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US6069792A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Computer component cooling assembly

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-09-16
•
Granted: 2000-05-30
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Expires: 2017-09-16
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Abstract

Abstract The conventional rails of a standard computer chassis are removed and elongated heat sink members, having substantially the same general dimensions as the rails, are substituted for the rails to provide highly conductive heat transfer from the hard disk drive to which the heat sink members are connected. Moreover, the heat sink members are provided with channels along their entire length through which air flow can be directed to provide additional heat removal by convection. Air flow is preferably facilitated by use of small fans located at the ends of the heat sink members, at least one such fan for each such heat sink member which fits within the width and height outline of the disk drive/heat sink member combination thereby requiring minimal space and no alteration to existing computer chassis dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, a thermally conductive pad is positioned between the heat sink members and the respective mating surfaces of the disk drive or other component to facilitate enhanced heat conduction therebetween.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jacob Nelik

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 11:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; G06F1/184; G06F1/187; G06F1/20

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim 113 words
A computer component cooling assembly for conductive and convective cooling of a computer component within a generally enclosed computer chassis frame, the chassis of the type in which components are secured by side rails to the chassis frame; the assembly comprising: a pair of heat sink members, each said member having a plurality of air flow channels positioned between opposed surfaces, one of said surfaces being affixed to a computer component to be cooled and the other of said surfaces being connected directly to said chassis frame instead of said rails; and a pair of air fans, one such fan positioned relative to each such member for directing air flow through said channels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 113 words
A computer component cooling assembly for conductive and convective cooling of a computer component within a generally enclosed computer chassis frame, the chassis of the type in which components are secured by side rails to the chassis frame; the assembly comprising: a pair of heat sink members, each said member having a plurality of air flow channels positioned between opposed surfaces, one of said surfaces being affixed to a computer component to be cooled and the other of said surfaces being connected directly to said chassis frame instead of said rails; and a pair of air fans, one such fan positioned relative to each such member for directing air flow through said channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
The assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said members extend along substantially the entire length of said component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
The assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said members extend beyond the entire length of said component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
The assembly recited in claim 1 further comprising a thermally conductive pad positioned between each said member and said computer component.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said computer component comprises a hard disk drive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
The assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said fans have a dimensional outline which is within the dimensional outline of said members and said component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 41 words
The assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said members and said component together have a substantially rectangular cross-section having a height and a width and wherein said fans do not extend beyond said height and do not extend beyond said width.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 26 words
The assembly recited in claim 1 further comprising a second pair of fans positioned relative to said members for further increasing air flow through said members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 117 words
A computer disk drive cooling assembly for conductive and convective cooling of a computer disk drive within a generally enclosed computer chassis frame, the chassis of the type in which disk drives are secured by side rails to the chassis frame; the assembly comprising: a pair of heat sink members, each said member having a plurality of air flow channels positioned between opposed surfaces, one of said surfaces being affixed to a computer disk drive to be cooled and the other of said surfaces being connected directly to said chassis frame instead of said rails; and a pair of air fans, one such fan positioned relative to each such member for directing air flow through said channels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 117 words
A computer disk drive cooling assembly for conductive and convective cooling of a computer disk drive within a generally enclosed computer chassis frame, the chassis of the type in which disk drives are secured by side rails to the chassis frame; the assembly comprising: a pair of heat sink members, each said member having a plurality of air flow channels positioned between opposed surfaces, one of said surfaces being affixed to a computer disk drive to be cooled and the other of said surfaces being connected directly to said chassis frame instead of said rails; and a pair of air fans, one such fan positioned relative to each such member for directing air flow through said channels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
The assembly recited in claim 9 wherein said members extend along substantially the entire length of said disk drive.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 18 words
The assembly recited in claim 9 wherein said members extend beyond the entire length of said disk drive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
The assembly recited in claim 9 further comprising a thermally conductive pad positioned between each said member and said computer disk drive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 26 words
The assembly recited in claim 9 wherein said fans have a dimensional outline which is within the dimensional outline of said members and said disk drive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 41 words
The assembly recited in claim 9 wherein said members and said disk drive together have a substantially rectangular cross-section having a height and a width and wherein said fans do not extend beyond said height and not extend beyond said width.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 26 words
The assembly recited in claim 9 further comprising a second pair of fans positioned relative to said members for further increasing air flow through said members.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-05-30 2003-11-29 2004-05-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-05-30 2007-11-29 2008-05-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-05-30 2011-11-29 2012-05-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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