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Vertical exhaust duct for electronic equipment enclosure

  • US 10,440,847 B2
  • Filed: 05/11/2018
  • Issued: 10/08/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An electronic equipment enclosure, comprising:

  • (a) a frame structure formed from a plurality of support posts and cross members, the frame structure having a front-to-back length and a side-to-side width;

    (b) a top panel mounted on the frame structure, the top panel including;

    (i) a plurality of outer edges, each outer edge of the plurality of outer edges partially defining a perimeter of the top panel, the perimeter having a front-to-back length and a side-to-side width, wherein each outer edge is generally perpendicular to two other outer edges,(ii) a plurality of inner edges that define a rectangular opening in the top panel, the rectangular opening having a front-to-back length and a side-to-side width, wherein each inner edge of the plurality of inner edges is generally parallel to two outer edges, and(iii) wherein the side-to-side width of the rectangular opening is at least 85% of the side-to-side width of the top panel perimeter;

    (c) side panels and a back panel mounted on the frame structure and, together with the top panel, at least partially enclosing the frame structure and defining a single compartment in which an electronic component is mounted; and

    (d) an exhaust air duct, extending upward from the top panel, wherein;

    (i) at least a lower section of the exhaust air duct is rectangular in cross-section that is defined by four panels having smooth interior surfaces and intersecting each other at right angles, the cross-section having a front-to-back length and a side-to-side width,(ii) the front-to-back length of the exhaust air duct cross-section is substantially the same as the front-to-back length of the top panel rectangular opening,(iii) the side-to-side width of the exhaust air duct cross-section is substantially the same as the side-to-side width of the top panel rectangular opening, and(iv) the lower section of the exhaust air duct is disposed in surrounding relation to, and in fluid communication with, the top panel opening such that the panels of the lower section of the exhaust air duct are directly aligned with the inner edges of the top panel and an interior of the exhaust air duct is in direct and unobstructed fluid communication with the interior of the single compartment;

    (e) wherein hot air from the electronic component travels vertically, within the single compartment, to the rectangular top panel opening without passing through the back panel of the compartment; and

    (f) wherein the exhaust air duct is adapted to segregate hot air being exhausted from the compartment from cool air entering the compartment, thereby improving thermal management of the enclosure.

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