Patent ID: 6526768
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: F25B,H01L,Y02B

Abstract:
An apparatus operative to maintain an integrated circuit device at an operational temperature of approximately âˆ’40 degrees Centigrade or below to achieve selected electronic performance characteristics, said apparatus comprising:a coolant loop containing a refrigerant; an evaporator in said coolant loop adapted to be in thermal contact with said integrated circuit device so as to cool said integrated circuit device, said evaporator defining a flow channel for passage of said refrigerant to remove thermal energy at said integrated circuit device; a compressor in said coolant loop for increasing the pressure of said refrigerant exiting said evaporator; a condenser in said coolant loop between said compressor and said evaporator, wherein said condenser has a variable speed fan operable to force air across said condenser to transfer thermal energy from said condenser to the environment; a temperature sensor in thermal contact with said refrigerant; and a controller in operative communication with said temperature sensor to control said variable speed fan to maintain said refrigerant at a predetermined temperature, wherein said controller functions to proportionately control said fan over a continuously variable range of speeds so as to maintain said integrated circuit device at said operational temperature of âˆ’40 degrees Centigrade or below.