Thermal management device for heat generating power electronics incorporating high thermal conductivity pyrolytic graphite and cooling tubes
The present invention is a system for cooling high power, heat generating devices. The system includes a metal matrix composite (AlSiC) having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially equal to that of the heat generating device. The metal matrix composite (MMC) includes interior cooling channels and at least one Pyrolytic Graphite insert laterally positioned against the cooling channels. The heat generating device is placed on the metal matrix composite top surface in a substantially parallel relationship with the Pyrolytic Graphite insert surface area for maximum heat transfer efficiency.
1. A system for cooling at least one high power, heat generating device, comprising:
a metal matrix composite having a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially equal to that of said at least one high power, heat generating device, said metal matrix composite having an interior volume, a top external surface, and a bottom external surface;
a cooling channel positioned within said interior volume of said metal matrix composite, the cooling channel having an inlet and outlet and connected to a liquid source, said coolant channel confining a flow of a liquid within said metal matrix composite;
at least one Pyrolytic Graphite insert positioned within said interior volume of said metal matrix composite, said at least one Pyrolytic Graphite insert having a surface area bound by a plurality of peripheral edges;
at least one of said plurality of peripheral edges of said at least one Pyrolytic Graphite insert laterally positioned in close proximity to said cooling channel; and
at least one of said at least one high power, heat generating device positioned on said top external surface of said metal matrix composite in a substantially parallel relationship with said surface area of said at least one Pyrolytic Graphite insert, wherein said at least one high power, heat generating device positioned on said top external surface of said metal matrix composite further includes a substrate positioned between said at least one of said at least one high power, heat generating device and said at least one Pyrolytic Graphite insert, wherein said substrate is positioned within said interior volume of said metal matrix composite, said substrate having a top surface coplanar to said top external surface of said metal matrix composite.
2. The system for cooling said at least one high power, heat generating device as in claim 1 , wherein an in-plane thermal conductivity value of HTC-PG of said at least one Pyrolytic Graphite insert is at least 1300 W/mK.
3. The system for said at least one high power, heat generating device as in claim 1 , wherein said coolant channel comprises steel tubes.
4. The system for cooling said at least one high power, heat generating device as in claim 1 , further including at least another of said at least one high power, heat generating device positioned on said bottom external surface of said metal matrix composite in the substantially parallel relationship with said surface area of said at least one Pyrolytic Graphite insert.