Appeal 2007-0123
Application 10/408,939
4) Duvall describes the phase change material as “a mixture of
two or more compatible components or materials that undergoes a
reversible solid-liquid phase change at the operating temperature of
the heating device.” (Col. 5, ll. 47-50). Duvall notes that typical
operating temperature is 50°C to 100ºC. (Col. 5, ll. 56-57).
5) The first component of Duvall’s phase change material is a
polymer component, which may be a single or multi-component
elastomer consisting of one or more of silicone, acrylic, natural or
synthetic rubber, or other appropriate elastomeric materials. (Col.
5, l. 66-col. 6, l. 4).
6) Duvall’s polymer component “provides the phase change
material with body (viscosity) to prevent the melting point
component and filler from flowing out from between the heat sink
and the microprocessor heat source. It thus acts as a viscosity
controller.” (Col. 6, ll. 28-32).
7) The second component of Duvall’s phase change material is
a melting point component which is said to influence the melting
point of the phase change material in order to achieve a melting
point at around the operating temperature. (Col. 6, ll. 12-16).
8) The viscosity of the melting point component drops as the
polymer component dissolves in it allowing the material to flow
and wet adjacent surfaces of a heat sink and microprocessor heat
source. (Col. 6, ll. 38-44).
9) In a preferred embodiment, Duvall’s thermal interface
material comprises 10-80% polymer, 10-80% thermally conductive
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