Decoupled spring-loaded mounting apparatus and method of manufacturing thereof

• US 7,044,196 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2003
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vertiv Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Original Assignee: Cooligy Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Lovette, James, Shook, James Gill
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa J.
• Application Number:
  US10/680,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20040188065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 165 803- 805, 165/104.33, 257/719, 257/718, 361/698, 361/699
• US Class Current: 165/80.3
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 17/00 Pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 15/0266 with separate evaporating and condensing chambers connected by at least one conduit; Loop-type heat pipes; with multiple or common evaporating or condensing chambers F28D15/043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 19/006 Preventing deposits of ice
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/473 by flowing liquids H01L23/4332, H01L23/4338 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/09701 Low temperature co-fired ceramic [LTCC]

Abstract

A spring loaded mounting assembly secures a heat exchanger coupled to a heat source. The mounting assembly includes at least one support bracket positioned at one or more fixed locations with respect to the heat source, and a clip coupled to the support bracket and configured to maintain the heat exchanger in contact with the heat source. The mounting assembly also includes at least one bracket for securing a pump and heat rejector thereupon, wherein the heat exchanger and the pump are independently moveable with respect to one another. The heat rejector is preferably positioned above and alternatively positioned adjacent to the heat exchanger. The clip applies a downward force to the heat exchanger and consistently urges the heat exchanger in contact with the heat source irrespective of movements.

Claims

1. A mounting assembly for securing a heat exchanger that is coupled to a heat rejector via at least one fluid line, wherein the at least one fluid line has a fluid line stiffness value, and coupled to a heat source, the mounting assembly comprising:

a. at least one support bracket positioned at one or more locations with respect to the heat source; and

b. a clip coupled to the support bracket and configured to resiliently urge the heat exchanger in contact with the heat source, wherein the clip has a clip stiffness value greater than the fluid line stiffness value.

2. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein the clip is spring loaded.

3. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein the clip is in contact with a top surface of the heat exchanger, the clip applying a force to the top surface of the heat exchanger.

4. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 wherein the clip maintains the heat exchanger in contact with the heat source irrespective of external movements.

5. The mounting assembly according to claim 1 further comprising at least one bracket for securing at least the heat rejector thereupon, wherein the heat exchanger and heat rejector are capable of moving with respect to the heat source and independently of each other.

6. The mounting assembly according to claim 5 wherein the at least one bracket secures a pump thereupon, wherein the heat exchanger and the pump are capable of moving moving with respect to the heat source and independently of each other.

7. The mounting assembly according to claim 5 wherein the at least one bracket is positioned substantially above the heat exchanger.

8. The mounting assembly according to claim 5 wherein the at least one bracket is positioned substantially adjacent to the heat exchanger.

9. A package having a closed-loop fluid system within comprising:

a. a heat exchanger coupled to an electronic device at an interface;

b. a heat rejector coupled to the heat exchanger via at least one fluid tube, wherein the at least one fluid tube has a first stiffness value;

c. a first mount for securing the heat exchanger to the electronic device at the interface, the first mount configured to apply a desired pressure upon the heat exchanger; and

d. a force relief structure coupled to the at least one fluid tube at a desired location with respect to the heat exchanger, wherein, the force relief structure has a relief stiffness value.

10. The package according to claim 9 further comprising a second mount for securing the heat rejector, wherein the first mount and the second mount are independently moveable with respect to each other.

11. The package according to claim 9 wherein the relief stiffness value is greater than the first stiffness value.

12. The package according to claim 9 further comprising a pump coupled to the heat exchanger and heat rejector via the at least one fluid tube.

13. A package having a closed-loop fluid system within comprising:

a. a heat exchanger coupled to an electronic device at an interface;

b. a heat rejector coupled to the heat exchanger via at least one fluid tube, wherein the at least one fluid tube has a first stiffness value;

c. a first mount for securing the heat exchanger to the electronic device at the interface;

d. a second mount for securing the heat rejector, wherein the first mount and the second mount are independently moveable with respect to each other; and

e. a force relief structure coupled to the at least one fluid tube at a desired location with respect to the heat exchanger, wherein the force relief structure has a relief stiffness value.

14. The package according to claim 13 wherein the relief stiffness value is greater than the first stiffness value.

15. The package according to claim 13 further comprising a pump coupled to the heat exchanger and heat rejector via the at least one fluid tube.

16. A closed loop fluid system for controlling a temperature of an electronic device comprising:

a. a heat exchanger coupled to the electronic device at an interface;

b. a heat rejector coupled to the heat exchanger via at least one fluid tube, wherein the at least one fluid tube has a first stiffness value;

c. a first mount comprising a spring loaded clip having a second stiffness value greater than the first stiffness value, for securing the heat exchanger to the electronic device at the interface; and

d. a second mount for securing the heat rejector, wherein the first mount and the second mount are independently moveable with respect to each other.

17. The closed loop fluid system according to claim 16 further comprising a pump coupled to the heat exchanger and heat rejector via the at least one fluid tube.

18. The closed loop fluid system according to claim 16 wherein the second mount is made of a material having the second stiffness value greater than the first stiffness value.

19. The closed loop fluid system according to claim 16 wherein the spring loaded clip is in contact with a top surface of the heat exchanger, wherein the spring loaded clip applies a force on the top surface.

20. The closed loop fluid system according to claim 19 wherein the spring loaded clip applies a substantially constant force to the interface.

21. A mounting assembly adapted for securing a closed loop cooling system having a heat exchanger in contact With an electronic device, the heat exchanger coupled to a heat rejector via at least one fluid line;

the mounting assembly comprising;

a. a first mount further comprising;

i. at least one substantially vertical member coupled to the surface; and

ii. a flexible feature coupled to the at least one substantially vertical member and configured to urge the heat exchanger against the electronic device, wherein the flexible feature applies a substantially constant force to the heat exchanger; and

b. a second mount further comprising a platform configured to receive at least the heat rejector, wherein the first mount and the second mount move independently of one another and have a rigidity value higher than that of the at least one fluid line.

22. A method of securing a closed loop fluid system configured to control a temperature of an electronic device coupled to a mounting surface, the closed loop fluid system including a heat exchanger in contact with the electronic device and a heat rejector coupled to the heat exchanger via at least one fluid tube wherein the at least one fluid tube has a tube stiffness value, the method comprising:

a. forming a first support bracket structure;

b. coupling the first support bracket structure to the mounting surface; and

c. coupling a spring loaded clip to the first support bracket structure, wherein the clip is adapted to secure the heat exchanger to the electronic device, and wherein the spring loaded clip has a clip stiffness value greater than the tube stiffness value.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the spring loaded clip applies a substantially constant force upon a top surface of the heat exchanger.

24. A method of securing a closed loop fluid system configured to control a temperature of an electronic device coupled to a mounting surface, the closed loop fluid system including a heat exchanger in contact with the electronic device and a heat rejector coupled to the heat exchanger via at least one fluid tube, the method comprising:

a. forming a first support bracket structure;

b. coupling the first support bracket structure to the mounting surface;

c. coupling a spring loaded clip to the first support bracket structure, wherein the clip is adapted to secure the heat exchanger to the electronic device,

d. forming a second support bracket structure having a second support bracket platform; and

e. coupling the second support bracket structure to the mounting surface, wherein the second support bracket platform is configured to hold at least the heat rejector thereupon.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the second support bracket platform is positioned substantially above the first support bracket structure.

26. The method according to claim 24 wherein the second support bracket structure is made of a material having a stiffness value greater than that of the at least one fluid tube.

27. The method according to claim 24 wherein the second support bracket structure is made of a material having a stiffness value less than that of the at least one fluid tube.

28. The method according to claim 24 wherein the first support bracket structure and the second support bracket structure are configured to move independently of each other.

