Patent · US Expired

Phase change thermal interface material

US6391442B1 · kind B1 · utility

59Cited by
16References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 13, 2000
Grant dateMay 21, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 13, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T428/2998
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A thermal interface material (A) transfers heat from a heat source (12), such as a microprocessor, to a heat sink (14) for maintaining the microprocessor at a safe operating temperature. The interface material includes thermally conductive filler particles dispersed in a phase change material. The phase change material softens and flows at the operating temperature of the heat source, thereby providing good thermal contact with uneven surfaces of the heat source and heat sink, without excessive exudation and loss of the interface material. The phase change material includes a polymer component, such as an elastomer, and a melting point component, which adjusts the softening temperature of the phase change material to the operating temperature of the heat source.

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