US5796581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotational joint for hinged heat pipe cooling of a computer
Assignee: Lenovo PC International Ltd
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Filing: 1997-07-30
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Granted: 1998-08-18
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Expires: 2017-07-30
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement and method for enhancing the cooling capacity of portable personal computers. More particularly, disclosed is an arrangement and method for increasing the cooling capacity of laptop computers through the utilization of a double-shelled rotational heat conduction apparatus which dissipates heat to the rear side of a liquid-crystal display of the laptop computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence Shungwei Mok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 00:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
An arrangement for enhancing the cooling capacity of a computer having a bottom housing mounting a keyboard and containing at least one electronic component in said housing generating heat during operation of the computer; and a display panel hingedly connected with said housing proximate a rear edge thereof; said arrangement comprising at least one heat pipe structure extending between said at least one electronic component and heat dissipating means in said display panel, said at least one heat pipe structure including a first heat pipe portion having an end connected with said heat-generating electronic component and a second heat pipe portion having an end connected with said heat dissipating means; a first metal canister receiving an opposite end of said first heat pipe portion in thermal contact therewith; a second metal canister being screwed to said first metal canister to form a closed container construction; a third canister having a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameters of said first and second canisters said third canister receiving an opposite end of said second heat pipe, said third canister being arranged within said first and second canisters so as to be rotatable relative to said first and second canisters.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
An arrangement for enhancing the cooling capacity of a computer having a bottom housing mounting a keyboard and containing at least one electronic component in said housing generating heat during operation of the computer; and a display panel hingedly connected with said housing proximate a rear edge thereof; said arrangement comprising at least one heat pipe structure extending between said at least one electronic component and heat dissipating means in said display panel, said at least one heat pipe structure including a first heat pipe portion having an end connected with said heat-generating electronic component and a second heat pipe portion having an end connected with said heat dissipating means; a first metal canister receiving an opposite end of said first heat pipe portion in thermal contact therewith; a second metal canister being screwed to said first metal canister to form a closed container construction; a third canister having a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameters of said first and second canisters said third canister receiving an opposite end of said second heat pipe, said third canister being arranged within said first and second canisters so as to be rotatable relative to said first and second canisters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a perforated supporting ring radially supports said second heat pipe within said first and second canisters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first and second canisters form a sealed chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 3, wherein a second chamber is formed between said perforated supporting ring and an end wall of said second canister, said second chamber being filled with a thermally-conductive grease so as to provide a grease reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein gaps between said first and second canisters and said third canister and the portions of the heat pipes contained therein are filled with a thermally-conductive grease.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein said perforated supporting ring facilitates a flow of grease therethrough into said grease reservoir from said gaps upon heating of the arrangement and a flow of grease from said grease reservoir into said gaps upon cooling of said arrangement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said canisters collectively form a double-shelled rotatable joint facilitating rotational movement between said first and second canisters and said third canister about a concentric longitudinal axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein said canisters provide a heat-transfer structure between said heat pipe portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein two said arrangements are mounted in said computer in a spaced orientation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said computer is a laptop computer.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of enhancing the cooling capacity of a computer having a bottom housing mounting a keyboard and containing at least one electronic component in said housing generating heat during operation of the computer; and a display panel hingedly connected with said housing proximate a rear edge thereof; said method comprising: arranging at least one heat pipe structure extending between said at least one electronic component and heat dissipating means in said display panel, said at least one heat pipe structure including a first heat pipe portion connected with said heat-generating electronic component and a second heat pipe portion having an end connected with said heat dissipating means; a first metal canister receiving an opposite end of said first heat pipe portion in thermal contact therewith; a second metal canister being screwed to said first metal canister to form a closed container construction; a third canister having a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameters of said first and second canisters receiving an opposite end of said second heat pipe, said third canister being arranged within said first and second canisters so as to be rotatable relative to said first and second canisters.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of enhancing the cooling capacity of a computer having a bottom housing mounting a keyboard and containing at least one electronic component in said housing generating heat during operation of the computer; and a display panel hingedly connected with said housing proximate a rear edge thereof; said method comprising: arranging at least one heat pipe structure extending between said at least one electronic component and heat dissipating means in said display panel, said at least one heat pipe structure including a first heat pipe portion connected with said heat-generating electronic component and a second heat pipe portion having an end connected with said heat dissipating means; a first metal canister receiving an opposite end of said first heat pipe portion in thermal contact therewith; a second metal canister being screwed to said first metal canister to form a closed container construction; a third canister having a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameters of said first and second canisters receiving an opposite end of said second heat pipe, said third canister being arranged within said first and second canisters so as to be rotatable relative to said first and second canisters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a perforated supporting ring supports said second heat pipe within said first and second canisters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first and second canisters form a sealed chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said second chamber is formed between said perforated supporting ring and an end wall of said second canister, said second chamber being filled with a thermally-conductive grease so as to provide a grease reservoir.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein gaps between said first and second canisters and said third canister and the portions of the heat pipes contained therein are filled with a thermally-conductive grease.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said perforated supporting ring facilitates a flow of grease therethrough into said grease reservoir from said gaps upon heating of the arrangement and a flow of grease from said grease reservoir into said gaps upon cooling of said arrangement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said canisters collectively form a double-shelled rotatable joint facilitating rotational movement between said first and second canisters and said third canister about a concentric longitudinal axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said canisters provide a heat-transfer structure between said heat pipe portions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein two said arrangement are mounted in said computer in a spaced orientation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said computer is a laptop computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5621613A
Cited
US5646822A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-17 | 2002-02-16 | 2002-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-17 | 2006-02-16 | 2006-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-17 | 2010-02-16 | 2010-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |