U.S. patent application number 10/686864 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-21 for methods and apparatuses for transferring heat from microelectronic device modules.
Invention is credited to Janzen, Jeffery W., Johnson, Christopher S..
Application Number | 20050083648 10/686864 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34520812 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050083648 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Janzen, Jeffery W. ; et
al. |
April 21, 2005 |
METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR TRANSFERRING HEAT FROM MICROELECTRONIC
DEVICE MODULES
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for transferring heat from
microelectronic device modules are disclosed. An apparatus in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention can include first
and second heat transfer portions positioned to face toward
opposing faces of a microelectronic device module. Heat transfer
fins having different length can extend away from at least one of
the heat transfer portions. In one embodiment, the heat transfer
fins can be integrally formed with other portions of the apparatus.
In other embodiments, modules carrying the heat transfer devices
can be mounted at an acute angle relative to a support structure
(such as a PCB) so that heat transfer fins from one module can
extend adjacent to the end region of the neighboring module. This
arrangement can increase the rate at which heat is transferred away
from the modules, and can increase the utilization of a limited
heat transfer volume within a device, such as a computer.
Inventors: |
Janzen, Jeffery W.;
(Meridian, ID) ; Johnson, Christopher S.;
(Meridian, ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERKINS COIE LLP
PATENT-SEA
P.O. BOX 1247
SEATTLE
WA
98111-1247
US
|
Family ID: |
34520812 |
Appl. No.: |
10/686864 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.31 ;
257/E23.086; 257/E23.102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 2924/0002 20130101;
H01L 23/4093 20130101; H01L 2924/00 20130101; H01L 23/367 20130101;
H01L 2924/0002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/687 |
International
Class: |
H05K 005/00 |
Claims
I/we claim:
1. An apparatus for transferring heat from a microelectronic
device, comprising: a first heat transfer portion positioned to
face toward a first surface of a microelectronic device module; a
second heat transfer portion positioned to face toward a second
surface of the microelectronic device module, the second heat
transfer portion facing generally opposite from the first heat
transfer portion, at least a part of the first heat transfer
portion being spaced apart from the second heat transfer portion to
receive the microelectronic device module; an intermediate portion
disposed between the first and second heat transfer portions; a
first heat transfer fin having a first length and extending away
from at least one of the first heat transfer portion, the second
heat transfer portion and the intermediate portion; and a second
heat transfer fin extending away from at least one of the first
heat transfer portion, the second heat transfer portion and the
intermediate portion, the second heat transfer fin having a second
length different than the first length.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first heat transfer fin is
integrally connected with at least one of the first heat transfer
portion, the second heat transfer portion and the intermediate
portion, and wherein the second heat transfer fin is integrally
connected with at least one of the first heat transfer portion, the
second heat transfer portion and the intermediate portion.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second heat
transfer fins are the only heat transfer fins of the apparatus.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second heat
transfer portions are generally parallel and wherein the first and
second heat transfer fins extend generally normal to the first and
second heat transfer portions.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first heat transfer fin is
positioned closer than the second transfer heat fin to the
intermediate portion, and wherein the first length of the first
heat transfer fin in less than the second length of the second heat
transfer fin.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an opening is positioned
between the first and second heat transfer portions, the opening
being sized to receive the microelectronic device module, and
wherein the second heat transfer fin is positioned closer than the
first heat transfer fin to the opening, further wherein the second
heat transfer fin is longer than the first heat transfer fin.
7. A computer assembly, comprising: a connector configured to mount
to a support having a support plane, the connector having a
receptacle with an insertion axis oriented at an acute angle
relative to the support plane; a microelectronic device module
having at least a portion received in the receptacle, the
microelectronic device module having a first side and a second side
facing opposite from the first side, the microelectronic device
module including at least one microelectronic device; a heat
transfer unit coupled to the microelectronic device module, the
heat transfer unit including a heat transfer portion facing toward
the microelectronic device module and extending generally parallel
to the insertion axis, the heat transfer unit further including
first and second heat transfer fins integrally formed with and
extending away from the heat transfer portion.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the heat transfer portion
includes a first heat transfer portion facing toward the first side
of the microelectronic device module, and wherein the heat transfer
unit includes a second heat transfer portion facing toward the
second side of the module, and an intermediate portion extending
between the first and second portions, with the microelectronic
module positioned between the first and second heat transfer
portions.
9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the heat transfer portion
includes a first heat transfer portion facing toward the first side
of the microelectronic device module, and wherein the heat transfer
unit includes a second heat transfer portion facing toward the
second side of the module, and an intermediate portion extending
between the first and second portions, with the microelectronic
module positioned between the first and second heat transfer
portions, further wherein the first fin has a first length and the
second fin has a second length different than the first length.
10. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising a clip positioned
to releasably secure the heat transfer unit to the microelectronic
device module.
11. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the heat transfer unit is
attached to the microelectronic device module with at least one
fastener.
12. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the heat transfer portion and
the insertion axis are oriented at an angle of from about 30
degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the support plane.
13. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the heat transfer portion and
the insertion axis are oriented at an angle of about 45 degrees
relative to the support plane.
14. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the at least one
microelectronic device includes a memory chip.
15. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the first heat transfer fin has
a first length and the second heat transfer fin has a second length
different than the first length.
16. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the first and second heat
transfer fins terminate at approximately the same distance from the
support plane.
17. An apparatus for transferring heat from a microelectronic
device module, comprising: a first generally planar heat transfer
portion positioned to abut against a first surface of a
microelectronic device module, the first heat transfer portion
having a first end region and a second end region; a second
generally planar heat transfer portion positioned to abut against a
second surface of the microelectronic device module, the second
heat transfer portion facing generally opposite from the first heat
transfer portion and having a first end region and a second end
region, the first and regions of the first and second heat transfer
portions being spaced apart from each other to receive the
microelectronic device module; an intermediate portion positioned
between the second regions of the first and second heat transfer
portions; a first heat transfer fin having a first length and
extending away from at least one of the first, second and
intermediate portions; and a second heat transfer fin extending
away from at least one of the first, second and intermediate
portions, the second heat transfer fin having a second length
different than the first length.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first heat transfer fin
is integrally connected with at least one of the first heat
transfer portion, the second heat transfer portion and the
intermediate portion, and wherein the second heat transfer fin is
integrally connected with at least one of the first heat transfer
portion, the second heat transfer portion and the intermediate
portion.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first and second heat
transfer fins are the only heat transfer fins of the apparatus.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first and second heat
transfer portions are generally parallel and wherein the first and
second heat transfer fins extend generally normal to the first and
second heat transfer portions.
21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first heat fin is
positioned closer than the second heat fin to the intermediate
portion, and wherein the first length of the first heat fin in less
than the second length of the second heat fin.
22. A computer assembly, comprising: a support having a support
plane; a connector carried by the support, the connector having a
receptacle with an insertion axis; a microelectronic device module
having at least one microelectronic device and having at least a
portion received in the receptacle; and a heat sink having a first
portion, a second portion facing opposite from the first portion
and an opening into which the microelectronic device module is
received, the heat sink further having at least one fin extending
away from the module at an acute angle relative to the support.
23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the insertion axis is
positioned at an acute angle relative to the support plane.
24. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the at least one fin includes
a first fin and wherein the heat sink further includes a second
fin, with the first fin having a first length and the second fin
having a second length different than the first length.
25. The assembly of claim 22 wherein the at least one fin is
generally non-parallel with the insertion axis.
26. A computer assembly, comprising: a support having a support
plane; a first connector carried by the support, the first
connector having a receptacle with a first insertion axis
positioned at an acute first angle relative to the support plane; a
second connector carried by the support, the second connector
having a receptacle with a second insertion axis positioned at an
acute second angle relative to the support plane, the second angle
being at least approximately the same as the first angle; a first
module received in the first receptacle, the first module including
at least one microelectronic device and having a first end region
spaced apart from the support; a second module received in the
second receptacle, the second module including at least one
microelectronic device and having a second end region spaced apart
from the support; a first heat sink carried by the first module and
having at least one first fin oriented at an acute third angle
relative to the support plane; a second heat sink carried by the
second module and having at least one second fin oriented at an
acute fourth angle relative to the support plane, the at least one
second fin being positioned proximate to the first end region of
the first module, with the first end region being interposed
between the at least one second fin and the support.
27. The assembly of claim 26 wherein the first heat sink has a
first opening into which the first module is received, and wherein
the second heat sink has a second opening into which the second
module is received.
28. The assembly of claim 26, further comprising a clip positioned
to releasably secure the heat transfer unit to the microelectronic
module.
29. The assembly of claim 26 wherein the first module includes a
first face and a second face facing opposite from the first face,
and wherein the first heat sink includes a first portion facing
toward the first face, a second portion positioned facing toward
the second face, and an intermediate portion between the first and
second portions, further wherein the intermediate portion is
interposed between the support and the at least one second fin of
the second heat sink.
30. An apparatus for transferring heat from a microelectronic
device module, comprising: first heat transfer means for receiving
heat from a microelectronic device module, the first heat transfer
means being shaped to face toward a first surface of the module;
second heat transfer means for receiving heat from the
microelectronic device module, the second heat transfer means being
shaped to face toward a second surface of the microelectronic
device module, the second heat transfer means facing generally
opposite from the first heat transfer means, at least a part of the
first heat transfer means being spaced apart from the second heat
transfer means to receive the microelectronic device module; an
intermediate portion disposed between the first and second heat
transfer means; first fin means for transferring heat away from at
least one of the first and second heat transfer means, the first
fin means having a first length; and second fin means for
transferring heat away from at least one of the first and second
heat transfer means, the second fin means having a second length
different than the first length.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the first fin means is
integrally connected with at least one of the first heat transfer
means, the second heat transfer means and the intermediate portion,
and wherein the second fin means is integrally connected with at
least one of the first heat transfer means, the second heat
transfer means and the intermediate portion.
32. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the first and second heat
transfer means are generally parallel and wherein the first and
second fin means extend generally normal to the first and second
heat transfer means.
33. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the first fin means is
positioned closer than the second fin means to the intermediate
portion, and wherein the first length of the first fin means is
less than the second length of the second fin means.
34. A method for manufacturing a computer, comprising: mounting a
connector to a support, the support having a support plane, the
connector having a receptacle with an insertion axis oriented at an
acute angle relative to the support plane; electrically coupling a
microelectronic device module to the connector by inserting at
least a portion of the microelectronic device module into the
receptacle along the insertion axis, the microelectronic device
module having a first side, a second side facing opposite from the
first side and at least one microelectronic device; and coupling a
heat transfer unit in thermal communication with the
microelectronic device by positioning a heat transfer portion of
the heat transfer device to face toward the module, the heat
transfer portion extending generally parallel to the insertion
axis, the heat transfer device further including a first heat
transfer fin having a first length and extending away from the heat
transfer portion, the heat transfer device still further including
a second heat transfer fin having a second length different than
the first length and extending away from the heat transfer
portion.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the microelectronic device
module includes a first microelectronic device positioned on the
first side of the microelectronic device module and a second
microelectronic device positioned on the second side of the
microelectronic device module, further wherein the heat transfer
portion includes a first heat transfer portion and wherein the heat
transfer unit includes a second heat transfer portion, further
wherein coupling the heat transfer unit includes receiving the
microelectronic device module between the first and second heat
transfer portions.
36. A method for manufacturing a computer, comprising: mounting a
first connector to a support, the first connector having a first
receptacle with a first insertion axis positioned at an acute first
angle relative to the support; mounting a second connector to the
support, the second connector having a second receptacle with a
second insertion axis positioned at an acute second angle relative
to the support, the second angle being at least approximately the
same as the first angle; receiving a first microelectronic device
module in the first receptacle, the first microelectronic device
module including at least one microelectronic device and having a
first end region spaced apart from the support; receiving a second
microelectronic device module in the second receptacle, the second
module including at least one microelectronic device and having a
second end region spaced apart from the support; positioning a
first heat sink in thermal communication with the first module,
with at least one first fin of the first heat sink oriented at an
acute third angle relative to the support; and positioning a second
heat sink in thermal communication with the second module, with at
least one second fin oriented at an acute fourth angle relative to
the support, the at least one second fin being positioned proximate
to the first end region of the first module, with the first end
region being interposed between the at least one second fin and the
support.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein positioning a first heat sink
includes positioning a first heat sink having at least two first
fins, with one first fin having a different length than that of the
other.
38. The method of claim 36 wherein positioning a first heat sink
includes positioning a first heat sink having at least two first
fins, with one first fin having a different length than that of the
other and with ends of both first heat sinks being positioned at
approximately the same distance from the support.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to methods and
apparatuses for transferring heat from microelectronic device
modules.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In response to end-user demand, the computer industry has
continually reduced the size of computer components while
increasing the capabilities of the components. As the size of
computer components decreases and the computing power of these
components increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to transfer
heat away from the components at an adequate rate. As a result,
some components can overheat and fail. In other cases, the speed
and/or other operating parameters of the components can become
limited by the inability to reject heat from the components at a
rapid enough rate.
[0003] One approach to addressing the foregoing problems has been
to use heat transfer devices to accelerate the rate at which heat
is rejected from computer components. For example, as shown in FIG.
1A, a module assembly 10a in accordance with the prior art can
include a printed circuit board 11 which carries two packaged chips
12. Heat spreaders 13 are attached to each side of the printed
circuit board 11 proximate to the packaged chips 12. A thermally
conductive gap filler 14 is disposed between each heat spreader 13
and the adjacent packaged chip 12. Accordingly, the heat spreaders
13 can provide additional surface area (beyond that of the packaged
chips 12 themselves) by which to convectively remove heat from the
packaged chips 12. Devices such as those shown in FIG. 1A are
available from Rambus of Los Altos, Calif.
[0004] One potential drawback with the device shown in FIG. 1A is
that the heat spreaders 13 alone may not be adequate to cool the
packaged chips 12 at a rapid enough rate. One approach to
addressing this potential drawback is to add a finned heat sink to
the module assembly 10a. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, a module
assembly 10b in accordance with another aspect of the prior art
includes two heat sinks 15, one disposed adjacent to each of the
heat spreaders 13. The heat spreaders 13 are positioned adjacent to
the packaged chips 12 (as indicated by arrows A), the heat sinks 15
are positioned against the heat spreaders 13 (as indicated by
arrows B), and a clip 16 is disposed around the module assembly 10b
(as indicated by arrow C) to keep the components in close thermal
contact with each other.
[0005] One drawback with the module assembly 10b shown in FIG. 1B
is that the fins of the heat sinks 15 can preclude spacing adjacent
module assemblies 10b close to each other and can therefore make it
difficult to decrease the size of the computer or other electronic
device into which the module assemblies 10 are installed. Another
drawback is that the relatively large number of components included
in each module assembly 10b can make assembling the module 10b a
time consuming process, and can reduce the thermal continuity
between one component and the next.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate packaged chip module assemblies
having heat transfer devices in accordance with the prior art.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a partially schematic, isometric exploded
illustration of a module assembly having a heat transfer device in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional
illustration of a plurality of module assemblies installed in a
computer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIGS. 4A-4D are partially schematic, cross-sectional
illustrations of module assemblies having heat transfer devices in
accordance with further embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] A. Introduction
[0011] The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses
for transferring heat from microelectronic devices, including, but
not limited to, packaged memory chips. An apparatus in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention includes a first heat transfer
portion positioned to face toward a first surface of a computer
chip module, and a second heat transfer portion positioned to face
toward a second surface of the computer chip module. The second
heat transfer portion can face generally opposite from the first
heat transfer portion, and at least a part of the first heat
transfer portion can be spaced apart from the second heat transfer
portion to receive the computer chip module. An intermediate
portion can be disposed between the first and second heat transfer
portions, and the apparatus can further include first and second
heat transfer fins that each extend away from at least one of the
first heat transfer portion, the second heat transfer portion, and
the intermediate portion. The first heat transfer fin can have a
first length, and the second heat transfer fin can have a second
length different than the first length. In another aspect of the
invention, the heat transfer fins can be integrally formed with at
least one of the foregoing portions.
