US 4,728,160 AGranted

Cabinet for a computer assembly

AssigneeDigital Equipment Corporation

InventorsRobert M. Mondor, Mark Howards, Charles R. Barker, III, Alan R. Selling

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Abstract

The present invention comprises a computer system housing embodying the invention incorporates a frame upon which the components of the computer system are mounted. The frame has a base, a main unit secured to the frame, and a front compartment, for mounting mass storage unit therein, swingably positioned on the main unit. A housing adapted for supporting a central processor unit and a power supply of the computer system is removable disposed in the main unit. The frame and the housing are provided with all pneumatic connections so that air for cooling various components of the computer system may be brought over such components by the action of a fan mounted on the base. Thus, internally generated heat in such components can be readily dissipated by the air flow over such components. The frame and the housing are adapted so that the components of the computer system positioned therein are accessible with relative ease so that they are installed, replaced, and repaired easily.

Claims45

Dependent claims

A cabinet adapted for housing a computer assembly in a relatively compact manner, wherein said assembly is of a type having a power supply, a central processor unit, and mass storage means, comprising:

a base;
a frame secured to said base;
outer panels removably positioned on said frame;
means for mounting said power supply on said frame whereby said power supply is carried by said frame;
means for mounting said central processor unit on said frame, whereby said central processor unit is carried by said frame;
means for mounting said mass access and storage means on said frame, whereby said means are carried by said frame;
and
means for cooling said components of said assembly, such that the central processor unit, the power supply, and the mass storage means are provided adequate cooling, wherein said cooling means include a fan mounted on said base and air paths positioned in said frame whereby air for cooling is brought through and over said central processor unit, the power supply, and the mass storage means by said fan, thereby cooling these components of the computer assembly, wherein said frame includes a front unit pivotally positioned thereon, said front unit swingable from a closed position, where said front unit is in line with the rest of said frame, and an open position, where said front unit is swung away from the rest of said frame, and said mounting means for mounting said mass storage means and said mass storage means are disposed in said front unit, whereby the rear portions of said mass storage means are accessible when said front unit in its open position.

5 more elements

a base;
a frame secured to said base;
said frame having a main structural unit, a inner housing positioned in said main structural unit and a front unit pivotally mounted on said main structural unit;
outer panels;
said outer panels include a front panel secured to said front unit, side panels pivotally mounted on the front unit, a rear panel mounted between said side panels, and a top panel mounted on said main structural unit;
means for mounting said power supply in said inner housing, whereby said power supply is carried by said frame;
means for mounting said central processor unit in said inner housing, whereby said central processor unit is carried by said frame;
means for mounting said mass storage means in said front unit, whereby said means are carried by said frame;
and
means for cooling said components of said assembly, such that the central processor unit, the power supply, and the mass storage means are provided adequate cooling, wherein said cooling means include a fan mounted on said base and air paths positioned in said frame whereby air for cooling is brought through and over said central processor unit, the power supply, and the mass storage means by said fan, thereby cooling these components of the computer assembly.

7 more elements

a base;
a frame secured to said base;
said frame having a main structural unit, a inner housing positioned on said structural unit and a front unit pivotally mounted on said main structural unit;
said main sturctural unit having a bottom plate positioned on said base with a plenum defined between said base and said plate, a front bulkhead positioned proximate to said front unit and secured to said bottom plate, a rear bulkhead secured to said bottom plate, and a top plate secured to said front and rear bulkheads;
outer panels removably positioned on said frame;
said outer panels include a front panel mounted on said front unit, side panels pivotally mounted on said front panel, a rear panel disposed between said side panels, and a top panel mounted on said top plate;
means for mounting said power supply in said inner housing, whereby said power supply is carried by said frame;
means for mounting said central processor unit in said inner housing, whereby said central processor unit is carried by said frame;
means for mounting said mass storage means in said front unit, whereby said mass storage means are carried by said frame;
and
means for cooling said computer assembly, such that the central processor unit, the power supply, and the mass storage means are provided adequate cooling, wherein said cooling means include a fan mounted on said base and air paths positioned in said frame whereby air for cooling is brought through and over said central processor unit, the power supply, and the mass storage means by said fan, thereby cooling these components of the computer assembly.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.