Combination Grill And Computer Add-in-card Retention Structure

• US 20110013357A1
• Filed: 03/07/2008
• Published: 01/20/2011
• 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: Solomon, Mark C., Tye, Trentent, Tye, Troy Garrett
• Granted Patent: US 8,233,275 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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; 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, 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.

2. A structure as recited in claim 1 further comprising a peripheral shroud extending downwardly from said frame to define a grill interior.

3. A structure as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said crossbars includes a transversely extending triangular prism portion with a downwardly facing apex.

4. 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; and

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

5. A method as recited in claim 4 further comprising attaching an end of said add-in card opposite said groove to said chassis.

6. A method as recited in claim 4 further comprising cooling said computer using a liquid-cooling system and using fans to force air by a radiator of said liquid-cooling system and through said grill.

7. 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.

8. A computer as recited in claim 7 wherein said structure further includes a peripheral shroud extending downwardly from said frame to define a grill interior within which said fans are disposed.

9. A computer system as recited in claim 8 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.