US6449150B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for cooling a card shelf
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
•
Filing: 2000-11-13
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Granted: 2002-09-10
•
Expires: 2020-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for cooling a card shelf includes a backplane, a plurality of side support members disposed proximate the backplane, a top support member disposed proximate the backplane, and a bottom support member disposed opposite the top support member. The plurality of side support members, the top support member, and the bottom support member form a shelf area configured to receive electronic cards. At least one of the electronic cards includes a cover plate having an inlet operable to receive an airflow to dissipate thermal energy generated by the electronic card. The system may also include a filter to filter the airflow entering the inlet and a diffuser to diffuse the airflow about the electronic card in a desired pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl W. Boone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:48
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20536; H05K7/20554; H05K7/20563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
An electronic card for a card shelf, comprising: a circuit board having a plurality of electronic devices coupled thereto; a cover plate coupled to the circuit board; a diffuser adjacent the circuit board and extending rearwardly from the cover plate; and an inlet disposed in the cover plate so that air heated by the electronic devices forms an airflow directed by the diffuser to dissipate a substantial amount of thermal energy generated by the electronic devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electronic card for a card shelf, comprising: a circuit board having a plurality of electronic devices coupled thereto; a cover plate coupled to the circuit board; a diffuser adjacent the circuit board and extending rearwardly from the cover plate; and an inlet disposed in the cover plate so that air heated by the electronic devices forms an airflow directed by the diffuser to dissipate a substantial amount of thermal energy generated by the electronic devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The electronic card of claim 1 , further comprising an electromagnetic emission reduction screen disposed proximate the inlet and operable to curtail electromagnetic emissions from the electronic devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic card of claim 1 , further comprising a filter disposed over the inlet and operable to filter outside air entering the inlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The electronic card of claim 1 , further comprising: a frame coupled to the cover plate proximate the inlet; a gasket disposed between the frame and a portion of the cover plate disposed about the inlet; and a filter disposed between the frame and the inlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electronic card of claim 1 , wherein the diffuser is disposed proximate the inlet and adjacent the circuit board and is operable to distribute the airflow from the inlet in a desired path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electronic card of claim 5 , wherein the diffuser extends rearwardly from the cover plate a predetermined distance to provide a desired airflow path adjacent the circuit board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electronic card of claim 1 , wherein the inlet is disposed on a lower portion of the cover plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electronic card of claim 1 , wherein the inlet extends upwardly from a lower portion of the cover plate from one-third to one-half a vertical height of the cover plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The electronic card of claim 1 , wherein the diffuser is part of a filter/diffuser assembly removably coupled to the cover plate, the filter/diffuser assembly extending through an opening in a portion of the cover plate to dispose the diffuser of the filter/diffuser assembly adjacent the circuit board.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The electronic card of claim 9 , wherein the filter/diffuser assembly comprises: a frame removably coupled to the cover plate; a gasket disposed between the frame and a portion of the cover plate about the inlet; a filter disposed between the frame and the inlet; and the diffuser coupled to the frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
133 words
A card shelf assembly, comprising: a backplane; a plurality of side support members disposed proximate the backplane; a top support member disposed proximate the backplane; a bottom support member disposed opposite the top support member, wherein the plurality of side support members, the top support member, and the bottom support member form a shelf area configured to receive electronic cards; and wherein at least one of the electronic cards comprises a cover plate having an inlet and a diffuser extending rearwardly from the cover plate and adjacent a circuit board of the electronic card, the inlet disposed in the cover plate of the electronic card so that air heated by the electronic card forms an airflow directed by the diffuser to dissipate a substantial amount of thermal energy generated by the electronic card.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
133 words
A card shelf assembly, comprising: a backplane; a plurality of side support members disposed proximate the backplane; a top support member disposed proximate the backplane; a bottom support member disposed opposite the top support member, wherein the plurality of side support members, the top support member, and the bottom support member form a shelf area configured to receive electronic cards; and wherein at least one of the electronic cards comprises a cover plate having an inlet and a diffuser extending rearwardly from the cover plate and adjacent a circuit board of the electronic card, the inlet disposed in the cover plate of the electronic card so that air heated by the electronic card forms an airflow directed by the diffuser to dissipate a substantial amount of thermal energy generated by the electronic card.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The card shelf assembly of claim 11 , wherein a plurality of the electronic cards each comprise an inlet operable to receive the airflow to dissipate thermal energy generated by the electronic cards, and wherein the card shelf further comprises a filter assembly removably coupled to the electronic cards operable to filter outside air entering the inlets.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The card shelf assembly of claim 12 , wherein the filter assembly comprises: a frame; a gasket disposed between the frame and the cover plates of the electronic cards, the gasket disposed about a periphery of the inlets of the electronic cards; and a filter disposed between the frame and the inlets of the electronic cards.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The card shelf assembly of claim 13 , wherein the frame is removably coupled to the cover plate of at least one of the electronic cards.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The card shelf assembly of claim 13 , wherein the frame is rotatably disposed relative to the electronic cards, the frame operable rotate upwardly to dispose the filter over the inlets of the electronic cards.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The card shelf assembly of claim 11 , wherein the electronic card further comprises an electromagnetic emission reduction screen disposed over the inlet to curtail electromagnetic emissions generated by the electronic card.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The card shelf assembly of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the electronic cards comprises the diffuser disposed proximate the circuit board of the electronic card and operable to diffuse the airflow about the circuit board in a desired path.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The card shelf assembly of claim 17 , wherein the diffuser extends rearwardly a predetermined distance from the cover plate to provide a desired airflow path adjacent the circuit board.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The card shelf assembly of claim 11 , wherein the diffuser is part of a filter/diffuser assembly removably coupled to the electronic card, the filter/diffuser assembly operable to filter outside air entering the inlet and diffuse the airflow substantially evenly adjacent the electronic card.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
65 words
The card shelf assembly of claim 19 , wherein the filter/diffuser assembly comprises: a frame removably coupled to the cover plate of the electronic card; a gasket coupled to the frame and extending about a periphery of the inlet; a filter disposed between the frame and the inlet; and the diffuser coupled to the frame and disposed adjacent a circuit board of the electronic card.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for dissipating thermal energy from a card shelf, comprising: providing an electronic card disposed in the card shelf; receiving outside air through an inlet disposed in a cover plate of the electronic card, the inlet disposed such that air heated by the electronic card forms an airflow; and directing, using a diffuser disposed adjacent the electronic card and extending rearwardly from the cover plate of the electronic card, the airflow to dissipate a substantial amount of thermal energy generated by the electronic card.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for dissipating thermal energy from a card shelf, comprising: providing an electronic card disposed in the card shelf; receiving outside air through an inlet disposed in a cover plate of the electronic card, the inlet disposed such that air heated by the electronic card forms an airflow; and directing, using a diffuser disposed adjacent the electronic card and extending rearwardly from the cover plate of the electronic card, the airflow to dissipate a substantial amount of thermal energy generated by the electronic card.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21 , further comprising diffusing the airflow about the electronic card in a desired airflow pattern using the diffuser disposed adjacent the electronic card.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21 , further comprising filtering the outside air as the outside air enters the inlet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein filtering the outside air comprises receiving the outside air through a filter disposed over the inlet, wherein a frame is removably coupled to the cover plate to secure the filter over the inlet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein providing the electronic card comprises providing the electronic card having the inlet disposed in a lower portion of the cover plate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein providing the electronic card comprises providing the electronic card having the inlet extending upwardly from a lower portion of the cover plate from one-third to one-half a vertical height of the cover plate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein receiving the outside air through the inlet further comprises receiving the outside air through an electromagnetic emission reduction screen disposed over the inlet to curtail electromagnetic emissions from the electronic card through the inlet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the diffuser is part of a filter/diffuser assembly removably coupled to the electronic card to filter the entering outside air and diffuse the airflow substantially evenly about the circuit board.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the filter/diffuser assembly comprises: a frame; a gasket disposed about a periphery of the frame; a filter within an airflow receiving area of the frame; and the diffuser coupled to the frame.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 29 , further comprising inserting the filter/diffuser assembly through an opening formed in the cover plate to dispose the diffuser adjacent a portion of the circuit board.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 21 , further comprising diffusing the airflow substantially evenly about the circuit board using the diffuser, the diffuser disposed adjacent the circuit board and extending rearwardly substantially orthogonal to the cover plate.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein diffusing the airflow comprises receiving the airflow through a plurality of perforations formed in the diffuser.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein diffusing comprises: receiving a portion of the airflow through a plurality of apertures formed in the diffuser; and receiving a remaining portion of the airflow about a rearward portion of the diffuser.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein at least a plurality of the electronic cards comprise an inlet for receiving the airflow, and wherein the method further comprises providing a filter assembly removably coupled to at least one of the electronic cards, the filter assembly operable to filter the airflow entering each of the electronic cards.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein providing the filter assembly comprises: providing a frame; providing a gasket extending about a periphery of the frame; and providing a filter disposed within an airflow receiving area of the frame.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein providing the filter assembly comprises rotatably coupling the frame to the a support member of the card shelf, wherein the filter assembly is operable to rotate upwardly to position the filter over the inlets.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
108 words
A card shelf assembly, comprising: a backplane; side support means disposed proximate the backplane; top support means disposed proximate the backplane; bottom support means disposed proximate the backplane, the side, top, and bottom support means forming a shelf area configured to receive electronic cards, the electronic cards adapted to engage the backplane; means for receiving outside air drawn through a cover plate of at least one of the electronic cards by an airflow, the airflow formed by air heated by the electronic cards; and means extending rearwardly from the cover plate for directing the airflow to dissipate a substantial amount of thermal energy generated by the electronic card.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
108 words
A card shelf assembly, comprising: a backplane; side support means disposed proximate the backplane; top support means disposed proximate the backplane; bottom support means disposed proximate the backplane, the side, top, and bottom support means forming a shelf area configured to receive electronic cards, the electronic cards adapted to engage the backplane; means for receiving outside air drawn through a cover plate of at least one of the electronic cards by an airflow, the airflow formed by air heated by the electronic cards; and means extending rearwardly from the cover plate for directing the airflow to dissipate a substantial amount of thermal energy generated by the electronic card.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 37 , further comprising a means for filtering the airflow.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 37 , wherein the means for diffusing direct the airflow about a circuit board of the electronic card.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 39 , wherein the means for diffusing the airflow is coupled to the cover plate of the electronic card and extends rearwardly from the cover plate a predetermined length.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 37 , further comprising: means for filtering the airflow received through the cover plate; and means for shielding electromagnetic emissions from the electronic card.
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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) | 2005-09-09 | 2006-03-11 | 2006-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-09 | 2010-03-11 | 2010-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-09 | 2014-03-11 | 2014-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |