Patent ID: 8050028

Claim:
A computing device, comprising: an outer housing adapted to contain internal operational components therein, the outer housing being formed from a thermally conductive material; an internal structure disposed inside the outer housing and configured to support the outer housing, the internal structure being formed from a thermally conductive material; one or more heat producing elements disposed inside the outer housing; and a heat transfer system configured to facilitate the transfer of heat generated at the one or more heat producing elements into both of the outer housing and the internal structure such that the heat is dissipated throughout the outer housing and the internal structure, wherein the heat transfer system includes a heat sink that is thermally coupled to a heat producing element and a heat pipe that is thermally coupled to the heat sink and the outer housing, wherein the heat sink forms a thermal path between the heat producing element and the internal structure, and wherein the heat pipe forms a thermal path between the heat sink and the outer housing.