Patent ID: 9310138
Filing Date: 2016-04-12
CPC Classification: F24S,F28D,H01L,H02S,Y02E

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for cooling a photovoltaic cell, comprising: a heat exchanger comprising a metal plate with a bend therein that positions a first surface of the metal plate at an angle of about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to a second surface of the metal plate, and a plurality of fins attached to a side of the metal plate opposite the first surface and the second surface, wherein each of the plurality of fins extends along an entire length of the side and crosses the bend; a vapor chamber extending along the first surface and the second surface of the metal plate, crossing the bend, such that during operation when the photovoltaic cell is attached to either the first surface or the second surface of the metal plate the vapor chamber is positioned to transport heat away from the photovoltaic cell, wherein the vapor chamber is at least partially embedded in the metal plate; a cladding material between the vapor chamber and the heat exchanger, wherein the cladding material is configured to thermally couple the vapor chamber to the heat exchanger; and a thermal spreader plate at either the first surface or the second surface of the metal plate, wherein the thermal spreader plate is attached to, and in direct physical contact with, the vapor chamber, and wherein during operation the photovoltaic cell is positioned on the thermal spreader plate over the vapor chamber in a manner so as to be electrically isolated from the metal plate by the cladding material.