METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING LEAKS IN A FLUID COOLING SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for detecting fluid leaks in the vicinity of a protected item, the apparatus comprising:
- a detector; and
a border disposed peripherally about said protected item for completing an electrical circuit with said detector when said border is exposed to moisture, said border comprising;
a first conductive layer coupled to said detector at a first detector connection;
a second conductive layer coupled to said detector at a second detector connection and further coupled to a main wire that is peripherally disposed about said protected item and is electrically coupled to said detector, and a hygroscopic layer disposed between said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer, wherein said hygroscopic layer comprises a material that is substantially electrically insulating when dry but becomes electrically conductive when exposed to moisture.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for detecting leaks in a fluid cooling system enables a user to rapidly detect fluid leaks in the vicinity of a microprocessor chip or other delicate item. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a detector and a border coupled to the detector and disposed peripherally about a protected item (e.g., the microprocessor chip or other delicate item). In one embodiment, the border is a layered structure that is adapted to complete an electrical circuit with the detector when the border comes into contact with fluid.
10 Citations
33 Claims
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1. Apparatus for detecting fluid leaks in the vicinity of a protected item, the apparatus comprising:
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a detector; and
a border disposed peripherally about said protected item for completing an electrical circuit with said detector when said border is exposed to moisture, said border comprising;
a first conductive layer coupled to said detector at a first detector connection;
a second conductive layer coupled to said detector at a second detector connection and further coupled to a main wire that is peripherally disposed about said protected item and is electrically coupled to said detector, and a hygroscopic layer disposed between said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer, wherein said hygroscopic layer comprises a material that is substantially electrically insulating when dry but becomes electrically conductive when exposed to moisture. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15)
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2. (canceled)
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12. (canceled)
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16-23. -23. (canceled)
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24. Apparatus for detecting fluid leaks in the vicinity of a protected item, the apparatus comprising:
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a detector; and
a border disposed peripherally about said protected item for completing an electrical circuit with said detector when said border is exposed to moisture, said border comprising;
a first conductive layer coupled to said detector at a first detector connection;
an insulating layer embodied in a microprocessor chip carrier and disposed beneath said first conductive layer;
a second conductive layer coupled to said detector at a second detector connection; and
a hygroscopic layer disposed between said first conductive layer and said second conductive layer, wherein said hygroscopic layer comprises a material that is substantially electrically insulating when dry, but becomes electrically conductive when exposed to moisture. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification