IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,907,398
Granted Patent B2
US 7,907,398 · App. 12/243,990 · Granted Mar 15, 2011

Liquid cooling system

Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
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 7,907,398
App. No.
12/243,990
Filed
Oct 2, 2008
Granted
Mar 15, 2011
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2835
USPC
361/679.53
Abstract

A liquid cooling system includes a board and a plurality of heat producing components (HPCs) coupled to the board. A mounting structure is located on the board adjacent to the plurality of HPCs. A liquid cooling device is coupled to the mounting structure such that the liquid cooling device engages each of the plurality of HPCs. The liquid cooling device may be decoupled from the mounting structure without detaching liquid conduits that supply it liquid in order to allow for the addition or removal of HPCs.

Claims (40)

1. A component cooling system, comprising:

a board;

a plurality of heat producing components (HPCs) coupled to the board;

a plurality of heat spreaders, each of the plurality of heat spreaders coupled to a corresponding HPC of the plurality of HPCs, wherein the each of the plurality of heat spreaders includes a liquid cooling device engagement surface and the plurality of liquid cooling device engagement surfaces are co-planar;

a mounting structure that is operable to be coupled to the board adjacent to the plurality of HPCs; and

a liquid cooling device including a heat spreader engagement surface, wherein the liquid cooling device is operable to be coupled to the board using the mounting structure such that the heat spreader engagement surface engages each of the co-planar liquid cooling device engagement surfaces on the plurality of heat spreaders while the plurality of heat spreaders are coupled to the plurality of HPCs and the plurality of HPCs are coupled to the board, and wherein the liquid cooling device is operable to be decoupled from the board such that the heat spreader engagement surface disengages each of the co-planar liquid cooling device engagement surfaces on the plurality of heat spreaders while the plurality of heat spreaders remain coupled to the plurality of HPCs and the plurality of HPCs remain coupled to the board.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a stiffening member mounted to the board opposite the mounting structure.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of retaining clips, each retaining clip securing the each of the plurality of heat spreaders to the corresponding HPC of the plurality of HPCs.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one fitting located on the liquid cooling device, wherein the at least one fitting is operable to couple a liquid conduit to the liquid cooling device.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the mounting structure comprises

at least one coupling member that allows the liquid cooling device to decouple from the mounting structure without disconnecting the liquid conduit from the at least one fitting when the liquid conduit is connected to the at least one fitting.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the decoupling of the liquid cooling device from the mounting structure allows any of the plurality of HPCs to be decoupled from the board.

7. An information handling system (IHS), comprising:

an IHS chassis; a board mounted in the IHS chassis;

a processor mounted to the board;

a plurality of heat producing components (HPCs) coupled to the board and the processor;

a plurality of heat spreaders, each of the plurality of heat spreaders coupled to a corresponding HPC of the plurality of HPCs, wherein the each of the plurality of heat spreaders includes a liquid cooling device engagement surface and the plurality of liquid cooling device engagement surfaces are co-planar;

a mounting structure that is operable to be coupled to the board adjacent to the plurality of HPCs; and

a liquid cooling device including a heat spreader engagement surface, wherein the liquid cooling device is operable to be coupled to the board using the mounting structure such that the heat spreader engagement surface engages each of the co-planar liquid cooling device engagement surfaces on the plurality of heat spreaders while the plurality of heat spreaders are coupled to the plurality of HPCs and the plurality of HPCs are coupled to the board, and wherein the liquid cooling device is operable to be decoupled from the board such that the heat spreader engagement surface disengages each of the co-planar liquid cooling device engagement surfaces on the plurality of heat spreaders while the plurality of heat spreaders remain coupled to the plurality of HPCs and the plurality of HPCs remain coupled to the board.

8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a stiffening member mounted to the board opposite the mounting structure.

9. The system of claim 7 , further comprising: a plurality of retaining clips, each retaining clip securing the each of the plurality of heat spreaders to the corresponding HPC of the plurality of HPCs.

10. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:

at least one fitting located on the liquid cooling device, wherein the at least one fitting is operable to couple a liquid conduit to the liquid cooling device.

11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising:

at least one coupling member that allows the liquid cooling device to decouple from the mounting structure without disconnecting the liquid conduit from the at least one fitting when the liquid conduit is connected to the at least one fitting.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the decoupling of the liquid cooling device from the mounting structure allows any of the plurality of HPCs to be decoupled from the board.

13. A method for cooling a plurality of heat producing components (HPCs), comprising:

providing a board comprising the plurality of HPCs coupled to the board, wherein a plurality of heat spreaders, each of the plurality of heat spreaders coupled to a corresponding HPC of the plurality of HPCs, the each of the plurality of heat spreaders includes a liquid cooling device engagement surface, and the plurality of liquid cooling device engagement surfaces are co-planar;

coupling a liquid cooling device that includes a heat spreader engagement surface to the board while the plurality of heat spreaders are coupled to the plurality of HPCs and the plurality of HPCs are coupled to the board such that the heat spreader engagement surface engages each of the co-planar liquid cooling device engagement surfaces on the plurality of heat spreaders;

coupling a mounting structure to the board adjacent to the plurality of HPCs;

coupling the liquid cooling device to the mounting structure such that the heat spreader engagement surface on the liquid cooling device engages each of the co-planar liquid cooling device engagement surfaces on the plurality of heat spreaders;

moving a liquid through the liquid cooling device to cool the plurality of HPCs; and

decoupling the liquid cooling device from the board while the plurality of heat spreaders remain coupled to the plurality of HPCs and the plurality of HPCs remain coupled to the board such that the heat spreader engagement surface disengages each of the co-planar liquid cooling device engagement surface on the plurality of heat spreaders.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising: using a plurality of retaining clips, each retaining clip securing the each of the plurality of heat spreaders to the corresponding HPC of the plurality of HPCs.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

connecting a liquid conduit to at least one fitting located on the liquid cooling device such that the liquid may be moved through the liquid cooling device.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising: decoupling the liquid cooling device from the mounting structure without disconnecting the liquid conduit from the at least one fitting; and decoupling at least one of the plurality of HPCs from the board.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2008
From: HREHOR, ROBERT D., JR.; NORTH, TRAVIS; BAILEY, KEVIN M.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 021620/0576 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100085712A1 · Apr 8, 2010