Abstract: A rack server has a base supporting a plurality of circuit elements, and a kinetic heat sink in direct contact with at least one first circuit element. The direct contact is configured to produce a heat-conduction relationship between the at least one first circuit element and the kinetic heat sink. The kinetic heat sink has a radial side spanning 360 degrees. The rack server also has a member for radially directing air from the kinetic heat sink. The member has an exhaust port spanning no more than about 180 degrees of the radial side, and the kinetic heat sink is configured to exhaust air from no more than about 180 degrees of the radial side. The exhaust port faces at least one second circuit element and is configured to direct air toward the at least one second circuit element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a heat-generating component includes a stationary base structure and a rotating structure. The stationary base structure is mountable at the first heat-conducting surface to or near the heat-generating component. The stationary base structure has a first and second heat-conducting surface to conduct heat therebetween. The rotating structure is rotatably coupled to the stationary base structure. The rotating structure has a heat-extraction surface facing the second heat-conducting surface across a spatial gap. As a result of the rotating structure rotatably moving, the rotating structure substantially transfers the heat from the second heat-conducting surface to a thermal reservoir communicating with the rotating structure. In addition, as a result of the rotating structure rotatably moving, at least two surfaces of the rotating structure and/or the stationary base structure generate a thrust and an opposing thrust to vary and/or maintain the spatial gap.