초록 ▼

A heat spreader, method of making the heat spreader, and incorporation of the heat spreader in an assembly such as an electronic assembly, are disclosed. The heat spreader includes a matrix material, which has incorporated therein carbon nanotubes and/or thermal pyrolytic graphite flakes. The carbon

A heat spreader, method of making the heat spreader, and incorporation of the heat spreader in an assembly such as an electronic assembly, are disclosed. The heat spreader includes a matrix material, which has incorporated therein carbon nanotubes and/or thermal pyrolytic graphite flakes. The carbon nanotubes and/or thermal pyrolytic graphite flakes are situated between a first surface and a second surface of the heat spreader, to transfer heat from a heat source (e.g., an electronic component) adjacent the first surface to, e.g., a heat sink adjacent the second surface when the heat spreader is incorporated in the assembly. The first surface has a smaller surface area than that of the second surface. Desirably, the carbon nanotubes and/or thermal pyrolytic graphite flakes are aligned extending between the first and second surfaces, and spread out in a direction from the first surface to the second surface, to provide more effective heat transfer and uniform spreading of the heat. The matrix material can be a metal or plastic, and can be compliant, flexible and soft to provide better thermal contact of the heat spreader with the electronic component and heat sink, even if surfaces are uneven, and to provide protection for fragile electronic components against shock and vibration and during structural loading.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A heat spreader, comprising:a matrix material; and at least one of carbon nanotubes and thermal pyrolytic graphite flakes distributed through the matrix material, wherein the heat spreader has a first surface adapted to be in contact with a source of heat a second surface opposed to the first sur

1. A heat spreader, comprising:a matrix material; and at least one of carbon nanotubes and thermal pyrolytic graphite flakes distributed through the matrix material, wherein the heat spreader has a first surface adapted to be in contact with a source of heat a second surface opposed to the first surface wherein the second surface has a larger surface area than that of the first surface, and wherein said at least one of carbon nonotubes and thermal pyrolytic graphite flakes is distributed and oriented from the first surface to the second surface through the matrix material, such that the at lest one of carbon nanotube and thermal pyrolytic graphite flakes spreads out extending from the first surface to the second surface, so that the heat spreader is adapted to conduct heat from said first surface to said second surface, and spread out the heat conducted from the first surface to the second surface, as the heat is conducted from the first surface to the second surface, so as to spread the heat over a larger area at the second surface than at the first surface when the source of heat is in contact with the first surface.