Patent ID: 6702001
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method for mounting a heat sink to a heat source comprising the steps of:providing a heat source and a heat sink, said heat source having an area of heat concentration, determining an optimum size for a displacement element as a function of said area of heat concentration, placing said optimally sized displacement element between said heat source and said heat sink, applying compression to said optimally sized displacement element between said heat source and said heat sink, wherein said displacement element comprises a stepped base on said heat sink, determining an optimum size for a thermal interface material for placement on said displacement element comprising the steps of establishing values that represent fixed characteristics for said thermal interface material during said step of applying compression, establishing constraining equations for an initial size of said thermal interface material, a thickness of said thermal interface material as a function of said compression, and a thermal resistance of said thermal interface material, wherein said step of determining said optimum size for said displacement element comprises minimizing said thermal resistance value of said thermal interface material.