Tunnel-phase change heat exchanger

摘要

A phase change heat exchanger and method for cooling a heat dissipating electronic component, such as an electronics package, transfers heat from the electronic component by way of a heatsink including a base in heat conducting relation with the electronic component and fins arranged in heat conducting relation at one end thereof with the base. The efficiency of the fins is increased by also transferring heat from the base to the fins at a location spaced from the one end thereof using a phase change fluid separated from the fins. A chamber containing the phase change fluid is defined between two telescoping tubes which extend peripherally about the fins to form a tunnel or duct through which a cooling fluid such as air can be flowed in contact with the fins. A further increase in cooling efficiency is obtained using an additional remote heat exchangers attached to the surface of the chamber.