Combination grill and computer add-in-card retention structure

• US 8,233,275 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2008
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Tye, Troy Garrett, Solomon, Mark C., Tye, Trentent
• Primary Examiner(s): Datskovskiy, Michail V
• Application Number:
  US12/921,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20110013357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,607 Days
• Field of Search: 36167946-67955, 361/688, 361689-702, 361715-727, 165/61, 165/80.4, 165/104.33, 165/104.34, 165/185, 454/184, 622/592, 312/223.2, 312/223.3, 312/236, 174/35.R, 174/52.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.47
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A monolithic combination radiator grill and retention structure for computer add-in cards includes a longitudinally extending rectangular frame defining a longitudinally extending rectangular aperture. Transversely extending crossbars traverse the aperture. The crossbars are spaced so as to leave transversely extending gaps therebetween. The crossbars have transversely extending and upwardly facing grooves. Each of the grooves is dimensioned for receiving and retaining an end of a computer add-in card or extension to an add-in card.

Claims

1. A monolithic combination radiator grill and retention structure for computer add-in cards, said structure comprising:

a longitudinally extending rectangular frame defining a longitudinally extending rectangular aperture;

transversely extending crossbars traversing said aperture and spaced so as to leave transversely extending gaps therebetween, said crossbars having transversely extending and upwardly facing grooves therein, each of said grooves being dimensioned for receiving and retaining an end of a computer add-in card or extension to an add-in card; and

a peripheral shroud extending downwardly from said frame to define a grill interior.

2. A method comprising:

inserting a distal end of a computer add-in card or of an extender for a computer add-in card into a groove of a radiator grill having a grill interior defined by a peripheral shroud extending downwardly from a longitudinally extending rectangular frame defining a longitudinally extending rectangular aperture;

sliding said distal end along said groove until said add-in card engages a socket; and

cooling a computer using a liquid-cooling system and using fans disposed in the grill interior to force air by a radiator of said liquid-cooling system and through said radiator grill.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 further comprising attaching an end of said add-in card opposite said groove to a chassis.

4. A computer comprising:

a chassis;

data-handling components including at least one installed add-in card having a distal end;

a cooling system including

a radiator disposed at the bottom of said chassis, and fans disposed adjacent to and above said radiator for forcing air by said radiator;

a monolithic combination radiator grill and add-in card retention structure, said structure including

a longitudinally extending rectangular frame defining a longitudinally extending rectangular aperture, and

transversely extending crossbars traversing said aperture and spaced so as to leave transversely extending gaps therebetween, said crossbars having transversely extending and upwardly facing grooves therein, one of said grooves engaging said distal end of said add-in card.

5. A computer as recited in claim 4 wherein said structure further includes a peripheral shroud extending downwardly from said frame to define a grill interior within which said fans are disposed.

6. A computer system as recited in claim 5 wherein each of said crossbars includes a transversely extending triangular prism portion with a downwardly facing apex for promoting laminar flow of air moved by said fans.

7. A monolithic combination radiator grill and retention structure for computer add-in cards, said structure comprising:

a longitudinally extending rectangular frame defining a longitudinally extending rectangular aperture;

transversely extending crossbars traversing said aperture and spaced so as to leave transversely extending gaps therebetween, said crossbars having transversely extending and upwardly facing grooves therein, each of said grooves being dimensioned for receiving and retaining an end of a computer add-in card or extension to an add-in card; and

wherein each of said crossbars includes a transversely extending triangular prism portion with a downwardly facing apex.