Airflow system

• US 6,594,148 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2002
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Hiep X., Guy, Maurice M., Garcia, Osvaldo
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, GREGORY D
• Application Number:
  US10/052,014
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 622/592, 361/690-695, 361/725-727, 312/323, 454/184
• US Class Current: 361/695
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/124 of the single recording/reproducing device, e.g. disk drive, onto a chassis
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20563 within sub-racks for removing heat from electronic boards
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20581 Cabinets including a drawer for fans

Abstract

A high efficiency multi-directional airflow system for a telecommunications equipment assembly used for housing electronic apparatuses which facilitate telecommunications functionality. The equipment assembly defines an internal cavity which can be divided into a plurality of air flow channels. Each of the plurality of air flow channels captures a sub-portion of the overall volume provided by the internal cavity. The smaller volume flow channels provide a smaller cross-sectional area through which the majority of air travels. Since the cross-sectional area is smaller, the velocity of the air through the flow channels is increased. Since the air velocity is increased, the heat transfer coefficient is also increased, thus allowing for the more efficient removal of heat from the electronic apparatuses. A set of fan trays can include a plurality of fans each directionally positioned to work in series to cause air to flow through the plurality of flow channels.

Claims

1. A telecommunications equipment assembly comprising:

a chassis defining an internal cavity for receiving a plurality of electronic apparati, said chassis including a first end and a second end;

at least one divider mechanism coupled to each of said plurality of electronic apparati, said at least one divider mechanisms defining at least two flow channels within said internal cavity; and

a first fan tray configured to cause air to flow through said first flow channel; and

a second fan tray configured to cause said air flowing in said first channel to flow through said second flow channel,

said first fan tray and said second fan tray positioned on an area at said first end of said chassis.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an intake opening and an exhaust opening, wherein each of said openings is defined on an area at said first end of said chassis.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said intake opening is operably coupled to said first fan tray for directing air into said first fan tray and said exhaust opening is operably coupled to said second fan tray for directing air out from said second fan tray.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one divider mechanism extends perpendicularly outward from a surface of said each of said plurality of electronic apparati.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first end comprises a top portion of said chassis.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

at least two divider mechanisms coupled to each of said plurality of electronic apparati, wherein said at least two divider mechanisms define at least three flow channels within said internal cavity and said at least one divider mechanism is a one of said two divider mechanisms; and

a third fan tray configured to cause air to flow through a third flow channel, wherein

said third fan tray is positioned on an area at said first end of said chassis.

7. A telecommunications equipment assembly comprising:

a chassis defining an internal cavity for receiving a plurality of electronic apparati;

at least one means for defining a plurality of flow channels within said internal cavity coupled to each of said plurality of electronic apparati; and

a first fan placed in series with a second fan to pull air into said plurality of flow channels and to push air out from said plurality of flow channels,

said first fan and said second fan positioned on an area proximate to a portion of said chassis.

8. The assembly of claim 7, further comprising an intake opening and an exhaust opening, wherein each of said openings is defined on an area proximate to said first fan and said second fan.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said intake opening is operably coupled to said first fan for directing air into said first fan and said exhaust opening is operably coupled to said second fan for directing air out from said second fan.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said means comprises at least one divider mechanism mounted to and extending perpendicularly outward from a surface of said each one of said electronic apparati.

11. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said portion of said chassis comprises a top portion of said chassis.

12. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said means comprises at least two divider mechanisms coupled to each of said plurality of electronic apparati, said at least two divider mechanisms defining at least three flow channels within said internal cavity;

a third fan configured to cause air to flow through said flow channels; and

said third fan positioned on an area proximate to said portion of said chassis.

13. A method for providing air flow through a telecommunications equipment assembly comprising:

providing a chassis including an internal cavity;

dividing said internal cavity into a plurality of flow channels, wherein

said flow channels includes a first end and a second end,

said dividing comprises inserting a plurality of electronic apparati into said internal cavity,

each of said electronic apparati is coupled to a divider mechanism, and

said divider mechanism forms at least one barricade within said internal cavity to form said flow channels; and

pulling and pushing air through said flow channels.

14. A telecommunications equipment assembly comprising:

a chassis having a first surface and defining an internal cavity;

means for dividing said internal cavity into a plurality of flow channels, wherein

said flow channels including a first end and a second end,

said means for dividing comprises a plurality of divider mechanisms each mounted to an electronic apparatus, and

said divider mechanism form at least one barricade within said internal cavity to form said flow channels when said electronic apparatus are inserted into said internal cavity; and

means for pulling and pushing air through said flow channels combined at said first surface.