Abstract:
A system is provided for heat sinking and environmental dissipation of heat generated by one or more ICs mounted to a printed circuit board. The system includes a primary thermally conductive plate and one or more thermally conductive discs attached to the primary plate. The one or more thermally conductive discs make intimate contact with the one or more ICs mounted to the printed circuit board such that the heat generated by the one or more ICs in operation transfers through the one or more discs and onto the plate, whereupon the heat laterally distributes across the primary plate and dissipates into the environment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention claims priority to a provisional patent application 60/619,515 filed on Oct. 15, 2004, entitled “Printed Circuit Board Heat Spreader”. The entire disclosure of said provisional patent application is included herein at least by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is in the field of electronics thermal management, pertaining particularly to the management of printed circuit boards (PCBs) used in the telecom and other industries where such boards are mounted in close proximity to each other in a rack or housing, e.g., telecommunications system channel bank. The present invention pertains to methods and apparatus for creating and maintaining acceptable operating temperatures on said boards through use of a specialized heat sink attached to the board&#39;s integrated circuits (ICs). 
   2. Discussion of the State of the Art 
   In the field of electronics, PCBs are used to support mounted electronics components, including integrated circuits for use in powering and providing function to electronic devices and systems. In the field of telecommunications, a plurality of PCBs are often arranged as a group in parallel relationship to each other and in close proximity to each other, especially in telecommunications equipment like telecommunications channel banks. 
   In typical individual PCB structures, there are a variety of techniques and apparatus employed for the purpose of helping maintain acceptable temperatures for heat-generating ICs mounted to the board. Of these known types, individual passive heat sinks and thermally conductive board layers are the most common. These, however, have become increasingly less effective with the advent of higher speed ICs required on the PCBs of telecommunications and other industries. These faster ICs generate more heat, and, when enough are mounted together on a PCB, can generate enough heat to render individual passive sinks or conductive layers inadequate. The problem is exasperated further when multiple boards are operating in close proximity to one another. 
   More thermally effective types of heat dissipation systems are available in the art such as micro-fans, thermoelectric heat sinks, or heat-pipe assisted sinks. While thermally effective, there is a higher cost for implementing these types and there are more reliability problems with the use of these systems. Moreover, the housing arrangement typically required of a plurality of PCBs arranged in parallel and in close proximity to each other, such as in a telecommunications channel bank, for example, makes implementation of space-consuming control contrivances very difficult if not impossible. This is because systems like telecommunications channel banks have very limited space available between installed cards (PCBs) and may have no permissible space outside of channel banks to provide mounting space for heat rejection surfaces that may be used in heat pipe systems or the like. 
   Therefore, what is clearly needed in the art is a thermal heat sink and dissipation system for temperature control and maintenance of multiple ICs mounted to a PCB that may be implemented with other like PCBs in tight, minimally-spaced board configurations and that may be provided of low-cost materials and labor. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A system is provided for heat sinking and environmental dissipation of heat generated by one or more ICs mounted to a printed circuit board. The system includes a primary thermally conductive plate, and one or more thermally conductive discs attached to the primary plate. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more thermally conductive discs make intimate contact with the one or more ICs mounted to the printed circuit board such that the heat generated by the one or more ICs in operation transfers through the one or more discs and onto the plate, whereupon the heat laterally distributes across the primary plate and dissipates into the environment. 
   In one embodiment, the printed circuit board is a line card and the plate is one of aluminum or copper. In this embodiment, the one or more discs are also composed of aluminum or copper. Also in one embodiment, the one or more discs are attached to the plate using pop rivets. 
   In one embodiment, intimate contact between the one or more discs and the one or more ICs is a measured gap filled with a thermal dielectric compound. In another embodiment, the intimate contact between the one or more discs and the one or more ICs is a flush surface-to-surface interface. In a preferred embodiment, the primary plate is separated from the PCB in a parallel plane by a plurality of standoffs. 
   In another embodiment, the system further includes a secondary thermally conductive plate mounted to the primary plate; and one or more thermally conductive discs attached to the secondary plate, wherein the discs attached to the secondary plate make intimate contact with one or more ICs mounted to the printed circuit board not contacted by any discs attached to the primary plate. (Contact access to the ICs is provided through openings in the primary plate.) In this embodiment, the secondary plate is one of copper or aluminum. Also in this embodiment, the secondary plate is separated in a parallel plane from the primary plate by a plurality of standoffs. The one or more discs attached to the secondary plate are composed of copper or aluminum. 
   In one embodiment, intimate contact between the one or more discs attached to the secondary plate and the one or more ICs, is a measured gap filled with a thermal dielectric compound. In another embodiment, the intimate contact between the one or more discs attached to the secondary plate and the one or more ICs is a flush surface-to-surface interface. 
   In a variation to the above embodiments, the one or more ICs are mounted to both sides of the PCB and wherein the secondary plate is mounted to the PCB on the side opposite of the primary plate. 
   According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system for heat sinking and environmental dissipation of heat generated by a plurality of ICs distributed among and mounted to a plurality of printed circuit boards is provided. The system includes a plurality of thermally conductive plates mounted at least one each to the printed circuit boards; a plurality of thermally conductive discs, one or more attached to each of the plurality of plates; and a cooling source for directing cold air to the plurality of plates. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the discs make intimate contact with said ICs, transferring heat generated therefrom onto the plates, where it is distributed laterally and removed to the environment by airflow directed on the plates from a cooling source. In this embodiment, the plates and the discs are composed of copper or aluminum. 
   In one embodiment, the plurality of printed circuit boards are line cards plugged into card slots arranged adjacently in a telecommunications channel bank. Also in one embodiment, the cooling source is a compressor for compressing and directing cold air into each of the card slots. In this embodiment, the plates are separated from the PCBs in parallel planes by a plurality of standoffs. 
   According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for mounting a thermal heat-sink system to a line card, the system including a thermally conductive plate, and one or more thermally conductive discs attached to the plate. The method includes steps for (a) inserting at least 2 alignment set screws into threaded standoffs provided on the line card; (b) positioning the system, discs facing the line card, over the alignment set screws and setting the system down on the standoffs, with the alignment set screws extending through pattern matched openings in the system plate; (c) threading machine screws into the standoffs not containing an alignment screw, the machine screws inserted through pattern matched openings in the plate of the system; (d) tightening the machine screws to an acceptable torque; (e) removing the alignment set screws; (f) threading machine screws into the remaining standoffs through the remaining pattern matched openings in the plate of the system; and (g) tightening the machine screws to the acceptable torque. 
   In one aspect, the method further includes a step between steps (a) and (b) for applying a thermal dielectric compound to each of the thermally conductive discs for bridging gaps between disc faces and ICs. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a telecommunications PCB containing mounted ICs. 
       FIG. 2A  is a plan view of a heat sink and dissipation assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a right side view of the heat sink and dissipation assembly of  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the PCB of  FIG. 1  with the heat sink and dissipation assembly of  FIG. 2A  installed according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of a PCB with a heat sink and dissipation assembly installed and adapted to accept a second heat sink and dissipation assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5A  is a plan view of a second tier heat sink and dissipation assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5B  is a right side view of the heat sink and dissipation assembly of  FIG. 5A . 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a PCB assembly with a two tiered heat sink and dissipation capability according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a process flow chart illustrating steps for mounting a heat sink and dissipation assembly to a PCB according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The inventor provides a heat sink and dissipation system for PCBs that is adapted to thermally control a plurality of ICs mounted on said PCBs in an efficient, load-sharing manner. The methods and apparatus of the invention are described in enabling detail below. 
     FIG. 1  is a plan view of a telecommunications PCB  100  containing mounted ICs. PCB  100  may be assembled in the form of a telecommunications line card, such as one that may be used in close proximity with other like PCBs in a telecommunications channel bank for example. This specific implementation is not required in order to practice the present invention however it serves to better explain the methods and apparatus of the invention, which are particularly beneficial for the type of implementation described. 
   PCB  100  is adapted to be plugged into a bay or card slot by virtue of electronics plug assemblies  102 , which provide power and communications connectivity for the unit. In this embodiment, PCB  100  may be a Telco-side interface circuitry to a local wired telephony loop. PCB  100  has card positioning and securing apparatus  101  mounted thereon and adapted to enable PCB  100  to be secured in vertical position in a PCB slot adapted to accept the PCB. One with skill in the art of telecommunications channel banks, routers, and other scalable architectures will appreciate that PCB  100  may be housed in close proximity with many other like PCBs in vertical or horizontal rack array configuration. 
