Patent Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to an apparatus comprising a thermal block coupled to an electronic device, a thermal strap coupled to the thermal block, and retention hardware coupled to the thermal strap and configured to retain the thermal block within the thermal strap when the apparatus is exposed to at least one variable environmental condition.

Full Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0001]    This invention was made with Government support with the United States Air Force under contract No. N00019-02-C-3003. The Government has certain rights in this invention. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In an aerospace environment, mitigation strategies may be needed to ensure reliable and safe operation of an electronic device (e.g., a processor). If the device gets too hot (e.g., reaches a temperature that exceeds a threshold), the operation of the device may be degraded or even cease altogether. 
         [0003]    It can be difficult to implement mitigation strategies in an aerospace environment. For example, a lack of space and airflow might not allow a fan to be used to cool a device. Further complicating matters is the fact that a first instance of the device may vary from a second instance of the device due to an allowable tolerance in materials or fabrication processes used to manufacture the device. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    An embodiment is directed to an apparatus comprising: a thermal block coupled to an electronic device, a thermal strap coupled to the thermal block, and retention hardware coupled to the thermal strap and configured to retain the thermal block within the thermal strap when the apparatus is exposed to at least one variable environmental condition. 
         [0005]    An embodiment is directed to a method comprising: coupling a thermal strap and a thermal block, coupling retention hardware configured to retain the thermal block within the thermal strap when the apparatus is exposed to at least one variable environmental condition and the thermal block, and coupling the thermal block to an electronic device. 
         [0006]    Additional embodiments are described below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a thermal strap and block in accordance with one or more embodiments; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a thermal strap coupled to retention hardware in accordance with one or more embodiments; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates an assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description and in the drawings (the contents of which are included in this disclosure by way of reference). It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. In this respect, a coupling between entities may refer to either a direct or an indirect connection. 
         [0014]    Exemplary embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods are described for mitigating the impact of environmental conditions on the availability and functionality of a device, such as a processor. In some embodiments, the device may be associated with an engine or airframe of an aircraft. In some embodiments, an assembly may include adjustment or retention hardware and a block that are configured to mitigate or avoid applications of stress to the device. The assembly may include a spring to control a load that may be placed on the device. The assembly may include a strap that may conduct heat away from the device. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , exemplary components in accordance with one or more embodiments are shown. More specifically, a thermal strap  102  is shown. The strap  102  may be made of one or more materials or elements, such as aluminum. The strap  102  may be lightweight and may be used to conduct heat way from a device (e.g., a processor) that the strap  102  is applied to. The strap  102  may include one or more posts, such as posts  104   a - 104   c.  The posts  104   a - 104   c  may be coupled to a heat sink (not shown) or may be coupled to a housing (not shown). In this manner, heat may be transferred from the device to the strap  102 , from the strap  102  to the posts  104   a - 104   c,  from the posts  104   a - 104   c  to the heat sink or to the -housing. The transfer of heat may be used to keep the temperature of the device below a threshold. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the device (e.g., the processor) may be subject to one or more tolerances, such that a configurable or flexible assembly may be needed. In other words, simply applying a fixed-configuration strap  102  to the device could result in a substantial risk of damage to the device. In this respect, a thermal block  116  may be used. The block  116  may float within a cutout  124  of the strap  102  such that the device will not be crushed or damaged. The block  116  may float while the strap  102 , which may include one or more posts, is fastened or coupled to the heat sink or to the housing. The block  116  is also used to provide thermal conduction between, e.g., the device and the strap  102 . 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the strap  102  is shown as being coupled to, or including, adjustment or retention hardware  230 . The retention hardware  230  may include a washer and a screw. The retention hardware  230  may be configured to retain the block  116  within the strap  102  in order to mitigate against the impact of variable environmental conditions, such as load or vibration. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an assembly  300  is shown. The assembly  300  may include the strap  102 , the block  116  and the retention hardware  230  of  FIGS. 1-2 . The assembly  300  may include a thermal pad  340 . The thermal pad  340  may be used to enhance the conductivity (e.g., thermal conductivity) between a device  352  and the block  116 /strap  102 . The device  352  may include one or more electronic devices, such as a microprocessor. 
         [0019]    When a technician or operator is putting together or constructing the assembly  300 , it is possible that the operator might be inclined to press down on, or apply pressure to, the top of the block  116 . This application of pressure, if not controlled, may be sufficient to damage or crack (the die of) the device  352 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary assembly  400  that may be used to control the applied pressure. The assembly  400  is shown as including the strap  102 , the block  116 , the retention hardware  230 , and the pad  340 . The assembly  456  may include a spring  456  coupled to the block  116 . The spring  456  may be used to control the amount of load on the device  352 . For example, the spring  456  may be used to ensure that there is adequate contact between the device  352  and the block  116  during, e.g., construction of the assembly  400 , such that an operator/technician might not have to press down on the block  116 . More generally, the spring  456  may be used to ensure that there is controlled load between the device  352  and the block  116 . 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a flow chart of an exemplary method  500  is shown. The method  500  may be used to construct an assembly, such as the assemblies  300  and  400 . 
         [0021]    In operation  502 , a strap (e.g., strap  102 ) and a block (e.g., block  116 ) may be coupled to one another. 
         [0022]    In operation  504 , a spring (e.g., spring  456 ) and the block may be coupled to one another. 
         [0023]    In operation  506 , retention hardware (e.g., retention hardware  230 ) and the block  506  may be coupled to one another. 
         [0024]    In operation  508 , the block and a pad (e.g., pad  340 ) may be coupled to one another. 
         [0025]    In operation  510 , the pad and a device (e.g., device  352 ) may be coupled to one another. 
         [0026]    The method  500  is illustrative. In some embodiments, one or more of the operations may be optional. In some embodiments, additional operations not shown may be included. In some embodiments, the operations may execute in an order or sequence that is different from what is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0027]    As described herein, in some embodiments various functions or acts may take place at a given location and/or in connection with the operation of one or more apparatuses, systems, or devices. For example, in some embodiments, a portion of a given function or act may be performed at a first device or location, and the remainder of the function or act may be performed at one or more additional devices or locations. 
         [0028]    Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrative embodiments thereof Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps described in conjunction with the illustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order, and that one or more steps illustrated may be optional.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8