[0012] A computer assembly in accordance with another aspect of the
invention includes a support and a first connector carried by the
support. The first connector can have a receptacle with a first
insertion axis positioned at an acute first angle relative to the
support. A second connector carried by the support can have a
receptacle with a second insertion axis positioned at an acute
second angle relative to the support. The assembly can further
include a first module having a first end region spaced apart from
the support and being received in the first receptacle. A second
module having a second end region spaced apart from the support can
be received in the second receptacle. A first heat sink carried by
the first module can have at least one first fin oriented at an
acute third angle relative to the support, and a second heat sink
carried by the second module can have at least one second fin
oriented at an acute fourth angle relative to the support. The at
least one second fin can be positioned proximate to the first end
region of the first module, with the first end region being
interposed between the at least one second fin and the support.
[0013] A method in accordance with another aspect of the invention
includes mounting a first connector to a support, the first
connector having a receptacle with a first insertion axis
positioned at an acute first angle relative to the support. A
second connector can be mounted to the support and can have a
receptacle with a second insertion axis positioned at an acute
second angle relative to the support. The method can further
include receiving a first module in the first receptacle, receiving
a second module in the second receptacle, positioning a first heat
sink in thermal communication with the first module, and
positioning a second heat sink in thermal communication with the
second module. At least one fin of the second heat sink can be
positioned proximate to an end region of the first module, with the
end region of the first module being interposed between the at
least one second fin and the support.
[0014] B. Apparatuses and Methods in Accordance with Embodiments of
the Invention
[0015] Several specific details of the invention are set forth in
the following description and in FIGS. 2-4D to provide a thorough
understanding of certain embodiments of the invention. One skilled
in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may
have additional embodiments, and that other embodiments of the
invention may be practiced without several of the specific features
explained in the following description.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a partially schematic, partially exploded view of
a portion of a computer or other electronic device 100 having
components cooled in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the components can
include microelectronic devices 112 mounted to a substrate 111 to
form a module 120. In one aspect of this embodiment, the substrate
111 can include a printed circuit board (PCB), and the
microelectronic devices 112 can include packaged memory chips. In
other embodiments, the substrate 111 can include other structures,
and/or the microelectronic devices 112 can have other structures
and/or functions. In any of these embodiments, the microelectronic
devices 112 can be electrically coupled to contacts 122 for
electrical communication with other devices located off the module
120. The module 120 can include a first side 121a facing opposite
from a second side 121b. In one aspect of this embodiment, both the
first side 121a and the second side 121b can include
microelectronic devices 112 or other microelectronic devices. In
other embodiments, only a single side 121 of the module 120 can
include such devices, as described in greater detail below with
reference to FIG. 4A. In any of these embodiments, the
microelectronic devices 112 can be cooled with an integrally
formed, finned heat transfer device, as described in greater detail
below.
[0017] In one aspect of an embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the module
120 can be cooled with a heat transfer device 130 having a first
portion 131a and a second portion 131b. Each of the first and
second portions 131a, 131b can have a first region 136a and a
second region 136b. The first regions 136a can be separated by a
gap 133, and the second regions 136b can be connected with an
intermediate portion 131c. The heat transfer device 130 can further
include one or more heat transfer fins 132 (two are shown in FIG. 2
as a first fin 132a and a second fin 132b). In one aspect of this
embodiment, the first fin 132a can have a first length L1, and the
second fin 132b can have a second L2 that is different than the
first length L1. As will be described in greater detail below with
reference to FIG. 3, the different lengths of the first and second
fins 132a, 132b can provide for an enhanced rate of heat rejection
from the module 120, while also allowing adjacent modules 120 to be
positioned closely to each other.
