Pinbloc pinsinks

Innovative process producing pinfin heatsink from pure aluminium

220 W/mK conductivity giving improvements in performance over similar sized extruded and die-cast heatsinks of 30% and 40% respectively

Pinbloc heatsinks are pressed from a single aluminium block taking the form of an array of pins or posts of circular cross-section. This is not extrusion! The material is pure aluminium, with a high heat conductivity of 220 W/mK. The key to the performance of the design is the precise form, dimensions and spacing of the cylindrical pins. When an airflow blows through the forest of pins, each one gives rise to or "sheds" (as any object placed in a fluid stream will tend to do) vortices that propagate downstream in the flow. The proportions of its design results in the vortex shedding giving rise to almost completely turbulent flow around the pins, with no flow shadows or stagnant regions. This yields optimal heat transfer from the pins to the airflow, and the crystalline structure of the metal that forms the pins in the pressing process improves thermal conductivity. The design is also very effective in natural convective cooling, as well as in the forced-air configuration.

Independent tests have measured thermal performance 30% better than extruded heatsinks of comparable dimension, and 40% better than cast structures. Pinbloc can use its process to make heatsinks with base plates of differing shapes, and can also supply a composite copper/aluminium base layer to improve heat distribution.

More information: www.pinbloc.com