   PCB  100  has a plurality of ICs  103  ( 1 -n) mounted thereon and adapted to provide various functions of, in this case, telecommunications operations and tasks. It is noted herein that ICs  103  ( 1 -n) are arranged in no particular symmetric array, but are mounted on PCB  100  at their predestined locations per design. It may be assumed that other like PCBs sharing a rack with PCB  100  may have identical ICs mounted in identical positions on those PCBs. It may also be assumed that there may be other PCBs grouped with PCB  100  that may be of a different configuration in terms of number type and mounted locations of ICs. 
   ICs  103  ( 1 -n) may generate an appreciable amount of heat during operation and together, may generate enough heat that a safe operating temperature maximum may be reached and surpassed. In addition to PCB  100 , other PCBs in an array also generate appreciable heat. Collectively, the heat generated by many such PCBs may cause failure of one or more PCBs in an array. Because of tight quarters typical of a telecommunication channel bank, for example, prior art heat sink apparatus and powered mechanisms may be difficult to implement properly and may be costly as was described above in the background section of this specification. 
   In this example, PCB  100  has a plurality of standoffs  104  provided thereto and strategically located thereon. Standoffs  104  are annular in shape and of such a height so they may connect a heat sink and dissipation plate assembly to PCB  100  in a plane substantially parallel to PCB  100 . Standoffs  104  may be manufactured of high temp polymers, metals, or other durable materials and do not have to be manufactured of any thermally conductive materials, although this may be preferred. Standoffs  104  are tubular and are open in the center and threaded on the inside diameter to accept a threaded machine screw at both ends. 
   Standoffs  104  may be pre-positioned over openings provided through PCB  100  and adapted for the purpose of locating the standoffs in proper position and for inserting machine screws and lock nuts through the back side of PCB  100  and into standoffs  104  securing them for mounting. Standoffs  104  may also be adhered to PCB  100  in position and may be placed in location of adhesion thereon by method of pin alignment or other known methods. In one embodiment, standoffs  104  are positioned in annular recesses provided on the interfacing surface of PCB  100  and adapted to hold standoffs  104  in tight-fitting position. In either case, machine screws may be used to secure standoffs  104  to PCB  100  and eventually to secure the heat sink and dissipation assembly over the standoffs. 
     FIG. 2A  is a plan view of a heat sink and dissipation assembly  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Heat sink and dissipation assembly  200 , which may be referred to hereafter as simply plate assembly  200  or assembly  200 , is adapted to be mounted onto PCB  100  described above over standoffs  104  in a position parallel to PCB  100 . Plate assembly  200  includes a manufactured plate  201  and a plurality of machined discs  202  ( 1 -n) provided thereto and mounted thereon one side in a strategic array matching the pattern of the IC array described with respect to  FIG. 1  above. 
   Plate  201  is manufactured of a heat conductive metal such as aluminum or copper. Plate  201  is optimally held to a thickness in manufacture of approximately 1/16 th  of an inch or (0.064″). However, it may be slightly thicker or thinner depending on exact design preferences. Plate  201  is substantially flat across both major surfaces and is machined on portions thereof to acquire a desired peripheral geometry including peripheral cutouts, chamfers, and steps as may be required to provide relief space for any components or features of the PCB that otherwise might make undesirable contact with the edges of plate  201  in a mounted position. Likewise, plate  201  may have a plurality of interior openings illustrated herein as openings  205  placed there through. Openings  205  are generally geometric in design and may be adapted to provide relief for any particular PCB components that may otherwise make undesirable contact with the surface of plate  201  in mounted position. The exact geometric profile of plate  201  including presence of and geometric profile of any cutout openings provided there through is determined by geometric requirements of the PCB to which it will be mounted. 
   Conductive discs  202  ( 1 -n) may be manufactured from a high heat conductive material such as aluminum or copper. It is noted herein that discs  202  ( 1 -n) are not all of the same diameter. The outside diameter of each conduction disc  202  ( 1 -n) is determined, in part, by the size of the individual IC, which will come into close contact with a disc when plate assembly  200  is mounted. The pattern of location of discs  202  ( 1 -n) is the same pattern of location related to ICs  103  ( 1 -n) with respect to PCB  100  described further above. In this view, the visible side of assembly  201  is the side facing a PCB when mounted. 
