Thermally efficient portable computer system incorporating thermal connection port and dock

A computer system comprising:

• a portable computer that includes:
• a heat producing component, and
• a first thermal connector thermally connected to the heat producing component;
• a dock assembly, removably engagable with the portable computer, including:
• a heat dissipating apparatus, and
• a second thermal connector, thermally connected to the heat dissipating apparatus, and removably engagable with the first thermal connector;
• the first thermal connector comprises one of a plug member and a cavity, wherein the plug member has an outer surface and the cavity has an inner surface;
• the second thermal connector comprises the other of the plug member and the cavity;
• the cavity includes a first and a second protrusion extending from the inner surface and into the cavity, the first and second protrusions are positioned to oppose each other so that the cavity has an H-shaped inner surface;
• the plug member includes a pair of prongs connected together with a cross member so that the plug member has an H-shaped outer surface, wherein when the first and second thermal connectors engage each other by the cavity receiving the plug member, the outer surface of the plug member contacts with, and forms a thermal connection with, the inner surface of the cavity;
• and
• wherein when the portable computer is engaged with the dock assembly, the first and second thermal connectors engage each other so that heat from the heat producing component is conducted to the heat dissipating apparatus via the first and second thermal connectors.

A computer system, comprising:

• a portable computer that includes:
• a heat producing component,
• a first thermal connector, and
• a heat conducting apparatus thermally connected between the heat producing component and the first thermal connector;
• and
• a dock assembly, removably engagable with the portable computer, including:
• a heat dissipating apparatus, and
• a second thermal connector, thermally connected to the heat dissipating apparatus, and removably engagable with the first thermal connector;
• wherein:
• when the portable computer is engaged with the dock assembly, the first and second thermal connectors engage each other so that heat from the heat producing component is conducted to the heat dissipating apparatus,
• the first thermal connector comprises one of a protrusion and a cavity,
• the second thermal connector comprises the other of the protrusion and the cavity, such that when the first and second thermal connectors engage each other, an interior surface of the cavity contacts an outer surface of the protrusion to form a thermal contact therebetween, and
• the first and second thermal connectors are conical in shape.

A computer system, comprising:

• a portable computer including a plurality of heat-producing elements, an internal heat moving apparatus thermally connected to at least one of said heat-producing elements, and a thermal state monitor and control means that permits said heat-producing element to operate at the highest functional limit;
• a dock containing a heat dissipating apparatus;
• a two-sided, re-connectable thermal connection means for thermally connecting said heat-moving apparatus in said portable computer with said heat dissipating apparatus in said dock when said computer is docked, said re-connectable thermal connection comprising:
• a first side comprising at least one concavity,
• a second side comprising at least one correspondingly shaped split protrusion, wherein said split in said protrusion permits said protrusion to comply against said inside surface of said concavity for maximum surface contact;
• wherein the first and second thermal connectors are conical in shape