Method and apparatus for managing thermal energy emissions
AssigneeGeneral Instrument Corporation
InventorsWilliam J. Storti, Keith Sibley, Shlomo Ovadia, Steven Kimball, Barry Falvo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A guide member for accommodating a removable module is formed from a thermally conductive material having at least one thermally conductive element to provide a new primary heat dissipation path to manage thermal energy generated by operation of the module. The guide member may also be used to guide the module into proper connection with a module connector which electrically connects the circuit on the module with other circuitry. A plurality of thermally conductive elements, such as spring fingers, ribs and fins, provide additional thermal heat dissipation paths and enhance the rigidity of the guide members.
Claims18
A guide member for receiving a removable module that electrically connects to circuitry when the removable module is inserted into the guide member, comprising:
- a first surface having at least a portion that is in physical contact with the removable module when the removable module is inserted into the guide member;
- and
- at least one thermally conductive element on the first surface that provides a thermal energy dissipation path from an exterior of said removable module to an exterior of the guide member,
- wherein the guide member is made of a thermally conductive material;
- and
- wherein the at least one thermally conductive element comprises a spring finger that is in physical contact with said removable module when said removable module is inserted into the guide member.
A method of managing thermal energy dissipation via a guide member that receives a removable module that electrically connects to circuitry when the removable module is inserted into the guide member, comprising conducting thermal energy away from said removable module into ambient air through at least one thermally conductive element including at least one spring finger extending from a surface of said guide member that is in physical contact with the removable module when said removable module is placed in said guide.
A method of operating a set-top box, said method comprising:
- inserting a removable module in a port of said set-top box, said port comprising a guide that engages said module and guides said module into connection with circuitry of said set-top box;
- conducting thermal energy generated by said removable module into said guide and away from said removable module, said thermal energy being conducting into an element of said guide that is in physical contact with an exterior of said removable module;
- engaging said exterior of said removable module with a plurality of spring fingers that extend from said guide and conduct thermal energy from said module into said guide;
- and
- arranging said spring fingers in rows and columns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.