Interchangeable cartridges for cooling electronic components

Abstract

A method for using interchangeable cartridges for cooling electronic components. One of a first cartridge and a second cartridge is attached to a surface. The first cartridge includes a heat sink and mounting plate, the mounting plate for thermally contacting an integrated circuit. The second cartridge includes a closed-loop fluidic circuit having a pump, heat exchanger and a cold plate, the cold plate for thermally contacting the integrated circuit. The one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is removed from the surface. The other of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is attached to the surface.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for using interchangeable cartridges for cooling electronic components, the method comprising: 
 attaching one of a first cartridge and a second cartridge to a surface, the first cartridge including a heat sink and a mounting plate, the mounting plate for thermally contacting an integrated circuit, the second cartridge including a closed-loop fluidic circuit having a pump, heat exchanger and a cold plate, the cold plate for thermally contacting the integrated circuit;    removing the one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge from the surface;    attaching the other of the first cartridge and the second cartridge to the surface.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface is a circuit board.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein attaching the first cartridge includes attaching the first cartridge onto a predefined footprint on the surface.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein attaching the second cartridge includes attaching the second cartridge onto the predefined footprint.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cartridge includes a blower for generating airflow across the heat sink, the blower having a first port, a second port, and an impeller that rotates around an axis, and wherein attaching the first cartridge includes orienting the first cartridge such that the axis is perpendicular to the surface.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein attaching the first cartridge includes positioning the blower above one or more electronic components, such that air flowing through the first port flows across the one or more electronic components.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the second cartridge includes a blower for generating airflow across the heat exchanger, the blower having a first port, a second port, and an impeller that rotates around an axis, and wherein attaching the second cartridge includes orienting the cartridge such that the axis is perpendicular to the surface.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein attaching the second cartridge includes positioning the blower above one or more electronic components, such that air flowing through the first port flows across the one or more electronic components.  
     
     
         9 . A method for using interchangeable cooling cartridges, the method comprising: 
 attaching one of a first cartridge and a second cartridge to a surface, the first cartridge including a closed-loop fluidic circuit having a pump, a heat exchanger and a cold plate, the cold plate for thermally contacting an integrated circuit, the second cartridge including a closed-loop refrigeration circuit having a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, the evaporator for thermally contacting the integrated circuit.    removing the one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge from the surface;    attaching the other of the first cartridge and the second cartridge to the surface.    
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the surface is a circuit board.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein attaching the first cartridge includes attaching the first cartridge onto a predefined footprint on the surface.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein attaching the second cartridge includes attaching the second cartridge onto the predefined footprint.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the first cartridge includes a blower for generating airflow across the heat exchanger, the blower having a first port, a second port, and an impeller that rotates around an axis, and wherein attaching the first cartridge includes orienting the first cartridge such that the axis is perpendicular to the surface.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein attaching the first cartridge includes positioning the blower above one or more electronic components, such that air flowing across the first port flows across the one or more electronic components.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the second cartridge includes a blower for generating airflow across the condenser, the blower having a first port, a second port, and an impeller that rotates around an axis, and wherein attaching the second cartridge includes orienting the cartridge such that the axis is perpendicular to the surface.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein attaching the second cartridge includes positioning the blower above one or more electronic components, such that air flowing through the first port flows across the one or more electronic components.  
     
     
         17 . A method for using interchangeable cooling cartridges, the method comprising: 
 attaching one of a first cartridge and a second cartridge to a surface, the first cartridge including a heat sink and a mounting plate, the mounting plate for thermally contacting an integrated circuit, the second cartridge including a closed-loop refrigeration circuit having a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, the evaporator for thermally contacting the integrated circuit;    removing the one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge from the surface;    attaching the other of the first cartridge and the second cartridge to the surface.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the surface is a circuit board.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein attaching the first cartridge includes attaching the first cartridge onto a predefined footprint on the surface.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein attaching the second cartridge includes attaching the second cartridge onto the predefined footprint.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the first cartridge includes a blower for generating airflow across the heat sink, the blower having a first port, a second port, and an impeller that rotates around an axis, and wherein attaching the first cartridge includes orienting the first cartridge such that the axis is perpendicular to the surface.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein attaching the first cartridge includes positioning the blower above one or more electronic components, such that air flowing through the first port flows across the one or more electronic components.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the second cartridge includes a blower for generating airflow across the condenser, the blower having a first port, a second port, and an impeller that rotates around an axis, and wherein attaching the second cartridge includes orienting the cartridge such that the axis is perpendicular to the surface.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein attaching the second cartridge includes positioning the blower above one or more electronic components, such that air flowing into the first port flows across the one or more electronic components.  
     
     
         25 . A kit that provides interchangeable cooling cartridges, the kit comprising: 
 a plurality of interchangeable cartridges for attaching to a surface, wherein each cartridge is selected from the group of cartridges consisting of: 
 a first cartridge that includes a heat sink and a mounting plate;  
 a second cartridge that includes a closed-loop fluidic circuit having a pump, heat exchanger, and a cold plate; and  
 a third cartridge that includes a closed-loop refrigeration circuit having a condenser, a compressor, and an evaporator.  
   
     
     
         26 . The kit according to  claim 25 , wherein the first cartridge includes a blower.  
     
     
         27 . The kit according to  claim 25 , wherein the second cartridge includes a blower.  
     
     
         28 . The kit according to  claim 25 , wherein the third cartridge includes a blower.  
     
     
         29 . The kit according to  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of cartridges each fit into a defined footprint.