Heat transfer from base to display portion of a portable computer

• US 6,175,493 B1
• Filed: 10/16/1998
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Gold, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, TUNG M
• Application Number:
  US09/174,201
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 361/687, 361/688, 361/709, 361/695, 174/15.2, 165/80.2, 165/86, 165/104.33
• US Class Current: 361/679.47
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops

Abstract

A computer system includes a portable computer having a base portion and a lid portion connected to pivotally open relative to the base portion. A heat generating component is mounted in the base portion. A first heat transfer system is mounted in the base portion adjacent the heat generating component. A second heat transfer system is mounted in the lid portion. A thermal hinge pivotally interconnects the first heat transfer system with the second heat transfer system, so that heat is dissipated from the base portion to the lid portion. A fan mounted in the lid portion actively dissipates heat from the lid portion.

Claims

1. A portable computer heat transfer system comprising:

a portable computer including a base portion and a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion;

a heat generating component mounted in the base portion;

a first passive heat transfer system mounted in the base portion adjacent the heat generating component;

a second active and passive heat transfer system mounted in the lid portion;

a thermal hinge for interconnecting the first passive heat transfer system in series with the second active and passive heat transfer system, so that heat is dissipated from the base portion to the lid portion;

the first passive heat transfer system including a heat spreader plate connected to a first heat pipe; and

the second active and passive heat transfer system including a heat sink connected to a second heat pipe and a fan mounted in the lid portion adjacent the heat sink.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 where the thermal hinge is connected to the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe.

3. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the base portion and lid portion are interconnected by a lid hinge.

4. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the second heat pipe is rotatabley mounted in the thermal hinge, and the lid portion includes a vent formed therein adjacent a first end of the second heat pipe.

5. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein one of the first and second heat pipes is pivotally connected to the thermal hinge.

6. The system as defined in claim 3 wherein the second heat pipe is rotatably mounted in the thermal hinge about an axis of rotation which is coaxial with an axis of rotation of the lid hinge.

7. The system as defined in claim 4 wherein a second end of the second heat pipe is engaged with the heat sink, and a fan is mounted adjacent the heat sink, whereby air is drawn into the vent, across the second heat pipe and the heat sink, and exhausted from the lid portion by the fan.

8. An active and passive cooling system for a computer comprising:

a portable computer including a base portion and a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion;

a heat generating component mounted in the base portion;

a first passive heat transfer system including a first heat pipe mounted in the base portion adjacent the heat generating component;

a second active and passive heat transfer system including a second heat pipe mounted in the lid portion and connected to the first heat pipe and a fan mounted in the lid portion adjacent the second heat pipe; and

means mounted between the base portion and the lid portion for thermally and pivotally interconnecting the first passive heat transfer system with the second active and passive heat transfer system, so that heat is dissipated from the base portion to the lid portion.

9. A computer system comprising:

a microprocessor;

an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor;

a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor;

a video controller coupled to the microprocessor;

a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor;

a portable computer base portion;

a portable computer lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion;

a heat generating component mounted in the base portion;

a first passive heat transfer system mounted in the base portion adjacent the heat generating component;

a second active and passive heat transfer system mounted in the lid portion;

a thermal hinge for pivotally interconnecting the first passive heat transfer system with the second active and passive heat transfer system, so that heat is dissipated from the base portion to the lid portion;

the first passive heat transfer system including a heat spreader plate connected to a first heat pipe; and

the second active and passive heat transfer system including a heat sink connected to a second heat pipe; and

a fan mounted in the lid portion adjacent the heat sink.

10. The system as defined in claim 9 wherein the thermal hinge is connected to the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe.

11. The system as defined in claim 9 wherein the base portion and lid portion are interconnected by a lid hinge.

12. The system as defined in claim 9 wherein the second heat pipe is rotatable mounted in the thermal hinge, and the lid portion includes a vent formed therein adjacent a first end of the second heat pipe.

13. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein one of the first and second heat pipes is pivotally connected to the thermal hinge.

14. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the second heat pipe is rotatably mounted in the thermal hinge about an axis of rotation which is coaxial with an axis of rotation of the lid hinge.

15. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein a second end of the second heat pipe is engaged with the heat sink, and a fan is mounted adjacent the heat sink, whereby air is drawn into the vent, across the second heat pipe and the heat sink, and exhausted from the lid portion by the fan.

16. A method of transferring heat in a portable computer comprising the steps of:

pivotally connecting a lid portion of a portable computer to a base portion thereof;

mounting a heat generating component in the base portion;

mounting a first passive heat transfer system in the base portion, including a heat spreader plate connected to a first heat pipe, adjacent the heat generating component;

mounting a second active and passive heat transfer system in the lid portion, including a heat sink connected to a second heat pipe and a fan mounted adjacent the heat sink; and

mounting a thermal hinge between the base portion and the lid portion for interconnecting the first passive heat transfer system with the second active and passive heat transfer system, so that heat is dissipated from the base portion to the lid portion.