US6639794B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chassis with adaptive fan control
Assignee: SAICO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (WUHAN) Co Ltd
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Filing: 2001-12-18
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Granted: 2003-10-28
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Expires: 2021-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A chassis with an adaptive fan control is provided for electronic equipment. The adaptive fan control is responsive to at least one condition within one or more airflow sections within the chassis and may increase or decrease airflow in response to the condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Sompong Paul Olarig
- 👤 Donald Joseph Stoddard
- 👤 Michael Hansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:54
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20536; H05K7/207; H05K7/20554; H05K7/20572; H05K7/20581
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus comprising: a chassis for housing electronic components including plug-in card slots, the chassis having an intake section and an exhaust section; a plurality of airflow sections including a first and a second adjacent airflow section positioned generally between the intake and exhaust sections; an a plurality of air circulators, each primarily associated with one of the plurality of airflow sections and coupled to the chassis operative to flow air through the plurality of airflow sections; a sensor coupled to the plurality of air circulators; and wherein the airflow in the first airflow section is changed in response to an operational parameter of an airflow circulator primarily associated with the second adjacent airflow section.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus comprising: a chassis for housing electronic components including plug-in card slots, the chassis having an intake section and an exhaust section; a plurality of airflow sections including a first and a second adjacent airflow section positioned generally between the intake and exhaust sections; an a plurality of air circulators, each primarily associated with one of the plurality of airflow sections and coupled to the chassis operative to flow air through the plurality of airflow sections; a sensor coupled to the plurality of air circulators; and wherein the airflow in the first airflow section is changed in response to an operational parameter of an airflow circulator primarily associated with the second adjacent airflow section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein three airflow sections are located, in part, between the intake and exhaust sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the air circulator includes multiple airflow circulators operative to flow air within predetermined airflow sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the sensor is responsive to temperature within one or more airflow sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the sensor is responsive to airflow within one or more airflow sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the sensor is responsive to the operational speed of one or more airflow circulators.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the sensor is responsive to plug-in cards being located within one or more airflow sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the airflow circulators include a hot pluggable fan.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a baffle for directing airflow is coupled between the intake section and exhaust section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a computer network card is coupled to a plug-in card slot and coupled to a network of at least one computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein a storage network card is coupled to a plug-in card slot and coupled a network of at least one data storage device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the at least one air circulator is coupled to the intake section of the chassis and at least one air circulator is coupled to the exhaust section of the chassis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the multiple airflow circulators operate in pairs to flow air within predetermined airflow sections.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein the sensor is operative to increase airflow within an airflow section in response to a plug-in card being present within the airflow section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein at least one air circulator coupled to the intake section pushes air into at least one airflow section and at least one air circulator coupled to the exhaust section pulls air, in part, from at least one airflow section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein at least one air circulator coupled to the intake section pulls air, in part, from at least one airflow section and at least one air circulator coupled to the exhaust section pushes into at least one airflow section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as in claim 13 wherein six airflow circulators operate in pairs to flow air primarily through three airflow sections.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 14 wherein the sensor is operative to decrease airflow within an airflow section in response to a plug-in card being absent within the airflow section.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
73 words
A method comprising: fabricating a chassis for housing electronic components having a plurality of airflow sections including a first and second adjacent airflow section and a plurality of airflow circulators wherein each circulator is primarily associated with one of the airflow sections; monitoring a condition within an the first adjacent airflow section; and changing the airflow in the second adjacent airflow section in response to a condition within the first adjacent airflow section.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
73 words
A method comprising: fabricating a chassis for housing electronic components having a plurality of airflow sections including a first and second adjacent airflow section and a plurality of airflow circulators wherein each circulator is primarily associated with one of the airflow sections; monitoring a condition within an the first adjacent airflow section; and changing the airflow in the second adjacent airflow section in response to a condition within the first adjacent airflow section.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 19 further comprising fabricating the chassis with three airflow sections.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 20 further comprising monitoring a condition in each of the airflow sections.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 21 further comprising monitoring the presence of a plug-in card.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 22 further comprising changing the airflow within a particular airflow section in response to the presence of a plug-in card.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 22 further comprising changing the airflow within a particular airflow section in response to the removal of a plug-in card.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-10-27 | 2007-04-28 | 2007-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-10-27 | 2011-04-28 | 2011-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-10-27 | 2015-04-28 | 2015-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |