Cooling method and apparatus for an electric device

• US 20010028551A1
• Filed: 02/27/2001
• Published: 10/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Video And Information System Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Video And Information System Inc.
• Inventors: Moriyama, Takashi, Ota, Shigemi
• Granted Patent: US 6,504,715 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/695
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20581 Cabinets including a drawer for fans
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20718 Forced ventilation of a gaseous coolant in closed loop H05K7/20754
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20736 within cabinets for removing heat from server blades

Abstract

A cooling apparatus is constructed wherein, a fan box is provided with a plurality of suction openings and exhaust openings formed on a suction main surface and an exhaust main surface opposite to each other, a plurality of fan units each comprising a multi-blade fan and a suction duct disposed in different positions in a inserting direction are alternately arranged in an axial direction of the multi-blade fan so as to be able to insert and drawn out, and the fan unit is configured so that a suction duct thereof operates as a suction passage for the multi-blade fans of the next fan unit by communicating a fan suction opening with the suction opening through the suction duct and communicating a fan exhaust opening with the exhaust opening.

Claims

1. A cooling method for an electrical device comprising the steps of:

disposing a plurality of multi-blade fans in parallel so that a suction opening of each multi-blade fan is alternately arranged with respect to the suction opening of the next multi-blade fan;

connecting an exhaust opening of each multi-blade fan to a partition wall for dividing a suction side of the multi-blade fans from an exhaust side thereof; and

operating all the multi-blade fans always.

2. The method according to

claim 1

, further comprising the steps of:

providing a check valve in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan;

connecting a duct to the exhaust side of the partition wall; and

closing a valve body of the check valve by use of an internal pressure in the duct when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

3. The method according to

claim 1

, further comprising the steps of:

providing a check valve in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan; and

closing a valve body of the check valve by use of its own weight when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

4. The method according to

claim 1

, further comprising the steps of:

providing a check valve in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan;

acting biasing force always on a valve body of the check valve so as to close the valve body;

opening the valve body by use of a dynamic pressure of the suction air flow or the exhaust air flow against the biasing force when the multi-blade fan is operated; and

closing the valve body by use of the biasing force when multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

5. A cooling apparatus comprising:

a plurality of multi-blade fans disposed in parallel so that a suction opening of each multi-blade fan is alternately arranged with respect to the suction opening of the next multi-blade fan, all the multi-blade fans being operated always; and

a partition wall dividing a suction side of the multi-blade fan from an exhaust side thereof.

6. The apparatus according to

claim 5

, further comprising:

a check valve disposed in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan, the check valve comprising a valve body which moves freely within an acute rotational range between an open position and a close position; and

a duct connected to the exhaust side of the partition wall, wherein

the valve body of the check valve is closed by an internal pressure in the duct when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

7. The apparatus according to

claim 5

, further comprising:

a check valve disposed in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan, the check valve comprising a valve body which moves freely between an open position and a close position, wherein

the valve body of the check valve is closed by its own weight when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

8. The apparatus according to

claim 5

, further comprising:

a check valve disposed in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan, the check valve comprising a valve body which moves freely between an open position and a close position; and

biasing means for always acting biasing force on the valve body so as to close the valve body, wherein

the valve body of the check valve is opened by a dynamic pressure of the suction air flow or the exhaust air flow against the biasing force when the multi-blade fan is operated, and closed by the biasing force when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

9. A cooling apparatus comprising:

a fan box having a plurality of suction opening portions and exhaust opening portions which are opened in a suction main surface and an exhaust main surface respectively, the surfaces being opposite to each other; and

a first fan unit and a second fan units, each unit comprising a multi-blade fan always operated and a suction duct communicating a suction opening of the multi-blade fan of the next fan unit with the suction opening portion of the fan unit, the multi-blade fan and the suction duct being disposed in different positions respectively in an inserting direction of the units with respect to the fan box, wherein an exhaust opening of the multi-blade fan is connected to the exhaust opening portion.

10. The apparatus according to

claim 9

, further comprising:

a check valve disposed in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan, the check valve comprising a valve body which moves freely within an acute rotational range between an open position and a close position; and

a duct connected to the exhaust side of the partition wall, wherein

the valve body of the check valve is closed by an internal pressure in the duct when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

11. The apparatus according to

claim 9

, further comprising:

a check valve disposed in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan, the check valve comprising a valve body which moves freely between an open position and a close position, wherein

the valve body of the check valve is closed by its own weight when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

12. The apparatus according to

claim 9

, further comprising:

a check valve disposed in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan, the check valve comprising a valve body which moves freely between an open position and a close position; and

biasing means for always acting biasing force on the valve body so as to close the valve body, wherein

the valve body of the check valve is opened by a dynamic pressure of the suction air flow or the exhaust air flow against the biasing force when the multi-blade fan is operated, and closed by the biasing force when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

13. The apparatus according to

claim 10

, wherein each check valve comprises a plurality of valve bodies.

14. The apparatus according to

claim 11

, wherein each check valve comprises a plurality of valve bodies.

15. The apparatus according to

claim 12

, wherein each check valve comprises a plurality of valve bodies.

16. A data processing apparatus comprising:

a first casing;

at least an external storage unit and a power supply unit mounted within the first casing; and

a cooling apparatus mounted within the first casing, comprising a plurality of multi-blade fans disposed in parallel so that a suction opening of each multi-blade fan is alternately arranged with respect to the suction opening of the next multi-blade fan, all the multi-blade fans being operated always, and a partition wall dividing a suction side of the multi-blade fan from an exhaust side thereof.

18. The apparatus according to

claim 16

, further comprising a central processing unit, a main storage unit, and the power supply unit within the first casing on the exhaust side of the cooling apparatus, wherein

the external storage unit is disposed on the suction side of said cooling apparatus;

and a cooling duct is provided on the exhaust side of the cooling apparatus for introducing an exhaust air flow of the cooling apparatus into the central processing unit, the main storage unit, and the power supply unit respectively.

