Patent ID: 7508671

Claim:
A computer system, comprising: a microelectronic die having an integrated circuit formed therein; a thermoelectric module thermally coupled to the microelectronic die so as to pump heat from the microelectronic die when power is provided to the thermoelectric module; a fan; a motor coupled to the fan to rotate the fan, so that the fan cools the microelectronic die; a vapor chamber between the microelectronic die and the thermoelectric module, the vapor chamber including a fluid, the fluid being evaporated when heat transfers thereto from the microelectronic die and condensing when heat transfers therefrom to the thermoelectric module; a cold-side temperature sensor between the vapor chamber and the thermoelectric module; a hot plate thermally coupled to the thermoelectric module, with the thermoelectric module between the microelectronic die and the hot plate; a hot-side temperature sensor on a side of the thermoelectric module of the hot plate and opposing the microelectronic chip; a junction temperature sensor within the microelectronic die; and a controller connected to the cold-side temperature sensor, hot-side temperature sensor , and the junction temperature sensor to receive inputs from the cold-side temperature sensor, hot-side temperature sensor, and the junction temperature sensor, the controller controlling the power provided to the thermoelectric module and to the motor based on inputs from the cold-side temperature sensor, hot-side temperature sensor, and the junction temperature sensor; wherein the junction temperature sensor provides an indication when the temperature of the microelectronic die approaches a predetermined maximum, in which case current provided to the thermoelectric module is increased; wherein a difference between the cold-side temperature sensor and hot-side temperature sensor provides an indication of a degree of heat that is pumped by the thermoelectric module and is used to control an amount of current to the thermoelectric module in order to maintain a temperature sensed by the junction temperature sensor within a predetermined range; and wherein power to the thermoelectric module and motor increases/decreases with an increase/decrease, respectively, in cooling requirements of the microelectronic die up to a predetermined value for the thermoelectric module, and wherein above the predetermined value, the power to the thermoelectronic module is limited while the power to the motor continues to increase/decrease with an increase/decrease, respectively, in cooling requirements of the microelectronic die.