29. A mounting assembly for securing a heat exchanger that is coupled to a heat rejector via at least one fluid line, wherein the at least one fluid line has a fluid line stiffness value, and coupled to a heat source, the mounting assembly comprising:

a. at least one support bracket positioned at one or more locations with respect to the heat source;

b. a clip coupled to the support bracket and configured to resiliently urge the heat exchanger in contact with the heat source; and

c. a force relief structure coupled to the at least one fluid line at a desired location with respect to the heat exchanger, wherein the force relief structure has a relief stiffness value.

30. The mounting assembly according to claim 29, wherein the relief stiffness value is greater than the fluid line stiffness value.

31. The mounting assembly according to claim 29, wherein the clip is in contact with a top surface of the heat exchanger, the clip applying a force to the top surface of the heat exchanger.

32. The mounting assembly according to claim 29, wherein the clip maintains the heat exchanger in contact with the heat source irrespective of external movements.

33. The mounting assembly according to claim 29, further comprising at least one bracket for securing at least the heat rejector thereupon, wherein the heat exchanger and heat rejector are capable of moving with respect to the heat source and independently of each other.

34. The mounting assembly according to claim 33, wherein the at least one bracket secures a pump thereupon, wherein the heat exchanger and the pump are capable of moving with respect to the heat source and independently of each other.

35. The mounting assembly according to claim 33, wherein the at least one bracket is positioned substantially above the heat exchanger.

36. The mounting assembly according to claim 33, wherein the at least one bracket is positioned substantially adjacent to the heat exchanger.

37. A package having a closed-loop fluid system within comprising:

a. a heat exchanger coupled to an electronic device at an interface;

b. a heat rejector coupled to the heat exchanger via at least one fluid tube, wherein the at least one fluid tube has a first stiffness value; and

c. a first mount comprising a resiliently loaded clip having a second stiffness value less than the first stiffness value for securing the heat exchanger to the electronic device at the interface, the first mount configured to apply a desired pressure upon the heat exchanger.

38. The package according to claim 37 wherein the resiliently loaded clip is in contact with a top surface of the heat exchanger, wherein the resiliently loaded clip applies a force on the top surface.

39. The package according to claim 37 wherein the resiliently loaded clip applies a substantially constant force to the interface.

40. The package according to claim 37 further comprising a pump coupled to the heat exchanger and heat rejector via the at least one fluid tube.

41. A package having a closed-loop fluid system within comprising:

a. a heat exchanger coupled to an electronic device at an interface;

b. a heat rejector coupled to the heat exchanger via at least one fluid tube, wherein the at least one fluid tube has a first stiffness value;

c. a first mount comprising a spring loaded clip having a second stiffness value greater than the first stiffness value for securing the heat exchanger to the electronic device at the interface; and

d. a second mount for securing the heat rejector, wherein the first mount and the second mount are independently moveable with respect to each other.

42. The package according to claim 41 wherein the spring loaded clip is in contact with a top surface of the heat exchanger, wherein the spring loaded clip applies a force on the top surface.

43. The package according to claim 41 wherein the spring loaded clip applies a substantially constant force to the interface.

44. A method of securing a closed loop fluid system configured to control a temperature of an electronic device coupled to a mounting surface, the closed loop fluid system including a heat exchanger in contact with the electronic device and a heat rejector coupled to the heat exchanger via at least one fluid tube wherein the at least one fluid tube has a tube stiffness value, the method comprising:

a. forming a first support bracket structure;

b. coupling the first support bracket structure to the mounting surface; and

c. coupling a spring loaded clip to the first support bracket structure, wherein the clip is adapted to secure the heat exchanger to the electronic device; and

d. coupling a force relief structure to the at least one fluid tube at a desired location, wherein the force relief structure has a relief stiffness value.

45. The method according to claim 44 wherein the relief stiffness value is greater than the tube stiffness value.