[0018] To assemble the heat transfer device 130 with the module
120, the heat transfer device 130 can be positioned over the module
120, as indicated by arrows E so that the module 120 is received in
the gap 133. In one aspect of this embodiment, a thermally
conductive paste or other formable, thermally conductive material
114 can be disposed on the outward facing surfaces of the
microelectronic devices 112, and/or on the inward facing surfaces
of the first and second portions 131a, 131b. The thermally
conductive material 114 can increase the rate at which heat is
transferred from the microelectronic devices 112 to the first and
second portions 131a, 131b. The heat transfer device 130 can be
attached to the module 120 with an adhesive, or with mechanical
fasteners 135, or with the friction between the surfaces of the
microelectronic devices 112 and the first and second portions 131a,
131b.
[0019] In one aspect of the foregoing embodiments, the heat
transfer device 130 can include a highly thermally conductive
metallic material, such as aluminum or copper. In other
embodiments, the heat transfer device 130 can include other
metallic or nonmetallic materials that are also highly thermally
conductive. In any of these embodiments, the fins 132 can be
integrally formed with the other portions of the heat transfer
device 130, (e.g., the first, second, and intermediate portions
131a-131c). For example, the entire heat transfer device 130 can be
molded as a single piece so as to have no readily separable
mechanical connections between its component parts. An advantage of
this arrangement is that the heat transfer device 130 can provide a
single, continuous and uninterrupted heat conductive path between
the microelectronic devices 112 and the environment external to the
module 120. A further advantage is that the heat transfer device
130 can be less time consuming to install on the module 120.
[0020] The module 120 can be electrically coupled to the computer
100 before or after the heat transfer device 130 is coupled to the
module 120. In one embodiment, the computer 100 includes a chassis
101 (a portion of which is visible in FIG. 2) and a support 102
positioned to receive the module 120. The support 102 can include a
printed circuit board, (e.g., a motherboard), or another suitable
support structure. The support 102 can also include a connector 103
having a receptacle 104 positioned to receive the contacts 122 of
the module 120. In one aspect of this embodiment, the receptacle
104 can have a slot configuration to receive the contacts 122.
Accordingly, the module 120 can be inserted into the receptacle 104
along an insertion axis 105, as indicated by arrows F. In one
aspect of this embodiment, the insertion axis 105 can be inclined
relative to the support 102 at an acute angle G. As described in
greater detail below with reference to FIG. 3, this arrangement can
allow multiple modules 120 to be positioned in close proximity to
each other while also allowing heat to be transferred away from the
first and second fins 132a, 132b at a relatively high rate.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a partially schematic, cross-sectional
illustration of the computer 100 with a plurality of module
assemblies 110 installed in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, each module assembly
110 can include a module 120 and a heat transfer device 130. Each
module assembly 110 can be inserted into a corresponding connector
103 and can accordingly be inclined at the acute angle G relative
to the support 102. In one embodiment, angle G can have a value of
from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the support
102. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, the angle G can
have a value of about 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle G
can have other acute values. In any of the foregoing embodiments,
the fins 132a, 132b of one module assembly 110 can extend adjacent
to the fins 132a, 132b and an end region 117 of an adjacent module
assembly 110. An advantage of this arrangement is that the module
assemblies 110 can be installed in close proximity to each other
without the fins 132a, 132b of one module assembly 110 interfering
with the fins 132a, 132b of its neighbor. Suitable connectors 103
having the foregoing features are available from Molex, Inc. of
Lisle, Ill.
[0022] In one embodiment, the computer 100 can include an adjacent
structure 106 positioned proximate to the support 102 and the
module assemblies 110. In a particular aspect of this embodiment,
the adjacent structure 106 can include a power supply or a portion
of the chassis 101. In other embodiments, the adjacent structure
106 can include other components. In any of these embodiments, the
adjacent structure 106 can be spaced apart from the support 102 by
a distance D. Accordingly, the fins 132a, 132b can be sized to come
close to or touch the adjacent structure 106. In still another
aspect of this embodiment, the longer fin 132b is positioned closer
to the corresponding connector 103 than is the shorter fin 132a.
