IC coolant microchannel assembly with integrated attachment hardware
An apparatus includes a microchannel structure that has microchannels formed therein. The microchannels are for transporting a coolant and are intended to be proximate to an integrated circuit to transfer heat from the integrated circuit to the coolant. The apparatus further includes a cover positioned on the microchannel structure. The cover has formed therein a right-angle passage to provide fluid communication between a first port on a lower horizontal surface of the cover and a second port on a vertical surface of the cover. The cover includes a plurality of tabs. Each tab extends from a respective corner of the cover. The tabs each have an aperture formed therein. The apertures are shaped and sized to receive a fastener.
1. A system comprising:
a circuit board;
a socket mounted on the circuit board;
a microprocessor integrated circuit die package installed in the socket;
a microchannel structure thermally coupled to the microprocessor integrated circuit die package, the microchannel structure having microchannels formed therein, said microchannels to transport a coolant and to be proximate to the integrated circuit die package to transfer heat from the integrated circuit die package to the coolant;
a cover positioned on the microchannel structure and above the circuit board and having formed therein a right-angle passage to provide fluid communication between a first port on a lower horizontal surface of said cover and a second port on a vertical surface of said cover, said cover including a plurality of tabs, each extending from a respective corner of said cover, said tabs each having an aperture formed therein;
a backing plate below the circuit board and having a plurality of receptacles formed therein; and
a plurality of screws for securing the cover to the backing plate each of said screws installed in a respective one of the apertures of the cover and threadedly engaged in a respective one of the receptacles of the backing plate.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said right-angle passage is a first right-angle passage and said vertical surface is a first vertical surface;
said cover also having formed therein a second right-angle passage to provide fluid communication between a third port on said lower horizontal surface of said cover and a fourth port on a second vertical surface of said cover, said second vertical surface being different from said first vertical surface.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said cover includes a metal base plate in which said tabs are formed and a molded plastic piece secured to said base plate and having said right-angle passages formed therein.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabs include four tabs.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the four tabs all share an orientation.
6. The system of claim 4 , wherein each of the tabs extends radially outwardly from its respective corner of said cover.
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a gasket sandwiched between the microchannel structure and the cover.
8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of grommets sandwiched between the microchannel structure and the cover.