Abstract:
A pin array is connectively disposed between a surface region of a heat sink and a surface region of an entity to be cooled. Cooling fluid flows between the heat sink&#39;s surface region and the entity&#39;s surface region, the fluid flowing adjacent each surface region and through the space occupied by the pins, the fluid thereby being agitated by the pins. Frequent inventive practice attributes the pins with supportability of the entity. The pins can be made to be thermally nonconductive, the heat transfer thus being primarily founded on thermally convective principles involving the cooling fluid, the invention thus being effective in the absence of significant heat conduction from the entity to the heat sink. Typical inventive practice prescribes that a given array is patterned in an orderly fashion, all pins therein are parallel and each pin therein has the same cross-sectional geometry; however, there can be disparity between or among pins in any or all such respects. A pin&#39;s cross-sectional geometry can describe any shape—rectilinear, curvilinear or some combination thereof. The configurational regularity of the pins promotes the uniformity of heat transference from the entity&#39;s surface region.

Description:
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
     The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for cooling electronic components and other objects, more particularly to such methods and apparatuses involving removal, absorption and/or dissipation of heat. 
     A “heat sink” (alternatively spelled “heatsink”) is a device used for removing, absorbing and/or dissipating heat from a thermal system. Generally speaking, conventional heat sinks are founded on well known physical principles pertaining to heat transference. Heat transference concerns the transfer of heat (thermal energy) via conduction, convection, radiation or some combination thereof. In general, heat transfer involves the movement of heat from one body (solid, liquid, gas or some combination thereof) to another body (solid, liquid, gas or some combination thereof). 
     The term “conduction” (or “heat conduction” or “thermal conduction”) refers to the transmission of heat via (through) a medium, without movement of the medium itself, and normally from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature. “Convection” (or “heat convection” or “thermal convection”) is distinguishable from conduction and refers to the transport of heat by a moving fluid which is in contact with a heated body. According to convection, heat is transferred, by movement of the fluid itself, from one part of a fluid to another part of the fluid. “Radiation” (or “heat radiation” or “thermal radiation”) refers to the emission and propagation of waves or particles of heat. The three heat transference mechanisms (conduction, convection and radiation) can be described by the relationships briefly discussed immediately hereinbelow. 
     Conductive heat transfer, which is based upon the ability of a solid material to conduct heat therethrough, is expressed by the equation q=kAΔT/l, wherein: q=the rate of heat transfer (typically expressed in watts) from a higher temperature region to a lower temperature region which is in contact with the higher temperature region; k=the conduction coefficient or conductivity (w/m-c), which is a characteristic of the material composition; A=the surface area (m 2 ) of the material perpendicular to the direction of heat flow; ΔT=the temperature difference (° C.), e.g., the amount of temperature drop between the higher temperature region and the lower temperature region; and l=length (m) of the thermal path through which the heat is to flow (e.g., material thickness). 
     Convective heat transfer, which is based upon the ability of a replenishable fluid (e.g., air or water) to absorb heat energy through intimate contact with a higher temperature solid surface, is expressed by the equation q=hAΔT, wherein: h=the fluid convection coefficient (w/m 2 −° C.), wherein h is determined by factors including the fluid&#39;s composition, temperature, velocity and turbulence; and, A=the surface area (m 2 ) which is in contact with the fluid. 
     Radiative heat transfer, which is based upon the ability of a solid material to emit or absorb energy waves or particles from a solid surface to fluid molecules or to different temperature solid surfaces, is expressed by the equation q=Aε{haeck over (o)}(T s   4 −T ∞   4 ), wherein: ε=the dimensionless emissivity coefficient of a solid surface, characteristic of the material surface; {haeck over (o)}=the Stefan-Boltzmann constant; A=the surface area (m 2 ) which radiates heat; T s =absolute temperature of the surface (K); and, T∞=absolute temperature of the surrounding environment (K). 
     It is theoretically understood that, regardless of the heat transfer mechanism, heat transfer rate q can be increased by increasing one or more factors on the right side of the equation—viz., the heat transfer coefficient (k, h or E), and/or the (surface or cross-sectional) area A and/or the temperature reduction ΔT—and/or by reducing the path length l. 
     In current practical contexts, heat sinks generally are designed with a view toward furthering the conductive properties of the heat sink by augmenting or optimizing the conduction coefficient k, the surface area A and the path length l. Conduction coefficient k depends on the materiality of the heat sink. In this regard, according to conventional practice, a heat sink structure is made of a thermally conductive solid material, thereby maximizing the conduction coefficient k characteristic of the heat sink. In addition, the heat sink structure tends to be rendered large (e.g., bulky or voluminous), especially the portion thereof which contacts the to-be-cooled body, thereby maximizing the cross-sectional area A or minimizing the path length l which are design characteristic of the heat sink. 
     Generally speaking, the materials conventionally used in the industry for heat sink manufacture are characterized by high heat conductivity and low weight. These materials are usually a metal or metal alloy. The most common materials used in the manufacture of heat sinks are aluminum and copper. These materials are often coated with nickel or another finish to prevent corrosion. Metal alloy materials are also finding their way into the mainstream of heat sink design, provided they have a high thermal conductivity and a low weight. 
     All conventional heat sinks which have been observed, including those which are commercially available, effectuate some form of conductive heat transfer, and are primarily dependent thereon or governed thereby. Conventional heat sinks mainly rely on heat conduction through a solid-on-solid contacting interface between the tobe-cooled object and the heat sink device. These conventional devices are typically fabricated from a high heat-conducting material, generally a metallic material. 
     Many conventional heat sinks feature various arrangements and configurations of protrusive structuring (e.g., pins, fins, pins-and-fins, mazes, etc.) which are intended to increase the heat sink&#39;s size parameters (cross-sectional area A), thereby increasing the amount of conductive heat transfer surface (i.e., the amount of conductive heat dissipation/removal). The protrusive structuring is rendered to be thermally conductive and to increase the overall heat transfer coefficient the heat sink. 
     Some of these conventional devices implement cooling fluid flow (e.g., water or air) which passes through the heat sink&#39;s protrusive structure or structures, or which otherwise contacts solid material of the heat sink. In all such known applications, the heat sink is adapted to first being thermally conductive, and the fluid is adapted to then being thermally convective with respect to heat which has previously been thermally conducted by the heat sink. 
     Typically in conventional practice, a sizable mass (e.g., a block) of a thermally conductive solid substance (e.g., a metallic material) is placed in direct contact with the high temperature body. Nevertheless, heat sink applications involving a high power density (i.e., high heat flux, or high heat dissipation over a small surface area) do not ideally lend themselves to a cooling methodology wherein a thermally conductive material directly contacts a body which operates at a high power density. Some of the potential detriment stems from the normal circumstance that the thermally conductive material is metallic. 
     Metals are characterized by the presence of relatively free electrons, and hence are characterized by high thermal conductivity as well as high electrical conductivity. There exists a relation between the thermal conductivity of a metal to its electrical conductivity; pursuant to the Wiedemann-Franz law, for instance, the ratio of the thermal conductivity of any pure metal to its electrical conductivity is about the same at the same given temperature. As pertains to conventional heat sink practice, the thermally conductive material which is implemented generally will be a metal and therefore will also be electrically conductive. 
     Thus, there are potential problems associated with conventional approaches to effectuating heat sink cooling of an entity behaving at a high power density. First of all, a conventional heat sink arrangement will usually demand a large amount of thermally conductive material in order to dissipate the heat. Moreover, the thermally conductive material is typically metallic and hence is subject to corrosion from its environment. The corrosive influence may be heightened when the metallic material comes into contact with a liquid. In addition, the electrically conductive nature of the metallic material promotes the corrosiveness thereof through electrochemical means, particularly when contacting a liquid. Furthermore, some cooling applications require or preferably implement electrically nonconductive material in the heat sink. For instance, the electrically conductive heat sink material can pose a short-circuitry risk or otherwise represent an electrical threat or hazard. 
     The United States Navy recently encountered a situation which revealed some deficiencies of conventional heat sink technology. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, took part in a research and development program for power electronics, known as the “PEBB” program. The letters “PEBB” acronymously represent “Power Electronics Building Block.” A PEBB has been described as a “universal power processor”; that is, a PEBB can change any electrical power input to any desired form of voltage, current and frequency output. The U.S. Government and U.S. industry are jointly participating in a PEBB program for developing a new family of semiconductor devices for the power electronic industry. An objective of the PEBB program is to promote modularization and standardization to power electronics, similarly as has been accomplished in the realm of computers and microchips. 
     Demonstration power conversion units were to be produced by the U.S. Navy, according to this PEBB program. These demonstration units were to utilize power modules developed as part of this program by a commercial semiconductor manufacturer. These developmental modules were required to operate at high power densities. The semiconductor devices were to be mounted to a dielectric (electrically nonconductive) baseplate, typically manufactured from ceramic materials, which is subject to breakage when a module fails. 
     It was therefore necessary, in this PEBB R &amp; D program, for the U.S. Navy to effectuate heat dissipation/removal technology which would satisfy certain criteria. Firstly, in order to be feasible for shipboard applications, the size and weight of the power electronic module and its corresponding heat sink apparatus had to be kept to a minimum. 
     Environmental factors had to be considered; for example, utilization of chemicals for heat dissipation could be hazardous in a shipboard environment. Uniform cooling and mechanical support had to be provided, within the heat sink, to the ceramic baseplate. Low manufacture and assembly costs were also important issues. High reliability and low maintainability were important issues, as well. 
     A notable inadequacy of current heat sink technologies is their inability to satisfactorily afford mechanical support to certain entities, particularly to dielectric materials (such as ceramic materials) characterized by brittleness and by lower thermal conductivity than most metals. According to current state-of-the-art heat sink devices, mechanical support is provided within the metallic (metal or metal alloy) materials which are used to conduct the heat through the heat sink device. Aside from the size and weight penalties characteristic of these current devices, they will also be subject to the inefficiencies and high costs associated with attachment of the ceramic baseplate to the metallic heat sink device. 
     Of interest in the art are the following United States patents, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference: Kikuchi et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,882 issued Apr. 20, 1999; Lavochkin U.S. Pat. No. 5,829 516 issued Nov. 3, 1999; Romero et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,269 issued Sep. 9, 1997; Mizuno et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,452 issued Jun. 4, 1999; Agonafer et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,113 issued Jan. 9, 1996; Agonafer et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,178 issued Dec. 6, 1994; Reichard U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,077 issued May 31, 1994; Iversen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,070 issued Jan. 29, 1991; Iversen U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,609 issued Dec. 15, 1987; Klein U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,170 issued Jun. 4, 1985; Missman et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,001 issued Oct. 14, 1975. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide heat sink method and apparatus which are capable of dissipating/removing heat from a device or other to-be-cooled object which is characterized by a high power density. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide heat sink method and apparatus which are capable of providing mechanical support for a to-be-cooled object. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide such supportively capable method and apparatus which can provide mechanical support for a to-be-cooled object (such as a module) having a baseplate, providing such mechanical support by supporting the baseplate, especially when the baseplate is made of a brittle material such as ceramic. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide heat sink method and apparatus which provides cooling, for a to-be-cooled object (such as a module) having a baseplate, wherein the cooling is uniform over the entire surface area of the baseplate. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide heat sink method and apparatus which are not large, cumbersome or heavy. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide heat sink method and apparatus wherein the heat sink admits of being made of a material which is at least substantially noncorrosive. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide heat sink method and apparatus wherein the heat sink admits of being made of a material which is at least substantially dielectric. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide heat sink method and apparatus which are environmentally “friendly.” 
     The present invention provides a heat sink for cooling an object, and a methodology for accomplishing same. The inventive heat sink is capable of being used in association with a fluid (liquid or gas) for effectuating cooling. Either liquid coolant or gas coolant can be used in inventive practice. 
     This invention is especially propitious for cooling an object such as a power electronic module having a flat (e.g., ceramic) baseplate which is susceptible to breakage in the event of a module failure. Featured by the present invention is direct contact of a coolant (e.g., water) stream with the high temperature object being cooled. 
     The present invention further features turbulence enhancement of the coolant stream by a pin array through which the coolant stream passes. According to many embodiments, this invention additionally features the affording of mechanical support of the object being cooled, while maintaining high heat flux cooling of such object (e.g., a power electronic module); the invention&#39;s pins are upright, post-like members which act as supporting structures. 
     In accordance with many embodiments of the present invention, a heat sink device for utilization in association with fluid for cooling an object comprises a structure which includes a foundation section and plural protrusions. The foundation section has an upper surface. The protrusions are situated on the upper surface. The structure is adaptable to engagement with the object and to association with the fluid wherein: the object and some or all of the protrusions touch; and, the fluid streams approximately tangentially with respect to the upper surface and with respect to the object. According to typical inventive practice, the structure is adaptable to such engagement and association wherein at least one protrusion affects the streaming of the fluid—more typically, wherein plural protrusions, which are some or all of the protrusions, affect the streaming of the fluid. 
     The inventive cooling apparatus is for application to any body—for example, an electronic circuitry device or other electronic component. 
     The inventive fluid-cooling heat sink apparatus typically comprises fluidity means (e.g., a fluid generation system) and a member. The subject body has a body surface portion. The member has a member surface portion and a plurality of pins projecting therefrom. According to frequent inventive practice the pins are approximately parallel; however, such parallelness is not required in accordance with the present invention. Each pin has a pin end surface portion opposite the member surface portion. The fluidity means includes means emissive of a fluid which is flowable along at least a part of the member surface portion so as to be contiguous at least a part of the body surface portion when at least a part of the body surface portion communicates with at least some of the pin end surface portions. Typically, the pins are arranged and configured in such manner as to be capable of increasing the turbulence of the fluid which passes between the member surface portion and the body surface portion. 
     Many inventive embodiments provide a method for cooling an entity such as an electronic component. The inventive method comprises the folilowing steps: (a) providing a device having a device surface area and plural members which jut from the device surface area, the members having corresponding extremities opposite the device surface area; (b) associating the entity with the device, the entity having an entity surface area, the associating including placing the entity surface area in contact with at least some of the extremities; and (c) discharging fluid between the device surface area and the entity surface area so as to be disturbed by at least some of the members. 
     This invention meets all of the U.S. Navy&#39;s requirements for dissipating/removing heat pursuant to its aforementioned power electronics program. The inventive heat sink: provides mechanical support to the module baseplate; is capable of dissipating heat from high power density devices; provides uniform cooling over the entire baseplate surface area; is small, lightweight and compact; and, carries relatively low manufacture and assembly costs. 
     The term “pin,” as used herein in relation to the present invention, refers to any member of any shape resembling or suggesting that of a rod, pole, staff, peg, post or pin, wherein the member juts, protrudes or projects, in post-like fashion, from a substrate. In accordance with many embodiments of the present invention, the pins may be made of a thermally conductive material such as metal, thereby complementing heat convection by the working fluid with heat conduction by the pins. 
     However, it was desirable for the U.S. Navy to reduce, minimize or eliminate metallic material in the heat sink assembly. In accordance with many embodiments of the present invention, the inventive post-like pins conduct no heat; the pins are made of a thermally nonconductive material such as plastic. According to some such inventive embodiments, the foundation section from which the pins project are also made of a thermally nonconductive material such as plastic; many such embodiments provide an integral thermally nonconductive structure comprising a foundation section and plural pins projecting therefrom. 
     According to inventive embodiments which thus implement thermally nonconductive pins, there is no significant or appreciable thermal conductivity; all or practically all of the heat which is removed from the to-be-cooled object is removed via convection, wherein the cooling fluid comes into direct contact with a surface or surface portion of the to-be-cooled object. A thermally nonconductive material will generally be a nonmetallic material; hence, the undesirable presence of metallic material in the heat sink, and the corrosion problems that are associated therewith, are advantageously eliminated by the present invention. 
     For instance, in inventive applications involving a module having a dielectric (e.g., ceramic) baseplate, the entirety of the heat is removed through the baseplate by the working fluid (e.g., water or air). The invention&#39;s pins serve as mechanical support for the ceramic baseplate and to enhance the turbulent flow of the working fluid; the turbulent flow increases the heat-removal effectiveness of the working fluid. The present invention not only provides support for the baseplate to prevent breakage, but also cools the baseplate uniformly over the baseplate&#39;s surface area. By virtue of its patterned pin configuration, the present invention&#39;s performance is uniform, consistent and predictable. 
     The mechanically supportive functionality of the invention&#39;s pins beneficially obviates the need for a “thermal interface” or other means of attachment of a heat sink with respect to the item to be cooled. The present invention thus avoids the conventional need to furnish attachment-purposed structure, which is counterproductive to efficiency. Therefore, as compared with conventional heat sink methodologies in general, the present invention is simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture, since nothing is required to be attached to the module baseplate. 
     It should be understood that, according to this invention, the pins do not necessarily project from the heat sink&#39;s base section. Key inventive features are that the pins are interposed between the object to be cooled, a heat sink surface bounds the working fluid flow on one side, and a to-be-cooled object surface bounds the working fluid flow on the opposite side. In inventive practice, the pins can project from either (i) a baseplate which is part of a module for holding an electronic component, or (ii) a base section which is part of the heat sink device, this base section itself representing a sort of “baseplate.” 
     The invention can thus operate regardless of which of two opposing substrates the pins project from, viz., an object surface (e.g., a “modular baseplate surface”) or a heat sink surface (e.g., a “heatsink baseplate surface”). Therefore, according to many embodiments, a cooling assembly comprises a modular baseplate, a heatsink baseplate, plural pins and a replenishable fluid. The pins connect the modular baseplate and the heatsink baseplate. The replenishable fluid is disposed between the modular baseplate and the heatsink baseplate so as to be disrupted by at least some of the pins. Such inventive arrangements can prove especially propitious for applications involving high heat fluxes, wherein the modular baseplate (and perhaps the rest of the module, as well) is made of a dielectric material, e.g., a nonmetallic material such as ceramic, and thereby affords electrical isolation to the electronic component which is housed by the module. 
     Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE APPENDICES 
     The following appendices are hereby made a part of this disclosure: 
     Attached hereto marked APPENDIX A and incorporated herein by reference is the following conference presentation (58 pp): Michael Cannell, Roger Cooley, Joseph Borraccini, “NSWC PEBB Hardware Development Progress,” presented at the  PEBB Design Review  in Charleston, S.C., Jan. 27, 1999. See, especially, the pages therein entitled “PEBB Thermal Management.” 
     Attached hereto marked APPENDIX B and incorporated herein by reference is the following conference presentation (28 pp): Pete Harrison, Richard Garman, Joseph Walters, “PEBB Thermal Management,” presented at the  PEBB Design Review  in Charleston, S.C., Jan. 27, 1999. See, especially, pages 21 through 27. 
     Attached hereto marked APPENDIX C and incorporated herein by reference is the following conference paper (17 pp): Richard Garman, “PEBB Thermal Management using ANSYS Multiphysics,”  ANSYS User&#39;s Conference , Jun. 10, 1999. 
     Attached hereto marked APPENDIX D and incorporated herein by reference is the following conference presentation (24 pp): Richard Garman, “PEBB Thermal Management using ANSYS Multiphysics,” presented at the ANSYS User&#39;s Conference, Jun. 10, 1999. 
     Attached hereto marked APPENDIX E and incorporated herein by reference is the following informal paper (11 pp, including several photographs): Michael Cannell et al., “NSWC Manifold Installation,” which discloses an assembly procedure for the turbulence enhancing support pins heat sink, in accordance with the present invention. 
     Attached hereto marked APPENDIX F and incorporated herein by reference are the following drawings (presented herein as two sheets, representing one large sheet): Dr. Peter N. Harrison et al., fabrication drawings for the turbulent enhancing support pins heat sink manifold, in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the present invention may be clearly understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers indicate the same or similar components, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an inventive heat sink device, illustrating adaptability thereof (using a manifold housing) to engagement with a module baseplate. 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic schematic side elevation cutaway view of the heat sink embodiment, manifold housing embodiment and module baseplate embodiment shown in FIG. 1, wherein the inventive heat sink device and manifold housing are shown in engagement with the module baseplate. 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic end elevation cutaway view at an approximate right angle to the view shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic end elevation cutaway view approximately opposite the view shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the heat sink embodiment shown in FIG. 1, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be arrayed in staggered rows, and wherein each pin is illustrated to have approximately the same quadrilateral cross-sectional shape, more specifically a square cross-sectional shape which represents a diamond cross-sectional shape in the context of its corresponding row. 
     FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the heat sink embodiment shown in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation view, similar to the view shown in FIG. 2, and sans manifold housing. 
     FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be arrayed in staggered rows, and wherein each pin is illustrated to have approximately the same quadrilateral cross-sectional shape which represents a rectangular cross-sectional shape, more specifically a non-square rectangular cross-sectional shape, in the context of its corresponding row. 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the heat sink embodiment shown in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be arrayed in staggered rows, and wherein each pin is illustrated to have approximately the elliptical cross-sectional shape. 
     FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the heat sink embodiment shown in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be arrayed in staggered rows, and wherein each pin is illustrated to have approximately the same non-rectangular cross-sectional shape, more specifically a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. 
     FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the heat sink embodiment shown in FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be arrayed in staggered rows, and wherein each pin is illustrated to have approximately the same triangular cross-sectional shape. 
     FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the heat sink embodiment shown in FIG.  14 . 
     FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be arrayed in staggered rows, and wherein each pin is illustrated to have approximately the same at least five-sided geometric (e.g., polygonal) cross-sectional shape, more specifically an octogonal cross-sectional shape. 
     FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the heat sink embodiment shown in FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be arrayed in non-staggered rows, wherein each pin is illustrated to have approximately the same square cross-sectional shape, and wherein is generically illustrated a longitudinally offset angularity of the rows. 
     FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the heat sink embodiment shown in FIG.  18 . 
     FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be arrayed in non-staggered rows, and wherein each pin is illustrated to have approximately the same square cross-sectional shape which represents a diamond cross-sectional shape in the context of its corresponding row. 
     FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the heat sink embodiment shown in FIG.  20 . 
     FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an inventive heat sink embodiment wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be arrayed in non-staggered rows, wherein each pin is illustrated to have approximately the same square cross-sectional shape, and wherein the pins are illustrated to project from a non-planar (curved) base surface. 
     FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of an inventive heat sink embodiment characterized by a non-planar (curved) base surface such as shown in FIG. 22, illustrating terminal evenness (coextensiveness) of the pins. 
     FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of an inventive heat sink embodiment characterized by a non-planar (curved) base surface such as shown in FIG. 22, illustrating terminal unevenness (noncoextensiveness) of the pins. 
     FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of a heat sink embodiment characterized by a planar (flat) base surface such as shown in FIG.  1  through FIG. 21, illustrating terminal unevenness (noncoextensiveness) of the pins. 
     FIG. 26, FIG. 27, FIG.  28  and FIG. 29 are diagrammatic top plan views of an inventive heat sink embodiment wherein the base surface is shown to define a non-rectangular outline, more specifically a round (circular) outline, a triangular outline, a hexagonal outline and an irregular straight-and-curved outline, respectively. 
     FIG. 30 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be characterized by a tapered shape. 
     FIG. 31 is a diagrammatic perspective view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be characterized by a fin shape. 
     FIG. 32 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be characterized by nonparallel (oblique) orientations. 
     FIG. 33 is a diagrammatic top plan view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be characterized by non-uniformity or randomness in terms of their shapes, sizes, positions and overall arrangement. 
     FIG. 34 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of another inventive embodiment of a heat sink device, wherein the turbulence-enhancing support pins are illustrated to be characterized by regionalization of the pin locations. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIG.  1  through FIG. 4, manifold  33  is a housing fairly representative of that which was used by the U.S. Navy in association with testing of its inventive prototype. Manifold  33  houses support post block  34 . Support post block  34  includes a rectangular plate-like foundation (base)  36  and a plurality of turbulence-enhancing support pins  38  which project from foundation  36 . Each pin  38  has a pin end surface  39  which is opposite its pin root  37 . Foundation  36  has an upper foundation surface  40  and a lower foundation surface  41 . Each pin  38  is based at its pin root  37  in upper foundation surface  40 . 
     Manifold  33  further serves to channel the cooling fluid (liquid or gas)  42  through support pins  38 , thereby enhancing turbulent flow. Manifold  33  also provides an upper manifold surface  44  for mounting the object (e.g., device) to be cooled, such as power conversion module  46  which holds one or more electronic components  48 . 
     Power conversion module  46  includes module housing  50 , which houses the device baseplate  57 . Device baseplate  57  has a lower baseplate surface  58  and an upper baseplate surface  59 . Manifold-heatsink unit  52  comprises manifold  33  and heat sink  34 . 
     As illustrated in FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, power conversion module  46  is coupled with manifold-heatsink unit  52 . A seal (e.g., gasket or O-ring)  61  is provided with a cut-out to accommodate support post block  34 , device baseplate  57 , four corner module housing locations  54  and four corner manifold locations  56 . Seal  61  is sandwiched between power conversion module  46  and manifold  33 . 
     Module housing  50  is attached to manifold  33  wherein lower baseplate surface  58  is contiguous with respect to the pin ends  39 , the upper manifold surface  44  and seal  61 ; for example, seal  61  is positioned on upper manifold surface  44  and fastened to module housing  50  (e.g., via nuts and bolts) at the four corner modular locations  54  in correspondence with the four corner manifold locations  56 . 
     Once power conversion module  46  and manifold-heatsink unit  52  are joined, pin ends  39  of support pins  38  contact the device baseplate  57  at its lower baseplate surface  58 . Pins  38 , post-like members arranged in a regular array, occupy fluid passage  66 . 
     As shown in FIG.  2  through FIG. 4, each pin  38  extends from upper foundation surface  40  to lower baseplate surface  58  so as to have the same “special” pin height h pin  (wherein height h pin  is equal to the passage depth p, or the distance between pin end  39  and upper foundation surface  40 ), and the same “general” or “overall” pin height H (wherein height H is equal to the distance between pin end  39  and lower foundation surface  41 ). Support post block foundation height h sur , which measures the distance between planar upper foundation surface  40  and planar lower foundation surface  41 , is constant. 
     Since every pin  38  has the same special pin height h pin , and support post block foundation height h sur  is constant, the overall pin height H as shown can equally be designated height H of support post block  34 . It is noted that pins  38 , as shown, are parallel to each other and perpendicular to both upper foundation surface  40  and lower baseplate  15  surface  58 , which are parallel to each other; thus, each pin&#39;s length I pin  equals its height h pin . 
     Accordingly, support pins  38  provide mechanical support for device baseplate  57 . In this regard, support pins  38  act to prevent breakage in the event of a failure of power conversion module  46 . In addition, support pins  38  help the transition of fluid flow (of fluid  42 ) to a turbulent state, and enhance mixing to improve heat transfer from device baseplate  57 . 
     The fluid flow system will typically include fluid flow means (e.g., including fluid pumping means), fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means. In typical inventive practice, upper foundation surface  40  of foundation  36  will define a outline shape (e.g., a rectangular shape) which provides a flow cavity constrained by the device baseplate  57  and which lends itself to provisions of the inlet flow and the outlet flow at approximately opposite sides thereof, thereby promoting uniformity of the flow in relation to the entirety of the pin  38  array; that is, the heat sink&#39;s fluid passage  66  will typically be straight (configured linearly) and be disposed transversely with respect to upper foundation surface  40 , so that fluid enters at one side of upper heat sink surface  40  and exits at the opposite side thereof. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, cooling fluid  42  is generated pursuant to a fluid system  60  and is conveyed via inlet conduit  62  to passage inlet  64 . Cooling fluid  42  enters passage inlet  64  and is channeled through fluid passage  66  (a flow cavity, e.g., a slot) so that fluid  42  contacts device baseplate  57  and flows along its lower baseplate surface  58 . Fluid  42 , when passing through fluid passage  66 , also contacts foundation  36  and flows along its upper foundation surface  40 . Fluid  42  proceeds through fluid passage.  66  and exits passage outlet  68 , whereupon fluid  42  is conveyed through the outlet conduit  70 . In the light of this disclosure, the ordinarily skilled artisan who seeks to practice this invention will be capable of effectuating techniques pertaining to maintenance or constancy of the flow or stream of the working fluid such as fluid  42 . According to some embodiments of this invention, there are plural fluid passages  66  along with the plural passage inlets  64  and plural passage outlets  68  corresponding thereto. 
     Referring to FIG.  5  and FIG. 6, pins  38  are cross-sectionally shaped like diamonds and arranged as such in horizontal rows  90 . Rows  90  are in staggered relationship with each other so that pins  38  in alternating rows  90  are vertically (columnarly) aligned. Each pin  38  is cross-sectionally square, so that each rectangular side of pin  38  has the same length/width a; that is, every pin  38  has the same thickness in either bisectional direction. According to the U.S. Navy&#39;s test prototype, cross-sectional pin length/width a=0.127 cm. Foundation section  36  was rectangular in outline shape, having a heat sink length L=5.28 cm and a heat sink width W=3.43 cm. 
     Upper foundation surface  40  and lower foundation surface  41  are both planar. Every pin  38  has the same special pin height h pin  and the same general support post block  34  height H. The pin end surfaces  39  uniformly extend an overall pin height H from lower foundation surface  41 . Since upper foundation surface  40  and lower foundation surface  41  are both planar, support post block foundation height h sur  (the distance therebetween) is constant. 
     The pin  38  pattern shown in FIG.  5  and FIG. 6 can also be conceived to reveal cross-sectional diamond shapes arranged in vertical columns  92  so that alternating columns are horizontally (row-wise) aligned. Alternatively, the pin  38  pattern can be conceived to demonstrate diagonals  94  and cross-diagonals  96 , wherein: within each diagonal  94  or cross-diagonal  96  consecutive pins  38  have adjacent rectangular sides which are parallel and abutting; diagonals  94  are perpendicular to cross-diagonals  96 ; and, diagonals  94  and cross-diagonals  96  are each disposed at a forty-five degree angle with respect to length L and width W. The diagonal spacing S D  between pins  38  is shown to equal the cross-diagonal spacing S C  between pins  38 . According to the U.S. Navy&#39;s test prototype, diagonal spacing S D =cross-diagonal spacing S D =0.381 cm. 
     FIG.  1  through FIG. 6 basically depict the U.S. Navy&#39;s original inventive design. With reference to FIG. 7, some inventive embodiments similarly provide for engagement of pins  38  (more specifically, pin ends  39 ) with lower baseplate surface  58 , but in the absence of an enclosure-type housing providing inlet and outlet access, such as manifold  33 . For instance, device baseplate  57  and support post block  34  can be detachably or more permanently attached, e.g., adhesively or using auxiliary apparatus such as a pair of passage-accessabilizing brackets  72 , one of which accommodates fluid inlet and the other of which accommodates fluid outlet, such as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     The present invention admits of a diversity of embodiments. As elaborated upon hereinbelow, the inventive practitioner can vary one or more dimensional, configurational and/or geometric parameters, including but not limited to the following: (i) pin length and/or height; (ii) pin cross-sectional shape (e.g., circular versus triangular versus square, etc.); (iii) pin distribution (e.g., non-staggered rows versus staggered rows, angularity of row staggering, even or parallel row orientations versus offset row orientations, angularity of row orientation offset, etc.); (iv) pin spacing (e.g., distances between various pins in various directions); (v) passage depth (e.g., distance between modular baseplate and heat sink base section); (vi) passage shape (e.g., relative dispositions of modular baseplate and heat sink base section, contour (three-dimensional shape) of modular baseplate, contour (three-dimensional shape) of heat sink base section, etc.); (vii) heat sink base section&#39;s outline (two-dimensional) shape; (viii) heat sink base section&#39;s transverse dimensions; (ix) fluid inlet configuration; and, (x) fluid outlet configuration. 
     FIG.  1  through FIG. 7 essentially portray the original pin-and-base geometric scheme, as tested by the U.S. Navy. Reference now being made to FIG.  8  through FIG. 31, the present invention provides for multifarious alternatives with respect to the sizes, shapes, locations and spatial relationships characterizing pins  38  and foundation  36 . It is emphasized that inventive practice is not limited to the geometric modalities represented herein in the drawings. The geometric modalities shown in these figures are intended herein to be “generic” in nature because dissimilar geometric motifs can manifest similar principles and concepts; in particular, different geometries and forms of the pins and/or the base section can be used to generate attributes of mechanical support and/or thermal performance. It will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan who reads this disclosure that there are thematic commonalities among the diverse geometric modalities specifically disclosed herein, and that many geometric modalities not specifically disclosed herein can be inventively practiced in accordance with such thematic commonalities and in accordance with other inventive principles disclosed herein. 
     FIG.  8  and FIG. 9 illustrate an array of pins  38  each having a rectangular pin cross-section. Each pin  38  has a cross-sectional pin length x and a cross-sectional pin width y. The lengthwise pin spacing (distance between two consecutive pins in the lengthwise direction, i.e., within a given row  90 ) is represented as S L , and the widthwise pin spacing (distance between two consecutive rows  90  or pins  38  in the widthwise direction) is represented as S W . Similarly as shown in FIG.  5  and FIG. 6, rows  90  are in staggered relationship with each other so that pins  38  in alternating rows  90  are vertically (columnarly) aligned. As distinguished from FIG.  5  and FIG. 6, the pins  38  are rectangular as aligned within each row  90 ; hence, within each row  90 , consecutive pins  38  have adjacent rectangular sides which are parallel and abutting. 
     FIG.  10  and FIG. 11 similarly show a staggered relationship among rows  90  wherein pins  38  of alternating rows  90  are vertically (columnarly) aligned. Unlike pins  38  shown in FIG.  5  through FIG. 9, pins  38  shown in FIG.  10  and FIG. 11 are elliptical in cross-section. Here each pin  38  ellipse is characterized by a short diameter d 1  and a long diameter d 2 . If d 1  and d 2  are equal, then a circular cross-section results. The pin  38  array is characterized by lengthwise pin spacing S L  and widthwise pin spacing S W . Each pin has the same special pin height h pin  and the same total support post block pin height H. 
     FIG.  12  and FIG. 13 represent a quadrilateral cross-section of pins  38  which is not rectangular. Each pin  38  trapezoid is characterized by two unequal parallel sides, one having a length x 1  and the other having a length x 2 , wherein the distance therebetween is trapezoidal height y. Length x 1  can be greater than, less than or equal to length X 2 . If x 1 =x 2 , then a rectangular cross-section such as shown in FIG. 8 results. Again, each pin has an equal pin height h pin  and an equal total support post block height H, and the pin  38  array is characterized by lengthwise pin spacing S L  and widthwise pin spacing S W . Although a regular trapezoid pin  38  shape is shown, it can be considered that other four-sided pin  38  shapes can be inventively practiced, e.g., square, diamond, rectangle, rhombus, parallelogram, irregular or nondescript quadrilateral, etc. According to this invention, the triangular support pins  38  need not be equilateral, but can be characterized by any shape triangle. 
     FIG.  14  and FIG. 15 represent a triangular cross-section of pins  38 . As shown, the triangles are equilateral (and hence equiangular) and inverted. Each pin  38  triangle is characterized by three equal sides x, wherein the distance between two sides is triangular height (or triangular bisector) y. Lengthwise pin spacing S L  is the distance between rows  90 , and widthwise pin spacing S W  is the distance between the corresponding vertices of two adjacent pin  38  triangles. 
     FIG.  16  and FIG. 17 show an octagonal cross-section of pins  38 . Each pin  38  octagon has four pairs of equal, opposite sides; the first pair has length d 1 , the second pair has length d 2 , the third pair has length d 3 , and the fourth pair has length d 4 . FIG.  16  and FIG. 17 can be considered to demonstrate that not only triangular and quadrilateral geometric pin  38  shapes, but also any among a diversity of multiple-sided geometric (polygonal) pin  38  shapes, can be inventively practiced—e.g., pentagonal (five-sided), hexagonal (six-sided), septagonal (seven-sided), octagonal (eight-sided), nonogonal (nine-sided), decagonal (ten-sided), etc. Each polygonal side can be equal in length (thus rendering the polygon “regular”), or two or more polygonal sides can be unequal in length (thus rendering the polygon “irregular”). Moreover, one or more vertex angles formed by two adjacent polygonal sides can be “exterior” rather than “interior”; for instance, a ten-sided figure having alternating interior and exterior angles describes a five-pointed star shape. 
     Again, analogously as shown in FIG.  5  through FIG. 11, in FIG.  12  through FIG. 17 the pins  38  in every row  90  are staggered with respect to the pins  38  in the adjacent row or rows  90 , so that pins  38  in every other row  90  are vertically (columnarly) aligned. 
     Reference now being made to FIG.  18  and FIG. 19, pins  38  are aligned in rows similarly as shown in FIG.  5  through FIG. 17; however, here the rows are non-horizontally (obliquely) oriented. It can be considered that the pin  38  array shown in FIG.  18  and FIG. 19 represents an angularly offset variation of the pin  38  array shown in FIG.  5  and FIG.  6 . It is recalled that the pin  38  array shown in FIG.  5  and FIG. 6 can be thought of in various ways—for instance, considered to illustrate cross-sectional diamond shapes arranged in horizontal rows  90  so that alternating columns are vertically aligned, or considered to illustrate diagonals  94  and cross-diagonals  96  of square shapes which are orthogonal in relation to each other and at forty-five degree angles in relation to the heat sink length L. By comparison, the pin  38  array shown in FIG.  18  and FIG. 19 can be considered to illustrate cross-sectional diamond shapes arranged, in staggered fashion, in negatively sloped oblique rows  90 ′ (at angle θ a  with respect to heat sink length L) and positively sloped oblique columns  92 ′ which are at right angles to rows  90 ′. 
     Or, the pin  38  array shown in FIG.  18  and FIG. 19 can be considered to illustrate cross-sectional rectangular shapes arranged, in non-staggered fashion, in positively sloped oblique rows  90 ″ (at angle θ b  with respect to heat sink length L) and negatively sloped oblique columns  92 ″ which are at right angles to rows  90 ″, wherein lengthwise pin spacing S L ″ is the distance between adjacent oblique rows  90 ″, and wherein widthwise pin spacing S W ″ is the distance between adjacent oblique columns  92 ″. 
     Although rectangularly-shaped pin  38  cross-sections (having cross-sectional pin length m and cross-sectional pin width n) are portrayed in FIG.  18  and FIG. 19, it is readily appreciated by the ordinarily skilled reader of this disclosure that pin  38  cross-sections of any shape can be disposed either in angularly offset fashion (e.g., oblique with respect to a selected longitudinal line, such as an edge of the upper foundation surface  40 ) or in angularly non-offset fashion (e.g., parallel with respect to a selected longitudinal line, such as an edge of the upper foundation surface  40 ). FIG.  18  and FIG. 19 are merely exemplary insofar as generically demonstrating that inventive practice can use any combination of geometrical cross-sectional shapes, geometrical arrangements and angularities with respect to a longitude (e.g., angle θ can be any value greater than or equal to zero). In fact, the present invention encompasses a potentially infinite number of variations of cross-sectional shapes and locations of pins  38 . 
     FIG.  20  and FIG. 21 depict an array of pins  38  wherein each has a diamond post geometry. These pins  38  are analogous to those shown in FIG.  5  and FIG. 6 insofar as having a diamond post geometry. The two pin  38  arrays are distinguishable insofar as that shown in FIG.  5  and FIG. 6 is staggered, whereas that shown in FIG.  20  and FIG. 21 is not staggered. In addition to being both horizontally and vertically aligned, the pin  38  distribution shown in FIG.  20  and FIG. 21 is characterized by a sort of homogeneity or uniformity, since all pins  38  are equidistant in both the horizontal (indicated by lengthwise pin spacings S L ) and vertical (indicated by widthwise pin spacings S W ) directions. In other words, every pair of pins  38  in a row  90  has the same lengthwise pin spacing S L  (taken as the distance between corresponding rectangular vertices), every pair of pins  38  in a column  92  has the same widthwise pin spacing S W  (taken as the distance between corresponding rectangular vertices), and all values of lengthwise pin spacing S L  and widthwise pin spacing S W  are equal. 
     It is again emphasized that any number or geometric arrangement of support pins  38  can be used in inventive practice. With regard to the properties of staggeredness and uniformity (homogeneity), an inventive pin  38  array can be characterized by staggered uniformity, non-staggered uniformity, staggered nonuniformity or non-staggered non-uniformity. Further, any combination of two or more geometric pin  38  shapes can be used for a given pin  38  array. 
     Upper foundation surface  40  is isometrically depicted in FIG. 22 to be non-planar. As shown in FIG.  22  through FIG. 24, upper foundation surface  40  can be inventively practiced so as to have any of a diversity of “topographies.” The geometric configuration of an upper foundation surface  40  can be entirely planar, entirely non-planar, or some combination thereof. Assuming a planar (flat) lower foundation surface  41 : If upper foundation surface  40  is planar, then the support post block foundation height h sur  is constant; if the upper foundation&#39;surface  40  is non-planar, then the heat sink foundation height h sur  is variable. 
     The geometry of an upper foundation surface  40  can be characterized entirely by rectilinearity, entirely by curvilinearity, or by some combination thereof. A simple two-dimensional curve is shown in FIG. 22, wherein upper foundation surface  40  is curved in the x and z directions, but not curved in the y direction; however, it is readily envisioned, in light of this disclosure, that upper foundation surface  40  can be curved in any geometry in two dimensions (e.g., in the x and z directions, or the y and z directions) or three dimensions (e.g., in the x, y and z directions). In inventive practice, any random or rigid geometry may be used for upper foundation surface  40 , such as, but not limited to, triangular, oval and sinusoidal. 
     Furthermore, the surface roughness of the flow cavity can be varied in accordance with the present invention. Irrespective of the essential geometry defined by upper foundation surface  40 , the detailed geometry defined by upper foundation surface  40  can vary in terms of smoothness versus roughness. Not only the essential geometry, but also the detailed geometry of upper foundation surface  40 , can be selected so as to affect the flow of fluid  42  in a desired fashion. 
     In addition to the different upper foundation surface  40  geometries, there can be variation in the contour  98  defined by pin ends  39 . Pin ends  39  can define a contour  98  which is entirely planar, entirely non-planar, or some combination thereof. The geometry of contour  98  can be characterized entirely by rectilinearity, entirely by curvilinearity, or by some combination thereof. FIG.  23  and FIG. 24 are dissimilar; the pin ends  39  of pin  38  array shown in FIG. 23 define a planar (flat) contour  98 , whereas the pin ends  39  of pin  38  array shown in FIG. 24 define a non-planar (curved) contour  98 . 
     The foundations  36  shown in FIG.  1  through FIG. 21 each have a planar upper foundation surface  40  and a planar lower foundation surface  41 . The foundations  36  shown in FIG.  22  through FIG. 24 each have a non-planar upper foundation surface  40  and a planar lower foundation surface  41 . In FIG. 23, every pin  38  has the same total support block height H but its own uneven special pin height h pin  (which varies in accordance with the foundation height h sur  at the base (pin root  37 ) of pin  38 , wherein foundation height h sur  measures the distance between upper foundation surface  40  and lower foundation surface  41 ). In contrast, every pin  38  shown in FIG. 23 has a peculiar total support post block height H as well as a peculiar uneven special pin height h pin . Like the foundations  36  shown in FIG.  1  through FIG. 21, the foundation  36  shown in FIG. 25 has a planar upper foundation surface  40  and a planar lower foundation surface  41 ; however, the special pin heights h pin  vary (and, hence, the total support post block heights H vary), their pin ends  39  thereby describing a non-planar (curved) contour  98 . The contours  98  shown in FIG.  24  and FIG. 25 are similar, despite the dissimilarity of the respective lower foundation surfaces  41  associated therewith. 
     Accordingly, inventive practice can render the pin heights so as to define a contour  98  which conforms with the geometry of the lower baseplate surface  58 . The planar contour  98  shown in FIG. 23 would be more suitable for a planar lower baseplate surface  58 , whereas the non-planar contours  98  shown in FIG.  24  and FIG. 25 would be more suitable for a non-planar lower baseplate surface  58 . The pin ends  39  of any non-planar contour  98  can be rendered even more conformal with a non-planar lower baseplate surface  58  by providing concordant (e.g., slanted) pin end surfaces, such as pin end surface  39 s shown in FIG.  25 . 
     Further, according to this invention, adjustability (e.g., advanceability and retractability) of total support post block height(s) H can be provided so that contour  98  is adaptable to various lower baseplate surfaces  58 . Pin  38  array can be made as part of an insertable and removable auxiliary device which can be changed based upon the particular application. For instance, support post block  34  shown in FIG. 1 can represent such an auxiliary device. Replacable support post block  34 , including its array of elongated pins  38 , fits inside manifold cavity  35 , which is provided in manifold  33 . Support post block  34  is situated within manifold cavity  35  so that lower foundation surface  41  faces downward and upper foundation surface  40  faces upward, pins  38  thereby projecting outwardly from manifold cavity  33 . Thus, according to many inventive embodiments, the pin array-inclusive device (such as support post block  34 ) is an auxiliary device which is introducible into and withdrawable out of a housing (such as manifold  33 ). 
     Most of the figures herein portray an upper foundation surface  40  which is characterized by a rectangular outline shape, upper foundation surface  40  thus having a length L and a width W. This invention can be practiced with an upper upper foundation surface  40  having any of a variety of geometric configurations. As shown in FIG.  26  through FIG. 29, upper foundation surface  40  has various non-rectangular outline shapes  99 , viz., circular, triangular, hexagonal and irregular rectilinear-curvilinear, respectively. 
     In general, the examples described herein have involved support post blocks  34  having a lower foundation surface  41  which is planar (flat). Some inventive embodiments provide a non-planar lower foundation surface  41  which is conformable to, or otherwise suitable for engagement with, another surface which will underlie or abut lower foundation surface  41 . 
     It is reemphasized that the present invention can be practiced in association with any among a multiplicity of geometries. Any of the pin  38  array patterns illustrated in the drawings (and many others not specifically shown) can be inventively practiced regardless of the geometric nature (e.g., planar or non-planar) of upper foundation surface  40 , lower foundation surface  41 , pin end contour  98  or heat sink outline  99 . 
     Support pins  38  are shown in the previous figures to have unvarying cross-sectional geometry, thus having uniform thickness from top to bottom. Pins  38  can be tapered so that they are larger toward pin roots  37  and smaller toward top pin ends  39 , for example as shown in FIG. 30. A tapered pin  38  geometry could prove advantageous by decreasing the size of the pin end  39  surface which would be in contact with lower baseplate surface  58 . Irregular shapes such as fins can also be inventively implemented, for example as shown in FIG.  31 . In the light of this disclosure, any of the pin  38  arrays depicted herein as entailing longitudinally even pin  38  geometries can similarly be envisioned to entail longitudinally uneven (e.g., tapered) or irregular (e.g., fin-like) pin  38  geometries. 
     Support pins  38  are shown in the previous figures to be approximately parallel with respect to each other; that is, pins  38  can be conceived to describe corresponding longitudinal axeswhich are approximately parallel. When upper foundation surface  40  is shown to be flat, each pin  38  is shown to be approximately normal with respect to upper foundation surface  40 . Referring to FIG. 32, inventive practice can prescribe parallelism of two or more pins  38  and/or nonparallelism of two or more pins  38 . According to this invention, all pins  38  can be approximately parallel to each other and approximately perpendicular to a flat upper foundation surface  40 . Alternatively, all pins  38  can be approximately parallel to each other and oblique with respect to a flat upper foundation surface  40 . Or, some pins  38  can be parallel and some pins  38  can be oblique. FIG. 32 illustrates how, in accordance with the present invention, pins  38  can manifest practically any orientation with respect to each other and practically any orientation with respect to upper foundation surface  40 . 
     Every pin  38  array depicted in the previous drawings is characterized by cross-sectional geometric identity or sameness of the pins  38 . In inventive practice, the pins typically, but not necessarily, have the same cross-sectional geometries. For instance, with reference to FIG. 33, a pin  38  array can represent a randomly arranged and “hybridized” combination of variously shaped pins  38 . As shown in FIG. 33, the rows are in random order and not parallel. Further, pins  38  are represented by different geometric entities. 
     Hence, two or more types of geometrically shaped pins  38  can be combined in one support post block  34 . For example, a single support post block  34  can include at least one triangular pin  38 , at least one elliptical pin  38 , at least one rectangular pin  38 , at least one octagonal pin  38 , at least one irregularly shaped pin, etc. 
     Another possible mode of inventive “hybridization” would involve the regionalization of various pin  38  array patterns. For instance, a first section of the pin  38  array exhibits a particular staggered distribution modality, while a second section thereof exhibits a particular non-staggered distribution modality. It is also possible in inventive practice to combine the two hybridization themes of cross-sectional differentiation and distributional differentiation. 
     Again referring to FIG.  2  through FIG. 4, pins  38  are shown to be made part of the overall support post block  34  structure, protruding from the upper foundation surface  40  of foundation  36 , toward and contacting the lower baseplate surface  58  of device baseplate  57 . However, inventive practice can provide for the fabrication of pins  38  as part of the power conversion module  46  structure rather than as part of the support post block  34  structure. Generally according to such inventive embodiments, pins  38  would extend downward from lower baseplate surface  58  of device baseplate  57 , instead of extending upward from upper foundation surface  40  of foundation  36 . In other words, pins  38  would protrude from lower baseplate surface  58  of device baseplate  57 , toward and contacting the upper foundation surface  40  of foundation  36 . Thus, rather than extend upward so as to contact the top of the coolant flow passage, pins  38  would be extending downward so as to contact the bottom of the coolant flow passage, thereby comparably providing support for device baseplate  57  (and, hence, power conversion module  46 ). 
     In addition, not all of the pins  38  need to project so as to contact the opposite surface. In typical inventive practice, every pin  38  projects from upper foundation surface  40  so as to contact lower baseplate surface  58 . However, one or more pins  38  can intentionally be rendered “short” (i.e., not contacting lower baseplate surface  58 ), thereby affording different flow characteristics. This principle can be effectuated whether pins  38  project from upper foundation surface  40  toward lower baseplate surface  58 , or from lower baseplate surface  58  toward upper foundation surface  40 . 
     In inventive practice, components can be made from a wide variety of materials, generally at least in part depending upon whether or not corrosion is a concern. In particular, the support pin  38  array can have a composition selected from a diversity of materials. Selection of the pin  38  material composition would depend upon various factors, such as the material composition of device baseplate  57 , the significance of corrosiveness, the supportability of such material composition in relation to power conversion module  46 , or other material compatibility concerns. Pins  38  can comprise metal, metal alloy, plastic, rubber, wood, etc. 
     There are numerous fluids (gaseous or liquid) which are conventionally used for cooling purposes in heat sink applications, any of which can be used in practicing the present invention. Air is commonly used to dissipate low heat fluxes, such as in desktop computers. 
     Depending on the specific application, utilization of liquids for the cooling of electronic equipment is generally governed by certain requirements, principles and considerations. Among the many such requirements, principles and considerations which would possibly be applicable in inventive practice are the following: (i) A high thermal conductivity will yield a high heat transfer rate. (ii) High specific heat of the fluid will require a smaller mass flow rate of the fluid. (iii) Low viscosity fluids will cause a smaller pressure drop, and thus require a smaller pump. (iv) Fluids with a high surface tension will be less likely to cause leakage problems. (v) A fluid (e.g., liquid) with a high dielectric strength is not required in direct fluid (e.g., liquid) cooling. (vi) Chemical compatibility of the fluid and the heat sink material is required to avoid problems insofar as the fluid reacting to the material with which it comes in contact. (vii) Chemical stability of the fluid is required to assure that the fluid does not decompose under prolonged use. (viii) Nontoxic fluids are safe for personnel to handle and use. (ix) Fluids with a low freezing point and a high boiling point will extend the useful temperature ranges of the fluid; however, for most practical applications, a fluid should be selected to meet the operating conditions of the component to be cooled. (x) Low cost is desirable to maintain affordable systems. 
     Fluid-cooled heat sinks used in electronic enclosures and such contexts are usually water-cooled. The heat sink is cooled by the water which is passed therethrough. In many electronic applications, distilled or demineralized water is used to increase the dielectric strength of the water, thereby avoiding electrically coupling components. High heat removal rates can be achieved by circulating water systems. Anhydrous refrigerants are used in place of water to keep temperatures of heat sinks at subzero temperatures, thereby increasing the performance of the electronic components. Examples of refrigerants other than water include ammonia, carbon dioxide, CFC-based refrigerants such as R-12 (dichlorodifluoromethane or “freon”), HCFC-based refrigerants such as R134A, and non-CFC substitutes (e.g., for freon) such as R-406A. 
     The U.S. Navy, during testing of the inventive apparatus, used water in its liquid form as the coolant. The U.S. Navy preferred liquid (deionized or demineralized) water as the coolant due to many factors (environmentally benign, low cost, availability, simplicity of design, non-health hazard, low corrosivity, compatibility with most materials, ease of use, etc.). 
     Other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. Various omissions, modifications and changes to the principles described may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention which is indicated by the following claims.