Heat pipe fin stack with extruded base

Abstract

A heat sink has a base plate to be clamped against a heat source and one or more heat pipes containing a phase change fluid. Each heat pipe has an elongated tubular evaporator fitted in a channel in the base plate, and a columnar condenser part perpendicular to the base plate forming a structural column for air heat exchange fins. The channel in the base plate is parallel to an edge. An additional channel or ridge is provided, also parallel to the edge, for receiving a clamp or spring clip to urge the base plate against the heat source. The base plate is inexpensively extruded with the parallel channels, ridges, etc., extending across the width of the base plate parallel to the edge. The heat sink has a minimum number of inexpensive parts yet is highly thermally efficient.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for manufacturing a heat transfer device comprising:
 (A) providing at least one heat pipe having a flattened evaporator part and a plurality of condenser parts that comprise an integral extension of said evaporator part;   (B) providing a base plate defining a channel extending across a full length of a surface of said base plate; and   (C) fitting said flattened evaporator part in said channel.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  21  wherein air heat exchange structures are attached to at least one of said condenser parts. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  22  including arranging said channel so as to be parallel to an edge of said base plate. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  23  further providing one of a channel and a ridge parallel to said edge, in addition to said channel extending across a full length of a surface of said base plate, for engaging a clamp for holding said base plate against a heat source.