IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,733,126
Granted Patent B2
US 12,733,126 · App. 18/600,831 · Granted Sep 8, 2026

Heat sink filler for matched impedance of air flow

Inventors: Cara Carbone (Poughkeepsie, NY); Khaalid Persaud Juggan McMillan (Haverstraw, NY); Robert R. Genest (Poughkeepsie, NY); Felipe Andres Valenzuela Gaete (Poughkeepsie, NY); Shawn Deutchman (Poughkeepsie, NY); John Torok (Poughkeepsie, NY)
Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
H05K7/20145H05K7/20154H05K7/20736
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,733,126
App. No.
18/600,831
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A heat sink filler to maintain proper cooling air flow through operating processing units is disclosed. The heat sink filler comprises a frame with a removable perforated sheet inside the frame, wherein the perforated sheet is configured to match an impedance of a heat sink. The heat sink filler further includes a first keying feature. The heat sink filler also includes an extended edge on a first edge of the frame and a beveled edge on the second edge of the frame.

Claims (20)

1 . A heat sink filler comprising:

a frame;

a removable perforated sheet inside the frame;

a first keying feature;

an extended edge on a first edge of the frame; and

a beveled edge on a second edge of the frame, wherein the second edge is parallel to the first edge.

2 . The heat sink filler of claim 1 , wherein a bottom edge of the frame is configured to latch onto a dust cover, wherein the bottom edge connects the first edge and the second edge of the frame.

3 . The heat sink filler of claim 2 , wherein the first keying feature ensures the frame connect to the dust cover in a correct location.

4 . The heat sink filler of claim 3 , further comprising:

a second keying feature, wherein the second keying feature is an asymmetrical keying feature, the second keying feature interlocks with a dust cover asymmetrical keying feature, and the second keying feature ensures a correct orientation of the frame relative to the dust cover.

5 . The heat sink filler of claim 1 , wherein the extended edge is configured to overlap with a recessed edge of a first adjacent component.

6 . The heat sink filler of claim 5 , wherein the beveled edge is configured to overlap with an adjacent extended edge of a second adjacent component.

7 . The heat sink filler of claim 6 , wherein the extended edge and the beveled edge create a wall to prevent air passing in between the heat sink filler and the first adjacent component, and the heat sink filler and the second adjacent component.

8 . The heat sink filler of claim 1 , wherein the heat sink filler is configured to replace the heat sink in a server drawer.

9 . The heat sink filler of claim 1 , wherein the perforated sheet is an inlet side for a cooling air flow, the heat sink filler further comprising:

a set of louvers on an output side for the cooling air flow, wherein the louvers are configured to replicate a depth of the heat sink by interacting with the air flow after passing through the set of louvers.

10 . The heat sink filler of claim 2 , further comprising:

a release lever, wherein the release lever, when pushed towards the frame, allows the heat sink filler to be removed from the dust cover.

11 . The heat sink filler of claim 2 , further comprising:

a dual lever connector, wherein the dual lever connector comprises two levers that, when pushed towards each other, allow the heat sink filler to be removed from the dust cover.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2024
From: CARBONE, CARA; MCMILLAN, KHAALID PERSAUD JUGGAN; GENEST, ROBERT R.; VALENZUELA GAETE, FELIPE ANDRES; DEUTCHMAN, SHAWN; TOROK, JOHN
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 066711/0255 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250287524A1 · Sep 11, 2025
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