Abstract:
A computer apparatus comprising a computer chassis, a baseboard component disposed within the computer chassis and a computer module electronically coupled to the baseboard component is disclosed. A heat sink assembly is attached to the computer module to form a computer module heat sink assembly, wherein the heat sink assembly forms part of an integral exterior structure of the computer chassis. The chassis may comprise a compartment disposed through an exterior surface of the chassis for receiving the computer module heat sink assembly in mated fashion. The computer module heat sink assembly forms a water and air tight seal with the internal compartment of the chassis in mated fashion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to computer systems. More specifically, it relates to improvements in computer architecture by improving serviceability and upgradability of computer systems. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A computer-on-module (COM) is a type of single-board computer (SBC), a subtype of an embedded computer system. It is also called System on Module (SOM) as an extension of the concept of System on Chip (SoC) and lying between a full-up computer and a microcontroller in nature. 
         [0005]    Today&#39;s COM/SOM modules are complete computers which may be built on a single circuit board. The design is centered on a single microprocessor with RAM, input/output controllers and all other features needed to be a functional computer on the one board. However, unlike a single-board computer, the COM module will usually lack the standard connectors for any input/output peripherals to be attached directly to the board. Instead, the wiring for these peripherals may be bussed out to connectors on the board. 
         [0006]    The module may usually need to be mounted on a carrier board (or “baseboard”) which breaks the bus out to standard peripheral connectors. Some COMs also include peripheral connectors and/or can be used without a carrier. 
         [0007]    A COM/SOM solution offers a dense package computer system for use in small or specialized applications requiring low power consumption or small physical size as is needed in embedded systems. Some devices may also incorporate Field Programmable Gate Arrays. 
         [0008]    The terms, “Computer-on-Module” and “COM,” have become more notable upon industry standardization of the COMExpress format. COMExpress, a computer-on-module (COM) form factor, is a highly integrated and compact PC that can be used in a design application much like an integrated circuit component. Each COMExpress Module COM integrates core CPU and memory functionality, the common I/O of a PC/AT, USB, audio, graphics, and Ethernet. In some embodiments, all I/O signals may be mapped to high density, low profile connectors attached to the module. 
         [0009]    COMExpress is a PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group (PICMG) standard that defines a Computer-On-Module, or COM, packaged as a super component. The defined interfaces provide a smooth transition path from legacy parallel interfaces to LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) interfaces. This includes the PCI bus, parallel ATA, PCI Express and Serial ATA. COM Express defines five different pinout types in order to be scalable for future applications. 
         [0010]    Thus, COMExpress is an open standard technology offering more compact and powerful computing solutions than, for example, blade-based computer systems. However, in some typical systems which incorporate COMExpress technology, substantial disassembly is required in order to change the COMExpress module. In some cases, it may be necessary to disassemble the entire system in order to service the COMExpress module. This can significantly increase labor and service/repair costs when servicing the COMExpress module. 
         [0011]    In addition, further difficulties have occurred in addressing cooling requirements of conventional COMExpress systems. As computing power density increases, so does the heat that must be forced from the inside of the system to the environment external to the system. In convention systems, the placement of internal components including the COMExpress module and supporting components may actually hinder airflow and/or dissipation of heat. Thus, the ability of the system to create airflow sufficient to cool components, such as the COMExpress module, becomes encumbered by the blocking effect of the surrounding components. Therefore, a need exists for properly drawing and dissipating heat from the computer system and away from the COMExpress module. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention provides a COMExpress computer module as field serviceable element within a computer system. This greatly reduces the service time required for a computer system using this technology when upgrades or replacements are required for the COMExpress module. Other embodiments provide cooling solutions integrated into the design of the computer system. 
         [0013]    In accordance with one disclosed exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided having a computer chassis, a computer module disposed within the computer chassis, and a heat sink assembly attached to said computer module to form a computer module heat sink assembly, wherein the heat sink assembly forms part of an integral exterior structure of the computer chassis. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another disclosed embodiment, an apparatus is provided having a computer chassis, a baseboard component disposed within the computer chassis and a computer module electronically coupled to the baseboard component. A heat sink assembly is attached to the computer module to form a computer module heat sink assembly, wherein the heat sink assembly forms part of an integral exterior structure of the computer chassis. 
