Jacob J Nelik

US Patent:

6377455, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Apr 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/559005

Inventors:

Jacob Nelik - Irvine CA 92612

International Classification:

G06F 120

US Classification:

361687, 361685, 361695, 361707, 361697, 165 803, 165185, 174 163

Abstract:

The conventional rails of a standard computer chassis are removed and elongated heat sink members, having substantially the same general dimensions as the rails, are substituted for the rails to provide highly conductive heat transfer from the hard disk drive to which the heat sink members are connected. Moreover, the heat sink members are provided with channels along their entire length through which air flow can be directed to provide additional heat removal by convection. Air flow is preferably facilitated by use of small fans located at the ends of the heat sink members, at least one such fan for each such heat sink member which fits within the width and height outline of the disk drive/heat sink member combination thereby requiring minimal space and no alteration to existing computer chassis dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, a thermally conductive pad is positioned between the heat sink members and the respective mating surfaces of the disk drive or other component to facilitate enhanced heat conduction therebetween.