US5729431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat sink for a portable personal computer
Assignee: RPX Corp
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Filing: 1995-04-07
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Granted: 1998-03-17
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Expires: 2015-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A passive heat sink for use in a portable personal computer includes a thermal mass, such as an aluminum plate, that is adapted to make thermal contact with the CPU or IC, whose temperature is to be regulated. The thermal mass is formed to enable excess heat from the CPU or integrated circuit to be channeled away by thermal conduction from the CPU or IC and dissipated or released in the computer housing, such as the keyboard, which can tolerate limited amounts of heat. In order to accommodate CPU's and IC's of different thicknesses, a thermally conductive spacer, for example, formed from copper, may be secured to the CPU or integrated circuit by way of a thermally conductive adhesive, and, in turn, placed in contact with the thermal mass. With such a configuration, the space requirements for the heat sink within the portable personal computer for cooling are minimized, while the expense of more expensive cooling systems such as heat tubes and Oasis-type cooling systems is obviated.
Inventors
- 👤 Ramesh Marwah
- 👤 Elisa E. Zappacosta
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/203; G06F1/1601; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1618; G06F1/1632; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1637; G06F1/1654; G06F1/1656
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus in a portable personal computer system that includes a keyboard, central processing unit (CPU) and other integrated circuits for passively removing heat from said CPU and said other integrated circuits within said portable personal computer, the apparatus comprising: a heat sink, said heat sink including a first predetermined thermal mass; a thermally conductive support plate supporting said keyboard, said keyboard spaced away from said CPU; first means providing a thermal conduction path between said CPU and said first predetermined thermal mass, said first means including a thermally conductive spacer formed in a generally T-shape; second means providing a thermal conduction path between said first predetermined thermal mass and said thermally conductive support plate, said thermally conductive support plate forming a second predetermined thermal mass for operating as a heat sink for said CPU to dissipate heat towards said keyboard.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus in a portable personal computer system that includes a keyboard, central processing unit (CPU) and other integrated circuits for passively removing heat from said CPU and said other integrated circuits within said portable personal computer, the apparatus comprising: a heat sink, said heat sink including a first predetermined thermal mass; a thermally conductive support plate supporting said keyboard, said keyboard spaced away from said CPU; first means providing a thermal conduction path between said CPU and said first predetermined thermal mass, said first means including a thermally conductive spacer formed in a generally T-shape; second means providing a thermal conduction path between said first predetermined thermal mass and said thermally conductive support plate, said thermally conductive support plate forming a second predetermined thermal mass for operating as a heat sink for said CPU to dissipate heat towards said keyboard.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
147 words
An apparatus in a portable personal computer system that includes a keyboard, central processing unit (CPU) and other integrated circuits for passively removing heat from said CPU and said other integrated circuits within said portable personal computer, the apparatus comprising: a heat sink, said heat sink including a first predetermined thermal mass, said first predetermined thermal mass formed from an aluminum plate in two sections and connected together by a thermally conductive strap; a thermally conductive support plate supporting said keyboard; said keyboard spaced away from said CPU; first means providing a thermal conduction path between said CPU and said predetermined thermal mass; second means providing a thermal conduction path between said predetermined thermal mass and said thermally conductive support plate, said thermally conductive support plate forming, a second predetermined thermal mass for operating as a heat sink for said CPU to dissipate heat towards said keyboard.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
147 words
An apparatus in a portable personal computer system that includes a keyboard, central processing unit (CPU) and other integrated circuits for passively removing heat from said CPU and said other integrated circuits within said portable personal computer, the apparatus comprising: a heat sink, said heat sink including a first predetermined thermal mass, said first predetermined thermal mass formed from an aluminum plate in two sections and connected together by a thermally conductive strap; a thermally conductive support plate supporting said keyboard; said keyboard spaced away from said CPU; first means providing a thermal conduction path between said CPU and said predetermined thermal mass; second means providing a thermal conduction path between said predetermined thermal mass and said thermally conductive support plate, said thermally conductive support plate forming, a second predetermined thermal mass for operating as a heat sink for said CPU to dissipate heat towards said keyboard.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-16 | 2001-09-15 | 2002-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-16 | 2005-09-15 | 2006-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-16 | 2009-09-15 | 2010-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |