Fan diffuser
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company
InventorsBrad E. Clements, Theodore R. Santos, II
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cooling system for electronic component cases is disclosed. The system includes a fan diffuser located between the exhaust fan and the exhaust grill formed in an exterior wall of the case. The diffuser allows the grill to vary in both size and shape from the fan, thus allowing the grill footprint to differ from that of the fan. This arrangement allows the grill size to be optimized, taking advantage of the available space on the case wall. The diffuser also allows components to be located between the fan and the case wall portion where the grill is located.
Claims25
A cooling system for a computer, said cooling system comprising:
- a substantially closed container formed of at least a first wall section, said container having an interior and an exterior;
- a grill formed in said first wall section, said grill comprising at least one opening extending through said first wall section between said interior and said exterior of said container;
- a diffuser located within said container, said diffuser having a first end portion and a second end portion;
- said diffuser second end portion being located adjacent said grill;
- an air movement device located adjacent said diffuser first end portion;
- and
- wherein said air movement device comprises a plurality of alignment holes, and said diffuser first end portion includes a plurality of posts adapted to engage said alignment holes.
A diffuser for use in the case of a computer, said diffuser comprising:
- a first open end adapted to engage an air movement device, said first open end having a first area;
- a second open end adapted to engage a wall section of said case, said second open end having a second area;
- a first wall portion;
- a second wall portion opposite said first wall portion;
- a third wall portion connecting said first wall portion and said second wall portion;
- a fourth wall portion opposite said third wall portion, said fourth wall portion also connecting said first wall portion and said second wall portion;
- said wall portions each including a first edge portion and a second edge portion;
- said first edge portions substantially defining said diffuser first open end and said second edge portions substantially defining said diffuser second open end;
- and
- wherein a diffuser hinge mechanism is located on said diffuser, said diffuser hinge mechanism being adapted to engage with a case hinge mechanism.
A method of circulating air through the case of a computer, comprising the steps of:
- providing a grill in a wall of said case, said grill comprising a plurality of openings and spaces between said openings;
- providing an air movement device;
- providing a diffuser having an intake opening and an exhaust opening;
- locating said diffuser between said air movement device and said grill;
- activating said air movement device to cause air to move into said diffuser intake opening, through said diffuser, out of said diffuser exhaust opening and thereafter out of said case through said grill;
- slowing said air as it moves through said diffuser;
- wherein said grill has a first area and a first shape and said air movement device has a second area and a second shape and including the further step of providing said diffuser exhaust opening having an area and a shape substantially equal to said first area and shape and providing said diffuser intake opening having an area and a shape substantially equal to said second area and shape;
- and
- wherein said first area is larger than said second area.
A method of circulating air through the case of a computer, comprising the steps of:
- providing a grill in a wall of said case, said grill comprising a plurality of openings and spaces between said openings;
- providing an air movement device;
- providing a diffuser having an intake opening and an exhaust opening;
- locating said diffuser between said air movement device and said grill;
- activating said air movement device to cause air to move into said diffuser intake opening, through said diffuser, out of said diffuser exhaust opening and thereafter out of said case through said grill;
- and
- hingedly attaching said diffuser to said wall of said case.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.