Multi-position air regulation device
First Claim
1. In a chassis enclosure having a first pair of substantially parallel opposing vertical sides, a second pair of substantially parallel opposing vertical sides, and a first pair of substantially parallel opposing horizontal sides, and containing heat generating electrical components, a cooling fan system comprising:
- a vertically oriented support member secured within said chassis enclosure and defining a plane substantially parallel to one of the first and second pairs of substantially parallel opposing vertical sides, said support member having an air flow opening formed therein; and
a louver member hingedly attached to said support member to rotate between an open position wherein a substantial air flow is allowed through said air flow opening and a closed position wherein said louver member covers said air flow opening, an axis of rotation of said louver member oriented within the plane of the support member and between a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to allow gravity to urge said louver member toward said closed position and thereby prevent a back-flow of air in said chassis enclosure, said louver member actuated by gravity to close when either the vertical sides are vertically oriented or the vertical sides are horizontally oriented by orienting the chassis enclosure on its side.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a cooling fan system for a chassis configured to contain heat generating electrical components and to assume horizontal and vertical alternative operating orientations. The cooling fan system includes a support member securable within the chassis and having an air flow opening formed therein. Additionally, the cooling fan system includes a louver member hingedly attached to the support member to rotate between an open position wherein a substantial air flow is allowed through the air flow opening and a closed position wherein the louver member covers the air flow opening. The louver member may be made from plastic, however, other types of rigid materials that can withstanding the chassis'"'"' operating conditions could also be used, such as metal. The axis of rotation of the louver member is oriented with respect to the chassis to allow gravity to urge the louver member toward the closed position when the chassis is positioned in either the horizontal or vertical alternative operating orientations, to thereby prevent a back-flow of air in the chassis.
222 Citations
24 Claims
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1. In a chassis enclosure having a first pair of substantially parallel opposing vertical sides, a second pair of substantially parallel opposing vertical sides, and a first pair of substantially parallel opposing horizontal sides, and containing heat generating electrical components, a cooling fan system comprising:
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a vertically oriented support member secured within said chassis enclosure and defining a plane substantially parallel to one of the first and second pairs of substantially parallel opposing vertical sides, said support member having an air flow opening formed therein; and a louver member hingedly attached to said support member to rotate between an open position wherein a substantial air flow is allowed through said air flow opening and a closed position wherein said louver member covers said air flow opening, an axis of rotation of said louver member oriented within the plane of the support member and between a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to allow gravity to urge said louver member toward said closed position and thereby prevent a back-flow of air in said chassis enclosure, said louver member actuated by gravity to close when either the vertical sides are vertically oriented or the vertical sides are horizontally oriented by orienting the chassis enclosure on its side. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer system, comprising:
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a chassis enclosure having a first pair of substantially parallel opposing vertical sides, a second pair of substantially parallel opposing vertical sides, and a first pair of substantially parallel opposing horizontal sides, and containing heat generating electrical components, the heat generating components including; a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor; and a cooling fan system including; a vertically oriented support member secured within said chassis enclosure and defining a plane substantially parallel to one of the first and second pairs of substantially parallel opposing vertical sides, said support member having an air flow opening formed therein; and a louver member hingedly attached to said support member to rotate between an open position wherein a substantial air flow is allowed through said air flow opening and a closed position wherein said louver member covers said air flow opening, an axis of rotation of said louver member oriented within the plane of the support member and between a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to allow gravity to urge said louver member toward said closed position and thereby prevent a back-flow of air in said chassis enclosure, said louver member actuated by gravity to close when either the vertical sides are vertically oriented or the vertical sides are horizontally oriented by orienting the chassis enclosure on its side. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification