Patent US5484262A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5484262A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low profile fan body with heat transfer characteristics
Assignee: Nidec Corp
•
Filing: 1994-02-22
•
Granted: 1996-01-16
•
Expires: 2014-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A low profile fan body for cooling an electronic component has a fan frame supporting a fan, which is mounted on a fan base forming a heat sink or heat transfer body. The fan has plurality of fan blades received within a plenum chamber defined within the heat sink. Each fan blade defines a first axial edge, a second axial edge on a substantially opposite side of the blade relative to the first axial edge, and a radial edge extending between the first and second axial edges. The heat sink defines a base portion for engaging an exposed surface of the electronic component, and a plurality of heat fins spaced relative to each other along the periphery of the sink and defining the plenum chamber. A pressure differential surface is disposed between the radial edges of the fan blades and the fins for directing air flow in the axial direction of the fan. The radial edges of a plurality of the fan blades are at least partially exposed to the adjacent heat fins defining a flow path for cooling air across the radial edges exposed to the heat fins. The first axial edges of the fan blades are located adjacent to and spaced from the base portion of the heat sink, defining an additional flow path for cooling air between the first axial edges and the base portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel L. Thomas
- 👤 John W. Hoover
- 👤 Charles R. Marracino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:43
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D29/00; F04D29/58; F04D29/582; H; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/40; H10W40/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for cooling an electronic component having an exposed surface, comprising: means for moving air to cool the electronic component; and a heat transfer body defining a base portion for engaging the exposed surface of the electronic component, and a heat transfer passageway receiving the air moving means to move air through the passageway and cool the electronic component, the heat transfer body including at least one heat transfer surface disposed in the heat transfer passageway to enhance the heat transfer capacity of the heat transfer body, and the heat transfer body and air moving means defining substantially equal dimensions in an axial direction of the air moving means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for cooling an electronic component having an exposed surface, comprising: means for moving air to cool the electronic component; and a heat transfer body defining a base portion for engaging the exposed surface of the electronic component, and a heat transfer passageway receiving the air moving means to move air through the passageway and cool the electronic component, the heat transfer body including at least one heat transfer surface disposed in the heat transfer passageway to enhance the heat transfer capacity of the heat transfer body, and the heat transfer body and air moving means defining substantially equal dimensions in an axial direction of the air moving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the air moving means defines a device depth region in the axial direction thereof, and the apparatus further comprises a pressure differential surface extending along at least a portion of the periphery of the air moving means, and extending in the axial direction of the air moving means through a first portion of the device depth region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the at least one heat transfer surface is defined by a plurality of heat transfer members projecting from the base portion through a second portion of the device depth region located between the first portion of the device depth region and the exposed surface of the electronic component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the air moving means comprises a fan assembly including a plurality of fan blades radially disposed about an axis of the fan assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the at least one heat transfer surface includes a plurality of heat transfer members projecting from the base portion in substantially the axial direction of the fan assembly and terminating in the axial direction of the fan assembly substantially the same distance from the base portion as the fan blades.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the heat transfer body projects from the exposed surface of the electronic component in substantially the axial direction of the fan assembly, and terminates in the axial direction of the fan assembly substantially the same distance from the exposed surface as the fan assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the base portion defines an aperture therethrough in communication with the heat transfer passageway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the air moving means comprises a fan assembly including a frame coupled to the heat transfer body, and a fan rotatably mounted on the frame, the fan including a plurality of fan blades at least partially received within the heat transfer passageway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the frame includes several posts, and the heat transfer body defines several corresponding apertures for receiving the posts upon mounting the fan assembly to the heat transfer body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one heat transfer surface includes a plurality of heat transfer members projecting from the base portion in substantially the axial direction of the air moving means, and spaced relative to each other adjacent to at least a portion of the approximate periphery of the air moving means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the heat transfer members form a discontinuous pressure differential surface adjacent to the periphery of the air moving means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the base portion defines a receptacle for receiving and supporting the air moving means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the air moving means includes a fan rotatably mounted within the receptacle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the heat transfer body includes a plurality of first heat transfer surfaces spaced relative to each other in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the air moving means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the heat transfer body includes at least one second heat transfer surface extending substantially in the axial direction of the air moving means between at least one first heat transfer surface and the base portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the at least one second heat transfer surface defines an elongated aperture in communication with the heat transfer passageway for the flow of air therethrough by the air moving means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein the base portion defines a receptacle for receiving and supporting the air moving means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the air moving means includes a fan rotatably mounted within the receptacle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the air moving means comprises a fan assembly including a frame member coupled to the heat transfer body, and a fan coupled to the frame member, the fan including a plurality of fan blades at least partially received within the heat transfer passageway.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein at least one of the frame member and the heat transfer body defines at least one mounting aperture, and the other of the frame member and heat transfer body defines at least one corresponding mounting member received within the mounting aperture to mount the air moving means on the heat transfer body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, comprising a plurality of heat transfer members forming the at least one heat transfer surface, the heat transfer members being spaced relative to each other in substantially the axial direction of the air moving means adjacent to the periphery of the air moving means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the plurality of heat transfer members substantially surround the air moving means, and define a plurality of elongated apertures between adjacent heat transfer members.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein each heat transfer member defines a curved heat transfer surface extending adjacent to the periphery of the air moving means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 21, further comprising a plurality of heat transfer posts extending between adjacent heat transfer members and supporting the heat transfer members in spaced relationship relative to each other.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for cooling an electronic component having an exposed surface, comprising: a fan including a plurality of fan blades radially spaced relative to each other about an axis of the fan, each fan blade defining a first axial edge, a second axial edge on a substantially opposite side of the blade relative to the first axial edge, and a radial edge between the first and second axial edges; a heat transfer body defining a base portion for engaging the exposed surface of the electronic component, a plurality of heat transfer members projecting from the base portion in substantially the axial direction of the fan and defining a plenum chamber receiving the plurality of fan blades; and a pressure differential surface disposed adjacent to the radial edges of a plurality of the fan blades, the radial edges of a plurality of the fan blades being at least partially exposed to the adjacent heat transfer members thereby defining an air flow path across the radial edges of the fan blades exposed to the heat transfer members, and the first axial edges of the fan blades being located adjacent to and spaced from the base portion of the heat transfer body further defining an air flow path between the first axial edges and the base portion.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for cooling an electronic component having an exposed surface, comprising: a fan including a plurality of fan blades radially spaced relative to each other about an axis of the fan, each fan blade defining a first axial edge, a second axial edge on a substantially opposite side of the blade relative to the first axial edge, and a radial edge between the first and second axial edges; a heat transfer body defining a base portion for engaging the exposed surface of the electronic component, a plurality of heat transfer members projecting from the base portion in substantially the axial direction of the fan and defining a plenum chamber receiving the plurality of fan blades; and a pressure differential surface disposed adjacent to the radial edges of a plurality of the fan blades, the radial edges of a plurality of the fan blades being at least partially exposed to the adjacent heat transfer members thereby defining an air flow path across the radial edges of the fan blades exposed to the heat transfer members, and the first axial edges of the fan blades being located adjacent to and spaced from the base portion of the heat transfer body further defining an air flow path between the first axial edges and the base portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the heat transfer body includes a first row of heat transfer members spaced relative to each other adjacent to a peripheral edge of the heat transfer body.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein the heat transfer body includes a second row of heat transfer members spaced inwardly from the peripheral edge relative to the first row of heat transfer members.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein each second row heat transfer member is substantially aligned with a respective first row heat transfer member forming a plurality of gaps between adjacent first and second row heat transfer members for the passage of cooling air therethrough.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein a plurality of the second row heat transfer members are shorter in the axial direction of the fan than the adjacent first row heat transfer members.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein the fan blades define an axial blade depth region, and the first row heat transfer members extend through first and second segments of the axial blade depth region, and the second row heat transfer members extend through only the second segment of the axial blade depth region.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein a plurality of the second row heat transfer members are spaced below the pressure differential surface, thereby defining a passageway for cooling air between the ends of the second row heat transfer members and the pressure differential surface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein the heat transfer body defines a curved peripheral contour.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 32, wherein the heat transfer body defines a semi-circular peripheral contour.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
85 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein the base portion of the heat transfer body includes an interface surface defining a first portion, and a second portion spaced closer to the second axial edges of the fan blades than the first portion for accommodating surface mounted components on the electronic component, the second portion of the interface surface defining at least one aperture therethrough for the flow of cooling air over the surface mounted components and in substantially the axial direction of the fan.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 34, wherein the second portion of the interface surface defines a plurality of elongated apertures spaced relative to each other and extending therethrough, the elongated apertures forming a plurality of passages for the flow of cooling air over the surface mounted components and in substantially the axial direction of the fan.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein a plurality of the heat transfer members terminate in the axial direction of the fan substantially the same distance from the base portion as the fan blades.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the heat transfer body terminates in the axial direction of the fan substantially the same distance from the exposed surface as the fan.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein one of the fan and the heat transfer body includes at least one mounting post to mount the fan to the heat transfer body, and the mounting post is spaced away from the adjacent heat transfer members thereby defining a passageway for the flow of cooling air between the mounting post and the heat transfer members.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein the heat transfer members form at least one row extending adjacent to a peripheral edge of the heat transfer body, and the heat transfer members of the row adjacent to the mounting post are spaced inwardly substantially toward the axis of the fan relative to the mounting post thereby defining the passageway for the flow of cooling air therebetween.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the base portion defines a receptacle for receiving and supporting the fan.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein the surfaces of the base portion between adjacent first row heat transfer members slopes outwardly toward the exposed surface of the electronic component.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25, further comprising a fan frame carrying the fan and mounted on the heat transfer body, and an electrical connector mounted on the fan frame for forming an electrical connection with the electronic component, the electrical connector being located on an opposite side of a plurality of adjacent heat transfer members relative to the fan blades, and being spaced away from the heat transfer members, thereby defining a passageway for cooling air between the connector and the adjacent heat transfer members and into the plenum chamber.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein adjacent heat transfer members are spaced at least approximately 1 mm relative to each other.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein each heat transfer member defines a plurality of side surfaces, and each side surface tapers inwardly from the base of the member toward another end of the member at an angle of at least approximately 0.5° with respect to an axial plane.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the pressure differential surface surrounds the fan blades.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the fan blades define an axial blade depth region with reference to an axis of the fan, the pressure differential surface is formed within a first portion of the axial blade depth region, and the radial edges of a plurality of the fan blades are exposed to adjacent heat transfer members within a second portion of the axial blade depth region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3686533A
Cited
DE2743708A1
Cited
US4194556A
Cited
US4233644A
Cited
US4611238A
Cited
US4541004A
Cited
US4489363A
Cited
US4620216A
Cited
US4546405A
Cited
US4662830A
Cited
JPS63113460A
Cited
US4682651A
Cited
US4715430A
Cited
US4733293A
Cited
US4812733A
Cited
US5019880A
Cited
US5191230A
Cited
JPH02286900A
Cited
US5029236A
Cited
US5000254A
Cited
JPH03229492A
Cited
US5309983B1
Cited
US5309983A
Cited
US5288203A
Cited
US5297617A
Cited
US5299632A
Cited
US5272599A
Cited
US5287249A
Cited
US5335722A
Cited
US5353863A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-15 | 1999-07-17 | 2000-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-15 | 2003-07-17 | 2004-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-15 | 2007-07-17 | 2008-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |