US5137283A — Thermally conductive gasket device

Claim 1

Independent Claim 94 words

A thermally conductive gasket of the type employed for use between interfaces, comprising a pliable gasket member having an internal chamber and fabricated from a material capable of withstanding a given temperature, and a low melting temperature core having a melting temperature less than said given temperature, said core being positioned within said internal chamber in which a vacuum is provided, whereby when said gasket is employed at a temperature sufficient to cause said core material to melt, said material flows and conforms to voids in said interfaces between which said gasket is employed.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 94 words

A thermally conductive gasket of the type employed for use between interfaces, comprising a pliable gasket member having an internal chamber and fabricated from a material capable of withstanding a given temperature, and a low melting temperature core having a melting temperature less than said given temperature, said core being positioned within said internal chamber in which a vacuum is provided, whereby when said gasket is employed at a temperature sufficient to cause said core material to melt, said material flows and conforms to voids in said interfaces between which said gasket is employed.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 12 words

A gasket according to claim 1, wherein said internal chamber is vacuumized.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 18 words

A gasket according to claim 1, wherein said pliable gasket member is formed from a high temperature plastic.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

A gasket according to claim 1, wherein said pliable gasket member is formed from a first planar member and a second planar member, said first and second planar members being joined to one another at their peripheral edges.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

A gasket according to claim 4, wherein said first and second planar members are each formed from an inner and outer planar member.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

A gasket according to claim 5, wherein said inner planar member is formed from polytetrafluorethylene.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

A gasket according to claim 5, wherein said inner planar member is formed from polypropylene.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

A gasket according to claim 7, wherein said polypropylene is formed having a low density.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

A gasket according to claim 1, wherein said low melting temperature core is formed from an alloy of the lead-bismuth type.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 16 words

A gasket according to claim 9, wherein said alloy is formed from bismuth, lead and tin.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 27 words

A gasket according to claim 5, wherein each of said first and second planar members includes a center layer secured between said inner and outer planar members.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 15 words

A gasket according to claim 11, wherein said center layer is formed from aluminum foil.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 51 words

A gasket according to claim 11, wherein each of said first and second planar members further include first and second intermediate layers, said first intermediate layer being secured between said inner layer and said center layer, and said second intermediate layer being disposed between said outer layer and said center layer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 44 words

A gasket according to claim 13, wherein said inner layer is formed from linear low-density polypropylene, said outer layer is formed from a biax nylon, said first and second intermediate layers are formed from polypropylene and said center layer is formed from aluminum foil.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 24 words

A gasket according to claim 1, wherein said gasket is employed at an interface between a heat emitting electronic device and a heat sink.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 20 words

A gasket according to claim 1, wherein said core material is positioned in said internal chamber in a powdered form.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

A gasket according to claim 1, wherein said gasket is re-usable for a successive application at another interface.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

A gasket according to claim 1, wherein said metal core will melt and flow at a temperature as low as 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 107 words

A thermally conductive gasket of the type employed for use between interfaces, comprising first and second pieces of planar material, each of said first and second pieces being pliable and having an inner and outer surface, said inner surfaces being positioned to face each other and joined about the periphery such that an internal chamber is formed between said first and second pieces, and a metal core having a melting temperature less than said first and second pieces, said core being positioned within said internal chamber in which a vacuum is also provided, whereby said core is encapsulated between said first and second pieces of planar material.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 107 words

A thermally conductive gasket of the type employed for use between interfaces, comprising first and second pieces of planar material, each of said first and second pieces being pliable and having an inner and outer surface, said inner surfaces being positioned to face each other and joined about the periphery such that an internal chamber is formed between said first and second pieces, and a metal core having a melting temperature less than said first and second pieces, said core being positioned within said internal chamber in which a vacuum is also provided, whereby said core is encapsulated between said first and second pieces of planar material.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 82 words

A method of providing a thermal interface between two mating surfaces, comprising the steps of: a) placing a low melting temperature material in a chamber in which a vacuum is provided and formed within a high temperature pliable housing; b) positioning said pliable housing between said surfaces; and c) heating said gasket to a sufficient temperature to cause said low melting temperature material to melt and to therefore flow and conform to voids in said interface between which said gasket is employed.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 82 words

A method of providing a thermal interface between two mating surfaces, comprising the steps of: a) placing a low melting temperature material in a chamber in which a vacuum is provided and formed within a high temperature pliable housing; b) positioning said pliable housing between said surfaces; and c) heating said gasket to a sufficient temperature to cause said low melting temperature material to melt and to therefore flow and conform to voids in said interface between which said gasket is employed.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1995-08-11	1996-02-10	1996-08-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1999-08-11	2000-02-10	2000-08-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2003-08-11	2004-02-10	2004-08-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Thermally conductive gasket device

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