Patent ID: 6545872
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A heat sink for use with a printed circuit board having power and ground traces for transferring current, comprising:means for conducting heat from power traces of a printed circuit board, the power traces heat conducting means being connected to the power traces to create a heat transfer pathway away from the power traces; means for conducting heat from ground traces of the printed circuit board, the ground traces heat conducting means being connected to the ground traces to create a heat transfer pathway away from the ground traces; and means for dissipating heat in thermal communication with the heat transfer pathways from the power and ground traces, wherein the heat dissipation means comprises a number of heat transfer elements and wherein the heat transfer elements in communication with the heat transfer pathway away from the power traces are electrically isolated from the heat transfer elements in communication with the heat transfer pathway away from the ground traces; wherein the heat dissipation means comprises a number of heat transfer elements and wherein the heat transfer elements in communication with the heat transfer pathway away from the power traces are electrically isolated from the heat transfer elements in communication with the heat transfer pathway away from the ground traces; wherein the heat transfer elements comprise fins arranged side by side and further wherein adjacent ones of the fins are in thermal communication with differing ones of the heat transfer pathways; and wherein the heat dissipation means includes isolation members adapted for providing the electrical isolation at each end of the fins.