Dual flow fan heat sink application

A cooling system includes a fan assembly that is rotated to move air in a primary path through a housing. The fan assembly includes a hub and a plurality of spaced reinforcing ribs that establish channels between a motor casing and the interior of the hub. A heat sink assembly is axially spaced from a hub bottom to define an air cavity that is in communication with a gap. The hub includes a tube that defines an air passage to establish communication with the cavity. A plurality of air vanes extend in a spiral path from the hub bottom and into the air cavity to move air through the air passage and create turbulence over the heat sink assembly. The air vanes move the air over the heat sink assembly and through the air passage to establish communication between the channels and the air cavity.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a cooling system for producing an airflow across a heat sink assembly and for cooling a blower motor.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Cooling systems having a fan assembly are typically rotated by motors. These motors generate their own internal heat during the normal course of operation. The internally generated heat is primarily due to Joule heating caused by electric current passing through the motors rotor and stator. This high temperature can greatly increase the wear of motor bearings and significantly reduce motor life.

It is known in the art for cooling systems to have a housing that is disposed about an axis and a motor assembly that is rotatably supported by the housing on the axis. The previous cooling systems include a fan assembly that is rotatably secured to the motor assembly and extends radially from the axis. The fan assembly includes a hub and a plurality of fan blades that extend radially outward from the hub to move air in a primary path axially through the housing.

An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Publication 2005/0067500 to Hong et al (The Hong publication).

The Hong publication discloses a fan assembly that cools a motor. The fan assembly is rotatably secured to a motor assembly and extends radially from an axis. The fan assembly includes a hub and a plurality of fan blades that extend radially outward from the hub. The motor assembly includes a plurality of cooling ports that run axially through the motor. The cooling ports are in communication with the inner portion of the hub to allow air to move through the motor assembly to cool the motor.

Although the prior art increases cooling capabilities by allowing for air to flow through said motor assembly and into said hub, as computing speeds increase, there is a continuing need for cooling systems having more efficient or alternative cooling methods as compared to the conventional cooling systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The subject invention provides such a cooling system with a hub that defines an air passage extending axially through the center of the hub and surrounding the axis to move air axially through the hub.

Accordingly, the subject invention increases cooling capabilities by allowing for communication between the air in the primary path and the hub. Air moves through the air passage in the hub to cool the motor assembly. In addition, air is moved over a heat sink core to create turbulence and further cool the heat sink assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded front view of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded top perspective view of the subject invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the subject invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 of a first embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 5 is perspective view from the bottom of a hub utilized in the first embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the top of a hub utilized in the first embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 of a second embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 8 is perspective view from the bottom of a hub utilized in the second embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the top of a hub utilized in the second embodiment of the subject invention; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 of a third embodiment of the subject invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a cooling system 20 is generally shown for producing an airflow across a heat sink assembly 22 (generally indicated) for cooling a blower motor.

The cooling system 20 includes a housing 24 (generally indicated) that is disposed about an axis A. The housing 24 is plastic and generally rectangular, but may be any material. The housing 24 includes a top plate 26 having four top edges 28 that define a rectangular top periphery 30 about the axis A. The top edges 28 are interconnected by rounded top corners 32. The top plate 26 includes a first funnel section 34 that converges radially inward and axially downward across each of the top corners 32 to define a first air opening 36 having a first diameter d1. The top plate 26 includes an axially extending top depending section 38 that is tangent to and between adjacent first funnel sections 34.

The housing 24 includes a bottom plate 40 that is spaced axially from the top plate 26. The bottom plate 40 includes four bottom edges 42 that define a rectangular bottom periphery 44 about the axis A. The bottom edges 42 are interconnected by rounded bottom corners 46. The peripheries 30, 44 of the top and bottom plates 26, 40 are axially aligned with one another. The bottom plate 40 includes a second funnel section 48 that converges radially inward and axially upward across each of the bottom corners 46 to define a second air opening 50 having a second diameter d2. The second diameter d2 is equal to the first diameter d1. The bottom plate 40 includes an axially extending bottom depending section 52 that is tangent to and between adjacent second funnel sections 48. The top and bottom plates 26, 40 include a through hole 54 with a through hole diameter dth being disposed in each of the top and bottom corners 32, 46.

The housing 24 includes a cylinder 56 having an internal diameter di equal to the first and second diameters d1, d2. The cylinder 56 extends axially between the first and second funnel sections 34, 48 of the top and bottom plates 26, 40. The housing 24 includes a web 58 at each of the top and bottom corners 32, 46 that extends axially along the cylinder 56 between the first funnel sections 34 and the second funnel sections 48 and radially outwardly from the cylinder 56.

