# US 2013/0155608 A1 · Rack-mount server system

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- Number: US 2013/0155608 A1
- Document ID: US20130155608A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/340,687
- Filed: 2011-12-30
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16
- Assignees: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.; HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
- Inventors: XIAN-XIU TANG
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130155608A1

## CPC

- G06F 1/20: Cooling means
- H05K 7/20172: {Fan mounting or fan specifications}
- H05K 7/20727: {within server blades for removing heat from heat source}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

## Abstract

A rack-mount server system includes a cabinet, a number of server units mounted in the cabinet, and a number of fan modules. Each fan module cools one or a group of server units. Each fan module includes a mounting bracket fixed to the cabinet, a number of fans attached to the mounting bracket, an air flap, and a control box to control the power supply to the fans. The mounting bracket defines an air passage dedicated to each fan, through which air from the fan is guided to the one or a group of server units. Each mounting bracket defines a cutout, through which the air passages of two neighboring fans communicate with each other. The air flap may be slid closed or slid open to redirect or gather a cooling airflow as required, depending on the distribution of server units within the cabinet.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A rack-mount server system comprising:
a cabinet;
a plurality of server units mounted in the cabinet; and
a plurality of fan modules attached to the cabinet, each of the fan modules comprising a mounting bracket defining an air passage aligning with one of the server units, a plurality of fans mounted to the mounting bracket to generate airflow directed to the corresponding server unit through the air passage, and at least one air flap slidably mounted to the mounting bracket;
wherein each of the mounting brackets defines at least one cutout through which the air passage of the mounting bracket communicates with the air passage of a neighboring mounting bracket, each of the at least one air flap of each mounting bracket is slidable between a closed position to shield the corresponding cutout of the mounting bracket, and an open position to expose the corresponding cutout.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The rack-mount server system of claim 1, wherein each mounting bracket comprises a mounting wall defining a plurality of openings, two sidewalls perpendicularly extending from opposite ends of the mounting wall toward the corresponding server unit, a top wall connected to tops of the mounting wall and sidewalls, and a bottom wall connected to bottoms of the mounting wall and sidewalls, the air passage is bounded by the mounting wall, sidewalls, top wall, and bottom wall, the fans are attached to the mounting wall and correspondingly align with the openings of the mounting wall.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The rack-mount server system of claim 2, wherein the at least one cutout of each mounting bracket comprises a cutout defined in the top wall of the mounting bracket.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The rack-mount server system of claim 3, wherein a supporting tab extends from each of the sidewalls of the mounting bracket, the supporting tabs are parallel and adjacent to the top wall of the mounting bracket, the at least one air flap of the mounting bracket comprises one air flap sandwiched between the support tabs and the top wall.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The rack-mount server system of claim 4, wherein the mounting wall of the mounting bracket defines a slot between the support tabs and the top wall to slidably receive the air flap.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The rack-mount server system of claim 5, wherein the air flap comprises a manipulation portion extending out of a side of the mounting wall opposite to the air passage.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The rack-mount server system of claim 2, wherein the air least one cutout comprises two cutouts respectively defined in the top and bottom walls, the at least one air flap comprises two air flaps respectively slidably mounted to the top and bottom walls corresponding to the two cutouts.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The rack-mount server system of claim 2, wherein a fixing portion extends from each of the sidewalls opposite to the other sidewall, and is fixed to the cabinet.