   Discs  202  ( 1 -n) are, in a preferred embodiment, solid discs manufactured to hold a height measurement that is substantially uniform across the face of the disc. That is to say that both major surfaces or faces of a disc ( 202  ( 1 -n) are held substantially parallel to each other through machining practice. The height dimension held in manufacture may vary from disc to disc and is determined in part by the height dimensions of ICs mounted to a PCB as taken from the mounting surface. In one embodiment when plate assembly  200  is mounted to a PCB, each facing surface of each disc  202  ( 1 -n) makes a substantially flush and intimate contact with respective facing surfaces of ICs located on the PCB in the same location pattern (mirror imaged) as the discs. In another embodiment, a pre-determined space or gap is maintained between disc and IC contact surfaces. In both cases, a low resistive thermal conducting compound may be used to ensure heat transfer between the heat-dissipating ICs and discs  202  ( 1 -n). 
   Discs  202  ( 1 -n) have openings  203  placed thereon in geometric mounting patterns. Openings  203  are adapted to accept standard pop rivet components and align with like openings placed through plate  201  and adapted for the purpose. For larger discs, there are 3 openings  203  arranged in a triangular mounting pattern, the openings equally spaced from one another. For smaller discs, there are 2 openings  203 . For even smaller discs, 1 opening  203  may be provided substantially in the center of the disc. In a preferred embodiment, discs  202  ( 1 -n) are affixed to plate  201  using pop rivets, but one with skill in the art will recognize that other standard methods for affixing metallic components together may also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. A thin film of appropriate thermal compound may be applied at the disc  202 /plate  201  interface to assure optimal thermal conduction across said interface. 
   Discs  202  ( 1 -n) each have a scribed circle  206  provided on the face that interfaces with an IC. Scribe circles  206  are provided substantially centered on each disc with a scribing tool or other instrument capable of leaving a circular scribe mark. It is noted that each disc  202  ( 1 -n) also as a center-mark or divot placed thereon by machine practice. The divot provides a base from which to create a scribe circle  206 . The purpose of scribe circle  206  is to define an area in the center of each disc  202  ( 1 -n) for application of a curable thermal compound (not illustrated). The thermal compound is applied just before mounting assembly  200  to a PCB and is allowed to cure while mounted. The purpose of the compound is to insure optimum heat transfer from the ICs mounted on the PCB, through discs  202  ( 1 -n) and into plate  201 . As heat is transferred to plate  201  it naturally spreads across the plate and then dissipates into the environment. Assembly  200  is termed by the inventor, a “heat spreader” assembly owing to this featured capability. 
     FIG. 2B  is a right side view of the heat sink and dissipation assembly  200  of  FIG. 2A . In this view, discs  202  ( 1 -n) are viewed in side profile. Features such as through openings, cut outs and the like which are otherwise not directly visible in this view are not illustrated. 
     FIG. 3  is a plan view of PCB  100  of  FIG. 1  with heat sink and dissipation assembly  200  of  FIG. 2A  installed according to an embodiment of the present invention. A thermally protected PCB assembly  300  is achieved by mounting heat spreader assembly  200  onto PCB  100  as is illustrated in this view. Discs  202  ( 1 -n) on the far side of plate  201  make contact with ICs  103  ( 1 -n) as previously discussed. Standoffs  104  provide the spacing in part with individual height dimensions of discs  202  ( 1 -n) to insure proper contact between discs and ICs and to permit optimal flow of cooling air between plate  201  and PCB  100 . The circular shape of discs  202  ( 1 -n) and standoffs  104  further helps to optimize said flow. One thermal cooling system may be employed for an entire rack or bank of assemblies  300 . In one embodiment, several banks may be serviced by one thermal cooling system. 
   In practice of the present invention, the heat spreader assembly works by transferring heat from ICs  103  ( 1 -n) through discs  202  ( 1 -n) to the spreader plate, where it is distributed evenly across the plate for subsequent removal to the environment. Unlike a conventional passive heat sink for an individual IC, spreader assembly  200  shares the collective heat load of all contacted ICs, enabling a more effective transfer of heat by virtue of a greater heat sink surface area. Empirical testing indicates a much greater heat transfer capability than can be achieved using individual sinks or proactive apparatus under the same given conditions. 
   As described above, component  300  may be installed vertically or horizontally in a card slot of a telecommunication channel bank with numerous other PCBs also employing heat spreader assemblies like assembly  200 . (In a preferred embodiment, said channel bank is placed in series with an appropriate air delivery system to force cooling air through the bank&#39;s card slots.) Because of their high conductivity characteristics and relative position between the PCBs in the bank, the spreader plates are maintained at nearly isothermal conditions while being bathed in the coolest possible air flowing through the slots. Under these conditions the highest average temperature difference between the plates and air over the largest surface area is produced, thereby affecting a greater amount of heat transfer than can be achieved using individual IC heat sinks. 
   In one embodiment, more than one heat spreader assembly may be mounted to a single PCB.  FIG. 4  is a plan view of a PCB  400  with a heat sink and dissipation assembly  401  installed and adapted to accept a second heat sink and dissipation assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. PCB  400  is somewhat analogous to PCB  100  described above with respect to  FIG. 1  with the exception that some of the ICs mounted to it are not contacted by a first heat spreader analogous to spreader assembly  200  described above. In this example, a spreader assembly  401  is provided to transfer heat from 6 ICs (not illustrated) as described above. However, PCB  400  has 3 additional ICs  403  ( 1 -n) mounted to it. Heat spreader assembly  401  has internal circular cut outs  402  placed thereon in a location pattern mirroring that of ICs  403  ( 1 -n). 
   Openings  402  are provided of such a diameter as to enable access to ICs  403  ( 1 -n) by contact discs of a second heat spreader assembly adapted to transfer heat from just those ICs visible in this view. In this case, a plurality of standoffs  404  are provided and strategically affixed to the back (visible) surface of assembly  401  in similar fashion as described above with respect to PCB standoffs  104  of  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, standoffs  404  are provided from a heat resistive material due to a fact that they are located between two highly conductive plates. 
     FIG. 5A  is a plan view of a second tier heat sink and dissipation assembly  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Heat spreader assembly  500  is adapted as a second tier assembly for heat sinking ICs  403  ( 1 -n) mounted on PCB  400  described above. Assembly  500  includes a highly conductive plate  501  and a plurality of contact discs  502 . Plate  501  is analogous in description to plate  201  described above with reference to  FIG. 2 . Likewise, discs  502  ( 1 -n) are analogous to discs  202  ( 1 -n) of the same  FIG. 2  in both description and preferred method of attachment to plate  501 . That is to say that spreader assembly  500  is analogous to assembly  200  described further above accept for overall peripheral dimensioning. Standoff openings  504  are provided through plate  501  in a location pattern matching the location pattern of standoffs  404 . 
     FIG. 5B  is a right side view of heat sink and dissipation assembly  500  of  FIG. 5A . In this view, contact discs  502  ( 1 ),  502  ( 2 ), and  502  ( n ) are clearly visible in right-side profile. When mounted over heat spreader assembly  400  of  FIG. 4 , contact discs  502  ( 1 -n) will make contact with ICs  403  ( 1 -n) through relief openings  402 . Application of assembly  500  onto assembly  401  is the same as the application of assembly  200  to PCB  100  described further above except that assembly  500  mounts to assembly  401  rather than to a PCB. 
     FIG. 6  is a plan view of a PCB assembly  600  with a two-tier heat sink and dissipation capability according to an embodiment of the present invention. Component  600  has heat spreader assembly  401  mounted thereto and a second tier of heat sink capability is added by virtue of heat spreader assembly  500  mounted to assembly  401 . Contact discs  502  ( 1 -n) are illustrated (far side) making contact with the previously exposed ICs  403  ( 1 -n) described with reference to  FIG. 4 . Such two-tier implementations are possible and practical provided that the width of a card slot is sufficient to accommodate the overall width of the double-sink plate assembly. In this embodiment, heat spreader assembly  500  collects and dissipates the heat generated by the ICs that are not handled by spreader assembly  401 , namely ICs  403  ( 1 -n). This embodiment offers a method of removing heat from a cluster of ICs of high power density, where a single tier spreader would not offer enough surface area or temperature difference with the environment to provide adequate heat transfer. 
   In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, heat spreader assemblies may be implemented on both sides of a PCB. This case assumes that there are ICs mounted to both sides of a particular PCB. In still another embodiment one heat spreader assembly may be implemented between two separate PCBs. In this embodiment there are appropriate contact discs installed on both sides of the spreader plate, those discs making contact to the appropriate ICs of both PCBs. 
     FIG. 7  is a process flow chart illustrating steps for mounting a heat sink and dissipation assembly to a PCB according to an embodiment of the present invention. At step  701 , alignment screws ( 4 - 40 ) or other suitable threading are placed into appropriate standoffs. It is preferred that 2 alignment set screws are inserted into standoffs, which are located some distance apart from each other, say in opposite corners for example. 
   At step  702 , thermal gap filler is applied to all of the contact discs on the heat spreader assembly beginning with a first disc and ensuing until all contact discs are treated. Step  702  assumes some measured gap will exist between ICs on the PCB and the contact disc faces when mounted. The gap filler is highly conductive and ensures heat transfer between the gaps. In an embodiment where contact discs will be mounted flush against ICs, thermal grease may be used instead of gap filler. 
   Application of the gap-filling compound may be accomplished using a mechanical applicator. The compound itself is a self-curing thermal dielectric compound available to the inventor. It is assumed in this process description that all of the contact disc surfaces have been inspected and cleaned if required to remove any particulate matter. It is also assumed that the compound has the appropriate thermal and fluid properties to facilitate heat spreader installation and performance. 
   In application of the gap-filling compound, it is recommended that the nozzle of the applicator be held in a vertical position about ⅛ th  of an inch above the center mark of the contact disc when discharging the filler. The circular scribe on each disc marks a boundary to contain the filler. That is to say that the circle should be filled such that there is no overflow outside of the circle. The circular scribe is of a diameter determined by test or calculation to be that appropriate for meting out the correct amount of gap filler. 
   At step  703 , the heat spreader assembly is positioned over the PCB such that in alignment over the setscrews, the contact discs align with the appropriate ICs on the PCB. In this step, the heat spreader assembly is placed down upon the standoffs over the alignment screws. 
   At step  704 , machine screws with lock washers are placed through the openings in the spreader plate and threaded into the standoff openings that do not contain alignment screws. At step  705 , the machine screws are tightened to an acceptable torque range. 
   At step  706 , the alignment set screws are removed from their positions. The process resolves back to step  704  for the remaining standoff positions and then to step  705  for tightening the remaining screws thereby finishing the installation. The process terminates at step  706  and the installation must cure (gap filler) for one to two hours before card-slot installation. 
   It is noted herein that the same basic process is observed when installing a second heat spreader assembly over one that is mounted to a PCB in a double tier implementation. 
   One with skill in the art will appreciate that in an embodiment of a two-tiered component, an inner space (between the first and second heat spreader) is created and may be narrower than the initial space created between the first plate and the PCB. This is because the contact discs of the second assembly recess through openings in the plate of the first assembly to make contact with the appropriate ICs. Therefore, the standoffs used to standoff the second plate may be shorter than those used to standoff the first plate from the PCB. Alternatively, the same length standoffs may be used if the disc heights of the contact discs on the second plate are proportionally greater to take up the offset. In the latter case, the inner spaces created between the PCB and the first plate and between the first and second plates may be relatively equal in gap distance. 
   It is noted herein that heat spreader assemblies may be removed from a PCB in the event that board needs to be serviced or reworked. In this case direct heat may be required in applications where gap filler was used and is in a state of cure. First, all of the machine screws holding the installation and other hardware should be removed from the heat spreader. Next, the user should select a contact disc location nearest an edge, preferably, a corner edge. Identifying the pop rivet pattern enables contact disc location. Next, the user should apply heat from a standard heat gun to the plate to warm up and soften the gap filler while at the same time applying separation pressure to pull the disc away from the IC it is in contact with. The same procedure applies to the remaining disc locations until the heat spreader assembly can be completely removed from the PCB. The application of heat to facilitate removal of the spreader only applies to those thermal gap fillers which soften when heated. To further facilitate removal, an appropriate mold release agent may be applied to the affected ICs and spreader discs prior to the initial assembly of the spreader to the PCB. 
   After the PCB and the heat spreader are cleaned from excess gap filler and the PCB is serviced, the spreader assembly can be remounted using the process of  FIG. 7 . One with skill in the art of assembly techniques will appreciate that the exact order of the steps as illustrated in the process of  FIG. 7  may be different for different implementations. For example, on applications where flush contact is mandated between IC and contact disc, gap filler may not be used. Also in double tiered applications and applications of 2 PCBs and one spreader, or one spreader on either side of a PCB, the step order and content may be modified to reflect those particular installation embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   The methods and apparatus of the present invention may be practiced with virtually any implementation of a PCB such as within a computer device, a communications device, or as described herein within a telecommunications channel bank or other card-slot architectures. Miniaturization may be practiced in cases where a component uses very small PCBs. Likewise, up scaling in dimensioning may be practiced for very large components used in industrial settings. There are many possibilities. The methods and apparatus of the present invention should be afforded the broadest consideration under examination in light of the various embodiments described and those envisioned. The spirit and scope of the present invention should be limited only by the claims that follow.