A fluid-cooled heat sink ( 1 ) for electronic components having a heat exchanger ( 2 ) which can be associated with at least one electronic component ( 3 ), the heat exchanger having at least one channel ( 6 ) with an inlet ( 7 ) and an outlet ( 8 ) for a cooling fluid. The heat exchanger ( 2 ) having a first outer surface ( 4 ) for contact with the electronic component ( 3 ) and a second outer surface ( 5 ). The heat sink ( 1 ) having a stiffening element ( 15 ) operating on the heat exchanger ( 2 ) at the second outer surface ( 5 ) for associating and pressing the heat exchanger ( 2 ) on the electronic component ( 3 ).
1. A fluid-cooled heat sink assembly comprising:
a heat exchanger comprising a first plate having opposed first and second faces, and a second plate having opposed first and second faces, the second face of the first plate being joined to the first face of the second plate at a perimeter of the first and second plates to form a closed channel, the first plate having an inlet and an outlet for cooling fluid in the channel and having a central area spaced inwardly and away from the perimeter of the first plate and located between opposite sides of the perimeter of the first plate;
a stiffening element having a central portion and adjoining lateral portions on opposite sides of the central portion, the central portion being located inwardly and away from the lateral portions and having a contact surface positioned against the first face at the central area of the first plate, the stiffening element being formed as a single, unitary body; and
an electronic component received against said second face of said second plate;
wherein said stiffening element is attached to the electronic component at said lateral portions of said stiffening element so that said contact surface is pressed against the central area of the first face of the first plate and the electronic component is pressed against the second face of the second plate.
2. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second plate is wider than the first plate, the second plate having a perimeter portion extending between the electronic component and the lateral portions of the stiffening element.
3. The heat sink assembly of claim 2 , wherein the perimeter portion of the second plate is separated from the lateral portions of the stiffening element by a gap.
4. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , wherein a flange of the electronic component is separated from the lateral portions of the stiffening element by a gap.
5. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , further comprising means for drawing the electronic component toward said lateral portions of said stiffening element, said means comprising threaded holes in one of said stiffening element and said electronic component, and screws passing through holes in the other of said stiffening element and said electronic component.
6. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , wherein the channel is formed in the first plate and is enclosed by the second plate, the second plate being essentially flat.
7. The heat sink assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first face of the first plate has a contour, the contact surface of the stiffening element matching the contour.
8. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , wherein the contact surface is substantially flat.
9. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element is stamped from sheet metal.
10. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element is made of molded plastic.
11. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a structural stiffener inside the channel in the heat exchanger.
12. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , wherein the central portion of the stiffening element has openings for receiving the inlet and the outlet.
13. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inlet and the outlet are situated outside the stiffening element.
14. The heat sink assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electronic component comprises a flange extending parallel to and spaced from said lateral portions of said stiffening element.
15. A fluid-cooled heat sink assembly comprising:
a heat exchanger comprising a first plate having opposed first and second faces, and a second plate having opposed first and second faces, the second face of the first plate being joined to the first face of the second plate at a perimeter of the first and second plates to form a closed channel, the first plate having an inlet and an outlet for cooling fluid in the channel and having a central area spaced inwardly and away from the perimeter of the first plate and located between opposite sides of the perimeter of the first plate;
a stiffening element having a central portion and adjoining lateral portions on opposite sides of the central portion, the central portion being located inwardly and away from the lateral portions and having a contact surface positioned against the first face at the central area of the of the first plate, the stiffening element being formed as a single, unitary body; and
means for drawing an electronic component toward and into contact with the second plate so that said contact surface is pressed against the first face of the first plate and the electrical component is pressed against the second face of the second plate.
16. The heat sink assembly of claim 15 , wherein the second plate is wider than the first plate, the second plate having a perimeter portion extending parallel to the lateral portions of the stiffening element.
17. The heat sink assembly of claim 16 , wherein the perimeter portion is separated from the lateral portions of the stiffening element by a gap.
18. The heat sink assembly of claim 15 , wherein the lateral portions of the stiffening element are recessed from the second face of the second plate by a gap.
19. The heat sink assembly of claim 15 , wherein the means for drawing said electronic component toward said lateral portions of said stiffening element comprises threaded holes in one of said stiffening element and said electronic component, and screws passing through holes in the other of said stiffening element and said electronic component.
20. The heat sink assembly of claim 15 , wherein the channel is formed in the first plate and is enclosed by the second plate, the second plate being essentially flat.
21. The heat sink assembly of claim 15 , wherein the contact surface is substantially flat.
22. The heat sink assembly of claim 15 , wherein the stiffening element is stamped from sheet metal.
23. The heat sink assembly of claim 15 , wherein the stiffening element is made of molded plastic.
24. The heat sink assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a structural stiffener inside the channel in the heat exchanger.
25. The heat sink assembly of claim 14 wherein the central portion of the stiffening element has openings for receiving the inlet and the outlet.
26. The heat sink assembly of claim 15 , wherein the inlet and the outlet are situated outside the stiffening element.