17. A data processing apparatus comprising:

a first casing;

at least an external storage unit and a power supply unit mounted within the first casing; and

a cooling apparatus mounted within the first casing, comprising a fan box having a plurality of suction opening portions and exhaust opening portions which are opened in a suction main surface and an exhaust main surface respectively, the surfaces being opposite to each other, and

a first fan unit and a second fan units, each unit comprising a multi-blade fan always operated and a suction duct communicating a suction opening of the multi-blade fan of the next fan unit with the suction opening portion of the fan unit, the multi-blade fan and the suction duct being disposed in different positions respectively in an inserting direction of the units with respect to the fan box, wherein an exhaust opening of the multi-blade fan is connected to the exhaust opening portion.

19. The apparatus according to

claim 17

, further comprising a central processing unit, a main storage unit, and the power supply unit within the first casing on the exhaust side of the cooling apparatus, wherein

the external storage unit is disposed on the suction side of said cooling apparatus;

and a cooling duct is provided on the exhaust side of the cooling apparatus for introducing an exhaust air flow of the cooling apparatus into the central processing unit, the main storage unit, and the power supply unit respectively.

20. A cooling apparatus for cooling a data processing apparatus comprising a first fan unit provided with a first multi-blade fan and a second fan unit provided with a second multi-blade fan, the first fan unit comprising a first suction duct for supplying a gas to the second multi-blade fan, wherein

the first fan unit and the second fan unit are disposed adjacently so that the first suction duct and the second multi-blade fan are opposed to each other.

21. The apparatus according to

claim 20

, further comprising a third fan unit with a third multi-blade fan disposed adjacently to a surface of the second fan unit opposite to a surface contacting with the first fan unit, wherein

the first fan unit further comprising a second suction duct opposed to the third multi-blade fan.

22. The apparatus according to

claim 20

, further comprising:

a check valve disposed in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan, the check valve comprising a valve body which moves freely within an acute rotational range between an open position and a close position; and

a duct connected to the exhaust side of the partition wall, wherein the valve body of the check valve is closed by an internal pressure in the duct when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the suction flow passage or the exhaust are closed, and wherein the valve body of the check valve is closed by its own weight when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the suction flow passage or the exhaust are closed;

wherein

the check valve further comprises biasing means for always acting biasing force on the valve body so as to close the valve body, wherein

the valve body of the check valve is opened by a dynamic pressure of the suction air flow or the exhaust air flow against the biasing force when the multi-blade fan is operated, and closed by the biasing force when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

23. A data processing apparatus comprising:

a first casing;

at least an external storage unit and a power supply unit mounted within the first casing; and

a cooling apparatus comprising a first fan unit provided with a first multi-blade fan and a second fan unit provided with a second multi-blade fan, the first fan unit comprising a first suction duct for supplying a gas to the second multi-blade fan, wherein

the first fan unit and the second fan unit are disposed adjacently so that the first suction duct and the second multi-blade fan are opposed to each other.

24. The apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein the cooling apparatus comprises at least one of:

a third fan unit with a third multi-blade fan disposed adjacently to a surface of the second fan unit opposite to a surface contacting with the first fan unit, and

the first fan unit further comprising a second suction duct opposed to the third multi-blade fan.

25. The apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein the cooling apparatus comprises:

a check valve disposed in at least one of a suction flow passage and an exhaust flow passage of each multi-blade fan, the check valve comprising a valve body which moves freely within an acute rotational range between an open position and a close position; and

a duct connected to the exhaust side of the partition wall, wherein the valve body of the check valve is closed by an internal pressure in the duct when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the suction flow passage or the exhaust are closed, and wherein the valve body of the check valve is closed by its own weight when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the suction flow passage or the exhaust are closed;

wherein

the check valve further comprises biasing means for always acting biasing force on the valve body so as to close the valve body, wherein

the valve body of the check valve is opened by a dynamic pressure of the suction air flow or the exhaust air flow against the biasing force when the multi-blade fan is operated, and closed by the biasing force when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops, so that the check valve autonomously prevents the air from flowing from the exhaust opening to the suction opening by closing the suction flow passage or the exhaust flow passage when the corresponding multi-blade fan stops.

26. A cooling apparatus for cooling a data processing apparatus comprising:

a plurality of fan units, each unit comprising a multi-blade fan and a suction duct, wherein the suction duct supplies a gas to the multi-blade fan of the next fan unit; and

a casing having a suction main surface and an exhaust main surface opposite to each other, the suction main surface comprising a plurality of suction opening portions each communicating with the suction duct, the exhaust main surface comprising a plurality of exhaust opening portions each communicating with the multi-blade fan, wherein

the suction opening portions are alternately arranged on the suction main surface to form two lines thereon, and

the exhaust opening portions are alternately arranged on the exhaust main surface to form two lines thereon.

27. A data processing apparatus comprising a first casing, at least an external storage unit and a power supply unit mounted within the first casing, and a cooling apparatus wherein the cooling apparatus comprises:

a plurality of fan units, each unit comprising a multi-blade fan and a suction duct, wherein the suction duct supplies a gas to the multi-blade fan of the next fan unit; and

a casing having a suction main surface and an exhaust main surface opposite to each other, the suction main surface comprising a plurality of suction opening portions each communicating with the suction duct, the exhaust main surface comprising a plurality of exhaust opening portions each communicating with the multi-blade fan, wherein

the suction opening portions are alternately arranged on the suction main surface to form two lines thereon, and

the exhaust opening portions are alternately arranged on the exhaust main surface to form two lines thereon.