Self calibrating fan
US7573220B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B30/70
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A self-calibrating, continuous variable speed fan for use in cooling electronic circuitry is disclosed. Upon initial power-up, in an environment of known temperature, the self-calibrating fan accommodates for the tolerances of its electronic components by reading a voltage from its thermistor array and comparing the actual value to an expected value for the given temperature. The difference is then stored in the non-volatile memory of a microcontroller for use in adjusting future voltage readings from the thermistor array. During normal operation, adjusted readings from the thermistor array are then converted by the microcontroller into a control signal for driving the motor of a cooling fan. A quickly cycling stochastic process between adjustments to fan motor speed and temperature readings is then established, thereby maintaining a high degree of control over the device to be cooled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.