Compact Computer Cooling Methods and Apparatus

A method for controlling the temperature of an electronic component of a computer, comprising:

• receiving a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal that indicates a temperature of an electronic component of a computer;
• and
• controlling a compressor based on the received PWM signal to maintain a pre-defined temperature range for the electronic component, wherein the compressor compresses a refrigerant, the refrigerant is sent to a condenser that condenses the refrigerant, the refrigerant is sent to a compact cooling block that is thermally coupled to the electronic component and that transfers thermal energy from the electronic component to the refrigerant, and the refrigerant is sent back to the compressor,
• wherein the compressor, the condenser, the compact cooling block, and the controller all fit within a chassis of the computer.

A computer program product, comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium whose contents include a program with instructions being executed on a processor so as to perform a method for controlling the temperature of an electronic component of a computer, the method comprising:

• providing a system comprising distinct software modules that comprise a receiving module and a control module;
• receiving a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal that indicates a temperature of an electronic component of a computer using the receiving module;
• and
• controlling a compressor based on the received PWM signal to maintain a pre-defined temperature range for the electronic component using the control module, wherein the compressor compresses a refrigerant, the refrigerant is sent to a condenser that condenses the refrigerant, the refrigerant is sent to a compact cooling block that is thermally coupled to the electronic component and that transfers thermal energy from the electronic component to the refrigerant, and the refrigerant is sent back to the compressor,
• wherein the compressor, the condenser, the compact cooling block, and the controller all fit within a chassis of the computer.

A system for controlling the temperature of a circulating liquid used to control the temperature of an electronic component of a computer, comprising:

• a compressor that compresses a refrigerant;
• a condenser that receives the refrigerant from the compressor and condenses the refrigerant;
• a heat exchanger that is thermally coupled to a circulating liquid used to control the temperature of an electronic component of a computer that receives the refrigerant from the condenser and transfers thermal energy from the circulating liquid to the refrigerant;
• a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the circulating liquid;
• and
• a controller in electronic communication with the compressor and the temperature sensor that controls the compressor in order to maintain a temperature range for the circulating liquid.