Abstract: An airflow vectoring access floor panel for raised floor data centers has an access panel and a plurality of airflow deflectors. Each of the plurality of airflow deflectors can be independently rotated to affect the directionality of the emanating airstreams. The airstreams can be diverged, converged or impinged in any direction to intersect with the intakes of IT racks within a data center. A fan assembly can be placed underneath the unit to increase the volume of airflow and thus the number and heat load of the IT racks that can be supplied by a single access panel. The airflow deflectors may be rotated manually or by electromechanical drives.

Abstract: A data center room is adapted to include electronic equipment supported by a floor. At least one wall of the room is formed as a heat exchanger that conducts heat generated by the electronic equipment outside of the room. An airflow path is formed across the wall to provide outside air to move heat away from the ceiling.

Abstract: A thermal management system includes an airflow sensor that measures airflow in an air path inside an enclosure to be cooled, wherein the air path includes a filter and a fan. A controller is responsive to the airflow sensor for monitoring the rate of airflow inside the enclosure and determining the condition of the filter. In one embodiment, the airflow sensor is an active type sensor, such as a thermistor, disposed on circuit boards. In further embodiments, the airflow sensor is disposed proximate a tube through the filter.

Abstract: A fan is controlled to remove or provide air from or to an equipment enclosure as a function of a difference in pressure between a front and back of a rack of equipment.

Abstract: A power circuit has an input circuit for coupling to a power supply to receive input current. One or more fans are driven with current pulses from an output circuit. Commutation noise from the current pulses back to the power supply is minimized. The commutation noise may be minimized by providing an isolated current source, by staggering the phase of pulses to multiple motors to increase the frequency and filter out the commutation noise, or by a combination thereof.

Abstract: A blower is formed with multiple sets of rotatable rings of blades coupled to each other. Multiple inlet rings are correspondingly coupled to the multiple sets of rotatable rings of blades. In one embodiment, the blades may be forward facing blades and include a volute to accomplish pressure recovery. In further embodiments, the blades are backward facing. Such backward facing blades are designed to provide a static pressure rise. In some embodiment, three or more rings of blades with corresponding inlet rings are utilized.

Abstract: A thermistor is pulsed with energy, and a time constant of decay of temperature is calculated based on measured resistance of the thermistor over a number of known intervals. The time constant is representative of the mass air flow. The ambient air temperature may be found without waiting for the thermistor to reach the ambient air temperature.

Abstract: A uniform heat dissipating and cooling heat sink for increasing conductive cooling at locations where conductive cooling and temperature differential is reduced. The heat sink includes a base having a variable thickness with a maximum thickness at the interior thereof and a plurality of fins upstanding from the base with adjacent fins separated by a flow channel having diverging sides.

Abstract: A gas velocity and temperature sensor system comprising a first thermistor driven at a constant temperature and configured to output a flow signal representative of the power dissipated as a function of the gas velocity and a temperature signal representative of the temperature of the first thermistor, a second thermistor configured to output a gas temperature signal representative of the gas temperature proximate the second thermistor, and a processor responsive to the flow signal and the temperature signals, the processor configured to calculate gas velocity using an empirically derived equation in which gas flow velocity is function of a constant and the ratio of the power dissipated to the temperature difference between the temperature of the first thermistor and the gas temperature proximate the second thermistor, the processor deriving a signal representing the gas velocity.

Abstract: An air flow sensor including a temperature dependent resistor device, a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit applies a voltage to the temperature dependent resistor device until it reaches a first temperature. The first circuit includes a first reference resistance leg, a first variable resistance leg including the temperature dependent resistor device, and a first comparator connected to both legs for determining when the temperature dependent resistor device reaches the first temperature. The second circuit includes a second reference resistance leg, a second variable resistance leg including the temperature dependent resistor device, and a second comparator connected to both legs for determining when the temperature dependent resistor device reaches a second temperature.

Abstract: An intelligent fan system includes a microcontroller having memory and an interface which provides a connection to a host computer system. The host computer system dynamically provides a plurality of controlled instructions to the microcontroller which are stored in the memory of the microcontroller. The system also includes a temperature sensing device which is connected to the microcontroller. A fan responsive to the communication signal provided by the microcontroller adjusts the speed of the fan in accordance with the plurality of control instructions.

Abstract: A thermal management system for an enclosure housing devices which generate heat inside the enclosure. A fan, whose speed is responsive to an input signal, has a gas flow output in communication with the enclosure. A filter is disposed in the gas flow path of the fan's output. At least one temperature sensor is disposed in the enclosure for measuring the temperature inside the enclosure. A controller adjusts the speed of the fan until the temperature inside the enclosure is within a predetermined range to ensure that the devices inside the enclosure do not overheat. A processor compares the signal input to the fan with the speed of the fan to determine the condition of the fan and, in response to the temperature sensor, determines the condition of the filter.