Kelvin Thermal Technologies, Inc.

University of Colorado

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Ryan John Lewis

Yung-Cheng Lee

Ronggui Yang

Li-Anne Liew

Shanshan Xu

Ching-Yi Lin

Collin Jennings Coolidge

Yunda Wang

Jason W West

Kyle Wagner

Ali Nematollahisarvestani

Takuo Wakaoka

Tatsuhiro Numoto

Keijiro Kojima

Embodiments described herein relate to the concept and designs of a polymer-based thermal ground plane. In accordance with one embodiment, a polymer is utilized as the material to fabricate the thermal ground plane. Other embodiments include am optimized wicking structure design utilizing two arrays of micropillars, use of lithography-based microfabrication of the TGP using copper/polymer processing, micro-posts, throttled releasing holes embedded in the micro-posts, atomic layer deposition (ALD) hydrophilic coating, throttled fluid charging structure and sealing method, defect-free ALD hermetic coating, and compliant structural design.

Polymer-based microfabricated thermal ground plane

To provide a vapor chamber having excellent function of circulating a working liquid from an end portion to a center portion of a wick and enabling the prevention of the occurrence of dry-out. A vapor chamber includes a casing formed of a first sheet and a second sheet which face each other and whose outer peripheries are bonded to each other; a working liquid sealed in the casing; and a wick disposed on an inner wall surface of the first sheet or the second sheet. A wall portion is disposed around the wick as viewed in a top plan view of an inside of the casing.

Vapor chamber

Some embodiments include a thermal management plane. The thermal management plane may include a top casing comprising a polymer material; a top encapsulation layer disposed on the top casing; a bottom casing comprising a polymer material; a bottom encapsulation layer disposed on the bottom casing; a hermetical seal coupling the bottom casing with the top casing; a wicking layer disposed between the bottom casing and the top casing; and a plurality of spacers disposed between the top casing and the bottom casing within the vacuum core, wherein each of the plurality of spacers have a low thermal conduction. In some embodiments, the thermal management plane has a thickness less than about 200 microns.

Thermal management planes

Some embodiments include a thermal ground plane comprising a first and second casing with folding and non-folding regions. The thermal ground plane may also include a vapor structure and a mesh. The mesh may be disposed on an interior surface of the second casing and the mesh include a plurality of arteries extending substantially parallel with a length of the thermal ground plane. The folding region of the first casing may have an out-of-plane wavy structure. The valleys and peaks of the out-of-plane wavy structure, for example, may extend across a width of the first active region substantially parallel with a width of the thermal ground plane.

Folding thermal ground plane

A thermal ground plane (TGP) is disclosed. A TGP may include a first planar substrate member comprising copper and a second planar substrate member comprising a metal, wherein the first planar substrate member and the second planar substrate member enclose a working fluid. The TGP may include a first plurality of pillars disposed on an interior surface of the first planar substrate and a mesh layer disposed on the top of the first plurality of pillars, wherein the mesh layer comprises at least one of copper, polymer encapsulated with copper, or stainless steel encapsulated with copper. The TGP may also include a second plurality of pillars disposed on an interior surface of the second planar substrate member within an area defined by the perimeter of the second planar substrate member and the second plurality of pillars extend from the second planar substrate member to the mesh layer.

Micropillar-enabled thermal ground plane

Some embodiments of the invention include a thermal ground plane with a variable thickness vapor core. For example, a thermal ground plan may include a first casing and a second casing where the second casing and the first casing configured to enclose a working fluid. The thermal ground plane may also include an evaporator region disposed at least partially on at least one of the first casing and the second casing; a condenser region disposed at least partially on at least one of the first casing and the second casing; and a wicking layer disposed between the first casing and the second casing a vapor core defined at least partially by a gap between the first casing and the second casing. The thickness of the gap can vary across the first casing and the second casing.

Method and device for optimization of vapor transport in a thermal ground plane using void space in mobile systems

A sporting equipment storage sling is provided. The device includes a tubular housing having an open first end opposite an open second end. An adjustable strap is affixed to the tubular housing at each of the first and second ends. A plurality of fasteners disposed along a length of the tubular housing opposite the adjustable strap. The plurality of fasteners removably secure sporting equipment to the tubular housing, such that the user can easily transport and dry sporting equipment between uses. In some embodiments, a bag is affixed to the tubular housing, wherein the bag includes an opening through an upper end thereof.

Sporting equipment storage sling

A vapor chamber that includes a housing including a first sheet and a second sheet opposing each other and joined together at outer edges of the first sheet and the second sheet and defining a hollow vapor flow pass therein; a working fluid in the housing; a first wick in contact with the vapor flow pass; and a second wick between the first wick and an inner wall surface of at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet. The first wick defines a first liquid flow pass, the second wick defines a second liquid flow pass, and a first average diameter of the first liquid flow pass is smaller than or equal to 75% of a second average diameter of the second liquid flow pass.

Vapor chamber, heatsink device, and electronic device

A thermal ground plane (TGP) is disclosed. A TGP may include a first planar substrate member configured to enclose a working fluid; a second planar substrate member configured to enclose the working fluid; a plurality of wicking structures disposed on the first planar substrate; and one or more planar spacers disposed on the second planar substrate. The first planar substrate and the second planar substrate are may be hermetically sealed.

A thermal ground plane with hybrid structures that include nanowires is disclosed. The thermal ground plane includes a first casing having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface includes plurality of microstructures with a plurality of nanowires; a second casing, wherein the first casing and the second casing are sealed to an interior space that includes a working fluid; and a wicking layer disposed within the interior space.

Growing community of inventors

Boulder, CO, United States of America

Ryan John Lewis