Heatsink grounding spring and shield apparatus
First Claim
1. A circuit card comprising:
- a printed circuit board;
an integrated circuit module attached to the printed circuit board;
a heatsink in close proximity with a package of the module; and
a grounding piece, wherein the grounding piece includes a substantially rectangular and conductive grounding piece ring defining an aperture dimensioned for receiving the integrated circuit module, and wherein the grounding piece includes a set of semi-rigid conductive spring arms extending away from the grounding piece ring at an angle of less than approximately 60° and
positioned and oriented wherein termination points of the arms contact grounding pads on the printed circuit board, wherein the force of the spring arms against the printed circuit board maintains the grounding piece ring in electrical contact with the heat sink and the termination points of the spring arms in electrical contact with the grounding plates.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A heatsink grounding mechanism and an associated circuit card and computer system. The circuit card includes a printed circuit board to an integrated circuit module is attached. A heatsink is positioned in contact with or in close proximity to the integrated circuit module package. A heatsink grounding piece of the grounding mechanism is utilized to ground the heatsink. The grounding piece includes a substantially rectangular and conductive grounding piece ring that defines an aperture. The dimensions are suitable for receiving and circumventing the integrated circuit module. The grounding piece includes a set of semi-rigid conductive spring arms that extend away from the grounding piece ring. The spring arms are positioned and oriented such that termination points of the spring arms contact grounding pads on the printed circuit board when the grounding piece is compressed between the heatsink and the circuit board. The force of the spring arms against the circuit board maintains the grounding piece ring in electrical contact with the heat sink and the termination points of the spring arms in electrical contact with the grounding plates.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A circuit card comprising:
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a printed circuit board;
an integrated circuit module attached to the printed circuit board;
a heatsink in close proximity with a package of the module; and
a grounding piece, wherein the grounding piece includes a substantially rectangular and conductive grounding piece ring defining an aperture dimensioned for receiving the integrated circuit module, and wherein the grounding piece includes a set of semi-rigid conductive spring arms extending away from the grounding piece ring at an angle of less than approximately 60° and
positioned and oriented wherein termination points of the arms contact grounding pads on the printed circuit board, wherein the force of the spring arms against the printed circuit board maintains the grounding piece ring in electrical contact with the heat sink and the termination points of the spring arms in electrical contact with the grounding plates.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A heatsink grounding mechanism, comprising:
a grounding piece, wherein the grounding piece includes a substantially rectangular and conductive grounding piece ring defining an aperture dimensioned for receiving an integrated circuit module, and wherein the grounding piece includes a set of semi-rigid conductive spring arms extending away from the grounding piece ring at an angle of less than approximately 60°
, and further wherein the springs arms are positioned and oriented to terminate in contact with grounding pads on a printed circuit board when the module is received within the aperture and attached to the printed circuit board and a heatsink is in close proximity to the module package, wherein the force of the spring arms against the printed circuit board maintains the shielding piece ring in electrical contact with the heat sink and the termination points of the spring arms in electrical contact with the grounding plates.- View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer system comprising:
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a chassis;
a power supply housed within the chassis; and
a circuit card received within the chassis of the computer system and powered by the power supply, wherein the circuit card includes;
a printed circuit board;
an integrated circuit module attached to a first face of the printed circuit board;
a heatsink in close proximity with a package of the module; and
a grounding piece, wherein the grounding piece includes a substantially rectangular and conductive grounding piece ring defining an aperture dimensioned for receiving the integrated circuit module, and wherein the grounding piece includes a set of semi-rigid conductive spring arms extending away from the grounding piece ring at an angle of less than approximately 60° and
positioned and oriented wherein termination points of the arms contact grounding pads on the printed circuit board, wherein the force of the spring arms against the printed circuit board maintains the grounding piece ring in electrical contact with the heat sink and the termination points of the spring arms in electrical contact with the grounding plates.- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification