Modular fan system

• US 6,896,611 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Womack, Christopher C., Giraldo, Mike D., Haselby, Jeffrey T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boles, Derek S.
• Application Number:
  US10/610,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20040005855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 454/184, 454/195, 361/695, 361/696, 165/122, 165/80.2, 165/104.33, 165/104.34, 312/236
• US Class Current: 454/184
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20172 Fan mounting or fan specifications

Abstract

A computer system uses a modular fan design. Multiple fan modules can be used, and identical fan modules can be used for directing air into and out of the computer system enclosure. Each fan module is hot swappable, and can be replaced quickly without the use of tools or fasteners. Optional mounting features on the fan and the computer enclosure prevent misassembly, and an optional color coding scheme aids in assembly. An optional splitting light pipe directs light from a single status-indicating source to both the front and back of the fan module.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a) an enclosure having first and second outer walls;

b) a modular fan assembly having front side and a back side substantially opposite the front side; and

c) mounting features such that the modular fan assembly can be mounted on the enclosure in only two configurations, the first configuration having the front side of the modular fan assembly adjacent to the first outer wall of the enclosure, and the second configuration having the back side of the modular fan assembly adjacent to the second outer wall of the enclosure.

2. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the modular fan assembly is hot swappable.

3. The computer system of claim 1 wherein the modular fan assembly can be installed and removed without the use of tools.

4. The computer system of claim 1 further comprising a status indicator on the modular fan assembly, the status indicator visible from both the front and back sides of the modular fan assembly.

5. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the status indicator is a light, and further comprising a splitting light pipe, the splitting light pipe accepting light from the status-indicating light and emitting light from both the front and back sides of the modular fan assembly.

6. The computer system of claim 1 further comprising a second modular fan assembly substantially identical to the first, and wherein the first modular fan assembly is mounted to the enclosure with its front side adjacent to the first outer wall, and the second modular fan assembly is mounted on the enclosure with its back side adjacent to the second outer wall.

7. The computer system of claim 6 wherein the mounting features ensure that each modular fan assembly can be mounted only in its correct orientation.