Patent ID: 8221089

Claim:
A magnetic pump for integration with a mechanically flexible thermal spreader, said magnetic pump comprising: a casing, the casing configured for being connected to a mechanically flexible substrate of the thermal spreader, the casing defining a flow channel having an inlet, and outlet, and a plurality of flow straightening channels provided between the inlet and the outlet and configured to separate and straighten the flow of an electrically conductive liquid flowing through the flow channel; and a plurality of magnets, the plurality of magnets configured for being integrated with and at least partially enclosed by the casing, the plurality of magnets configured for applying a magnetic field to an electrically-conductive liquid, said magnets further configured for implementation with a plurality of electrodes, said electrodes being integrated within the mechanically flexible substrate for generating an electrical current flow through said liquid via a voltage applied across said electrodes, said magnets, in combination with said electrodes, configured for providing a pumping force for circulating the electrically-conductive liquid within an internal channel of an electrically-conductive cooling loop of the mechanically flexible substrate for promoting thermal conductivity of the thermal spreader; wherein said casing is configured to fully contain the applied magnetic field and to focus the magnetic field into the liquid metal when the casing is connected with the mechanically flexible substrate; and wherein the plurality of flow straightening channels are provided outside the applied magnetic field and the electrical current flow through the electrically conductive liquid.