SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMBINED THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY TRANSFER

摘要

Provided are interconnect circuits for combined electrical and thermal energy transfer to devices connected to these circuits. Also provided are methods of fabricating such interconnect circuits. An interconnect circuit may include an electro-thermal conductor and at least one insulator providing support to different portions of the conductor with respect to each other. The insulator may include one or more openings for electrical connections and/or heat exchange with the electro-thermal conductor. The portions of the conductor may be electrically isolated from each other in the final circuit. Initially, these portions may be formed from the same conductive sheet, such as a metal foil having a thickness of at least about 50 micrometers. This thickness ensures sufficient thermal transfer in addition to providing excellent electrical conductance. In some embodiments, the conductor may include a surface coating to protect its base material from oxidation, enhancing electrical connections, and/or other purposes.

主权项

1. An interconnect circuit comprising:
an electro-thermal conductor comprising a thermal conductor portion and a first electrical conductor portion,
wherein the thermal conductor portion is electrically isolated from the first electrical conductor portion by a gap defining a boundary of the first electrical conductor portion,wherein the thermal conductor portion and the first electrical conductor portion have an identical composition and each of the thermal conductor portion and the first electrical conductor portion comprises a base sublayer and a surface sublayer having a different composition than the base sublayer,wherein the thermal conductor portion and the first electrical conductor portion have an identical thickness; a first insulator adhered to the surface sublayer of the thermal conductor portion and to the first electrical conductor portion,
wherein the first insulator supports the thermal conductor portion and the first electrical conductor portion relative to each other and maintains the gap between the thermal conductor portion and the first electrical conductor portion; and a thermally conductive adhesive adhered to the electro-thermal conductor such that the electro-thermal conductor is disposed between the thermally conductive adhesive and the first insulator.