CONNECTOR AND SYSTEM FOR COOLING ELECTRONIC DEVICES

1 . An electrical connector, comprising:

an electrical connection portion comprising one or more electrical contacts;

a housing; and

a thermal conduit mechanically coupled to the housing at a connection;

wherein the connection is configured to transfer heat between the thermal conduit and the housing.

2 . The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the housing is adapted to mate to a complementary housing.

3 . The electrical connector of claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises one or more preloaded elements configured to exert pressure against the complementary housing when the housing is mated with the complementary housing.

4 . The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a thermally insulating covering disposed about the housing.

5 . The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the housing is manufactured from a thermally conductive material comprising one or more of copper, aluminum, or alloys thereof.

6 . An electrical device, comprising:

an electrical connector having a housing disposed about electrical contacts;

a circuit component configured to generate heat when operable; and

a thermal conduit coupling the housing and the circuit component such that the heat is transferred from the circuit component to the housing.

7 . The electrical device of claim 6 , wherein the electrical connector is recessed into the electrical device such that an insertion port of the electrical connector is flush with a major face of the electrical device.

8 . The electrical device of claim 6 , wherein the thermal conduit comprises a heat pipe.

9 . The electrical device of claim 6 , wherein the thermal conduit comprises a carbon-based film.

10 . A system, comprising:

a first electronic device comprising:

a first electrical connector having a first connector housing;

a heat generating circuit component; and

a first thermal conductor coupling the first connector housing and the heat generating circuit component;

a second electronic device comprising:

a second electrical connector having a second connector housing that is complementary to the first connector housing;

a heat-sinking element; and

a second thermal conductor coupling the second connector housing and the heat-sinking element.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the first thermal conductor is configured to draw heat from the heat generating circuit component to the first connector housing.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the first connector housing is configured to deliver the heat to the second connector housing when the first electrical connector is coupled to the second electrical connector.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the second thermal conductor is configured to draw the heat from the second connector housing.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the heat-sinking element comprises a fan and an exhaust port.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the second electronic device comprises an air intake, wherein the fan is configured to draw air from the air intake to the exhaust port.

16 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the heat-sinking element further comprises a heat sink coupled to the second thermal conductor.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the heat sink comprises one or more convection blades, wherein a fan is further configured to draw air across the one or more convection blades of the heat sink.

18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first electrical connector comprises an electrical connector portion configured to deliver data to a complementary electrical connector portion of the second electrical connector.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the complementary electrical connector portion is configured to deliver power for the heat generating circuit component to the electrical connector portion.

20 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the second electrical connector is configured to mate with the first electrical connector with a resistance fit.