US5917698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer unit having duct-mounted fan
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 1998-02-10
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Granted: 1999-06-29
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Expires: 2018-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A standalone computer unit comprises a housing having an air intake structure and at least one component mounted within the housing which in use generates or dissipates heat. A cooling fan is arranged to generate an air flow within the housing. An elongate duct defines a closed air path from the air intake structure to the component, the duct having an inlet at or near the air intake structure and an outlet at or near the component. The cooling fan is mounted within the duct intermediate the inlet and the outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the duct comprises a portion shaped to define a cradle for receiving and supporting the fan, the fan being retained in the cradle by a resilient strap.
Inventors
- 👤 Franck Viallet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:30
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20009; H05K7/20136; H05K7/20172; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A standalone computer unit comprising: a housing having an air intake structure; at least one component mounted within the housing which in use generates or dissipates heat; a cooling fan arranged to generate an air flow within the housing; and an elongate duct defining a closed air path from the air intake structure to the component, the duct having an inlet at or near the air intake structure and an outlet at or near the component, the elongate duct comprising a baffle member of substantially U-shaped section having a fan-mounting portion within the duct intermediate the inlet and the outlet, said fan mounting portion being shaped to define a cradle for receiving and supporting the cooling fan, the unit comprising a resilient strap retaining the cooling fan in the cradle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A standalone computer unit comprising: a housing having an air intake structure; at least one component mounted within the housing which in use generates or dissipates heat; a cooling fan arranged to generate an air flow within the housing; and an elongate duct defining a closed air path from the air intake structure to the component, the duct having an inlet at or near the air intake structure and an outlet at or near the component, the elongate duct comprising a baffle member of substantially U-shaped section having a fan-mounting portion within the duct intermediate the inlet and the outlet, said fan mounting portion being shaped to define a cradle for receiving and supporting the cooling fan, the unit comprising a resilient strap retaining the cooling fan in the cradle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fan is mounted in the duct nearer to the outlet than to the inlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fan is supported within the cradle by resilient vibration absorbing material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing has an electromagnetic shielding structure comprising at least one generally planar shielding member, the baffle member being removably fixed to the shielding member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the housing comprises two opposed parallel side walls and a circuit board mounted within the housing parallel to said side walls, the component being mounted on the circuit board, the duct comprising a first portion for directing the air flow substantially parallel to the side walls and a second portion for directing the airflow obliquely with respect to the side walls, the fan being mounted in the duct between said first and second portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the component is a heatsink, the duct being shaped to direct the cooling airflow diagonally across the heatsink.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-06-28 | 2002-12-28 | 2003-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-06-28 | 2006-12-28 | 2007-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-06-28 | 2010-12-28 | 2011-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |