Patent Abstract:
Embodiments of this invention relate generally to systems used to cool computer hardware and more particularly to an adaptor for a graphics module. In one embodiment a graphics card assembly is provided. The graphics card assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB); a graphics processing unit (GPU) attached to the PCB; and an adaptor having first and second surfaces and made from a thermally conductive material. The adaptor is disposed on the PCB so that the first surface is in thermal communication with the GPU and the second surface providing a standard interface for thermal communication with a cooling system.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/869,590, filed Dec. 12, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   Embodiments of this invention relate generally to systems used to cool computer hardware and more particularly to an adaptor for a graphics module. 
   2. Description of the Background Art 
     FIG. 1  is an isometric view illustrating a prior art cooling system  100  used to cool a heat-generating electronic device, such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), in a computer. As shown, cooling system  100  characteristically includes a blower/fan  106 , fins  109  and a bottom plate  111 . Typically, cooling system  100  is thermally coupled to the GPU, for example using thermal adhesive or grease having thermal properties that facilitate transferring heat generated by the GPU to the bottom plate  111 . Cooling system  100  may also include a heat sink lid (not shown), which, among other things, prevents particles and other contaminants from entering blower/fan  106  and air blown from blower/fan  106  from escaping cooling system  100 . The heat sink lid, together with the fins  109  and the bottom plate  111 , define a plurality of air channels  108 . 
   Blower/fan  106  is configured to force air through air channels  108  over bottom plate  111  such that the heat generated by the GPU transfers to the air. The heated air then exits cooling system  100 , as depicted by flow lines  114 , thereby dissipating the heat generated by the GPU into the external environment. This process cools the GPU, preventing the device from overheating during operation. Air channels  108  are configured to direct air blown from blower/fan  106  over bottom plate  111  and into the external environment in a manner that most efficiently removes heat from the GPU. 
     FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating a prior art computer  200 , such as a desktop, laptop, server, mainframe, set-top box, cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA) and the like within which the cooling system  100  for cooling the GPU  216  is incorporated. As shown, computer  200  includes a housing  201 , within which a motherboard  204  resides. Mounted on motherboard  204  are a central processing unit (CPU)  206 , a processor cooler  208  for cooling CPU  206 , and one or more peripheral component interface (PCI) cards  212 , each interfaced with a slot located in the back part of housing  201 . A system fan  210  is attached to the housing  201  for removing heat from computer  200 . Motherboard  204  further incorporates a graphics card  202  that enables computing device  200  to rapidly process graphics related data for graphics intensive applications such as gaming applications. Graphics card  202  includes a printed circuit board (PCB) upon which a plurality of circuit components (not shown), such as memory chips and the like, are mounted. In addition, graphics card  200  includes GPU  216 , mounted to one face of graphics card  202 , for processing graphics related data. 
   Because the computational requirements of GPU  216  are typically quite substantial, GPU  216  tends to generate a large amount of heat during operation. If the generated heat is not properly dissipated, the performance of GPU  216  degrades. For this reason, cooling system  100 , which is configured to remove heat from GPU  216 , is coupled to GPU  216 . 
     FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a prior art computer  305  having an alternative cooling system  300  incorporated therein. Cooling system  300  is coupled to graphics card  302  in order to dissipate heat generated by the GPU  316  and other surface mounted components (not shown). Cooling system  300  is interfaced to graphics card  302  via a mounting plate  320  that is adapted for coupling to mounting holes on graphics card  302 . Cooling system  300  further includes a passive heat transport device  315 , such as a heat pipe, and a heat exchanger  325  coupled to GPU  316  using mounting plate  320 . The heat pipe  315  is a passive heat transfer device, employing two-phase flow to achieve an extremely high thermal conductivity. The heat pipe  315  includes a vapor chamber and a wick structure which draws liquid (e.g. water) to a heat source (provided by the heat generated by the GPU  316  and transferred through the base  320 ) by the use of capillary forces. The liquid evaporates in the wick when heated and the resulting vapor escapes to the vapor chamber of the heat pipe where the vapor is then forced by a resulting pressure gradient to cooler regions of the heat pipe for condensation. The condensed liquid is then returned to the heat source via the capillary action. The cooler region of the heat pipe  315  is in thermal communication with a system fan  310  via heat exchanger  325 . 
   Each of the graphics cards  202 ,  302  is modular, thereby having a standard connector that interfaces with a mating standard connector of a respective motherboard  204 ,  304 . The configuration of the standard connector is governed by a standard, such as peripheral component interface express (PCI Express), mobile PCI Express module (MXM), peripheral component interface (PCI), and Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP). A modular graphics card allows for a user to upgrade the graphics card for a particular computer and/or allows an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to offer different graphics cards for a particular computer. 
   Even though a particular graphics card complies with a particular standard, there is still substantial variation between graphics cards from different vendors and even different graphics cards from the same vendor. Parameters, such as placement of the GPU and/or memory units on a graphics card, dimensions of the graphics card, number of memory units, location of power supply, components that require cooling, height of components, etc., will vary such that one particular cooling system configured for a particular graphics card will not interface with another graphics card complying with the same standard. Therefore, if the graphics card for a particular computer is upgraded, then the cooling system for that graphics card must also be replaced. Replacement of the cooling system is cumbersome especially in small form factor computers, such as servers, laptops, and PDAs, where the cooling systems are very compact to accommodate limited space availability. Further, when a new graphics card is designed by a particular vendor, a new or substantially re-configured cooling system must also be designed. 
   As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art is a standard interface between a graphics card and a cooling system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiments of this invention relate generally to systems used to cool computer hardware and more particularly to an adaptor for a graphics module. In one embodiment a graphics card assembly is provided. The graphics card assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB); a graphics processing unit (GPU) attached to the PCB; and an adaptor having first and second surfaces and made from a thermally conductive material. The adaptor is disposed on the PCB so that the first surface is in thermal communication with the GPU and the second surface providing a standard interface for thermal communication with a cooling system. 
   The standard interface of the adaptor allows for various graphics cards to be used with a standard cooling system without custom configuration of the cooling system. The adaptor is customized for a particular graphics card instead of having to customize the base of the cooling system. The standard interface provided by the adaptor simplifies graphics card installation, simplifies cooling system design, and eliminates customization of a particular cooling system for a particular graphics card. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view illustrating a prior art system used to cool a processor. 
       FIG. 2  is schematic diagram illustrating a prior art computing device adapted for use with the cooling system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a prior art computer having an alternative cooling system incorporated therein. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of a modular graphics card assembly and a portion of a cooling system for transferring heat from the graphics card assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4A  is a plan view of a first surface of the adaptor of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4B  is a plan view of a second surface of the adaptor of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric view of a modular graphics card assembly and a cooling system for transferring heat from the graphics card assembly, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5A  is a plan view of a first surface of the adaptor of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5B  is a plan view of a second surface of the adaptor of  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 4  is an exploded isometric view of a modular graphics card assembly  400  and a portion of a cooling system  450  for transferring heat from the graphics card assembly  400 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. The graphics card assembly  400  includes a graphics card  405  and an adaptor  410 .  FIG. 4A  is a plan view of a first surface  410   a  of the adaptor  410 .  FIG. 4B  is a plan view of a second surface  410   b  of the adaptor  410 . The graphics card  405  includes a PCB  402 , a GPU  406  attached to the PCB  402 , one or more memory units  407   a - d  attached to the GPU  406 , and a connector  403  formed as part of the PCB  405 . The connector  403  interfaces with a mating connector of a motherboard (not shown) of a computer (not shown). One or more fasteners, such as screws  404 , may be provided and are received by respective standoffs (not shown) on the motherboard. As shown, the adaptor plate  410  and the graphics card  405  conform to the MXM standard, disclosed in the &#39;590 Provisional. Alternatively, the adaptor plate  410  may be configured to conform to any standard for modular graphics cards, such as those listed above. 
   The adaptor  410  is made from a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum, copper, and alloys thereof. The adaptor  410  is mechanically coupled to the PCB  402  so that the first surface  410   a  of the adaptor is in thermal communication with the GPU  406  and the memory units  407   a - d  by one or more fasteners, such as screws  430 . Disposed on each screw  430  is a biasing member, such as a spring  430   a . Each screw is received in a respective hole  414   a  formed through the adaptor  410 , a respective hole  409  formed through the PCB, and a respective threaded standoff (not shown) disposed through a hole formed through a back  435 , thereby coupling the adaptor  410 , the PCB  402 , and the back  435  together. Alternatively, the back  435  may be omitted and each of the screws  430  may instead have toggled ends. Each spring  430   a  abuts a head of a respective screw  430  at one end and is received in a recess  414   b  formed in the second surface  410   b  of the adaptor  410  at the other end. A bushing or standoff  414   c  may line each of the holes  414   a . The springs allow the adaptor  410  to float over the PCB  402  to ensure optimal thermal communication between the adaptor  410  and the GPU  406  and the memory units  407   a - d.    
   The adaptor  410  includes a central portion and one or more optional extended portions  412   a, b . The central portion includes a thermal transfer area (TTA)  418 , which may vary according to a particular standard. Whether to include the extended portions  412   a, b  will be based on the cooling requirements of the particular graphics card  405 . For example, an economical graphics card may only require cooling of the GPU whereas a more powerful graphics card may require cooling of the GPU and memory units and an even more powerful graphics card may require cooling of the GPU, the memory units, and one or more other components, such as a power supply. The central portion includes a recess  415  which receives the GPU  406  and the extended portions  412   a, b  and pads  416   a - d  extending from the first surface  410   a  for contacting the memory units  407   a - d . The recess  415  and the pads  416   a - d  compensate for height variations between the GPU  406  and the memory units  407   a - d  and may be specifically configured for a particular graphics card. 
   The adaptor  410  may further include one or more cutout portions  419   a, b . The cutout portions allow access to the motherboard screws  404 . The cutout portion  419   a  also provides vertical space for a relatively tall component  408  of the graphics card  405 . The vertical space provided by the cutout portion  408  also minimizes the required thickness of the adaptor  410 , thereby also minimizing thermal resistance added by the adaptor  410 . The height of the component  408  may exceed the height of the second surface  410   b ; however, if so, then the component  408  may be located at a side of the graphics card  402  opposite the connector  403  to allow flexibility in choosing a coupling mode (discussed below). 
   The cooling system  450  includes a base  455 , an insert  475 , an L-shaped heat pipe  460 , and a heat exchanger, such as an array of fins  465 . Alternatively, the cooling system  550  (see  FIG. 5 ) may be used instead. The insert  475  is made from a thermally conductive material and is received in a window  457  formed through the base  455 . Alternatively, the base  455  and the insert  475  may be formed as one integral member. The base  455  is mechanically coupled to the adaptor  410  so that the insert  470  is in thermal communication with the TTA  418  of the second surface  410   b  of the adaptor  410  by one or more fasteners, such as screws  470 . Disposed on each screw  470  is a biasing member, such as a spring  470   a . Each screw  470  is received in a respective hole  417  formed through the adaptor  410 , and a respective hole  401  formed in the PCB  402 , thereby coupling the base  455 , the adaptor  410 , and the PCB  402  together. A bushing or standoff  401   a  may line each of the holes  401  and a bushing or standoff  417   a  may line each of the holes  417 . Each spring  470   a  abuts a head of a respective screw  470  at one end and is received in a recess  457   a  formed in a second surface of the base  455  at the other end. The springs allow the base  455  to float on the adaptor  410  to ensure optimal thermal communication between the base  455  and the adaptor  410 . 
   Various alternative modes of coupling the adaptor to the base  455  may be used besides fasteners. The adaptor  410  includes one or more ears  413  formed at opposing sides thereof. In one of these alternative modes, the base  455  includes a clip (not shown) so that the adaptor ears  413  may actuate the clip open upon insertion into the computer. The clip would then be closed, thereby coupling the adaptor to the base. In another of these alternative modes, a chassis (not shown) of the computer includes a slot, similar to a PC Card (formerly PCMCIA card). A chamfer  413   a  of each of the ears  413  allows for the graphics card assembly  400  to slide along the first surface of the base  455  until the second surface  410   b  of the adaptor  410  aligned with the first surface of the base  455 . In another of these alternative modes, the base  455  includes extensions (not shown) at opposing sides thereof each of which has a rail formed therein. The ears  413  would then be slid along the rails until the second surface  410   b  of the adaptor  410  aligned with the first surface of the base  455 . In another of these alternative modes, the graphics card assembly  400  would be inserted into the computer until the second surface  410   b  of the adaptor  410  aligned with the first surface of the base  455  and then a slide (not shown) is then moved over each ear  413  and locked into place. 
   A portion of a first leg of the heat pipe  460  is received in a recess  456  formed in a second surface of the base  455 , thereby providing thermal communication between the insert  475  and the heat pipe  460 . A portion of a second leg of the heat pipe  460  is received in a recess formed in a first surface of the fin array  465 . The fin array  465  is attached to the computer chassis in fluid communication with a system fan (not shown). 
     FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric view of a modular graphics card assembly  500  and a cooling system  550  for transferring heat from the graphics card assembly  500 , according to another embodiment of the present invention. The graphics card assembly  500  includes a graphics card  505  and an adaptor  510 .  FIG. 5A  is a plan view of a first surface  510   a  of the adaptor  510 .  FIG. 5B  is a plan view of a second surface  510   b  of the adaptor  510 . Mounting of the adaptor  510  to the graphics card  505  and connection of the graphics card  505  to the motherboard is similar to that of the  FIG. 4  embodiment, discussed above. As shown, the adaptor plate  510  and the graphics card  505  conform to the MXM standard, disclosed in the &#39;590 Provisional. Alternatively, the adaptor plate  510  may be configured to conform to any standard for modular graphics cards, such as those listed above. 
   The adaptor  510  is made from a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum, copper, and alloys thereof. The adaptor  510  includes a central portion and one or more optional extended portions  512   a,b . The central portion includes a thermal transfer area (TTA)  518 , which may vary according to a particular standard. Whether to include the extended portions  512   a,b  will be based on the cooling requirements of the particular graphics card  505 , as discussed above. The central portion includes a recess  515  which receives the GPU  506  and the extended portions  512   a, b  and pads  516   a - d  extending from the first surface  510   a  for contacting the memory units  507   a - d . The extended portion  512   b  further includes one or more pads  520   a - d  for contacting components  540   a - d , respectively, and/or one or more recesses  521   a - e  for receiving components  545   a - e , respectively, thereby providing thermal communication between these components and the adaptor. These components may be, for example, part of a power supply or other graphics card components. In one embodiment, component  540   a  is a portion of a power supply. The recesses and the pads compensate for height variations between the GPU, memory units, and the other components and may be specifically configured for a particular graphics card. 
   The adaptor  510  may further include a window  519   a  and/or one or more cutout portions  519   b - e . The window  519   a  and the cutout portions  519   b, c  provide vertical space for relatively tall components  508   a - c , respectively, of the graphics card  505 , as discussed above. Each of the cutout portions  519   d, e  allow access to one of the motherboard screws  504 . 
   The cooling system  550  includes a base  555 , a side  558 , an array of fins  565 , a fan  560 , and a lid  562 . Alternatively, the cooling system  450  may be used instead. Note that, because of the adaptors  410 ,  510 , the cooling systems  450 ,  550  may be interchanged without modification thereto, discussed below. The base  555  is made from a thermally conductive material and includes a pad  575  formed therein and extending from a first surface thereof. Alternatively, the pad  575  may be an insert. The base  555  is mechanically coupled to the adaptor  510  so that the pad  575  is in thermal communication with the TTA  518  of the second surface  510   b  of the adaptor  510  by one or more fasteners, such as screws  570 . Disposed on each screw is a biasing member, such as a spring  570   a . Each screw  570  is received in a respective threaded hole  517  disposed through the adaptor  510 , thereby coupling the base  555  and the adaptor  510  together. Each of the holes  517  may be lined with a bushing or standoff  517   a . Each spring  570   a  abuts a head of a respective screw  570  at one end and is received in a recess  557   a  formed in a second surface of the base  555  at the other end. The springs  570   a  allow the base  555  to float on the adaptor  510  to ensure optimal thermal communication between the base  555  and the adaptor  510 . 
   The fin array  565  is mechanically coupled to the base  555  so that the fin array  565  is in thermal communication with the base  555 . The fan  560  includes a motor (not shown) and is coupled to the base  555  so that the fan  560  may rotate relative to the base  555  and be in fluid communication with the fin array  565 . The side  558  is coupled to the base  555  and the lid  562  is coupled to the side  558  so that air impelled by the fan is directed through the fin array  565 . A hole is formed through the lid  562  to provide an inlet for the air. An outlet is formed in the side  558  to allow airflow to exit the cooling system  550 . 
   The TTAs  418 ,  518  and/or second surfaces  410   b ,  510   b  of the adaptors  410 ,  510  each provide a standard interface for a cooling system, such as the cooling system  450  or  550 . As long as a base/insert of the cooling system is configured to be placed in thermal communication with the TTA  418  or  518 , the parameters discussed above may be varied without custom configuration of the cooling system. In some embodiments, the second surface of each of the adaptors  410 ,  510  provides a flat or substantially flat surface for mating with a base of the cooling system. Each of the first surfaces  410   a ,  510   a  of the adaptors  410 ,  510  is customized for a particular graphics card instead of having to customize the base of the cooling system. The standard interface provided by the adaptor simplifies graphics card installation, simplifies cooling system design, and eliminates customization of a particular cooling system for a particular graphics card. 
   Although the invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, persons skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6