COOLING STRUCTURE
A heat exchanger structure includes a monolithic extrusion and a plurality of headers. The extrusion includes a first end; a second end; a first, smooth side; and a second side with a plurality of smooth portions alternating with a plurality of raised portions defining a plurality of parallel flow passages extending from the first end to the second end; and a plurality of headers connecting the plurality of flow passages to form a flow path.
1 . A heat exchanger structure comprising:
a monolithic extrusion comprising:
a first end;
a second end;
a first, smooth side; and
a second side with a plurality of smooth portions alternating with a plurality of raised portions defining a plurality of parallel flow passages extending from the first end to the second end; and
a plurality of headers connecting the plurality of flow passages to form a flow path through the plurality of passages.
2 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the extrusion is aluminum.
3 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flow passages have a cross section with a first surface parallel to the first side of the extrusion.
4 . The structure of claim 3 , wherein the width of the cross section is semi-circular.
5 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flow passages have an inner diameter of about 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) to about 1.1 inches (27.94 mm).
6 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the headers connect alternating pairs of the plurality of flow passages.
7 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the extrusion is a curved segment.
8 . The structure of claim 1 , wherein the flow path through the plurality of flow passages is serpentine.
9 . A method of forming a heat exchanger structure comprising:
forming an extrusion as a monolithic part with a first end, a second end, a first, smooth side and a second side with a plurality of smooth portions alternating with a plurality of raised portions defining a plurality of elongated flow passages extending from the first end to the second end; and
joining the plurality of flow passages with a plurality of headers to form a flow path through the plurality of flow passages.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the headers connect alternating pairs of the plurality of flow passages.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of flow passages have a cross section with a first surface parallel to the first side of the structure.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the cross section of the flow passages is a semi-circle.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the structure is extruded as a curved segment.
14 . The method of claim 13 , and further comprising:
connecting multiple modular segments to form a full cylinder radiator.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of flow passages have an inner diameter of about 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) to about 1.1 inches (27.94 mm).
16 . A method of cooling comprising:
placing a cooling structure in thermal contact with a heat producing source, wherein the structure is formed by forming an extrusion as a monolithic part with a first end, a second end, a first, smooth side and a second side with a plurality of smooth portions alternating with a plurality of raised portions defining a plurality of flow passages extending from the first end to the second end; and
flowing a coolant through the plurality of flow passages, wherein the plurality of flow passages are joined at either end by a plurality of headers connecting pairs of flow passages to form a flow path.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the extrusion is aluminum.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of flow passages have a cross section that is a semi-circle.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the each of the plurality of flow passages is parallel to the other flow passages.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein plurality of headers join alternating pairs of flow passages to form a serpentine flow path.