Patent · US Expired

Fan assembly with heat sink

US5297617A · kind A · utility

45Cited by
10References
10Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 1992
Grant dateMar 29, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 22, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF24F1/0022
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Heat transfer from the inside of a fan duct to the air is very good because the air in this region has a high velocity and is turbulent due to the rotation of the fan blades. Devices mounted on the outside of the fan duct can thus be cooled effectively. The inside surface of the duct can be modified to enhance the heat transfer as by grooving it deeply. The fan blade also can be modified to increase the air velocity and the turbulence. External fins can be added to the fan duct, and it can be shrouded so that a portion of the exit air passes through the fins back to the inlet. This decreases the mass of the exit air, for quieter operation. In a multi-stage fan, inlet, outlet and interstage fins can be used to further enhance the heat flow to the air.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.