Patent ID: 9170222
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: G01N,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting thermal interface material (‘TIM’) between a heat sink and an integrated circuit, the heat sink comprising a plurality of TIM detection points, each TIM detection point adapted to receive TIM upon installation of the heat sink, each TIM detection point including a TIM detection device configured to be activated upon contact with TIM, each TIM detection device comprises a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch closed prior to receiving the TIM, the method comprising: receiving, upon installation of the heat sink on the integrated circuit and the TIM, TIM in one or more of the TIM detection points; activating, by the TIM in each of the one or more TIM detection points receiving the TIM, a TIM detection device including physically opening the mechanical switch; and determining, by a TIM detection module in dependence upon the activations of the TIM detection devices, sufficiency of the TIM between the heat sink and the integrated circuit including detecting the opening of each mechanical switch activated upon receiving the TIM in the TIM detection point.