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.
12 Citations
23 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 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. 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 (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification