RUGGEDIZED COMPUTER ASSEMBLY HAVING INTERNAL FAN

• US 20130083475A1
• Filed: 10/05/2012
• Published: 04/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scott Westfall, Tim Faucett
• Original Assignee: Scott Westfall, Tim Faucett
• Inventors: Faucett, Tim, Westfall, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,922,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.33
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/182 with special features, e.g. for use in industrial environments; grounding or shielding against radio frequency interference [RFI] or electromagnetical interference [EMI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/305 in the event of power-supply fluctuations
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/367 Cooling facilitated by shape of device H01L23/38, H01L23/40, H01L23/42, H01L23/44, H01L23/46 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/467 by flowing gases, e.g. air H01L23/473 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1438 in combination with power supplies for loads other than batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence

Abstract

A computer assembly includes a processor integrated circuit; a hard disk drive electrically connected to the processor integrated circuit and a power supply assembly, powering the processor integrated circuit and hard disk drive; a liquid-tight case, entirely containing and physically isolating and protecting the processor integrated circuit, hard disk drive and power supply assembly, the liquid-tight case defining fluid channels; electrical connectors to permit connection of the computer to outside devices; and a fan in the liquid-tight case, adapted to drive fluid through the fluid channel, thereby facilitating the movement of heat through the computer assembly.

Claims

1. A computer assembly, comprising:

(a) a processor integrated circuit;

(b) a hard disk drive electrically connected to said processor integrated circuit;

(c) a power supply assembly, powering said processor integrated circuit and hard disk drive;

(d) a liquid-tight case, entirely containing and physically isolating and protecting said processor integrated circuit, hard disk drive and power supply assembly, said liquid-tight case defining fluid channels;

(e) electrical connectors to permit connection of said computer to outside devices; and

(f) a fan in said liquid-tight case, adapted to drive fluid through said fluid channel, thereby facilitating the movement of heat through said computer assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said processor integrated circuit is in physical contact to a thermal assembly adapted to provide heat flow away from said processor integrated circuit.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said thermal assembly is configured so as to avoid physical damage to said processor integrated circuit by being mounted so as to permit portions of said thermal assembly to move with said processor integrated circuit.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said case is generally air-filled and wherein said fluid channels are air channels and said fan is adapted to drive air through said air channels.

5. A computer assembly, comprising:

(a) an electrical assembly adapted for uninterruptible operation and including a delicate heat-producing integrated circuit;

(b) a hard disk drive electrically connected to said electrical assembly;

(c) a power supply assembly, powering said electrical assembly and hard disk drive;

(d) a liquid-tight case, entirely containing and physically isolating and protecting said electrical assembly, hard disk drive and power supply assembly, said liquid-tight case defining fluid channels;

(e) electrical connectors to permit connection of said computer to outside devices; and

(f) a fan in said liquid-tight case, adapted to drive fluid through said fluid channel, thereby facilitating the movement of heat through said computer assembly.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said integrated circuit is in physical contact to a thermal assembly adapted to provide heat flow away from said integrated circuit.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein said thermal assembly is configured so as to avoid physical damage to said processor integrated circuit by being mounted so as to permit portions of said thermal assembly to move with said integrated circuit.

8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said case is generally air-filled and wherein said fluid channels are air channels and said fan is adapted to drive air through said air channels.