US5855119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for cooling electrical components
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-20
•
Granted: 1999-01-05
•
Expires: 2017-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for cooling an electrical component is disclosed which comprises a sorber containing a sorbent; a condenser in fluid communication with the sorber; an evaporator in fluid communication with both the sorber and the condenser and connected in heat-exchange relation to the electrical component; wherein a sorbate which has been condensed in the condenser is evaporated in the evaporator, thereby absorbing heat from the electrical component, and then adsorbed onto the sorbent; an electromagnetic wave generator; a waveguide coupler for directing the electromagnetic waves to the sorbent; wherein the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and condensed in the condenser; and wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is substantially isothermal.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis M. Pfister
- 👤 Charles M. Byrd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:47
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/2029; H05K7/20363; F; F25; F25B; F25B17/00; F25B17/08; F25B35/00; F25B35/04; F25B39/00; F25B39/02; F25B39/026; F25B49/00; F25B49/04; F25B49/046; F25D; F25D23/00; F25D23/12; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/70; H05B6/701; H05B6/80; H05B6/802; H05B6/808; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/70; H10W40/73; F25B2333/00; F25B2333/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
An apparatus for cooling an electrical component which comprises: at least one sorber having a housing forming an enclosure; a sorbent located within the enclosure; the sorber including at least one port through which a sorbate may be communicated to the sorbent; wherein the sorbate is adsorbed by the sorbent to form a sorbate/sorbent compound; an electromagnetic wave generator; means for coupling electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generator to the sorber; wherein electromagnetic waves transmitted by the electromagnetic wave generator are propagated through the enclosure to desorb the sorbate from the sorbate/sorbent compound; wherein the sorbate/sorbent compound is not heated by the electromagnetic waves to a degree sufficient to thermally desorb the sorbate from the sorbate/sorbent compound; a condenser connected downstream of the sorber in communication with the enclosure; an evaporator connected between the condenser and the port and coupled in heat-exchange relation to the electrical component; and a controllable valve interposed between the condenser and the evaporator; wherein sorbate which is desorbed in the sorber is condensed in the condenser and then controllably released into the evaporator to create a cooling effect and thereby cool the electrical component, after which the sorbate is drawn back into the sorber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
201 words
An apparatus for cooling an electrical component which comprises: at least one sorber having a housing forming an enclosure; a sorbent located within the enclosure; the sorber including at least one port through which a sorbate may be communicated to the sorbent; wherein the sorbate is adsorbed by the sorbent to form a sorbate/sorbent compound; an electromagnetic wave generator; means for coupling electromagnetic waves generated by the electromagnetic wave generator to the sorber; wherein electromagnetic waves transmitted by the electromagnetic wave generator are propagated through the enclosure to desorb the sorbate from the sorbate/sorbent compound; wherein the sorbate/sorbent compound is not heated by the electromagnetic waves to a degree sufficient to thermally desorb the sorbate from the sorbate/sorbent compound; a condenser connected downstream of the sorber in communication with the enclosure; an evaporator connected between the condenser and the port and coupled in heat-exchange relation to the electrical component; and a controllable valve interposed between the condenser and the evaporator; wherein sorbate which is desorbed in the sorber is condensed in the condenser and then controllably released into the evaporator to create a cooling effect and thereby cool the electrical component, after which the sorbate is drawn back into the sorber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the evaporator comprises: a evaporator housing having a depending shroud adapted to be positioned over the electrical component; a manifold located in the evaporator housing above the shroud; a plurality of holes connecting the manifold with a space encompassed by the shroud; an inlet for providing fluid communication between the manifold and the condenser; and an outlet for providing fluid communication between the space and the sorber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of interconnecting branches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the holes are preferably approximately 0.004 to 0.030 inch in diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sorber comprises a hollow outer conductor and an inner conductor extending coaxially into the outer conductor, the inner and outer conductors being sized and spaced to form a waveguide for the electromagnetic waves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the coupling means comprises a waveguide which is electrically coupled to the inner and outer conductors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the coupling means comprises a coaxial connector which is electrically coupled to the inner and outer conductors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the coupling means further comprises a coaxial cable connected between the electromagnetic wave generator and the coaxial connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the inner conductor extends substantially the length of the outer conductor and the sorbent is positioned between the inner and outer conductors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is constructed of a dielectric material and the sorber comprises a first stripline transmission line formed in or positioned adjacent the housing for propagating the electromagnetic waves through the sorbent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first stripline transmission line comprises a ground plane conductor located on a first side of the enclosure and a stripline conductor located on a side of the enclosure opposite the first side.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the coupling means comprises a second stripline transmission line which is electrically coupled to the first stripline transmission line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the coupling means comprises a coaxial connector which is electrically coupled to the first stripline transmission line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the coupling means comprises a waveguide which is electrically coupled to the first stripline transmission line.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic wave generator comprises a solid state device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a circuit board which is adapted to be removably plugged into an expansion slot of a computer; wherein the sorber, the electromagnetic wave generator and the coupling means are mounted on the circuit board.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the housing is constructed of a dielectric material and the sorber comprises a first stripline transmission line formed in or positioned adjacent the housing for propagating the electromagnetic waves onto the sorbent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the electromagnetic wave generator comprises a solid state device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sorber and the evaporator are integrated into a single structure which is adapted to be connected to a circuit board.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the electromagnetic wave generator comprises a solid state device which is integrated into the single structure.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for cooling an electrical component which comprises: at least one sorber containing a sorbent; a condenser in fluid communication with the sorber; an evaporator in fluid communication with both the sorber and the condenser and coupled in heat-exchange relation to the electrical component; wherein a sorbate which has been condensed in the condenser is evaporated in the evaporator, thereby absorbing heat from the electrical component, and then adsorbed onto the sorbent; means for generating electromagnetic waves; means for coupling the electromagnetic waves to the sorber; wherein the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and then condensed in the condenser; wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is primarily isothermal.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for cooling an electrical component which comprises: at least one sorber containing a sorbent; a condenser in fluid communication with the sorber; an evaporator in fluid communication with both the sorber and the condenser and coupled in heat-exchange relation to the electrical component; wherein a sorbate which has been condensed in the condenser is evaporated in the evaporator, thereby absorbing heat from the electrical component, and then adsorbed onto the sorbent; means for generating electromagnetic waves; means for coupling the electromagnetic waves to the sorber; wherein the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent by the electromagnetic waves and then condensed in the condenser; wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is primarily isothermal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the sorber comprises: a housing forming an enclosure for the sorbent, the housing being constructed of a dielectric material; means for propagating the electromagnetic waves onto the sorbent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the propagating means comprises a first stripline transmission line formed in or positioned adjacent the housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first stripline transmission line comprises a ground plane conductor located on a first side of the enclosure and a stripline conductor located on a side of the enclosure opposite the first side.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the coupling means comprises a second stripline transmission line which is electrically coupled to the first stripline transmission line.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the coupling means comprises a coaxial connector which is electrically coupled to the first stripline transmission line.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the coupling means further comprises a coaxial cable connected between the generating means and the coaxial connector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the coupling means comprises a waveguide which is electrically coupled to the first stripline transmission line.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the propagating means comprises a first waveguide.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the coupling means comprises a second waveguide which is electrically coupled to the first waveguide.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the first and second waveguides comprise a single waveguide.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the coupling means comprises a coaxial connector which is electrically coupled to the first waveguide.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the coupling means further comprises a coaxial cable connected between the generating means and the coaxial connector.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the evaporator comprises: an evaporator housing having a depending shroud adapted to be positioned over the electrical component; a manifold located in the evaporator housing above the shroud; a plurality of holes connecting the manifold with a space encompassed by the shroud; an inlet for providing fluid communication between the manifold and the condenser; and an outlet for providing fluid communication between the space and the sorber.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the manifold comprises a plurality of interconnecting branches.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the holes are preferably approximately 0.004 to 0.030 inch in diameter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the sorber comprises a hollow outer conductor and an inner conductor extending coaxially into the outer conductor, the inner and outer conductors being sized and spaced to form a waveguide for the electromagnetic waves.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the inner conductor extends substantially the length of the outer conductor and the sorbent is positioned between the inner and outer conductors.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the coupling means comprises a waveguide electrically coupled to the inner and outer conductors.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the coupling means comprises a coaxial connector electrically coupled to the inner and outer conductors.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the coupling means further comprises a coaxial cable connected between the generating means and the coaxial connector.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the generating means comprises a solid state electromagnetic wave generating device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: a circuit board which is adapted to be removably plugged into an expansion slot of a computer; wherein the sorber, the generating means and the coupling means are mounted on the circuit board.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the sorber comprises: a housing forming an enclosure for the sorbent, the housing being constructed of a dielectric material; means for propagating the electromagnetic waves onto the sorbent.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the propagating means comprises a waveguide.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the propagating means comprises a stripline transmission line formed in or positioned adjacent the housing.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the generating means comprises a solid state electromagnetic wave generating device.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the sorber and the evaporator are integrated into a single structure which is adapted to be connected to a circuit board.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the generating means comprises a solid state electromagnetic wave generating device which is integrated into the single structure.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of cooling an electrical component comprising the steps of: providing a sorbate; providing a sorbent; connecting an evaporator in heat-exchange relation with the electrical component; evaporating the sorbate in the evaporator to absorb heat from the electrical component; adsorbing the evaporated sorbate onto the sorbent; desorbing the sorbate from the sorbent using electromagnetic energy, wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is primarily isothermal; and condensing the desorbed sorbate.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of cooling an electrical component comprising the steps of: providing a sorbate; providing a sorbent; connecting an evaporator in heat-exchange relation with the electrical component; evaporating the sorbate in the evaporator to absorb heat from the electrical component; adsorbing the evaporated sorbate onto the sorbent; desorbing the sorbate from the sorbent using electromagnetic energy, wherein the desorption of the sorbate from the sorbent is primarily isothermal; and condensing the desorbed sorbate.
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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) | 2002-01-04 | 2002-07-06 | 2003-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-04 | 2006-07-06 | 2007-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-04 | 2010-07-06 | 2011-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |