Power systems and enclosures having configurable air flow
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorNathan Joe Jochman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Power systems and enclosures having a configurable cooling air flow are disclosed. The power system includes an enclosure; an air inlet location, a first air outlet location, a second air outlet location, a fan assembly, and one or more relocatable covers to obstruct the first and second air outlet locations. The air inlet location may be at a first location on an exterior of the enclosure to permit intake of air from the exterior of the enclosure to an interior of the enclosure. The first air outlet location may be at a second location on the exterior of the enclosure to expel air taken in through the air inlet location, while the second air outlet location at a third location on the exterior of the enclosure to expel air taken in through the air inlet location.
Claims20
A power system having a configurable airflow, the power system comprising:
- an enclosure;
- an air inlet location at a first location on an exterior of the enclosure to permit intake of air from the exterior of the enclosure to an interior of the enclosure;
- a first air outlet location at a second location on the exterior of the enclosure to expel air taken in through the air inlet location, wherein the enclosure defines a first air routing path to direct the air from the air inlet location to the first air outlet location;
- a second air outlet location at a third location on the exterior of the enclosure to expel air taken in through the air inlet location, wherein the enclosure defines a second air routing path to direct the air from the air inlet location to the second air outlet location;
- a fan assembly configured to urge the air from the air inlet location, through the enclosure, and out of the interior of the enclosure via a first one of the first air outlet location and the second air outlet location;
- and
- a relocatable cover configured to selectively obstruct a second one of the first air outlet location and the second air outlet location.
A method for reconfiguring airflow in a power system having an enclosure and an air inlet location at a first location on an exterior of the enclosure, the method comprising:
- securing a fan assembly at a first air outlet location at a second location on the exterior of the enclosure,
- wherein the fan assembly is configured to urge air along a first air routing path to direct the air from the air inlet location to the first air outlet location;
- and
- securing a relocatable cover at a second air outlet location at a third location on the exterior of the enclosure,
- wherein the relocatable cover is configured to block the second air outlet location, and
- wherein the second location is on a top of the enclosure and the third location is on a side of the enclosure.
A power system having a configurable airflow, the power system comprising:
- an enclosure;
- an air inlet location at a first location on an exterior of the enclosure to permit intake of air from the exterior of the enclosure to an interior of the enclosure, wherein the first location is on a first side of the enclosure;
- a first air outlet location at a second location on the exterior of the enclosure to expel air taken in through the air inlet location;
- a second air outlet location at a third location on the exterior of the enclosure to expel air taken in through the air inlet location, wherein the second location is at a top of the enclosure and the third location is on a second side of the enclosure that is different from the first side;
- a fan assembly configured to urge the air from the air inlet location, through the enclosure, and out of the interior of the enclosure via a first one of the first air outlet location and the second air outlet location;
- and
- a relocatable cover configured to selectively obstruct a second one of the first air outlet location and the second air outlet location,
- wherein the fan assembly and the relocatable cover are interchangeable to enable an operator to select between a first air routing path to direct the air from the air inlet location to the first air outlet location and a second air routing path to direct the air from the air inlet location to the second air outlet location,
- wherein, to expel along the first air routing path, the fan assembly is positioned at the first air outlet location and the relocatable cover is positioned at the second air outlet location, and
- wherein, to expel along the second air routing path, the fan assembly is positioned at the second air outlet location and the relocatable cover is positioned at the first air outlet location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.