New patent shows how Surface Neo and Duo could stay cool

A newly revealed patent shows off a potential cooling system for the upcoming Surface Neo and Surface Duo (via Windows United). The patent shows heat pipes and vapor chambers extending across the hinge of a device.

The Surface Neo and Surface Duo appear to be very thin devices, which could increase the importance of well-designed thermal dissipation.

The patent was published on November 21, 2019, and filed for on May 17, 2018. Its description explains how a vapor chamber could help cool the device by extending through the hinge.

Examples are disclosed that relate to heat transfer devices comprising a vapor chamber and a flexible hinge. One disclosed example provides an electronic device comprising a first portion and a second portion connected by a hinge region, and a vapor chamber extending from the first portion to the second portion across the hinge region, the vapor chamber comprising a first layer comprising titanium, a second layer comprising titanium joined to the first layer to form the vapor chamber, a working fluid within the vapor chamber, and a third layer comprising titanium positioned between the first layer and the second layer, the third layer comprising one or more features configured to conduct the working fluid via capillary action.”