IP Library Granted Patent US 12,412,791
Granted Patent B2
US 12,412,791 · App. 18/151,833 · Granted Sep 9, 2025

Liquid-tight structure with a fastener component

Inventor: Po-Cheng Tsai (New Taipei, TW)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
H01L23/04F16J15/021F16L23/00H01L23/4006H05K7/20272
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,412,791
App. No.
18/151,833
Granted
Sep 9, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A liquid-tight structure includes a stepped fastener having a first shank and a second shank. The stepped fastener is threadingly engaged with an opening that includes a first step and a second step. A first diameter of the first shank is larger than a second diameter of the second shank. The liquid-tight structure includes a first seal seated on and in physical communication with a first top surface of the first step of the opening. The first seal is compressed between a first side of the opening and the first shank. The liquid-tight structure includes a second seal seated on and in physical communication with a second top surface of the second step of the opening. The second seal is compressed between a second side of the opening and the second shank.

Claims (29)

1. A liquid-tight structure comprising:

a stepped screw that includes a first shank and a second shank, the stepped screw is screwed in a screw hole that includes a first step and a second step, wherein a first diameter of the first shank is larger than a second diameter of the second shank, wherein the stepped screw further includes a head, and wherein a bottom portion of the head is seated on a third step of the screw hole;

a first O-ring seated on and in physical communication with a first top surface of the first step of the screw hole, wherein the first O-ring is compressed between a first side of the screw hole and the first shank forming a first seal; and

a second O-ring seated on and in physical communication with a second top surface of the second step of the screw hole, wherein the second O-ring is compressed between a second side of the screw hole and the second shank.

2. The liquid-tight structure of claim 1 , wherein the second shank is a threaded shank.

3. The liquid-tight structure of claim 1 , wherein the first O-ring and the second O-ring are liquid-tight.

4. The liquid-tight structure of claim 1 , wherein the liquid-tight structure is used in a liquid-based cooler.

5. The liquid-tight structure of claim 1 , wherein the first side of the screw hole is abutted to the first step.

6. The liquid-tight structure of claim 1 , wherein the second side of the screw hole is abutted to the second step.

7. The liquid-tight structure of claim 1 , wherein the first O-ring has a higher shore hardness than the second O-ring.

8. The liquid-tight structure of claim 1 , wherein diameter of the head is greater than the first shank.

9. The liquid-tight structure of claim 1 , wherein a top portion of the head is flushed with a top surface of the liquid-tight structure.

10. An information handling system with a liquid cooling system comprising:

a stepped screw that includes a first shank and a second shank, wherein the stepped screw is screwed into a screw hole that includes a first step and a second step, wherein a first diameter of the first shank is larger than a second diameter of the second shank, wherein the stepped screw further includes a head, and wherein a bottom portion of the head is seated on a third step of the screw hole;

a first O-ring seated on and in physical communication with a first top surface of the first step of the screw hole, wherein the first O-ring is compressed between a first side of the screw hole and the first shank forming a first seal; and

a second O-ring seated on and in physical communication with a second top surface of the second step of the screw hole, wherein the second O-ring is compressed between a second side of the screw hole and the second shank forming a second seal.

11. The information handling system of claim 10 , wherein the stepped screw further includes a threaded shank.

12. The information handling system of claim 10 , wherein the first side of the screw hole is abutted to the first step.

13. The information handling system of claim 10 , wherein the second side of the screw hole is abutted to the second step.

14. The information handling system of claim 10 , wherein the first O-ring has a higher shore hardness than the second O-ring.

15. The information handling system of claim 14 , wherein the second shank is threaded.

16. A leak-proof structure comprising:

a stepped screw that includes a first shank and a second shank, the stepped screw is screwed into a screw hole that includes a first step and a second step, wherein a first diameter of the first shank is larger than a second diameter of the second shank, wherein the stepped screw further includes a head, and wherein a bottom portion of the head is seated on a third step of the screw hole;

a first O-ring seated on and in physical communication with a first top surface of the first step of the screw hole, wherein the first O-ring is compressed between a first side of the screw hole and the first shank forming a first seal; and

a second O-ring seated on and in physical communication with a second top surface of the second step of the screw hole, wherein the second O-ring is compressed between a second side of the screw hole and the second shank forming a second seal and wherein the first seal has a higher shore hardness than the second seal.

17. The leak-proof structure of claim 16 , wherein the leak-proof structure is used for storing coolant for a liquid-based cooler of an information handling system.

18. The leak-proof structure of claim 16 , wherein the first shank is an unthreaded shank.

19. The leak-proof structure of claim 16 , wherein the first side of the screw hole is abutted to the first step.

20. The leak-proof structure of claim 16 , wherein the second side of the screw hole is abutted to the second step.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2023
From: TSAI, PO-CHENG
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 062315/0259 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240237281A1 · Jul 11, 2024
References Cited (11)
US 7527300B2 · Li · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 9699938B2 · Shelnutt et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 10168110B2 · Krug, Jr. · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 10863652B1 · Conroy · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 11092269B2 · Kujawski, Jr. · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 12111000B2 · Nowicki · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20130312854A1 · Eriksen · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 20200049429A1 · Koontz · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20200378858A1 · Curtis et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20220095481A1 · Ma et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20240039186A1 · Su · 2024 [cited by examiner]