US6356444B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Card shelf heat transfer system and method
Assignee: Fujitsu Ltd
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Filing: 1999-06-03
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Granted: 2002-03-12
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Expires: 2019-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A method for transferring thermal energy from an electronic card in a card shelf includes providing a divider configured for high absorption of thermal energy adjacent to an electronic card in the card shelf. Thermal energy generated by the electronic card is absorbed in the divider and transferred away from the electronic card via the divider. The divider may include a roughened surface texture, surface coating, or other dull surface exhibiting high thermal energy absorption properties. The divider may convectively transfer the thermal energy away from the electronic card. The divider may also be thermally coupled to a heatsink to conductively transfer the thermal energy away from the electronic card.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Pedoeem
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:50
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20536; H05K7/20554; H05K7/20563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A card shelf comprising: a backplane; a plurality of slots each configured to receive an electronic card adapted for engagement with the backplane; a top member disposed upwardly from the slots and having a plurality of openings; a bottom member disposed downwardly from the slots and having a plurality of openings; and a plurality of dividers disposed between the slots in the card shelf, each divider comprising a thermally conductive material, the openings of the top and bottom members operable to provide for an airflow through the card shelf adjacent the dividers; and the dividers disposed throughout the card shelf to prevent airflow from being diverted from open areas of the card shelf.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A card shelf comprising: a backplane; a plurality of slots each configured to receive an electronic card adapted for engagement with the backplane; a top member disposed upwardly from the slots and having a plurality of openings; a bottom member disposed downwardly from the slots and having a plurality of openings; and a plurality of dividers disposed between the slots in the card shelf, each divider comprising a thermally conductive material, the openings of the top and bottom members operable to provide for an airflow through the card shelf adjacent the dividers; and the dividers disposed throughout the card shelf to prevent airflow from being diverted from open areas of the card shelf.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The card shelf of claim 1 , wherein each divider comprises a surface coating for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The card shelf of claim 1 , wherein each divider comprises a non-reflective surface for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The card shelf of claim 1 , wherein a divider is disposed between each slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The card shelf of claim 1 , further comprising an active cooling system coupled to the card shelf, the active cooling system operable to direct the airflow adjacent the dividers.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for transferring thermal energy from an electronic card in a card shelf, comprising: providing a sleeve comprising a thermally conductive material, the sleeve coupled to the electronic card, the sleeve and the electronic card adapted for insertion into the card shelf as a unit; absorbing thermal energy generated by the electronic card in the sleeve; providing an airflow through the card shelf adjacent the sleeve via openings formed in an upper member and a lower member of the card shelf; and transferring the thermal energy away from the electronic card via the sleeve.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for transferring thermal energy from an electronic card in a card shelf, comprising: providing a sleeve comprising a thermally conductive material, the sleeve coupled to the electronic card, the sleeve and the electronic card adapted for insertion into the card shelf as a unit; absorbing thermal energy generated by the electronic card in the sleeve; providing an airflow through the card shelf adjacent the sleeve via openings formed in an upper member and a lower member of the card shelf; and transferring the thermal energy away from the electronic card via the sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein providing a sleeve comprises providing a sleeve having a surface coating for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein providing a sleeve comprises providing a sleeve having a non-reflective surface for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein transferring the thermal energy comprises conducting the thermal energy to a heatsink via the sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein transferring the thermal energy comprises convecting the thermal energy away from the electronic card via the sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein providing a sleeve comprises providing a sleeve having a roughened surface for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for transferring thermal energy from an electronic card in a card shelf, comprising: providing an electronic card adapted for engagement with a backplane of the card shelf; disposing the electronic card within a sleeve, the sleeve comprising a thermally conductive material, the sleeve and the electronic card coupled to each other to form a unit; inserting the unit into the card shelf to engage the electronic card with the backplane; absorbing thermal energy generated by the electronic card in the sleeve; providing an airflow through the card shelf adjacent the sleeve via openings formed in an upper member and a lower member of the card shelf; and transferring the thermal energy away from the electronic card via the sleeve.