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US5773755A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Protective casing structure for electronic apparatus

Assignee: NEC Corp
•
Filing: 1996-05-31
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Granted: 1998-06-30
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Expires: 2016-05-31
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Abstract

Abstract A double wall casing structure includes an inner casing for housing heat generating equipment and an outer casing surrounding the inner casing to form an air layer therebetween. One or more fans are provided in the air layer and are operated temperature-responsively for steering air within the air layer. At lest one selectively operable valve is located in the outer casing. The valve is adapted to be automatically closed/opened responsive to sensed temperature conditions.

Inventors

  • 👤 Misao Iwatare

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 05:57
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20536; H05K7/20618; H05K7/20009; H05K7/202

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 196 words
A double wall casing structure for electronic apparatus having heat generating elements radiating heat through said casing structure, comprising: an inner casing for housing said apparatus; an outer casing surrounding said inner casing in spaced relationship so as to define an air layer extending all about and between said inner casing and said outer casing, said air layer being defined by an inner surface of a wall of said outer casing and an outer surface of a wall of said inner casing and being normally insulated from an external ambient air; at least one fan provided in said air layer, said at least one fan being selectively operative responsive to first predetermined sensed temperature conditions for steering and circulating air in said air layer; and at least one, selectively openable valve which is controlled in response to second predetermined sensed temperature conditions provided in said wall of said outer casing, said second predetermined sensed temperature conditions being set higher than said first predetermined sensed temperature conditions whereby upon sensed temperature in said outer casing wall reaching said second predetermined temperature conditions said valve opens so as to communicate said air layer with said external ambient air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 196 words
A double wall casing structure for electronic apparatus having heat generating elements radiating heat through said casing structure, comprising: an inner casing for housing said apparatus; an outer casing surrounding said inner casing in spaced relationship so as to define an air layer extending all about and between said inner casing and said outer casing, said air layer being defined by an inner surface of a wall of said outer casing and an outer surface of a wall of said inner casing and being normally insulated from an external ambient air; at least one fan provided in said air layer, said at least one fan being selectively operative responsive to first predetermined sensed temperature conditions for steering and circulating air in said air layer; and at least one, selectively openable valve which is controlled in response to second predetermined sensed temperature conditions provided in said wall of said outer casing, said second predetermined sensed temperature conditions being set higher than said first predetermined sensed temperature conditions whereby upon sensed temperature in said outer casing wall reaching said second predetermined temperature conditions said valve opens so as to communicate said air layer with said external ambient air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
A double wall casing structure claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said fans are provided in said air layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 39 words
A double wall casing structure claimed in claim 1, further comprising temperature sensor means and control means for automatically operating said at least one fan when an internal temperature of said double wall casing structure exceeds a predetermined temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
A double wall casing structure claimed in claim 2, further comprising temperature sensor means and control means for automatically operating said plurality of fans when an internal temperature within said inner casing exceeds a predetermined temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 49 words
A double wall casing structure claimed in claim 1, further comprising temperature sensor means and control means for automatically closing said selectively openable valve at a temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature and automatically opening said selectively openable valve at a temperature above said predetermined temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 52 words
A double wall casing structure claimed in claim 5, wherein said selectively openable valve comprises a bimetal element, said bimetal element including a mechanism for automatically closing said valve at a temperature equal to or lower than said predetermined temperature and automatically opening said valve at a temperature above said predetermined temperature.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2927736A Cited
US4495545A Cited
DE3516989A1 Cited
DE3543486A1 Cited
US4817912A Cited
US5544012A Cited
US5491610A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-06-29 2001-12-29 2002-06-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-06-29 2005-12-29 2006-06-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-06-29 2009-12-29 2010-06-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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