Patent · US Active

Airflow sensor for a heat sink

US9874415B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
4References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 15, 2016
Grant dateJan 23, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 15, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF28F2200/00
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An airflow sensor for a heat sink has a first portion having a first electrical point of contact, a second portion have a second electrical point of contact, and a deformable portion made of an electroactive material electrically coupled to the first and second portions. The deformable portion has first electrical properties measured between the first and second electrical points of contact when there is no airflow and the deformable portion is in a first position, and has second electrical properties different than the first electrical properties when a source of airflow blows air against the deformable portion, thereby causing the deformable portion to extend to a second position farther away from the source of airflow than the first position. The airflow sensor can be incorporated into a heat sink for an electronic component.

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