KEVIN A GRUBB
Engineers in Niantic, CT
License number
Pennsylvania PE054882E
Category
Engineers
Type
Professional Engineer
Address
Address
2
Niantic, CT 06357
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Professional information
Portable Computer And Docking Station Cooling
US Patent:
6560104, May 6, 2003
Filed:
Mar 27, 2001
Appl. No.:
09/817921
Inventors:
Robert E. DeHoff - Mount Joy PA
Kevin A. Grubb - Niantic CT
Kevin A. Grubb - Niantic CT
Assignee:
Thermal Corp. - Stanton DE
International Classification:
G06F 120
US Classification:
361687, 361699, 361700, 16510433, 165185, 174 152
Abstract:
The invention is an apparatus for cooling a portable computer while it is attached to a docking station. Heat transfer surfaces on simple thermally conductive plates are attached to heat pipes in both the portable computer and the docking station, and the installation of the portable computer into the docking station is arranged to put the two heat transfer surfaces into thermally conductive contact. With the portable computer heat pipe attached to a heat generating component and the docking station heat pipe attached to a heat sink, heat is transferred to the heat sink through the heat transfer surfaces when they are in contact. The heat sink can be fan cooled, and the fan can be arranged to discharge through either the back or side of the docking station. The heat transfer surface of the portable computer also functions as a cooling surface when the portable computer is detached from the docking station.