Patent ID: 7242583

Claim:
A system for coupling a heat sink to an electrical device having one or more electrical components independently of a clamping member that is used to place a coupling force between the electrical device and a substrate to which the electrical device is to be electrically connected, the system comprising: a clamping member for providing a compressive force on the electrical device against the substrate, the clamping member defining a through-hole leading to the electrical device, and further defining one or more relief volumes to prevent the clamping member from contacting a portion of a surface of the electrical device; a heat-conducting member in the through-hole of the clamping member and adapted to thermally contact the electrical device to conduct heat into or out of the electrical device, wherein the heat-conducting member provides a separate compressive force on the electrical device than the compressive force provided by the clamping member, where a lower surface of the heat-conducting member includes one or more relief volumes that prevent the heat-conducting member from contacting a portion of the surface of the electrical device; a resilient member located within the clamping member through-hole in which the heat-conducting member is located, for urging the heat-conducting member into thermal contact with the electrical device; and a heat sink in thermal contact with the heat-conducting member.