Reversible fan direction control responsive to device enclosure orientation
US9820411B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2013 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K7/20736
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and computer program product are provided for controlling the airflow direction through a device enclosure. A first device enclosure is positioned adjacent a second device enclosure, wherein both enclosures have an airflow pathway extending from the front to the back, and a fan for moving air through the airflow pathway, wherein the fan of the first device enclosure is a reversible rotary fan. The method automatically determines whether the first device enclosure is in a first orientation with its front facing in the same direction as the front of the adjacent second device enclosure or in a second orientation with the front facing in the same direction as the back of the adjacent second device enclosure. The airflow direction imparted by a reversible rotary fan is then controlled according to the determined orientation of the first device enclosure relative to the second device enclosure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.