Method and apparatus for regulating airflow in a chassis
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorsBernard Strmiska, Brandon Brocklesby
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An airflow regulating apparatus includes a support frame for coupling to a chassis adjacent a heat producing component connector, the support frame defining a regulator channel, and also including an airflow regulator moveably coupled to the support frame and operable to be positioned in the regulator channel. A board including a heat producing component may be provided and the support frame coupled to the board, whereby the airflow regulator will move out of the regulator channel to allow airflow through the regulator channel and past the heat producing component. The heat producing component may then be removed, whereby the airflow regulator will move into the regulator channel to prevent airflow through the regulator channel.
Claims22
An airflow regulating apparatus, comprising:
- a support frame coupled to a chassis adjacent a heat producing component connector, wherein the support frame defines a regulator channel such that a heat producing component coupled to the heat producing component connector will extend into the regulator channel;
- a fan adjacent the heat producing component connector;
- and
- an airflow regulator moveably coupled to the support frame and operable to be positioned in the regulator channel when there is no heat producing component coupled to the heat producing component connector such that airflow from the fan is regulated.
An information handling system comprising:
- a chassis;
- a board mounted in the chassis;
- a fan coupled to the chassis for providing an airflow;
- a microprocessor coupled to the board;
- a heat producing component connector mounted to the board;
- a support frame coupled to the board and defining a regulator channel which is positioned adjacent the heat producing component connector such that a heat producing component coupled to the heat producing component connector will extend into the regulator channel;
- and
- an airflow regulator moveably coupled to the support frame and operable to be positioned in the regulator when there is no heat producing component coupled to the heat producing component connector such that the airflow from the fan is regulated.
A method for regulating airflow in a chassis comprising:
- providing a chassis including a fan coupled to the chassis, a board mounted to the chassis, and a heat producing component connector mounted to the board;
- coupling a support frame to the board, the support frame defining a regulator channel located adjacent the heat producing component connector such that a heat producing component coupled to the heat producing component connector will extend into the regulator channel, the support frame also including an airflow regulator moveably coupled to the support frame and operable to be positioned in the regulator channel when there is no heat producing component coupled to the heat producing component connector;
- and
- regulating the airflow from the fan with the airflow regulator.
An information handling system comprising:
- a chassis;
- a board mounted to the chassis;
- a fan coupled to the chassis for providing an airflow;
- a microprocessor coupled to the board;
- a heat producing component connector mounted to the board;
- a support frame coupled to the board and defining a regulator channel which is positioned adjacent the heat producing component connector;
- an airflow regulator moveably coupled to the support frame and operable to be positioned in the regulator channel, whereby the airflow from the fan is regulated;
- and
- a heat producing component coupled to the heat producing component connector, wherein the support frame is coupled to the board and the heat producing component is located in the regulator channel and engaging the airflow regulator.
A method for regulating airflow in a chassis comprising:
- providing a chassis including a fan coupled to the chassis, a board mounted to the chassis, and a heat producing component connector mounted to the board;
- coupling a heat producing component to the heat producing component connector;
- coupling a support frame to the board, the support frame defining a regulator channel and including an airflow regulator moveably coupled to the support frame;
- and
- regulating the airflow from the fan with the airflow regulator, whereby the regulating includes the heat producing component located in the regulator channel and engaging the airflow regulator as a result of coupling the support frame to the board.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.