This arrangement is possible in part because the module assemblies
110 are inclined at the acute angle G relative to the support 102.
An advantage of this arrangement is that the longer fin 132b can
increase the rate at which heat is transferred away from the module
assembly 120. Accordingly, providing the heat sink 130 with fins
having different lengths can make increased use of the limited
space available between the support 102 and the adjacent structure
106.
[0023] In other embodiments, a computer or other electronic device
100 can carry module assemblies having different arrangements. For
example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the computer 100 can carry module
assemblies 410a, each of which includes microelectronic devices 112
positioned on only one side of a substrate 411. A corresponding
heat transfer device 430a of each module assembly 410a can
accordingly include a heat transfer portion 431 carrying a
plurality of heat transfer fins 432a (three are shown in FIG. 4A).
In one aspect of this embodiment, the heat transfer device 430a can
be releasably attached to the module 420 with a clip 434. In other
embodiments, the heat transfer device 430a can be coupled to the
module 420 with other devices. In any of these embodiments, the
module assemblies 410a can be oriented at an acute angle G relative
to the support 102, and the heat transfer fins 432a can extend
adjacent to an end region 417 of the neighboring module assembly
410a. Adjacent heat transfer fins 432a can have different lengths
to take advantage of the tapered volume between the module 420 and
the adjacent structure 106. Accordingly, the module assemblies 410a
can be relatively closely spaced while still providing a relatively
high rate of heat transfer from the microelectronic devices
112.
[0024] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, a computer or other
electronic device 100 can support module assemblies 410b having a
different arrangement of heat transfer fins 432b. In one aspect of
this embodiment, the heat transfer fins 432b can extend generally
normal to the support 102 and the adjacent structure 106. In
another aspect of this embodiment, the heat transfer fins 432b can
be attached to a module 420 that is inclined at an acute angle H
having a value less than that of angle G shown in FIG. 3. In a
particular aspect of this embodiment, the acute angle H can be
about 30 degrees. In other embodiments, the acute angle H can have
other values. In any of these embodiments, the heat transfer fins
432b can enhance the rate at which heat is removed from the
corresponding module 420 without interfering with the heat transfer
fins 432b of the adjacent module 420. For example, each module 420
can be generally parallel to its neighbor, and the heat transfer
fins 432b of each module assembly 410b can be generally parallel to
those of the neighboring module assembly 410b.
[0025] In still another embodiment (shown in FIG. 4C) a computer or
other electronic device 100 can support a plurality of module
assemblies 410c, each inclined at an acute angle G relative to the
support 102, and each having a heat transfer device 430c with a
single heat transfer fin 432c. In one aspect of this embodiment,
the heat transfer fins 432c can also be inclined at the acute angle
G. Accordingly, adjacent modules 420c can be generally parallel to
each other, and the heat transfer fins 432c of adjacent module
assemblies 410c can also be generally parallel to each other as
described above. This arrangement can allow close spacing between
adjacent module assemblies 410c while permitting enhanced heat
transfer from each module assembly 410c.
[0026] In still a further embodiment (shown in FIG. 4D) a computer
or other electronic device 100 can support module assemblies 420d
that do not overlap each other but instead extend generally normal
to the support 102 and the adjacent structure 106. Each module
assembly 420d can include an integrally formed heat transfer device
430d having heat transfer fins 432d. In one aspect of this
embodiment, the heat transfer fins 432d can be oriented at an acute
angle J relative to the support 102 and/or the adjacent structure
106. Accordingly, adjacent module assemblies 410d can be generally
parallel to each other, and the heat transfer fins 432d of adjacent
module assemblies 410d can also be generally parallel to each
other.
[0027] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific
embodiments of the invention have been described herein for
purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be
made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Other embodiments of the invention can include the features
described above arranged in combinations not explicitly described
with reference to FIGS. 2-4D. Accordingly, the invention is not
limited except as by the appended claims.
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