Patent · US Expired

Integrated circuit dual cooling paths and method for constructing same

US5673176A · kind A · utility

38Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 6, 1995
Grant dateSep 30, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 6, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F1/203
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A thermal transfer circuit is provided for dissipating thermal energy within a portable minicomputer. The thermal transfer circuit is formed during assembly of the personal computer. Specifically, the thermal transfer circuit embodies dual cooling paths for extracting thermal energy from opposing surfaces of an encapsulated integrated circuit. The dual path thermal transfer circuit is formed by drawing the integrated circuit between an upper path heatsink assembly and a lower path heatsink assembly. Thermal connection of heatsink assemblies to corresponding integrated circuit surfaces, either directly or indirectly, allows enhanced dissipation of power-consumptive integrated circuits, such as modern day CPUs. Clamping of the upper and lower heatsink assemblies occurs in equal and opposite force directions normal to opposed integrated circuit surfaces. The normal clamping forces eliminate application of shear force components upon integrated circuit surfaces and the deleterious effects of surface mount lead dislodgment.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.