Detecting thermal interface material ('TIM') between a heat sink and an integrated circuit

• Main Authors: REMIS LUKE D, MEGARITY WILLIAM M, SELLMAN GREGORY D
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 19.04.2016
• Subjects: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MEASURING; PHYSICS; TESTING

Detecting TIM between a heat sink and an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including TIM detection points adapted to receive TIM upon installation of the heat sink and including a TIM detection device configured to be activated upon contact with TIM, including: receiving, upon installation of the heat sink on the integrated circuit and the TIM, TIM in one or more of the TIM detection points; activating, by the TIM in each of the one or more TIM detection points receiving the TIM, a TIM detection device; determining, by a TIM detection module of the integrated circuit in dependence upon the activations of the TIM detection devices, sufficiency of the TIM; and responsive to determining that the TIM between the heat sink and the integrated circuit is insufficient, controlling, in real-time by the TIM detection module, operation of the integrated circuit to reduce heat generated by the integrated circuit.