System and method for cooling compact PCI circuit cards in a computer

#The present invention generally relates to computers, and more particularly relates to cooling systems and methods for use in personal computers, and even more particularly relates to a system and method for controlling airflow over compact PCI cards in a computer.

#In the past, designers of computing systems have endeavored to provide systems with increased reliability. One successful approach has been to include fans in the PC chassis to move air across the circuit cards therein. It has been a common practice in the industry to respond to higher heat-producing circuit cards by including higher powered fans which are capable of moving a larger overall volume of air through the chassis.

#While these systems and methods have many advantages, they also have significant drawbacks.

#The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a computer of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of a computer of the present invention.

#Now referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a system of the present invention, having a front side generally designated 100, which includes a front side air intake opening 102, a PCI circuit card receiving area 104, having a plurality of circuit card receiving slots therein and a front removable access plate cover (not shown), a drive bay 106, and an extraction/insertion handle 108.

#Now referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a back side generally designated 200 of the present invention, which includes a rear air intake opening 202 and a fan/air exhaust compartment 204, which could include a fan that exhausts air upwardly or rearwardly. In a reverse flow alternative, the fan 204 is an intake which blows air through the chassis and out the intake openings 102 and 202. Back side 200 includes a rear removable access plate cover (not shown) which is removed to allow access to the computer to insert circuit cards into circuit card receiving slots therein. The rear access plate cover, as well as the front access plate cover, are well known in the art and may be a single solid, non-air-permeable member or any other cover with differing characteristics, depending upon the particular requirements of a particular computer.

#Now referring to FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional plan view of the present invention, taken along a line 3—3 of FIG. 1 and looking down onto an array of a plurality of removable air-restricting panels, generally designated 300. This array would normally be disposed below the circuit card slot area of the computer. Removable air-restricting panels 300 include a first panel 302 generally extending from front side 100 to rear side 200. A first partial panel 304 and second partial panel 306 are also shown. Panel 304 has a series of relatively smaller air holes in comparison to those in second partial panel 306. Typically, an arrangement such as panels 304 and 306 would be used below a circuit card that had relatively high heat-generating capabilities for the rear of the card and relatively low heat-generating capabilities for the front of the card. Panel 308 is a solid panel which permits no air penetration therethrough. This may be frequently used where no card is located in a circuit card receiving slot immediately above. Panel 310 is shown partially slid into a panel receiving slot 311, to better demonstrate how these removable air-restricting panels may be inserted and removed. Panel 312 shows a dual line of air holes. Numerous other air hole configurations could be used as well for each of the panels. Panel 314 is partially slid into slot 315. Third partial panel 316 is shown adjacent to fourth partial panel 318. Slot 320 is shown with no panel therein, thereby providing maximum volume of airflow therethrough. Panels 322 and 324 are also shown.