Linear Air Flow Distribution For a Cooling System

• US 20170245391A1
• Filed: 02/23/2017
• Published: 08/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bencivenga, Ernest, Fillio, Thomas D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,869,407 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20145 Means for directing air flow, e.g. ducts, deflectors, plenum or guides
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20172 Fan mounting or fan specifications
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20181 Filters; Louvers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/2019 Fan safe systems, e.g. mechanical devices for non stop cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20209 Thermal management, e.g. fan control

Abstract

An air flow distribution system for a plurality of fans includes an air collimator that is operable to pass a flow of air in a linear vertical direction, thereby creating an improved optimal flow direction for cooling device components. The air collimator includes air transfer diverters to redirect swirling air from a fan into a linear flow, thereby increasing the cross-sectional air flow distribution throughout the device being cooled. Self-activating, separately controlled plurality of louver systems automatically close upon failure of an associated one of a plurality of cooling fans to prevent air from recirculating back through the failed fan. Therefore, air continues to move in a linear direction across the device components such that the device components remain at a specified temperature.

Claims

1. An air cooling system comprising:

a plurality of fans;

an air collimator adapted to direct forced air flow by each of the plurality of fans toward at least one device to be cooled; and

a plurality of self-activating, separately controlled louver systems mounted to the air collimator,

wherein the plurality of self-activating, separately controlled louver systems are each adapted to self-close individually upon cessation of air flow from one of the plurality of fans to block air from passing back through an associated one of the plurality of fans when the associated one of the plurality of fans is off.

2. The air cooling system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of air transfer diverters mounted to the air collimator to prevent low pressure volume over respective fan hubs.

3. The air cooling system according to claim 2, wherein:

each of the plurality of air transfer diverters pass through a respective one of the plurality of separately controlled louver systems which prevent failed fan recirculation.

4. The air cooling system according to claim 2, wherein:

each of the plurality of air transfer diverters is conical shaped.

5. The air cooling system according to claim 2, wherein:

each of the plurality of air transfer diverters is cylindrical shaped.

6. The air cooling system according to claim 1, wherein:

the air collimator is mounted in a position above the plurality of fans.

7. The air cooling system according to claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of self-activating, separately controlled louver systems each comprise a plurality of louvers;

wherein each of the plurality of louvers is adapted to close in a given direction when an associated one of the plurality of fans stops air flow therethrough.

8. The air cooling system according to claim 7, wherein:

each of the plurality of louvers is adapted to close due to gravity.

9. The air cooling system according to claim 7, wherein:

each of the plurality of louvers is adapted to close due to air pressure of operating fans.

10. The air cooling system according to claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of fans force air flow through the air collimator.

11. An air collimator for a multiple forced air-source air cooling system, comprising:

so an air collimator adapted to direct forced air flow by each of a plurality of separate air sources toward at least one device to be cooled; and

a plurality of self-activating, separately controlled louver systems mounted to the air collimator,

wherein the plurality of self-activating, separately controlled louver systems are each adapted to self-close individually upon cessation of air flow from one of the plurality of separate air sources to block air from passing back through the self-closed self-activating, separately controlled louver system.

12. The air collimator for a multiple forced air-source air cooling system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a plurality of air transfer diverters mounted to the air collimator to divert air flow from the plurality of air sources through an associated portion of the air collimator.

13. The air collimator for a multiple forced air-source air cooling system according to claim 12, wherein:

each of the plurality of air transfer diverters is conical shaped.

14. The air collimator for a multiple forced air-source air cooling system according to claim 12, wherein:

each of the plurality of air transfer diverters is cylindrical shaped.

15. A method of providing consistent linear flow across a device from a multiple-fan air cooling system, comprising:

passing the output from a plurality of fans through an air collimator toward at least one device to be cooled, the air collimator including a plurality of self-activating, separately controlled louver systems mounted to the air collimator,

self-closing at least one but not all of the plurality of self-activating, separately controlled louver systems mounted to the air collimator upon cessation of air flow from a failed one of the plurality of fans while the remaining plurality of fans continue to force air through the air collimator, the closed self-activating, separately controlled louver system blocking air from passing back through the failed one of the plurality of fans while the remaining plurality of fans continue to pass air through the air collimator;

wherein the louver system above the failed one of the plurality of cooling fans closes to block passage of air flow from any of the remaining plurality of fans from passing therethrough.

16. The method of providing consistent linear flow across a device from a multiple-fan air cooling system according to claim 16, further comprising:

diverting air flow from each of the plurality of fans before passage through the air collimator.