Inventors:
Rod Fleck - Bellevue WA, US
Livius Chebeleu - San Jose CA, US
Oliver Roup - Seattle WA, US
Assignee:
Vulcan Portals Inc. - Seattle WA
International Classification:
G06F001/16
US Classification:
361/687000, 361/703000, 361/686000
Abstract:
Heat is removed from a docked portable computer. Due to the heat removal, the portable computer can operate at full design voltage and frequency while docked, and thereby provide maximum performance, without sacrificing performance in order to generate less heat. A docking station provides a thermal docking connection. The thermal docking connection is implemented using a first set of fins of the portable computer that is mated to a second set of fins in the docking station. The second set of fins in the docking station is then, via use of heat conductive materials, exposed to forced airflow from a fan within the docking station. Other embodiments of heat-removal methods, such as larger surface areas, peltia devices, water cooling, and others, can be used to pull additional heat from the docked portable computer. Thus, the docking station acts as an “air-conditioner” for the portable computer, and allows the portable computer to operate at higher frequencies.