Blindmate heat sink assembly

A method of installing an integrated circuit chip and heat sink onto a socket mounted to a circuit board, the method comprising steps:

• (1) attaching the chip to an alignment cage mounted to the heat sink;
• (2) inserting alignment pins that are mounted to the heat sink into receptacles located on the circuit board;
• (3) inserting the chip into the socket;
• and
• (4) locking the chip onto the socket.

A heat sink assembly comprising:

• a heat sink member having a base;
• an alignment cage attached to the base of said heat sink member;
• and
• a plurality of alignment pins attached to the base of said heat sink member.

A computer assembly comprising:

• an integrated circuit chip;
• a heat sink assembly attached to said chip;
• a circuit board;
• a socket adapted to receive said chip and attached to said circuit board;
• a means for aligning said heat sink to said circuit board;
• and
• a means for aligning said heat sink to said socket.

A method for removing an integrated circuit chip and heat sink from a circuit board comprising:

• actuating a locking lever on a socket to an open position;
• lifting the heat sink off of the circuit board;
• and
• removing the chip from the heat sink.

A computer assembly comprising:

• a component having multiple pins;
• a heat sink;
• an alignment cage attached to said heat sink and capable of receiving said component;
• a circuit board;
• and
• a socket mounted to said circuit board and adapted to receive the pins of said component, wherein said alignment cage comprises an alignment tab that aligns said alignment cage to said socket.

A method of installing a multi-pin electrical component and heat sink onto a socket mounted to a circuit board, the method comprising steps:

• (1) attaching the component to an alignment cage mounted to the heat sink;
• (2) inserting alignment members that are mounted to the heat sink into receptacles located on the circuit board;
• (3) inserting the component into the socket;
• and
• (4) locking the component onto the socket.