lytron inc, designer and manufacturer of total thermal solutions™, recently announced that it was awarded u.s. patent 7,204,303 for its flat tube cold plate assembly. the technology consists of an aluminum flat tube extrusion and fin embedded between two aluminum plates. the flat tube assemblies are primarily used to cool electronics in high-end applications.

"by using flat tube and fin in our vacuum-brazed cold plates, we are able to provide very effective liquid cooling for high heat flux applications," notes andrew thomas, one of the cold plate's inventors. "vacuum brazed cold plates are all customized to meet oem's challenging thermal and mechanical specifications."

the patent specifies the cold plate's design. a flat tube cold plate assembly has a base plate with a channel opening that defines the fluid flow path. the channel is produced by laser cutting, stamping, or etching the base plate. a flat tube extrusion with numerous small fluid channels that contain internal fin is inserted to further define the fluid flow path and provide additional surface area for heat transfer. an upper cover plate is placed over the channel plate and flat tube and the entire assembly is vacuum brazed together. vacuum brazing results in a very hard and strong part.

lytron's standard and custom cold plates, cooling systems, and heat exchangers are found in the military, aerospace, medical, power electronics, analytical, and semiconductor markets. the privately held company has achieved 13 consecutive years of growth. for more information, please contact lytron at +1-781-933-7300 or visit www.lytron.com.