Detecting thermal interface material (‘TIM’) between a heat sink and an integrated circuit
US9316603B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 11, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N25/18
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Detecting TIM between a heat sink and an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including TIM detection points adapted to receive TIM upon installation of the heat sink and including a TIM detection device configured to be activated upon contact with TIM, including: receiving, upon installation of the heat sink on the integrated circuit and the TIM, TIM in one or more of the TIM detection points; activating, by the TIM in each of the one or more TIM detection points receiving the TIM, a TIM detection device; determining, by a TIM detection module of the integrated circuit in dependence upon the activations of the TIM detection devices, sufficiency of the TIM; and responsive to determining that the TIM between the heat sink and the integrated circuit is insufficient, controlling, in real-time by the TIM detection module, operation of the integrated circuit to reduce heat generated by the integrated circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.