heat sink
Noun: A heat sink is a passive cooling device. Its primary function is to absorb and dissipate unwanted heat away from a heat-generating component (like a computer's CPU or a power transistor) into the surrounding environment, typically the air. It is usually made of metal with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper, and features fins or pins to increase its surface area for more effective heat radiation and convection.
The term "heat sink" is used to describe the physical component responsible for thermal management in electronic and mechanical systems. * The central processing unit (CPU) requires a heat sink and a fan to prevent overheating. * Engineers selected a copper heat sink for its superior thermal conductivity. * A common problem is dust clogging the fins of the heat sink, reducing its cooling efficiency.
- To act as a heat sink: This phrase describes something absorbing and neutralizing thermal energy.
- The large mass of the ocean acts as a heat sink, moderating global climate.
- Passive/Active heat sink: A heat sink relies solely on natural convection, while an heat sink uses forced air (from a fan) or liquid cooling to enhance heat dissipation.
- Heat spreader (n): A simpler, often flat plate used to distribute heat from a small source over a larger area before it reaches the main heat sink.
- Cooling fin (n): One of the many thin protrusions on a heat sink designed to maximize surface area.
- Thermal management (n): The broader engineering field concerned with controlling temperature in systems.
- Cooler
- Thermal dissipater
- Heat dissipation: The process of spreading heat away from its source.
- Thermal conductivity: A material's ability to conduct heat.
- To attach/mount a heat sink: The common verb collocation for installing this component, often using thermal paste for better contact.
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a metal conductor specially designed to conduct (and radiate) heat
