Electrowetting Heat Spreading for Mobile Device Hotspots

The patent implements dynamic thermal management by making the liquid flow path configurable through electrowetting actuators. The system can dynamically adjust liquid flow directions and paths based on real-time temperature distributions, enabling adaptive hotspot reduction rather than static passive cooling. This dynamic control allows the same physical infrastructure to address varying thermal conditions efficiently.

The patent introduces an electrowetting device as an intermediary between the heat-generating integrated devices and the liquid cooling system. This intermediary uses electrical fields to control liquid movement, providing precise thermal management without direct mechanical contact with the integrated devices. The electrowetting actuator serves as a non-intrusive mediator that enables sophisticated thermal control while maintaining device simplicity.

The patent transforms fixed liquid flow paths into dynamic, reconfigurable paths using electrowetting actuators. Multiple liquid flow channels are provided with controllable valves or actuators that can direct liquid flow to different regions based on thermal conditions. This enables the system to adapt to varying thermal loads and hotspot locations without requiring multiple complete cooling systems.

The patent designs a multi-functional liquid cooling system where a single liquid cooling device can serve multiple thermal management functions. By providing reconfigurable liquid flow paths, the same cooling infrastructure can address different thermal scenarios, cool multiple integrated devices, and provide both localized hotspot reduction and overall thermal management, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems for each function.