Fin assembly for an integrated circuit

Abstract

A fin assembly includes a fin, a pair of mounting pieces for removably mounting the fin to an integrated circuit. The fin includes a bottom surface for contacting an upper surface of the integrated circuit and an upper surface from which a plurality of ridges extend. An extension extends downward from each side of the bottom surface, such that the distance between the two extensions is equal to the width of the integrated circuit. On at least one of the mutually facing walls of each outermost ridge and its corresponding adjacent ridge, a groove extends along the length of each ridge. Each mounting piece includes a base and two beveled sides each extending downward to form a distal snapping end. A pair of pins extend upward from a top of the base, such that a fan may be mounted by passing the pins through pin holes in the corners of the fan. A plurality of protuberances projects from each of two lateral sides of the base, such that when the base of the mounting piece is inserted into the channel defined by each outermost ridge and its corresponding adjacent ridge, the protuberances are fittingly received in the grooves in the ridges, thereby retaining the mounting piece. Preferably, the snapping end extends in a direction parallel to the extending direction of an end surface of the protrusion which projects outward from each corner of the integrated circuit to provide a surface contact therebetween.