         [0015]    In accordance with yet another disclosed exemplary embodiment, a heat dissipation apparatus for an electronic device is provided having a computer module and a heat sink assembly attached to the computer module to form a computer module heat sink assembly. The heat sink assembly is formed and configured to integrate into an exterior structure of the electronic device. 
         [0016]    In accordance with still another disclosed exemplary embodiment, a cooling module for an electronic device is provided having a computer module and a heat sink assembly having a plurality of fins attached to a surface thereto. The module may further include the heat sink assembly being attached to the computer module to form a computer module heat sink assembly. The heat sink assembly is formed and configured to integrate into the exterior of the electronic device as an integral structure. 
         [0017]    Still other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of exemplary embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present invention also is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a server according to an exemplary disclosed embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a COMExpress computer module heatsink removed and held relative to the chassis of the server of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top perspective view of the server of  FIG. 1  with the COMExpress computer module heatsink removed; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates a COMExpress computer module heatsink of the server of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    An improved computer system having a field serviceable COMExpress computer module is described. Embodiments of the present invention allow an intact computer system to be serviced or upgraded without disassembling the entire system. Depending on the environment in which the system is installed, upgrades are possible while still installed in the end application, with all interconnections attached. Other embodiments provide cooling solutions integrated into the design of the computer system. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments. It is apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. 
         [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  illustrates a server  10  internally arranged to receive electrical components enabling a dense architecture. Server  10  comprises an exterior case or chassis  12  for lodging and protecting internal components. The chassis  12  may be configured to support mounting capabilities as needed. A plurality of fins  14  are integrally configured into the body of the chassis  12 . In other arrangements, fins  14  may be removable attached. Suitable materials including, aluminum, for example, may be utilized for forming the fins  14  and the exterior body of chassis  12  to dissipate heat from within the internal cavity of the chassis  12  to the exterior. Dissipated heat may include heat produced from components internal to chassis  12 . The plurality of fins  14  facilitates formation of a heatsink assembly of the external chassis  12  system in order to cool components of server  10 . Thus, the disclosed design facilitates efforts to provide a dense capacity of electronic elements with the prescribed area of chassis  12  without the need and/or added expense of providing additional or separate dedicated cooling system(s). 
         [0025]    The front  20  of chassis  12  may include a cover plate  16  for accessing internal components of the server. The cover plate  16  may be secured to the chassis  12  by any appropriate securing means sufficient for securing the cover plate  16  in tight fit relation to the chassis  12  framing and sealed arrangement. In one embodiment, threaded fasteners  18  are provided to secure the cover plate  16  to chassis  12 . 
         [0026]    In the present embodiment, the chassis  12  of server  10  may house and support at least a heatsink/mass storage device retention assembly and a corresponding number of one or more mass storage devices. While one or more known computer bus interface designs may be supported by the present system, server  10  is preferably configured to support the Serial ATA (SATA)(Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) computer bus interface for connecting host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives. 
         [0027]    The heatsink assembly of the external chassis  12  system may include a removable component of chassis  12  that allows access to internal components of the server  10 . Turning to  FIG. 2 , a COMExpress module  22  is shown removed from the chassis  12  of server  10 . A core element of the disclosed embodiment includes designing part of the external chassis  12  system to include a removable heatsink assembly portion  24  that is attached to the COMExpress module  22 —the result, of which, is the formation of a COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34 . In a preferred embodiment, the removable heatsink assembly portion  24  is attached to the COMExpress module  22 . Any suitable attachment means may be employed for retaining the COMExpress module  22  to the heatsink assembly portion  24 . This may include, for example, direct and indirect attachment of the COMExpress module  22  to the heatsink assembly portion  24  and/or any additional attachment elements such as mounts, adhesives, or fasteners, by way of example. 
         [0028]    The removable heatsink assembly portion  24  of the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34  may also become an integral part of the external chassis  12  system when it is attached to the chassis  12  as described below. In addition, removable heatsink assembly portion  24  provides structural support to the chassis  12  when mounted thereon. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, securing the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34  with the chassis  12  comprises mating an attachment surface  30  of the removable heatsink assembly portion  24  with a fitted surface area  32  of the chassis  12 . Thus, the fitted surface area  32  may be sufficiently configured to accommodate and receive the attachment surface  30  of the removable heatsink assembly portion  24  such the profile of the fins  14  of the removable heatsink assembly portion  24  and the chassis  12  are flush in a final assembly. 
         [0030]    The COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34  is preferably removably retained to the fitted surface area  32  of chassis  12 . By way of example, a plurality of threaded fasteners  36  may be inserted through the attachment surface  30  into mated insertion holes  38  of the fitted surface area  32  of chassis  12 . Other suitable and appropriate means may be employed for retaining the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34  to the chassis  12  so long as the resulting design accommodates reliable insertion and extraction of the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly from the finished chassis  12  system. In addition, when mated, the fitted surface area  32  and the attachment surface  30  are preferably designed to form a water and air tight seal. The aforementioned sealing facilitates protection of internal components of server  10  such as those found in rugged environments and elements (e.g., sand, water, snow, extreme temperatures, etc.) The chassis  12  may also be capable of being deployed and supporting electronics in ruggedized conditions such as those found in military and aerospace computing applications. Accordingly, the chassis  12  is preferably configured to handle the requirements for dealing harsh environments including, for examples, shock, vibration, humidity and ambient temperature extremes. 
         [0031]    A featured design of the disclosed chassis  12  compensates for a sealed system having relatively little or no airflow. The present system relies upon conduction to dissipate heat from electrical components disposed within the chassis  12  to outside of the system. For example, during operation, hot electrical components mounted to baseboard  46  are configured to transfer heat via attachment to COMExpress module  22  and to removable heatsink assembly portion  24  of the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34 . Heat is thereby dissipated from the server  10  via fins  14  of the heatsink assembly of the external chassis  12  system. The elimination of heat provides a cooling effect for the internal components of the chassis  12  system. 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , an internal compartment  26  is designed and provided within an interior of the chassis  12  to accommodate the COMExpress module  22  of the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34 . The COMExpress module  22  is preferably configured to attach to the server  10  system via one or more baseboard connectors  28  disposed within the internal compartment  26  and electrically coupled to baseboard  46 . This configuration establishes that the COMExpress module  22  is maintained generally parallel to the attached baseboard  46  unlike blade-based systems. Hence, in a final assembly, the chassis  12  of server  10  is preferably configured to accommodate the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34  such that the heatsink and board assembly of the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34  form a side wall in the chassis  12  system, and the board to board interconnect between the COMExpress module  22  and the baseboard  46  is maintained. The disclosed embodiment, therefore, facilitates heat dissipation from within chassis  12  to the plurality of fins  14  of the heatsink assembly and the fins  14  of the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34 . This may also include any heat dissipated from the COMExpress module  22  directly to the removable heatsink assembly portion  24  of the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34 . 
         [0033]    Turing to  FIG. 4  a circuit board  40  of the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34  is shown having hi-density connectors  42 . The hi-density connectors  42  are preferably sized and designed to mate with the baseboard connectors  28  disposed within internal compartment  26 . A plurality of other electronic components  44  may be assembled on circuit board  40 . Once the COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34  is removed from chassis  12 , the electrical components  44  may be easily and fully serviced (e.g., repaired, inspected, upgraded, etc.) as needed without impeding the operation or disassembling of other electrical components of the server  10  system. This feature may allow decreased service/down time of the COMExpress module  22 , since its accessibility is enhanced by the easy of insertion and removal provided by the disclosed design. Accordingly, additional savings may be realized, since the disclosed design allows servicing from within the field of operational use. This can prevent additional expenditures, for example, attributed to removal and transporting server  10  to remote locations for servicing. 
         [0034]    The COMExpress module  22  is preferably built around an open standard. The adaptability of the present invention is also evidenced in that the disclosed invention may apply standardized features, such as those from VITA 48 also known as Ruggedized Enhanced Design Implementation (REDI). While particular standards such as VITA 48.2 are more typically based upon blade-based computer modules, applications are found in their applied concepts to COM and, in particular, COMExpress of the presently disclosed system. The result of such features includes, inter alia, the disclosed computer system having the presently described COMExpress computer module heatsink assembly  34 . As a result, aspects of the invention provide enhanced field serviceability, an improved integrated cooling solution, and a practical means for facilitating insertion and/or removal of the COMExpress computer module  22 , as described herein. Other improvements include application of the disclosed system within ruggedized environments, such as those found in military and aerospace engineering conditions, while at the same time providing high density computer packaging to generate an improved computer solution. 
         [0035]    Moreover, other implementations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. Various aspects and/or components of the described embodiments may be used singly or in any combination. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.