Patent attributes
The heat sink is a body or block of solid-phase gallium having a plurality of sealed cavities defined therein containing an unencapsulated phase change material (other than gallium). The solid-phase gallium may be disposed in a container having at least one open face (contact face) adapted for direct contact with the heat source requiring cooling so that the interface between the heat source and the heat sink includes a region of melted gallium for improved heat transfer. Heat from the heat source is rapidly conducted through the region of melted gallium, then through solid-phase gallium, and is absorbed by the phase change material in the cavities without significant change in temperature, maintaining viability of the heat sink. The heat sink may include inclined tubes through the solid-phase body of gallium, the tubes being open at opposite ends for passage of a cooling medium, such as air or cold water.
