EP0320720A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
A non-stop cooling system for a computer
Assignee: Siemens AG
•
Filing: 1988-12-02
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2008-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A non-stop cooling system is provided for a computer system. The cooling system uses two fans both normally operating at reduced capacity to cool the system. A failure of one fan causes the other fan to operate at full capacity to cool the system. Each fan forces air through a door which closes when the associated fan fails allowing the failed fan to be removed without shutting down the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:00
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20009; H05K7/20136; H05K7/2019; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A non-stop cooling system for a computer of the type having a housing with an air inlet, an air outlet and a passageway from the air inlet to the air inlet, comprising: an air plenum adjacent the housing having openings aligned with the air outlet; first and second variable air flow fans adjacent the housing having an air intake and an air exhaust, said air exhaust being aligned with the housing air inlet; and a control unit for automatically, controllably varying the air flow of said first and second fans.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A non-stop cooling system for a computer of the type having a housing with an air inlet, an air outlet and a passageway from the air inlet to the air inlet, comprising: an air plenum adjacent the housing having openings aligned with the air outlet; first and second variable air flow fans adjacent the housing having an air intake and an air exhaust, said air exhaust being aligned with the housing air inlet; and a control unit for automatically, controllably varying the air flow of said first and second fans.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit varies the air flow of each fan.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit varies the air flow of each fan by varying the rotational speed of each fan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the rated air flow of each fan is at least equal to the minimum air flow demand of the computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 4, wherein each fan normally produces a reduced rate of its air flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 5, wherein the control unit monitors the air flow or pressure of each fan and operates one fan at 100 % of its rated air flow in response to sensing a loss of air flow from the other fan.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 1, wherein first and second fans are enclosed in a common housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 7, wherein the air plenum is adjacent the common fan housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the air exhaust of each fan has an air flow sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 9, wherein the air flow sensor includes a micro-switch, and flaps positioned over the air exhaust and movable between a closed position at the flaps abuts the micro-switch and an open position at which the flaps are free of contact with the micro-switch, said flap being held in the open position by exhaust air flow and moving to the closed position in response to cessation of air flow and actuating the micro-switch which alerts the control unit that air flow has ceased.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A non-stop cooling system comprising: first and second fans each producing an output air flow; means for sensing cessation of output air flow; and control means for automatically increasing the output air flow of one of said first and second fans in response to cessation of air flow of the other of said first and second fans.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
A non-stop cooling system comprising: first and second fans each producing an output air flow; means for sensing cessation of output air flow; and control means for automatically increasing the output air flow of one of said first and second fans in response to cessation of air flow of the other of said first and second fans.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the control means varies the air flow of each fan by varying the rotational speed of each fan.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 9, wherein each fan has an exhaust duct and the sensing means includes a micro-switch, and flaps positioned over the duct and movable between a closed position at the flap abuts the micro-switch and an open position at which the flap is free of contact with the micro-switch, said flap being held in the open position by output air flow and moving to the closed position in response to cessation of air flow and actuating the micro-switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the fans are mounted with one screw inside the computer housing and connected with one power plug to the power supply.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A non-stop cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the air plenum is distributing the amount of the air flow velocity adjacent to the need of the particular system modules which have to be cooled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.