Abstract: A cooling fan with an outer rotor motor supported by a fan housing. A motor housing is disposed within a conduit through the fan housing, while the outer rotor motor is disposed within the motor housing. A plurality of support members coupled between the motor housing and the fan housing enable the fan housing to support the motor housing. A hub is rotatably coupled to the outer rotor motor and has a first portion disposed within the motor housing and a second portion disposed outside of the motor housing. A plurality of blades extends radially from the second portion said hub.

Abstract: An electronic module includes an enclosure having front face and a rear face. An electronic circuit board is positioned in the enclosure and a processor is mounted to the electronic circuit board. A data storage device is positioned in the enclosure such that the processor is positioned between the data storage device and the electronic circuit board.

Abstract: A computer system comprises a chassis, an electronic component disposed within the chassis, and a cooling fan that comprises a motor support fixed to a housing that is coupled to the chassis and a hub disposed within the housing. A plurality of blades extend radially from the hub. A motor is disposed within a motor enclosure formed by the motor support and the hub. The hub is rotatably coupled to the motor such that the plurality of blades generates a flow of air around the motor enclosure. The system comprises a motor cooler comprising a flow path through the motor enclosure, where the flow path has a first opening and a second opening, and where the second opening is disposed within an area of lowered downstream pressure so as to develop a differential pressure between the first and second openings and generate a flow of air through the motor enclosure.

Abstract: A cooling fan comprises an outer housing. A motor support is fixed to the outer housing and a motor is mounted to the motor support. A hub is rotatably coupled to the motor and, with the motor support, forms a motor enclosure that substantially surrounds the motor. A plurality of blades extends radially from the hub and are arranged so as to generate a flow of air around the motor enclosure when the blades are rotated. The cooling fan also comprises a motor cooler comprising a flow path through the motor enclosure, wherein the flow path has a first opening and a second opening, wherein the second opening is disposed within an area of lowered downstream pressure so as to develop a differential pressure between the first and second openings and generate a flow of air through the motor enclosure as the motor operates.

Abstract: A central air manifold for an electronic module enclosure includes a front section and a rear section. The front section includes openings adapted to communicate with electronic modules and the rear section includes openings adapted to communicate with fans. The openings of the front section can be open when electronic modules are installed in the front section and the openings in the rear section can be open when operating fans are installed in the rear section.

Abstract: An enclosure houses electronic modules in a front region and a rear region. Airflow can be transferred through electronic modules in the front region and into a plenum. An airflow path in the enclosure transfers airflow from the front region of the enclosure to electronic modules housed in the rear region of the enclosure. Airflow is transferred through the electronic modules in the rear region and into the plenum.

Abstract: An electronic module enclosure has a frame with an airflow opening. A gate positioned within airflow opening pivots between open and closed positions, allowing a maximum and minimum amount of airflow, respectively, through the airflow opening.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is used for determining cooling requirements of a computer system enclosure, where the enclosure includes a number of installed modules, the modules including fan modules. The method includes the steps of determining an individual impedance curve of each installed module; determining fan curves for the installed fan modules; based on the individual impedance curves, determining an overall system impedance curve for the computer system; determining desired performance requirements for the computer system; based on the desired performance requirements, determining corresponding fan curves; and choosing a fan curve that intersects the system impedance curve.

Abstract: An intelligent air moving apparatus for cooling an electronics enclosure includes a motor for driving a fan at a variable rotational speed and a microcontroller for controlling the rotational speed of the motor. The microcontroller includes a speed sensor for sensing the rotational speed such that when the sensed rotational speed deviates below a target speed, the microcontroller detects a locked rotor condition.

Abstract: A fan docking collar for sealing between a fan housing of a fan and an enclosure wall to improve fan performance by preventing flow recirculation. The docking collar includes a pliable body that defines an opening for air flow. The body has a seal for mating with the fan housing and a rim for sealing against the enclosure wall.

Abstract: A heat-sink structure includes a base and fins, the latter defining gaps with a cross-sectional area less than 24 mm2.

Abstract: A motor with improved bearing life has a shaft rotatably supported by a pair bearings. The motor further has a stator and a rotor, wherein one of the stator and the rotor is mounted to the shaft and the other of the stator and the rotor surrounds the shaft so that the stator and rotor can rotate with respect to one another. The motor has one or more features to protect at least one of the bearings from heat emitted by at least one of the stator and the rotor.

Abstract: A computer comprising a chassis supporting an electronic component. A fan housing with an axial duct is mounted to the chassis. A blade assembly is rotatably disposed within the duct and comprises a plurality of fan blades that extend radially from a hub to a fan diameter. The axial duct has a chord length at least equal to the fan diameter.

Abstract: A cooling fan comprising an outer housing. A motor support is fixed to the outer housing and a motor is mounted to the motor support. A hub is rotatably coupled to the motor and, with the motor support, forms a motor enclosure that substantially surrounds the motor. A plurality of blades extend radially from the hub and are arranged so as to generate a flow of air around the motor enclosure when the blades are rotated. The cooling fan also comprises a motor cooler comprising a flow path through the motor enclosure, wherein the flow path has a first opening and a second opening, wherein the second opening is disposed within an area of lowered downstream pressure so as to develop a differential pressure between the first and second openings and generate a flow of air through the motor enclosure as the motor operates.

Abstract: A cooling fan comprising a housing that connects to a chassis that is operable to support an electronic component. An axial duct runs through the housing. A blade assembly is rotatably disposed within the duct and comprises a plurality of fan blades that extend radially from a hub to a fan diameter. The axial duct has a chord length at least equal to the fan diameter. A motor assembly is disposed within the axial duct and coupled to said blade assembly. The cooling fan provides a cooling capacity of at least 1.5 air horsepower per cubic inch volume of the cooling fan.

Abstract: A cooling fan module comprising a module housing and a fan assembly. The fan assembly comprises a blade assembly coupled to a motor disposed within a fan housing that is disposed within the module housing. The fan housing has an inlet and an outlet that is disposed within the module housing. A fan control circuit board is disposed within the module housing and outside of the fan housing. The fan control circuit board is coupled to the motor. An electrical connector is coupled to the fan control circuit board and projects outside of the module housing.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a chassis supporting a processor, memory, and a power supply. An inlet allows air to flow into the chassis and an outlet allows air to flow out of the chassis. An air mover is operable to generate an airflow through said chassis between the inlet and the outlet and in thermal communication with the processor, memory, and power supply. The air mover is disposed external to said chassis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing thermal load balancing are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a thermal load balancing system for a multiprocessor computer having a plurality of processors may comprise a heat sink network having a plurality of local heat sinks. The local heat sinks are thermally coupled to separate processors in the multiprocessor computer. At least one heat pipe thermally couples each of the plurality of local heat sinks in the heat sink network.

Abstract: A cooling fan comprising a fan housing and a plurality of blades rotatably disposed within a conduit through the fan housing. Each of the plurality of blades extends radially outward from a hub to a tip. The radial gap between the tips of the blades and the conduit defines a tip clearance. The cooling fan further comprises an tip clearance reduction system operable to control the tip clearance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ventilated casing for an electronic device. The ventilated casing includes a housing which has a ventilation inlet and a ventilation outlet. The ventilated casing also includes a high speed fan for moving air from the ventilation inlet to the ventilation outlet to dissipate heat that in use is generated by electronic components positioned in the housing. The fan has a blade, a motor and an air guiding portion positioned near the blade. The ventilated casing further includes a suspension for suspending the fan relative to the housing and for damping transmission of vibration originating from the fan.