Heat sink with staggered heat exchange elements

Abstract

A heat sink comprising a base, a first row of metal fins and a second row of wedge-shaped vortex generators. The first row of metal fins can be connected to and raised above a surface of the base, long dimensions of the metal fins being substantially parallel to each other and to the surface. The second row of wedge-shaped vortex generators can be connected to and raised above the base, each of the wedge-shaped vortex generators having a long dimension that is substantially parallel to the long dimensions of others of the wedge-shaped vortex generators and to the surface. The first and second rows can be substantially opposed to each other such that first ends of the metal fins are staggered with respect to first ends of the wedge-shaped vortex generators.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat sink, comprising:
 a base; and   a first row of metal fins connected to and raised above a surface of said base, long dimensions of said metal fins being substantially parallel to each other and to said surface;   a second row of wedge-shaped vortex generators connected to and raised above said base, each of said wedge-shaped vortex generators having a long dimension that is substantially parallel to the long dimensions of others of the wedge-shaped vortex generators and to said surface; and   wherein said first and second rows are substantially opposed to each other such that first ends of said metal fins are staggered with respect to first ends of said wedge-shaped vortex generators.   
     
     
         2 . The heat sink of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third row of metal fins connected to and raised above the surface of said base, long dimensions of said metal fins of the third row being substantially parallel to each other and to said surface; and   wherein said third and second rows are substantially opposed to each other.   
     
     
         3 . The heat sink of  claim 2 , wherein first ends of said metal fins of the third row are aligned with respect to second ends of said wedge-shaped vortex generators. 
     
     
         4 . The heat sink of  claim 2 , wherein a relatively narrower end of each one of the wedge-shaped vortex generators is located closer to the first row than a relatively broader end of the each one of the wedge-shaped vortex generators. 
     
     
         5 . The heat sink of  claim 4 , wherein first ends of said metal fins of the third row are aligned with respect to second ends of said wedge-shaped vortex generators. 
     
     
         6 . The heat sink of  claim 1 , wherein a relatively broader end of each one of the wedge-shaped vortex generators is located closer to the first row than a relatively narrower end of the each one of the wedge-shaped vortex generators. 
     
     
         7 . The heat sink of  claim 1 , wherein a relatively narrower end of each one of the wedge-shaped vortex generators is located closer to the first row than a relatively broader end of the each one of the wedge-shaped vortex generators. 
     
     
         8 . The heat sink of  claim 2 , wherein a relatively broader end of each one of the wedge-shaped vortex generators is located closer to the first row than a relatively narrower end of the each one of the wedge-shaped vortex generators. 
     
     
         9 . The heat sink of  claim 1 , wherein the wedge-shaped vortex generators are metal elements. 
     
     
         10 . The heat sink of  claim 9 , wherein the base is a metal base. 
     
     
         11 . The heat sink of  claim 2 , wherein the wedge-shaped vortex generators are metal elements. 
     
     
         12 . The heat sink of  claim 11 , wherein the base is a metal base. 
     
     
         13 . The heat sink of  claim 2 , wherein the metal fins of the first row are substantially parallel to the metal fins of the third row.