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for transferring thermal energy from an electronic card in a card shelf, comprising: providing an electronic card adapted for engagement with a backplane of the card shelf; disposing the electronic card within a sleeve, the sleeve comprising a thermally conductive material, the sleeve and the electronic card coupled to each other to form a unit; inserting the unit into the card shelf to engage the electronic card with the backplane; absorbing thermal energy generated by the electronic card in the sleeve; providing an airflow through the card shelf adjacent the sleeve via openings formed in an upper member and a lower member of the card shelf; and transferring the thermal energy away from the electronic card via the sleeve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein disposing the electronic card within a sleeve comprises disposing the electronic card within a sleeve having a surface coating for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein disposing the electronic card within a sleeve comprises disposing the electronic card within a sleeve having a non-reflective surface for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein disposing the electronic card within a sleeve comprises disposing the electronic card within a sleeve having a roughened surface for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein transferring the thermal energy comprises conducting the thermal energy to a heatsink of the card shelf via the sleeve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
122 words
A card shelf comprising: a backplane; a plurality of electronic cards each adapted for engagement with the backplane; a plurality of sleeves each comprising a thermally conductive material, wherein each electronic card is coupled to and disposed within a corresponding sleeve to form a unit for insertion into the card shelf; a plurality of slots each configured to receive one of the units for engagement of the electronic card with the backplane; a top member disposed upwardly of the slots and having a plurality of openings; and a bottom member disposed downwardly of the slots and having a plurality of openings, the openings of the top and bottom members operable to provide for an airflow through the card shelf adjacent the sleeves.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
A card shelf comprising: a backplane; a plurality of electronic cards each adapted for engagement with the backplane; a plurality of sleeves each comprising a thermally conductive material, wherein each electronic card is coupled to and disposed within a corresponding sleeve to form a unit for insertion into the card shelf; a plurality of slots each configured to receive one of the units for engagement of the electronic card with the backplane; a top member disposed upwardly of the slots and having a plurality of openings; and a bottom member disposed downwardly of the slots and having a plurality of openings, the openings of the top and bottom members operable to provide for an airflow through the card shelf adjacent the sleeves.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The card shelf of claim 17 , wherein each sleeve comprises a roughened surface for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The card shelf of claim 17 , wherein each sleeve comprises a surface coating for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The card shelf of claim 17 , wherein each sleeve comprises a non-reflective surface for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The card shelf of claim 17 , wherein each sleeve comprises a plurality of sidewalls disposed about a corresponding electronic card.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The card shelf of claim 17 , further comprising an active cooling system coupled to the card shelf, the active cooling system operable to direct the airflow adjacent the sleeves.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
123 words
A heat transfer system for a card shelf comprising: a backplane; an electronic card adapted for engagement with the backplane; a sleeve coupled to the electronic card, the sleeve comprising a plurality of sidewalls disposed about the electronic card, the sleeve and the electronic card adapted for insertion into the card shelf as a unit, the sidewalls each comprising a thermally conductive material for absorption of thermal energy generated by the electronic card; a top member disposed upwardly from the sleeve and having a plurality of openings; and a bottom member disposed downwardly from the sleeve and having a plurality of openings, the openings of the top and bottom members operable to provide for an airflow through the card shelf adjacent the sleeve.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
123 words
A heat transfer system for a card shelf comprising: a backplane; an electronic card adapted for engagement with the backplane; a sleeve coupled to the electronic card, the sleeve comprising a plurality of sidewalls disposed about the electronic card, the sleeve and the electronic card adapted for insertion into the card shelf as a unit, the sidewalls each comprising a thermally conductive material for absorption of thermal energy generated by the electronic card; a top member disposed upwardly from the sleeve and having a plurality of openings; and a bottom member disposed downwardly from the sleeve and having a plurality of openings, the openings of the top and bottom members operable to provide for an airflow through the card shelf adjacent the sleeve.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein the sidewalls each comprise a roughened surface configured for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein the sidewalls each comprise a surface coating for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein the sidewalls each comprise a non-reflective surface for high absorption of thermal energy.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein the sleeve is adapted for engagement with a heatsink in the card shelf to conductively transfer the thermal energy away from the electronic card within the sleeve.
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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) | 2005-03-11 | 2005-09-10 | 2006-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-11 | 2009-09-10 | 2010-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-11 | 2013-09-10 | 2014-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |