Dell USA L P

Jim J Kizer

Mark B Penniman

Carmen M Schlesener

A thermal transfer circuit is provided for dissipating thermal energy within a personal computer. The thermal transfer circuit is formed during assembly of the personal computer. Specifically, the thermal transfer circuit is formed when a computer keyboard is fixed upon a portable computer base. The computer keyboard serves as a heat sink and a coupling mechanism is provided between the heat source (CPU) and the heat sink keyboard. The coupling mechanism includes flat side portions which are in lateral registry with each other and which abut together during assembly of the keyboard upon the computer base. Abutment of the side portions effectuates completion of the keyboard assembly to the computer base as well as completion of a thermal transfer circuit extending from the CPU to the computer keyboard.

Computer having a heat transfer system operably connected during

A heat transfer system is provided for dissipating thermal energy within the personal computer. The transfer system is designed to move heat from a heat source, such as a central processing unit (CPU), to a heatsink arranged upon the portable computer keyboard. The heat transfer mechanism includes a heat slug thermally coupled to the CPU heat source and a heat pipe thermally coupled to a backside surface of a computer keyboard. The heat pipe is designed having minimal thermal gradient, and includes an evaporation/condensation cycle associated with its operation. The heat pipe is preferably orthogonally shaped having at least one flat surface arranged near the intersection of the orthogonal members. The flat section is in registry with a heat source. Movement of the flat section relative to the heat source effectuates abutment and thermal contact therebetween. The present thermal energy transfer system is designed for enhanced heat transfer within a portable computer system without undergoing the disadvantages of bulky finned heatsinks and/or fans.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Jim J Kizer