Patents by Inventor Graham Charles Kirk

Graham Charles Kirk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10667429
    Abstract: A system, such as a heat exchange assembly includes a support structure having a recess, a first support end, a second support end, and a support portion extending between the first and second support ends. The support structure further includes a plurality of projections protruding from a portion of a surface of the support structure, corresponding to the support portion. The support structure is a primary heat sink. The heat exchange assembly includes a vapor chamber having a casing and a wick disposed within the casing. The vapor chamber is disposed within the recess and coupled to a surface of the support structure such that the plurality of projections surrounds the vapor chamber. The casing includes a mid projected portion disposed at an evaporator portion of the vapor chamber. The first and second support ends, and the mid projected portion include a non-uniform surface configured to contact the circuit card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Shakti Singh Chauhan, Hendrik Pieter Jacobus De Bock, Graham Charles Kirk, Stanton Earl Weaver, Jr., David Shannon Slaton, Tao Deng, Pramod Chamarthy
  • Publication number: 20170374764
    Abstract: A system, such as a heat exchange assembly includes a support structure having a recess, a first support end, a second support end, and a support portion extending between the first and second support ends. The support structure further includes a plurality of projections protruding from a portion of a surface of the support structure, corresponding to the support portion. The support structure is a primary heat sink. The heat exchange assembly includes a vapor chamber having a casing and a wick disposed within the casing. The vapor chamber is disposed within the recess and coupled to a surface of the support structure such that the plurality of projections surrounds the vapor chamber. The casing includes a mid projected portion disposed at an evaporator portion of the vapor chamber. The first and second support ends, and the mid projected portion include a non-uniform surface configured to contact the circuit card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: SHAKTI SINGH CHAUHAN, HENDRIK PIETER JACOBUS DE BOCK, GRAHAM CHARLES KIRK, STANTON EARL WEAVER, JR., DAVID SHANNON SLATON, TAO DENG, PRAMOD CHAMARTHY
  • Patent number: 9839116
    Abstract: A circuit card assembly includes a heat sink, a locking mechanism, a first thermal path, and a second thermal path. The heat sink couples to a circuit board and has an upper surface and a lower surface. The heat sink has a channel extending downward along the upper surface of the heat sink. The locking mechanism is disposed within the channel and includes a plurality of solid wedges movably arranged within the channel. Movement of the wedges is effective to secure the circuit card assembly to a holder. The first thermal path extends from the circuit board through the heat sink to the lower surface of the heat sink and removes thermal energy from the circuit board. The second thermal path is formed from the circuit board, through the heat sink, and then through the wedges to the holder. The second thermal path removes thermal energy from the circuit board that is greater than a leakage amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Abaco Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Charles Kirk, Zeshan Jabar Hussain
  • Patent number: 9826662
    Abstract: A reusable phase-change thermal interface structure having a metal based foam and a fusible metal based alloy is provided. In a solid phase of the fusible metal based alloy the fusible metal based alloy is disposed at least in a portion of the metal based foam. Further, in a liquid phase of the fusible metal based alloy the fusible metal based alloy is disposed at least on a portion of one or more outer surfaces of the metal based foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joo Han Kim, Graham Charles Kirk, Jay Todd Labhart, Binoy Milan Shah, Yogen Vishwas Utturkar, Pramod Charmarthy, Tao Deng
  • Publication number: 20170251572
    Abstract: A circuit card assembly includes a heat sink, a locking mechanism, and a thermal insert. The heat sink couples to a circuit board and has an upper surface and a lower surface. The heat sink has a channel extending downwards along the upper surface thereof. The locking mechanism is disposed within the channel and includes a plurality of solid wedges movably arranged within the channel. Movement of the wedges is effective to secure the circuit card assembly to a holder. The thermal insert is disposed within the heat sink and is an elongated member. The thermal insert is configured to contact a portion of at least one of the solid wedges, thus assisting in removing a first amount of thermal energy from the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Graham Charles KIRK, Shakti Singh CHAUHAN, Stuart CONNOLLY, Zeshan Jabar HUSSAIN
  • Publication number: 20170219303
    Abstract: A thermal connector configured to be placed within a recess of a heat sink between the heat sink and a heat generating component and transfer heat from the component to the heat sink, including a heat spreader configured to fit within the recess of the heat sink, a spring configured to sit between the heat spreader and with the heat sink and bias the heat spreader towards and away from the heat sink, a flexible membrane attached to the heat sink and the heat spreader and seal off the recess, and a phase change material that fills the recess, wherein the flexible membrane contains the phase change material and allows it to contract or expand in response to the movement of the heat spreader towards or away from the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Graham Charles Kirk, Stuart Connolly, Tao Deng, Zeshan Jabar Hussain, Binoy Milan Shah
  • Patent number: 9658000
    Abstract: A thermal connector configured to be placed within a recess of a heat sink between the heat sink and a heat generating component and transfer heat from the component to the heat sink, including a heat spreader configured to fit within the recess of the heat sink, a spring configured to sit between the heat spreader and with the heat sink and bias the heat spreader towards and away from the heat sink, a flexible membrane attached to the heat sink and the heat spreader and seal off the recess, and a phase change material that fills the recess, wherein the flexible membrane contains the phase change material and allows it to contract or expand in response to the movement of the heat spreader towards or away from the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Abaco Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Charles Kirk, Stuart Connolly, Tao Deng, Zeshan Jabar Hussain, Binoy Milan Shah
  • Patent number: 9615486
    Abstract: A thermal interface device having a containment structure and a thermal conductor is provided. Further, the containment structure includes at least one wall, where the containment structure is configured to facilitate passage of heat. Furthermore, the thermal interface device includes a thermal conductor disposed at least in a portion of the containment structure. Moreover, the thermal conductor is configured to reversibly switch between a solid state and a liquid state. Also, the thermal interface device is a re-workable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hendrik Pieter Jacobus De Bock, Jay Todd Labhart, Shakti Singh Chauhan, Graham Charles Kirk, Joo Han Kim
  • Patent number: 9333599
    Abstract: An electronics chassis is provided. The electronics chassis includes a plurality of panels that define an interior space. One panel of the plurality of panels has a composite segment having an internal face and an external face. The electronics chassis further includes a conductive thermal pathway that extends through the panel from the internal face of the composite segment to the external face of the composite segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock, Stanton Earl Weaver, Jr., Tao Deng, Jay Todd Labhart, Pramod Chamarthy, Shakti Singh Chauhan, Graham Charles Kirk, Brian Patrick Hoden
  • Publication number: 20160081177
    Abstract: A circuit card assembly includes a heat sink, a locking mechanism, a first thermal path, and a second thermal path. The heat sink couples to a circuit board and has an upper surface and a lower surface. The heat sink has a channel extending downward along the upper surface of the heat sink. The locking mechanism is disposed within the channel and includes a plurality of solid wedges movably arranged within the channel. Movement of the wedges is effective to secure the circuit card assembly to a holder. The first thermal path extends from the circuit board through the heat sink to the lower surface of the heat sink and removes thermal energy from the circuit board. The second thermal path is formed from the circuit board, through the heat sink, and then through the wedges to the holder. The second thermal path removes thermal energy from the circuit board that is greater than a leakage amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: GE INTELLIGENT PLATFORMS EMBEDDED SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Graham Charles KIRK, Zeshan Jabar HUSSAIN
  • Patent number: 9253871
    Abstract: A circuit card assembly is provided. The circuit card assembly includes a printed circuit board, at least one electronic component mounted on the printed circuit board, and a frame coupled to the printed circuit board such that the electronic component is disposed between the printed circuit board and the frame. The circuit card assembly also includes a heat transfer device coupled to the frame. The heat transfer device has a heat pipe disposed at least in part between the frame and the printed circuit board. The circuit card assembly further includes a pivotable brace biasing the heat pipe toward the electronic component to facilitate cooling the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joo Han Kim, Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock, Jay Todd Labhart, Shakti Singh Chauhan, Graham Charles Kirk, Stuart Connolly
  • Publication number: 20160021788
    Abstract: An electronic device assembly includes a heat sink coupled to an electronic device to dissipate the heat produced by the electronic device. A heat spreader is coupled between the electronic device and the heat sink to transfer heat from the electronic device to the heat sink. Furthermore, at least one of the electronic device, the heat spreader, and the heat sink is disposed with a disordered carbon coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Shakti Singh Chauhan, James Neil Johnson, Brian Patrick Hoden, Graham Charles Kirk
  • Publication number: 20150282380
    Abstract: A thermal interface device having a containment structure and a thermal conductor is provided. Further, the containment structure includes at least one wall, where the containment structure is configured to facilitate passage of heat. Furthermore, the thermal interface device includes a thermal conductor disposed at least in a portion of the containment structure. Moreover, the thermal conductor is configured to reversibly switch between a solid state and a liquid state. Also, the thermal interface device is a re-workable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hendrik Pieter Jacobus De Bock, Jay Todd Labhart, Shakti Singh Chauhan, Graham Charles Kirk, Joo Han Kim
  • Publication number: 20150181763
    Abstract: An electronics chassis is provided. The electronics chassis includes a plurality of panels that define an interior space. One panel of the plurality of panels has a composite segment having an internal face and an external face. The electronics chassis further includes a conductive thermal pathway that extends through the panel from the internal face of the composite segment to the external face of the composite segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock, Stanton Earl Weaver, JR., Tao Deng, Jay Todd Labhart, Pramod Chamarthy, Shakti Singh Chauhan, Graham Charles Kirk, Brian Patrick Hoden
  • Publication number: 20150168087
    Abstract: A reusable phase-change thermal interface structure having a metal based foam and a fusible metal based alloy is provided. In a solid phase of the fusible metal based alloy the fusible metal based alloy is disposed at least in a portion of the metal based foam. Further, in a liquid phase of the fusible metal based alloy the fusible metal based alloy is disposed at least on a portion of one or more outer surfaces of the metal based foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joo Han Kim, Graham Charles Kirk, Jay Todd Labhart, Binoy Milan Shah, Yogen Vishwas Utturkar, Pramod Charmarthy, Tao Deng
  • Publication number: 20150173243
    Abstract: A heat exchange assembly for dissipating heat from a hot component of a circuit card is disclosed. The heat exchange assembly includes a support structure having a first support end, a second support end, and a support portion extending between the first support end and the second support end. The support structure further includes a plurality of first projections protruding from a portion of a surface of the support structure, corresponding to the support portion. Further, the heat exchange assembly includes a vapor chamber having a casing and a wick disposed within the casing. The vapor chamber is coupled to a surface of the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shakti Singh Chauhan, Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock, Graham Charles Kirk, Stanton Earl Weaver, JR., David Shannon Slaton, Tao Deng, Pramod Chamarthy
  • Publication number: 20150116940
    Abstract: A circuit card assembly is provided. The circuit card assembly includes a printed circuit board, at least one electronic component mounted on the printed circuit board, and a frame coupled to the printed circuit board such that the electronic component is disposed between the printed circuit board and the frame. The circuit card assembly also includes a heat transfer device coupled to the frame. The heat transfer device has a heat pipe disposed at least in part between the frame and the printed circuit board. The circuit card assembly further includes a pivotable brace biasing the heat pipe toward the electronic component to facilitate cooling the electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joo Han Kim, Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock, Jay Todd Labhart, Shakti Singh Chauhan, Graham Charles Kirk, Stuart Connolly
  • Patent number: 8498127
    Abstract: The thermal interface material including a thermally conductive metal a thermally conductive metal having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a diffusion barrier plate coupled to the first surface of the thermally conductive metal and the second surface of the thermally conductive metal, and a thermal resistance reducing layer coupled to the diffusion barrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: GE Intelligent Platforms, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham Charles Kirk
  • Publication number: 20120063103
    Abstract: The thermal interface material including a thermally conductive metal a thermally conductive metal having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a diffusion barrier plate coupled to the first surface of the thermally conductive metal and the second surface of the thermally conductive metal, and a thermal resistance reducing layer coupled to the diffusion barrier plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Graham Charles Kirk
  • Publication number: 20110162828
    Abstract: A plug is provided for use with a heat sink body and an electronic device. The plug includes a first plug member and a second plug member. The first plug member defines a socket therein. The second plug member is movable within the socket such that a bottom surface of the second plug member is maintained in a substantially parallel position with respect to a top surface of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Graham Charles KIRK, Kevin James Berry, Roger Kenyon Tomkinson, Stuart Connolly, Zeshan Jabar Hussain, John Albert Boocock, Paul Vaughan Cooper