Abstract:
A device is disclosed for interfacing with a variety of transducer types to generate a measurement value of a certain property. The device has at least one sensor block that in turn has at least one sensor channel containing sensor circuitry. The sensor circuitry is configured to cooperate with a particular transducer to generate an electrical signal representing the property. Connected to the sensor block is a control block. The control block has configuration circuitry for enabling the sensor circuitry. Additionally, the control block contains conversion circuitry for converting the signal to the measurement value using a conversion equation. A user interface provides the means for inputting configuration information and outputting the measurement value. In one embodiment, the sensor block also contains a multiplicity of sensor channels and multiplexing circuitry for enabling the control block to address each sensor channel individually. The device may also have a plurality of circuits in each sensor circuit. The configuration circuitry enables a selection of these circuits according to the transducer used and the measurement desired. This embodiment may also have conversion circuitry that is responsive to the configuration circuitry such that the conversion equation relates to the selection.
Abstract:
A heat sink assembly mount is provided. Generally the invention has a frame clip and a spring clip. The frame clip has one or more inwardly extending tabs and two or more vertically extending side portions. The one or more tabs are sized to fit over and removably couple to a heat producing device. The distance between the two or more vertically extending side portions is sized to hold a base portion of a heat sink and prevent horizontal motion of the heat sink. The spring clip couples to the frame clip and has a spring bias sized to produce a vertical force that presses the heat sink against a heat producing device.
Abstract:
A circuit board cooling system includes a thermally conductive element sandwiched between two circuit boards. The thermally conductive element of this thermal sandwich conducts heat away from both of the attached circuit cards. The thermally conductive element may be a solid slab of thermally conductive material, such as copper, it may be a hollow, substantially planar thermal conductor with an internally circulating cooling fluid, or it may be a substantially planar heat pipe, for example.
Abstract:
A heat exchanger is disclosed for dissipating heat from a heat generating component. The heat exchanger comprises a thermally conductive base in thermal communication with the component, a plurality of thermally conductive plate fins affixed to the base wherein the plate fins define a fin field and channels, and fluid control for controlling the fluid flow within the fin field. Fluid flow enters the fin field at an inlet region and flows through the channels to an outlet region, i.e. from left to right across the figures illustrated. The heat exchanger of the present invention comprises a fin field having an open region formed by the novel configuration and layout of the individual fins forming the fin field. The open region may be formed in various sections of the heat exchanger for achieving the desired results. The open region reduces friction on fluid passing through the channels of the fin field. In an alternative embodiment, the heat exchanger may comprise a flow guide extending across a top portion of the heat exchanger, wherein the flow guide has a plurality of turbulators for disturbing the fluid flow above the fin field and removing stagnation of fluid from the top region of the fin field.
Abstract:
Dissipation of the heat produced by the operation of electronic circuitry may be improved by a heat sink which comprises a flat base from which a number of vertical fins extend. The fins are parallel to one another and define a number of parallel channels into which coolant flow is directed. The thermal resistance of the heat sink is optimized by setting fin thickness and channel width parameters to appropriate values. The heat sink may be attached in a heat conductive manner to a heat producing electronic component. One or more of these heat sinked components may be laid out in an in-line or staggered arrangement on a support in the form of a circuit pack. Cooling fluid is delivered to the circuit pack in a variety of ways to cool the heat sinked components. A method of determining the optimum fin thickness and channel width parameters involves determining a relationship between total thermal resistance of the heat sink and combinations of fin thickness and channel width parameters. A contour plot is produced in accordance with the relationship referred to above. The contour plot shows regions of optimum heat dissipation for heat sinks in accordance with the geometry identified here.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus for providing forced air cooling of components mounted on circuit boards in a stacked configuration. A plurality of perforations is provided in the circuit boards so that air flow in the channel between boards causes air to be sucked through the perforations to eliminate stagnant areas between components and provide local jet impingement cooling.
Abstract:
A method for arranging components to be mounted on circuit packs to achieve improved cooling is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, components are arranged such that the longer dimension of each component is substantially parallel to the flow of a heat carrier as it streams from an inlet to an outlet. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, those components having larger aspect ratios are substantially placed near the outlet via which the heat carrier is removed.
Abstract:
One or more impingement plates, each of which includes one or more apertures, is located within an card cage running from top to bottom and from back to front of the card cage. Each impingement plate is located adjacent to one or more electronic components to be cooled. Channels formed on either side of the impingement plate allow for the ingress of a cooling fluid, the forcing of the cooling fluid through the one or more apertures within the impingement plate toward the electronics to be cooled, and the egress of the cooling fluid after it's contact with the electronics.
Abstract:
A integrated circuit cooling system includes a thermally conductive element sandwiched between two integrated circuits. The thermally conductive element of this thermal sandwich conducts heat away from both of the attached integrated circuits. The thermally conductive element may be a solid slab of thermally conductive material, such as copper, it may be a hollow, substantially planar thermal conductor with an internally circulating cooling fluid, or it may be a substantially planar heat pipe for example.
Abstract:
A sensor comprising a substantially planer base having a substantially-flat bottom surface to facilitate adhesive mounting, and at least one transducer mounted to said base.