Patent US6000464A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6000464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic component cooling system
Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corp
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Filing: 1997-05-07
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Granted: 1999-12-14
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Expires: 2017-05-07
Abstract
Abstract An electronic component cooling system for printed circuit board enclosures includes a plurality of fans, each coupled to an air deflection unit which selectively forces air from the fans through the printed circuit boards. The system includes at least one thermal diffuser and at least one air concentrator. The thermal diffuser is placed between a stack of two or more shelving units to avoid the development of hot spots or dead zones. The air concentrator provides the ability for certain components which have a high heat output to receive a greater amount of air flow than other components which have lower heat outputs.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher J. Scafidi
- 👤 David J. Pierce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:22
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20536; H05K7/20554; H05K7/20572
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A cooling system for an enclosure which houses a plurality of electronic components, comprising: a blower assembly including a plurality of fans, each fan coupled to an air deflection unit for selectively redirecting exhaust air from the fan; a thermal diffuser, for mixing warmer and cooler air within the enclosure prior to contacting at least a portion of said plurality of electronic components; and an air concentrator, for selectively concentrating air flow to specific electronic components.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A cooling system for an enclosure which houses a plurality of electronic components, comprising: a blower assembly including a plurality of fans, each fan coupled to an air deflection unit for selectively redirecting exhaust air from the fan; a thermal diffuser, for mixing warmer and cooler air within the enclosure prior to contacting at least a portion of said plurality of electronic components; and an air concentrator, for selectively concentrating air flow to specific electronic components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said blower assembly further comprises: a housing, having at least one intake plenum and an output plenum, for maintaining said plurality of fans in a select spatial configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 wherein each said air deflection unit further includes a frame and first and second vanes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said frame comprises a vertical portion and a horizontal portion which are mounted perpendicular to each other in an L shape; wherein said first vane is mounted on said vertical portion and said second vane is mounted on said horizontal portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said first and second vanes are rigidly attached to said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said first and second vanes are attached to said frame at a deflection angle with respect to the plane of the frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said deflection angle is 30°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said deflection angle is 45°.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said intake plenum comprises a plurality of apertures and said output plenum comprises a screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said thermal diffuser further comprises: a frame; a rigid plate disposed within said frame having a plurality of baffles, each baffle having a plurality of apertures, and at least one deflector bracket, mounted on one of said baffles; wherein the thermal diffuser directs air flow in different directions to facilitate mixing of warmer and cooler air molecules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the air concentrator further comprises: a substrate; and two deflection vanes selectively mounted on said substrate, each said deflection vane having first and second ends; wherein the first ends of said vanes are mounted closer together than second ends of said vanes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 11 wherein each said vane is mounted to said substrate about an adjustable pivot at said second end, and wherein said substrate further includes slots through which a releasable mechanism engages said vanes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
A blower assembly for cooling electronic components within a cabinet comprising: a plurality of fans; a housing, having at least one intake plenum and an output plenum, for maintaining said plurality of fans in a select spatial configuration; and a plurality of air deflection units, one coupled to each of said plurality of fans, for selectively redirecting exhaust air from said plurality of fans prior to contacting said electronic components.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
A blower assembly for cooling electronic components within a cabinet comprising: a plurality of fans; a housing, having at least one intake plenum and an output plenum, for maintaining said plurality of fans in a select spatial configuration; and a plurality of air deflection units, one coupled to each of said plurality of fans, for selectively redirecting exhaust air from said plurality of fans prior to contacting said electronic components.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 13 wherein each said air deflection unit further includes a frame and first and second vanes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
The assembly of claim 14 wherein said frame comprises a vertical portion and a horizontal portion which are mounted perpendicular to each other in an L shape, said first vane being mounted on said vertical portion and said second vane is mounted on said horizontal portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The blower assembly of claim 15 wherein said first and second vanes are rigidly attached to said frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The blower assembly of claim 16 wherein said first and second vanes are attached to said frame at a deflection angle with respect to the plane of the frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The blower assembly of claim 17 wherein said deflection angle is 30°.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The blower assembly of claim 17 wherein said deflection angle is 45°.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
87 words
A cooling system for electronic components within a cabinet having at least one fan for producing a flow of air and thermal diffuser, the thermal diffuser comprising: a frame; a rigid plate disposed within said frame having a plurality of baffles, each baffle having a plurality of apertures; and at least one deflector bracket, mounted on one of said baffles; wherein the thermal diffuser directs air flow in different directions to facilitate mixing of warmer and cooler air molecules within the cabinet prior to contacting electronic components.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
87 words
A cooling system for electronic components within a cabinet having at least one fan for producing a flow of air and thermal diffuser, the thermal diffuser comprising: a frame; a rigid plate disposed within said frame having a plurality of baffles, each baffle having a plurality of apertures; and at least one deflector bracket, mounted on one of said baffles; wherein the thermal diffuser directs air flow in different directions to facilitate mixing of warmer and cooler air molecules within the cabinet prior to contacting electronic components.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 20 further comprising: an air concentrator for selectively concentrating air flow, the air concentrator including: a substrate; and two deflection vanes selectively mounted on said substrate for deflecting said air flow.
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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) | 2002-12-13 | 2003-06-14 | 2003-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-13 | 2007-06-14 | 2007-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-13 | 2011-06-14 | 2011-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |