Autonomic method to filter air in a digital hardware system
First Claim
1. A method for filtering air that flows through an air intake for a cabinet that houses digital hardware, the method comprising:
- monitoring a parameter indicative of filter use;
generating a signal in response to a value of the parameter associated with a time for filter replacement; and
driving the filter in response to the signal to collect a used filter material and to position an unused filter material across an air path from the air intake to attenuate an accumulation that restricts heat dissipation from the digital hardware.
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Abstract
Methods and arrangements for autonomic filter replacement are disclosed. In a digital hardware system, a filter supply mechanism is provided that contains a supply of filter material. A filter collection mechanism is also provided. The supply and collection mechanisms are positioned such that an area of filter is spread across an air intake through which air is drawn by a fan. An electronically controlled drive mechanism is provided to drive the filter collection mechanism in response to a condition indicative of filter use. In response to the condition, a length of unused filter material is drawn from the supply and a corresponding length of used filter material is collected to cause unused filter material to be spread across the air intake.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for filtering air that flows through an air intake for a cabinet that houses digital hardware, the method comprising:
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monitoring a parameter indicative of filter use;
generating a signal in response to a value of the parameter associated with a time for filter replacement; and
driving the filter in response to the signal to collect a used filter material and to position an unused filter material across an air path from the air intake to attenuate an accumulation that restricts heat dissipation from the digital hardware. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for filtering air that flows through an air intake for a cabinet that houses digital hardware, the apparatus comprising:
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a filter supply mechanism to supply an unused filter material;
a filter collection mechanism to collect a used filter material;
a monitor to monitor a parameter and to process a value of the parameter to generate a signal that is indicative of a time for filter replacement; and
a drive mechanism responsive to the signal to drive the filter collection mechanism to collect used filter material and to position the unused filter material across an air path from the air intake to attenuate an accumulation that restricts heat dissipation from the digital hardware. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for replacing filter material across an air intake of a cabinet for digital hardware, the system comprising:
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a filter mechanism located near the air intake to position a length of a filter material across an air path to capture particulates in the air and to replace used lengths of the filter material in response to a replacement signal;
sensors within the cabinet to provide values for parameters related to use of the length of the filter material; and
a processor coupled with the sensors to process the values to determine when to replace the length of the filter material, and to generate the replacement signal to instruct the filter mechanism to replace the length of the filter material. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification