Apparatus for air cooling of an electronic device
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsSteven Holmes, Douglas L. Heirich
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for air-cooling an electronic device is disclosed. A contoured panel channels a flow of air within the housing of an electronic device so as to channel the flow of air more directly over heat producing elements such as the microprocessor and peripheral cards. A sensor can also be employed to determine whether the panel is present and properly placed. If not, measures can be taken to reduce the heat generated by the heat producing elements. For example, a warning can be displayed, or the microprocessor can be instructed to enter sleep mode.
Claims20
A removable airflow director adapted to facilitate cooling within a computing device having an outer housing, one or more heat producing elements and one or more cooling fans, the removable airflow director comprising:
- a first contoured portion adapted to direct a first airflow from one of said one or more cooling fans in a first specific manner through a first thermal zone within the computing device;
- and
- a second contoured portion adapted to direct a second airflow from one of said one or more cooling fans in a second specific manner through a second thermal zone within the computing device,
- wherein said first and second thermal zones comprise separate and distinct thermal zones within said computing device.
A computing device, comprising:
- a heat producing element;
- a fan;
- a contoured member configured to direct airflow from the fan across the heat producing element;
- and
- a detection system configured to generate an error signal that results in a corrective action when the contoured member is improperly positioned relative to the computing device, wherein an adverse thermal condition within the computing device results when said contoured member is improperly positioned relative to the computing device.
A method of cooling a computing device having a heat producing element, a cooling fan, an airflow director and a sensor, the method comprising:
- determining with said sensor whether said airflow director is properly positioned proximate to the computing device, wherein a proper positioning of said airflow director results in a more efficient cooling of said heat producing element and an improper positioning of said airflow director results in a less efficient cooling of said heat producing element;
- and
- generating an error signal when said airflow director is not properly positioned proximate to the computing device.
A computer, comprising:
- a heat producing element;
- a fan configured to generate an airflow;
- a removable contoured member configured to direct at least a portion of said airflow across said heat producing element;
- and
- a sensor configured to determine whether said contoured member is improperly positioned relative to the remainder of said computer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.