IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,135,152
Granted Patent B2
US 12,135,152 · App. 17/518,321 · Granted Nov 5, 2024

Evaporator assemblies, vapor chambers, and methods for fabricating vapor chambers

Inventors: Shailesh N. Joshi (Ann Arbor, MI); Danny Lohan (Northville, MI)
Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
F25B39/024B23P15/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,135,152
App. No.
17/518,321
Granted
Nov 5, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Evaporator assemblies, vapor chamber assemblies, and methods for fabricating a vapor chamber are disclosed. In one embodiment, an evaporator assembly for a vapor chamber includes an evaporator surface, an array of posts extending from the evaporator surface, and an array of vapor vents within the evaporator surface. Each vapor vent of the array of vapor vents is configured as a depression within the evaporator surface. The evaporator assembly further includes a porous layer disposed on the evaporator surface, the array of posts, and the array of vapor vents.

Claims (39)

1. An evaporator assembly for a vapor chamber, the evaporator assembly comprising:

an evaporator surface opposite a heat receiving surface;

an array of posts extending from the evaporator surface;

an array of vapor vents within the evaporator surface, wherein each vapor vent of the array of vapor vents is configured as a depression within the evaporator surface; and

a porous layer disposed on the evaporator surface, the array of posts, and the array of vapor vents.

2. The evaporator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the array of posts is interlaced within the array of vapor vents.

3. The evaporator assembly of claim 1 , wherein

a spacing between adjacent posts of the array of posts vary on the evaporator surface; and

a spacing between adjacent vapor vents of the array of vapor vents vary on the evaporator surface.

4. The evaporator assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of a size and a shape of individual vapor vents of the array of vapor vents varies across the evaporator surface.

5. The evaporator assembly of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the porous layer is between 0.20 mm and 1 mm, including endpoints.

6. The evaporator assembly of claim 1 , wherein a depth of individual vapor vents varies across the evaporator surface.

7. The evaporator assembly of claim 1 , wherein the array of posts and the array of vapor vents define a structure array, wherein each row of the structure array comprises alternating individual posts and individual vents.

8. An assembly comprising:

an evaporator assembly comprising:

an evaporator surface opposite a heat receiving surface;

an array of posts extending from the evaporator surface;

an array of vapor vents within the evaporator surface, wherein each vapor vent of the array of vapor vents is configured as a depression within the evaporator surface; and

a porous layer disposed on the evaporator surface, the array of posts, and the array of vapor vents; and

a condenser plate comprising a condenser surface, wherein the condenser surface is bonded to a top surface of the array of posts such that the evaporator assembly and the condenser plate define a vapor chamber.

9. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein

the assembly further comprises an electronic device coupled to the heat receiving surface.

10. The assembly of claim 9 , wherein:

the condenser surface is provided on a condenser plate further comprising a cooling surface; and

the assembly further comprises a heat sink coupled to the cooling surface.

11. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the array of posts is interlaced within the array of vapor vents.

12. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein

a spacing between adjacent posts of the array of posts vary on the evaporator surface; and

a spacing between adjacent vapor vents of the array of vapor vents vary on the evaporator surface.

13. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein at least one of a size and a shape of individual vapor vents of the array of vapor vents varies across the evaporator surface.

14. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein a thickness of the porous layer is between 0.20 mm and 1 mm, including endpoints.

15. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein a depth of individual vapor vents varies across the evaporator surface.

16. The assembly of claim 8 , wherein the array of posts and the array of vapor vents define a structure array, wherein each row of the structure array comprises alternating individual posts and individual vents.

17. The evaporator assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the array of posts extend from the evaporator surface in a positive z-axis direction; and

the array of vapor vents extend within the evaporator surface in a negative z-axis direction.

18. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the array of posts extend from the evaporator surface in a positive z-axis direction; and

the array of vapor vents extend within the evaporator surface in a negative z-axis direction.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2024
From: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA; MIRISE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; DENSO CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 069691/0907 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 18, 2022
From: JOSHI, SHAILESH N.; LOHAN, DANNY
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 060840/0447 →
Continuity (1)
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