Acoustic absorbers for use with computer cabinet fans and other cooling systems

A cooling system for use with a computer cabinet in a room, the cooling system comprising:

• a fan configured to be carried by the computer cabinet, wherein the fan includes an inlet configured to receive a flow of cooling air from within the computer cabinet, and an outlet configured to discharge the flow of cooling air away from the computer cabinet;
• a first acoustic panel positioned proximate to the outlet of the fan;
• and
• a second acoustic panel spaced apart from the first acoustic panel and positioned proximate to the outlet of the fan, wherein the first and second acoustic panels together form an opening configured to direct the flow of cooling air away from the fan outlet and into the room.

A cooling system for use with a computer cabinet in a room, the cooling system comprising:

• a fan configured to be carried by the computer cabinet, wherein the fan includes an inlet configured to receive a flow of cooling air from within the computer cabinet, and an outlet configured to discharge the flow of cooling air away from the computer cabinet;
• a first acoustic panel positioned proximate to the outlet of the fan;
• and
• a second acoustic panel spaced apart from the first acoustic panel and positioned proximate to the outlet of the fan, wherein the first and second acoustic panels together form an opening configured to direct the flow of cooling air away from the fan outlet and into the room, wherein at least the second acoustic panel includes an aperture, and wherein the fan includes a housing positioned within the aperture.

A computer system in a room, the computer system comprising:

• a computer cabinet holding at least one computer module;
• an air mover positioned proximate to the computer cabinet, wherein the air mover is configured to move a flow of cooling air through the computer cabinet and past the computer module;
• a first acoustic panel positioned proximate to the air mover;
• and
• a second acoustic panel spaced apart from the first acoustic panel and proximate to the air mover, wherein the first and second acoustic panels together form an opening configured to direct the flow of cooling air away from the air mover and into the room.

A computer system in a room, the computer system comprising:

• a computer cabinet holding a plurality of computer modules;
• a centrifugal fan carried by an upper portion of the computer cabinet, wherein the centrifugal fan includes an inlet configured to draw a flow of cooling air through the computer cabinet and past the plurality of computer modules, and an outlet configured to discharge the flow of cooling air away from the computer cabinet;
• and
• an acoustic absorber at least partially carried by the centrifugal fan, wherein the acoustic absorber comprises:
• a first acoustic panel positioned proximate to the outlet of the centrifugal fan;
• and
• a second acoustic panel spaced apart from the first acoustic panel and positioned proximate to the outlet of the centrifugal fan, wherein the first and second acoustic panels together form an opening configured to direct the flow of cooling air away from the fan outlet and into the room.

A method for cooling a plurality of computer modules carried by a computer cabinet in a room, and for absorbing acoustic noise associated with the cooling, the method comprising:

• mounting a fan to the computer cabinet;
• positioning a first acoustic panel proximate to an outlet of the fan;
• positioning a second acoustic panel proximate to the outlet of the fan and spaced apart from the first acoustic panel to form an opening;
• and
• operating the fan to move cooling air through the computer cabinet, past the computer modules, between the first and second acoustic panels, and into the room through the opening.

A method for cooling a plurality of computer modules carried by a computer cabinet in a room, and for absorbing acoustic noise associated with the cooling, the method comprising:

• mounting a fan to the computer cabinet;
• positioning a first acoustic panel proximate to an outlet of the fan;
• positioning the fan within an aperture of a second acoustic panel, thereby positioning the second acoustic panel proximate to the outlet of the fan and spaced apart from the first acoustic panel to form an opening;
• and
• operating the fan to move cooling air through the computer cabinet, past the computer modules, between the first and second acoustic panels, and into the room through the opening.

A system for performing high-speed computations in a room, the system comprising:

• means for holding at least one computer module;
• means for moving a flow of cooling air past the computer module;
• first acoustic panel means for absorbing acoustic noise generated by the air moving means, wherein the first acoustic panel means are positioned proximate to the air moving means, and wherein the first acoustic panel means extend for at least approximately 360 degrees around the air moving means;
• and
• second acoustic panel means for absorbing acoustic noise generated by the air moving means, wherein the second acoustic panel means are positioned proximate to the air moving means and extend for at least approximately 360 degrees around the air moving means, and wherein the second acoustic panel means are spaced apart from the first acoustic panel means to form an opening configured to direct the flow of cooling air away from the computer module holding means and into the room.