Vapor columns with reduced cross-sectional area for increased airflow
Disclosed is a system that includes an electronic component, a fan arranged to force air in a first direction, a stacked fin assembly, and a three-dimensional vapor chamber. The three-dimensional vapor chamber includes a base that is thermally coupled to the electronic component and a plurality of vapor columns that extend outward from the base towards the stacked fin assembly. A first dimension of a first vapor column that is included in the plurality of vapor columns along the first direction is greater than a second dimension of the first vapor column along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.
1 . A system, comprising:
an electronic component;
a fan arranged to force air in a first direction;
a stacked fin assembly; and
a three-dimensional vapor chamber that includes:
a base that is thermally coupled to the electronic component; and
a plurality of vapor columns that extend outward from the base towards the stacked fin assembly, wherein a first cross-sectional area of a first vapor column that is included in the plurality of vapor columns along the first direction is greater than a second cross-sectional area of the first vapor column along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein a base of the first vapor column has a first teardrop-shape, and an inner vapor chamber within the first vapor column has a second teardrop-shape.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a first surface of the first vapor column that is perpendicular to the first direction has a convex curvature.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a second vapor column comprises a rectangular prism.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a base of a second vapor column has an oval-shape.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a second vapor column that is included in the plurality of vapor columns is disposed adjacent to the first vapor column, and air forced in the first direction by the fan flows through a passage defined between the first vapor column and the second vapor column.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein a hydraulic diameter of the passage is inversely proportional to the second cross-sectional area of the first vapor column.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the fan forces air in the first direction over the base of the three-dimensional vapor chamber.
8 . A heat sink assembly, comprising:
a stacked fin assembly; and
a three-dimensional vapor chamber that includes:
a base that includes a bottom surface and a top surface;
a plurality of vapor columns that extend outward from the top surface of the base towards the stacked fin assembly, wherein a first cross-sectional area of a first vapor column of the plurality of vapor columns is greater than a second cross-sectional area of the first vapor column, and wherein a base of the first vapor column has a first teardrop-shape, and an inner vapor chamber within the first vapor column has a second teardrop-shape; and
a vapor space defined within the base and the plurality of vapor columns, wherein the vapor space includes the inner vapor chamber.
9 . The heat sink assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first cross-sectional area is perpendicular to the second cross-sectional area.
10 . The heat sink assembly of claim 8 , wherein a second vapor column that is included in the plurality of vapor columns is disposed adjacent to the first vapor column; and
wherein a passage is defined between the first vapor column and the second vapor column.
11 . The heat sink assembly of claim 10 , wherein a hydraulic diameter of the passage is inversely proportional to the second cross-sectional area of the first vapor column.
12 . The heat sink assembly of claim 10 , wherein a hydraulic diameter of the passage is greater than a dimension of the first vapor column.
13 . The heat sink assembly of claim 12 , wherein the dimension of the first vapor column is perpendicular to the first cross-sectional area.
14 . A three-dimensional vapor chamber, comprising:
a base that includes a bottom surface and a top surface;
a plurality of vapor columns that extend outward from the top surface of the base towards a stacked fin assembly, wherein a first cross-sectional area of a first vapor column of the plurality of vapor columns is greater than a second cross-sectional area of the first vapor column, and wherein a base of the first vapor column has a first teardrop-shape, and an inner vapor chamber within the first vapor column has a second teardrop-shape; and
a vapor space defined within the base and the plurality of vapor columns, wherein the vapor space includes the inner vapor chamber.
15 . The three-dimensional vapor chamber of claim 14 , wherein the first cross-sectional area is perpendicular to the second cross-sectional area.
16 . The three-dimensional vapor chamber of claim 14 , wherein a first surface of a second vapor column has a convex curvature and a second surface of the second vapor column is flat.
17 . The three-dimensional vapor chamber of claim 16 , wherein the first surface of the second vapor column extends in a first direction and the second surface of the second vapor column extends in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.