20110116206 | COOLING OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS USING SELF-PROPELLED IONIC WIND - An ionic wind generator that ionizes air particles by multiple pins connected to a positive voltage source, and accelerating the ionized air particles and surrounding non-ionized air particles towards a heat sink attached to a heat source such as a semiconductor chip. A pin assembly of the ionic wind generator includes a substrate and multiple pins secured thereto. The pin assembly has passages or perforations that allow air to flow into the ionic wind generator in a longitudinal direction of the pin to reduce resistance from the multiple pins. A heat sink is connected to a low voltage source or ground to attract the ionized air particles. The ionized air particles impinge on the surface of the heat sink and cool the heat sink. An ion lens may also be disposed between the substrate and the heat sink to accelerate the ionized air particles to a higher speed. The ionic wind generator is capable of dissipating heat effectively, and obviates the need for a fan to force the air to the heat sink. | 05-19-2011 |