Thin heat transfer device for thermal management

A computing device comprising:

• a heat-generating device;
• and
• a heat transfer device arranged with the heat-generating device to conduct heat away from the heat-generating device, the heat transfer device including:
• a spring mechanism adapted to receive a cold plate, the cold plate configured to operate as a heat transfer surface for heat exchange with a heat-generating device;
• a spring bridge fastened to the spring mechanism and having a bridge portion assembled to span the cold plate with a gap between the cold plate and bridge portion, the spring bridge configured to apply contact pressure to the cold plate responsive to deformation of the spring mechanism caused by heat front the heat-generating device to close the gap and drive the cold plate into contact with the heat generating device;
• the cold plate situated underneath the bridge portion of the spring bridge, the cold plate being detached from the spring mechanism and the spring bridge;
• a heat-expelling device connected to the cold plate to convey heat away from the heat-generating device.

A method comprising:

• assembling a heat transfer device including:
• arranging a spring mechanism for the heat transfer device having a cutout that matches a footprint of a cold plate for the heat transfer device
• connecting a heat-expelling device to both the spring mechanism and the cold plate such that the cold plate is positioned within the cutout formed in the spring mechanism but not attached directly to the spring mechanism;
• and
• fastening a spring bridge to the spring mechanism such that the spring bridge spans the cold plate with a gap formed between the spring bridge and the cold plate and is configured to close the gap and create contact pressure to drive the cold plate into contact with a heat-generating device responsive to deformation of the spring mechanism caused by heat from the heat-generating device, the spring bridge being detached from the cold plate and the heat-expelling device.