medium removes and disperses heat from the electronic device. A heat sink can be used to lower or maintain the temperature of the electronic device, preventing the electronic device from overheating.

The amount of heat that can be removed by a heat sink is dependent on various factors, to include the surface area of the heat sink, the fluid volume and velocity through the heat sink, and the direction of fluid flow through the heat sink. Heat sink performance can be improved by increasing the amount of heat that the heat sink removes from the electronic device. Heat sink performance can also be improved by increasing the rate of heat removal from the electronic device.

In general, one innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a heat sink including: a base defining a first side having a base planar surface and a second side opposite the first side; and a plurality of planar fins extending from the base planar surface in parallel disposition relative to each other, each planar fin of the plurality of planar fins comprising: a bottom fin edge coupled to the base planar surface and running parallel a longitudinal axis of the planar fin, a top fin edge that is opposite the bottom fin edge and running parallel the longitudinal axis of the planar fin, a leading fin edge extending from the bottom fin edge to the top fin edge, a trailing fin edge opposite the leading fin edge and extending from the bottom fin edge to the top fin edge, a fin body extending from the bottom fin edge to the top fin edge and having a first side defining a first planar surface and second side opposite the first side defining a second planar surface; and a first set of turbulent structures extending from the first planar surface, each turbulent structure in the first set of turbulent structures defining a longitudinal axis and having a first edge that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and connected to the first planar surface and a second edge opposite the first edged and in free space, the second edge defining a periphery that varies in distance from the first edge along the length of the longitudinal axis; and wherein the periphery of each second edge is further shaped such that turbulent flow of a fluid is induced in the fluid flowing over the second edge at at least a predefined flow rate.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a planar fin comprising a bottom fin edge coupled to the base planar surface and running parallel a longitudinal axis of the planar fin; a top fin edge that is opposite the bottom fin edge and running parallel the longitudinal axis of the planar fin; a leading fin edge extending from the bottom fin edge to the top fin edge; a trailing fin edge opposite the leading fin edge and extending from the bottom fin edge to the top fin edge; a fin body extending from the bottom fin edge to the top fin edge and having a first side defining a first planar surface and second side opposite the first side defining a second planar surface; and a first set of turbulent structures extending from the first planar surface, each turbulent structure in the first set of turbulent structures defining a longitudinal axis and having a first edge that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and connected to the first planar surface and a second edge opposite the first edged and in free space, the second edge defining a periphery that varies in distance from the first edge along the length of the longitudinal axis; and wherein the periphery of each second edge is further shaped such that turbulent flow of a fluid is induced in the flow flowing over the second edge at at least a predefined flow rate.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a heat sink including heat sink comprising: a base defining a first side having a base planar surface and a second side opposite the first side; and a plurality of planar fins extending from the base planar surface in parallel disposition relative to each other, each planar fin of the plurality of planar fins comprising: a bottom fin edge coupled to the base planar surface and running parallel a longitudinal axis of the planar fin; a top fin edge that is opposite the bottom fin edge and running parallel the longitudinal axis of the planar fin; a leading fin edge extending from the bottom fin edge to the top fin edge; a trailing fin edge opposite the leading fin edge and extending from the bottom fin edge to the top fin edge; fin body extending from the bottom fin edge to the top fin edge and having a first side defining a first planar surface and second side opposite the first side defining a second planar surface; and means for inducing turbulent flow extending from the first planar surface and that induce turbulent flow of a fluid flowing over the means at at least a predefined flow rate.

The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example heat sink with planar fins that include turbulent structures.

FIG. 2 is top view of the planar fins with turbulent structures.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a turbulent structure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a turbulent structure with a terminal nub.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another turbulent structure.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Heatsink performance is improved when turbulent flow occurs between the fins when the fluid flows at the predefined rate. To induce turbulent flow, the planar fins of the heat sink include a set of turbulent structures. The turbulent structures extend from a first planar surface of the fin, e.g., a first side of the fin. Each turbulent structure in the first set of turbulent structures defines a longitudinal axis and has a first edge that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and connected to the first planar surface. Each turbulent structure also has a second edge opposite the first edge and in free space. The second edge defines a periphery that varies in distance from the first edge along the length of the longitudinal axis. For example, the periphery can be saw tooth shaped, straight tooth shaped, or even curved. The periphery of each second edge is further shaped such that turbulent flow of a fluid is induced in the fluid flowing over the second edge at at least a predefined flow rate.

Turbulent structures can also be attached to the other side of the heatsink fin and offset from the structures on the first side of the heatsink fin. In this configuration, the turbulent structures extend into the space between heatsinks from both heatsink surfaces. With higher turbulence, the heat sink realizes a higher heat transfer coefficient h that would otherwise be realized with smooth fins. This leads to better convection cooling capabilities. Thus, the principle of this design is to add turbulence enhancement features on the heatsink fins to increase heat transfer coefficient.

These features and additional features are described in more detail below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example heat sink 100 with planar fins 110 that include turbulent structures 132. The heat sink 100 includes a base 102 defining a first side 104 having a base planar surface, and a second side 106 opposite the first side 104. A set of planar fins 110 (e.g., 110-1 . . . . N) extend from the base planar surface in parallel disposition relative to each other. Each planar fin 110 includes a bottom fin edge 112 coupled to the base planar surface and running parallel to a longitudinal axis 111 of the planar fin 110. Each planar fin 110 also is defined by a top fin edge 114 that is opposite the bottom fin edge 112 and running parallel to the longitudinal axis 111 of the planar fin, and is further defined by a leading fin edge 116 extending from the bottom fin edge 112 edge to the top fin edge 114, and a trailing fin edge 118 opposite the leading fin edge 114 and extending from the bottom fin edge 112 to the top fin edge 114.

FIG. 2 is top view of the planar fins 110 with turbulent structures 132. Each fin 110 defines a fin body 120 extending from the bottom fin edge 112 to the top fin edge 114 and having a first side 122 defining a first planar surface and second side 124 opposite the first side defining a second planar surface. To avoid congestion in the drawings, like elements for all fins 110 are not labeled.

In some implementations, except for exterior fins 110-1 and 110-N, each planar fin 110 includes a first set of turbulent structures 132-1 extending from the first planar surface 122, and a second set of turbulent structures 132-2 extending from the second planar surface 124. Exterior fin 110-1, however, includes only a first set of turbulent structures 132-1 on the first planar surface 122. Conversely, exterior fin 110-N includes only a second set of turbulent structures 132-2 on the second planar surface 124. In other implementations, exterior fins 110-1 and 110-N have turbulent structures 132 on both of their respective first planar surface 122 and second planar surface 124.

The turbulent structures 132 are uniformly spaced apart, and each respective set 132-1 and 132-2 are offset from each other so as to not overly reduce airflow that would otherwise result if the sets 132-1 and 132-2 were not offset.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective of a turbulent structure 132. Each turbulent structure 132 defines longitudinal axis 140 and having a first edge 142 that is parallel to the longitudinal axis 140. The first edge 142 is connected to the planar surface 122 or 124. In some implementations, the turbulent structures 132 are connected at an acute angle A, as shown in FIG. 2. The turbulent structure 132 includes a second edge 144 opposite the first edge 142. The second edge, as shown in FIG. 2, is in free space such that air may flow over the second edge 144. The second edge 144 defines a periphery 145 (a second edge of which is shown in phantom and offset in FIG. 2) that varies in distance from the first edge 142 along the length of the longitudinal axis 140. The periphery 145 of each second edge 144 is further shaped such that turbulent flow of a fluid is induced in the fluid flowing over the second edge 144 at at least a predefined flow rate, e.g., at a flow rate induced by a fan 101. As shown in FIG. 3, the periphery 145 varies linearly in distance from the first edge 142 from a maximum distance of H to a minimum distance of h, with the relative maximum and minimum spaced apart by a distance d. The values of A, H, h and d can be varied to achieve different heat transfer coefficients. Such heat transfer coefficients can be measured empirically, for example.

The triangular shape of FIG. 3 is but one example of a periphery that can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a turbulent structure 202 with a curved periphery pattern 204 can be used. Other periphery patterns can also be used, such as a saw-tooth pattern, a straight tooth pattern, or still other patterns.

In some implementations, the second edge 144 has a uniform cross section. In other implementations, however, each second edge 144 may include terminal nubs 146 to further increase turbulent flow. As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal nub 146 is pyramidal in shape; however, a variety of other shapes can be used.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system modules and components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising: a fin having a fin planar surface, a periphery of the fin defined in part by a fin edge;a set of turbulent structures extending from the fin planar surface, each turbulent structure of the set of turbulent structures defining a longitudinal axis and having a structure body, a periphery of the structure body defined by: a first edge that is parallel to the longitudinal axis and attached to the fin planar surface; anda second edge in a space adjacent to the fin planar surface, the second edge opposite and spaced apart from the first edge, and the second edge having a repeating pattern that varies in distance from the first edge along a length of the longitudinal axis;a third edge between one end of the first edge and one end of the second edge; anda fourth edge opposite the third edge, the fourth edge between another end of the first edge and another end of the second edge;the first edge, the third edge, the second edge and the fourth edge defining a turbulent structure planar surface and the periphery of the structure body; andeach structure body in the set of turbulent structures is attached to the fin planar surface at an acute angle relative to the planar surface;a plurality of terminal nubs, each of the terminal nubs is separate from each other of the terminal nubs and extends substantially perpendicularly from the turbulent structure planar surface at a position on the second edge that is at a distance farthest from the first edge relative to other positions on the second edge; andthe second edge and the terminal nubs are further shaped such that a first turbulent flow of a fluid is induced in the fluid flowing over the second edge at at least a predefined flow rate in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the repeating pattern defines a saw-tooth pattern.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the repeating pattern defines a straight-tooth pattern.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the repeating pattern defines a curved periphery repeating pattern.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acute angle is measured relative to the fin edge.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of terminal nubs is pyramidal in shape.