Multi-fan airflow regulation for fan fail conditions
US7515411B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 2007 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K7/2019
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-fan cooling system in which redundancy in airflow across a plurality of electrical boards is maintained. This redundancy is provided by having an ability to at least partially divert airflow from a functioning fan to an electrical board for which its corresponding fan has failed. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the multi-fan cooling system comprises two fans located proximate to each other. An airflow plenum couples and distributes air from the two fans across a plurality of electrical boards. In certain embodiments, the plenum comprises stacked outlets that distribute airflow from the two fans across the plurality of electrical boards. During normal operation, this airflow is approximately evenly distributed across the electrical boards. However, if one of the fans fails, the plenum causes air from the single operating fan to still be distributed across the plurality of electrical boards. In one embodiment of the invention, the plenum includes a flap that covers an opening for the failed fan to prevent recirculation of airflow back into the failed fan.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.