Patent ID: 7856341

Claim:
A system, comprising: a processor apparatus in circuit communication with a first heat sink region sensor located on a first region of a heat sink, a second heat sink region sensor located on a second region of the heat sink wherein a heat sink portion is interposed between the first heat sink region and the second heat sink region, wherein the heat sink is connected to a component by an attachment means to conduct heat from the component to the heat sink, and with a third sensor located on the component or the attachment means, wherein a portion of the attachment means is disposed between the third sensor and the first and second heat sink region sensors, the processor apparatus comprising a logic processor and a memory means, the memory means comprising logic, wherein the logic processor uses the logic to compare temperature inputs from the first heat sink region sensor, the second heat sink region sensor and the third sensor to determine a failure to conduct heat to the heat sink by at least one of the heat sink portion, the attachment means portion and the component, and to identify the heat sink portion as the failing element in response to a divergence between the first heat sink region sensor temperature input and the second heat sink region sensor temperature input.