The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 21, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 06, 1998
Andrew Moore, Austin, TX (US);
David Moss, Austin, TX (US);
Dell USA, L.P., Round Rock, TX (US);
Abstract
A variable area heat sink has a first heat sink area and a second heat sink area. A bridge is connected to the first heat sink area and includes a bi-metallic portion operable to connect and disconnect with the second heat sink area in response to a temperature change in the bridge which is sufficient to distort the bi-metallic portion from a first shape to a second shape. The first heat sink area may be installed in a computer chassis adjacent a first heat producing component. The second heat sink area may be installed in the chassis adjacent a second heat producing component. The combination of heat sink areas may be enlarged or reduced in size due to the coupling or uncoupling.