The housing 24 includes a motor support 60 on the axis A. A plurality of tubular spokes 62 extend radially outward of the motor support 60. One of the spokes 62 extends to each of the first funnel sections 34 adjacent the top depending sections 38.

The cooling system 20 includes a motor assembly 64 (generally indicated) having an electric motor 66 rotatably supported by the motor support 60. The motor assembly 64 extends axially from the motor support 60 into the cylinder 56 and towards the bottom plate 40. A wire port 68 extends radially through one of the top edges 28 adjacent one of the spokes 62. Electrical lead wires extend from the electric motor 66 and through one of the spokes 62 and the wire port 68 to connect the electric motor 66 to a power source. The motor assembly 64 includes a motor casing 70 that surrounds the electric motor 66 and is rotatable therewith. The motor assembly 64 may be a center spindle yoke type motor, or any other motor known in the art. The motor assembly 64 does not have to be located within the cylinder 56. The motor assembly 64 may be located anywhere on the housing 24, such as, outside the cylinder 56 between the top portion and bottom portion, or as a separate unit.

A fan assembly 72 (generally indicated) is secured to the motor casing 70 and is rotated by the electric motor 66. The fan assembly 72 extends radially from the axis A within the cylinder 56 to move air in a primary path axially through the cylinder 56. The fan assembly 72 can move any fluid through the cylinder 56, including liquids and gases. The fan assembly 72 is made of plastic or any other material known in the art. The fan assembly 72 includes a hub 74 having a cup shape. The cup-shaped hub 74 defines a hub bottom 76 that extends radially to a hub periphery 78 and a hub side wall 80 that extends axially from the hub periphery 78 of the hub bottom 76 to a rim 82. The fan assembly 72 includes a plurality of fan blades 84 that extend radially outwardly from the hub side wall 80 to move air in the primary path axially through the cylinder 56 from an upstream region to a downstream region. The upstream and downstream regions vary based on the flow of fan assembly 72.

The hub 74 includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs 86. The reinforcing ribs 86 are L-shaped and circumferentially spaced about the interior of the cup-shaped hub 74, but may be any shape known in the art. Each of the reinforcing ribs 86 begins at the rim 82 of the hub 74 and extend axially along the hub side wall 80 and thereafter inward radially along the hub bottom 76 to an inner end 88 disposed on a circle about the axis A. The reinforcing ribs 86 are press-fit against the motor casing 70 in spaced relationship to the interior of the cup-shaped hub 74 to secure the fan assembly 72 to the motor casing 70 and establish channels 90 between the motor casing 70 and the interior of the cup-shaped hub 74. The channels 90 enhance the secondary flow by providing suction.

The cooling assembly includes a base 92 and an electronic device 94 that is disposed on the base 92. The heat sink assembly 22 is aligned with the housing 24 to transfer heat away from the electronic device 94. The heat sink assembly 22 includes a core 96 having a top core portion 98, a bottom core portion 100, and a cylindrical side core portion 102. The core 96 is copper but may be any material known in the art. The cylindrical side core portion 102 defines a core diameter dc disposed radially inwardly of the hub side wall 80. The core 96 defines a chamber 104 and includes a fill neck 106 being tubular that extends radially from the side core portion 102 of the core 96 to add a liquid to the chamber 104 of the core 96. In addition, the core 96 may be a solid material, having no chamber 104 or liquid therein, that absorbs heat from the electronic device 94.

The heat sink assembly 22 includes a plurality of cooling fins 108 that extend radially from the side core portion 102 of the heat sink assembly 22 into axial alignment with the fan blades 84. The cooling fins 108 guide air moved by the fan blades 84 from the upstream region to the downstream region. The cooling fins 108 are made of aluminum, but may be any material known in the art. Diametrically opposite groups of the cooling fins 108 define an attachment notch 110 that is U-shaped and extends radially inward.

An attachment mechanism 112 is attached to the base 92 to engage the heat sink assembly 22 with the electronic device 94. The attachment mechanism 112 includes an anchor plate 114 that defines a core aperture 116 and receives the core diameter dc. The attachment mechanism 112 has four legs 118, each of which extend radially outward through an axial offset away from the bottom core portion 100 to a distal end 120. Each of the legs 118 include an attachment hole 122 that is disposed adjacent to the distal end 120. The attachment mechanism 112 includes four fasteners 124 that are spaced about the axis A and secured to selected cooling fins 108. The fasteners 124 extend through the attachment holes 122 in the legs 118 and into engagement with the base 92.

The cooling system 20 includes a mounting plate 126 having four rounded plate corners 128 that interconnects the bottom plate 40 to the cooling fins 108 of the heat sink assembly 22. The mounting plate 126 is generally rectangular and made of plastic, but may be any material known in the art. The mounting plate 126 includes an annular mounting rib 130 having a rib diameter dr that defines a third air opening 132. The mounting rib 130 extends axially from the mounting plate 126 to define an annular gap 134 between the cooling fins 108 and the bottom plate 40. The mounting plate 126 includes a plurality of mounting holes 136 that are disposed adjacent each of the plate corners 128. The mounting plate 126 includes a mounting hole diameter dmh that is equal to the through hole diameter dth. The mounting holes 136 are aligned with the through holes 54 in the bottom plate 40 of the housing 24 to secure the mounting plate 126 to the bottom plate 40 of the housing 24. A plurality of locking arms 138 extend axially from the mounting plate 126 at the plate corners 128. The locking arms 138 include a hook 140 that extends radially inward to engage the notches 110 in the cooling fins 108 and thus attaches the mounting plate 126 to the cooling fins 108 of the heat sink assembly 22. A plurality of alignment pins 142 extend axially from the mounting rib 130 between adjacent cooling fins 108 to prevent the mounting plate 126 from rotating about the axis A.

The cooling system 20 includes a fastening mechanism 144 having a pin 146 that is T-shaped and an expandable body 148 of rubber. The fastening mechanism 144 is disposed in each of the through holes 54 of the bottom plate 40 and each of the mounting holes 136 of the mounting plate 126 to secure the housing 24 to the mounting plate 126. The top core portion 98 of the heat sink assembly 22 is axially spaced from the hub bottom 76 to define an air cavity 150 that is in communication with the gap 134.

The cooling system 20 is distinguished by the hub 74 defining an air passage 154 that extends axially through the center of the hub 74 and surrounds the axis A to allow air to move axially through the hub 74. The hub 74 may include a tube 152 that extends axially from the hub bottom 76. The tube 152 further defines the air passage 154 that extends axially through the center of the hub bottom 76 to establish communication with the cavity 150. Air can move into or out of the air passage 154 depending on the air flow in the primary path. Air in the primary path moves axially through the cylinder 56 from the upstream region to the downstream region. Air moving through the air passage 154 will move from the downstream region to the upstream region. The end of the tube 152 is spaced from the top core portion 98 of the heat sink assembly 22 to allow the air to move evenly into the tube 152 without choking the air flow. The tube 152 is generally cylindrical, but may be any shape known in the art, such as, cone shaped. The tube 152 may be a separate piece that is secured to the hub 74, such as, a shoulder bushing insert.

A plurality of air vanes 156 extend from the hub bottom 76 and into the air cavity 150 to a vane edge 158. Each of the air vanes 156 extend in a spiral path and radially away from the tube 152 to move air through the air passage 154 of the hub 74 and create turbulence over the top core portion 98. The air vanes 156 may have the same continued geometry as the fan blades 84.

In one embodiment of the subject invention, each of the air vanes 156 extend axially from the hub bottom 76 a greater distance adjacent the tube 152 than adjacent the gap 134. The air vanes 156 move the air over the top core portion 98 and through the air passage 154 to establish communication between the channels 90 and the air cavity 150.

In a second embodiment of the subject invention, each of the air vanes 156 extend axially from the hub bottom 76 a shorter distance adjacent the tube 152 than adjacent the gap 134. The air vanes 156 move the air over the top core portion 98 and through the air passage 154 to establish communication between the channels 90 and the air cavity 150.

In a third embodiment of the subject invention, a shaft 160 that is hollow extends along the axis A and through the motor assembly 64 to the tube 152 to move air therethrough and to establish communication between the shaft 160 and the air cavity 150.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cooling system for producing an airflow across a heat sink assembly comprising;

a housing disposed about an axis,
a fan assembly extending radially from said axis for moving air in a primary path axially through said housing,
said fan assembly including a hub and a plurality of fan blades extending radially outwardly from said hub for moving air in the primary path axially through said housing,
a motor assembly supported by said housing for rotating said fan assembly, and
said hub defining an air passage extending axially through the center of said hub and surrounding said axis for moving air axially through said hub.

2. A cooling system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hub includes a hub bottom and a tube extending axially from said hub bottom for further defining said air passage.

3. A cooling system as set forth in claim 2 including a plurality of air vanes extending axially from said hub bottom and having the same continued geometry as said fan blades for moving air through said air passage of said hub.

4. A cooling system as set forth in claim 2 including a plurality of air vanes extending axially from said hub bottom to a vane edge each extending in a spiral path and radially away from said tube for moving air through said air passage of said hub.

5. A cooling system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said housing includes a top plate having a motor support, a bottom plate spaced axially from said top plate, and a cylinder extending axially between said top and bottom plates.

6. A cooling system as set forth in claim 5 including a heat sink assembly aligned with said housing for transferring heat away from an electronic device disposed on a base and wherein said heat sink assembly includes a core having a top core portion, a bottom core portion, and a cylindrical side core portion.

7. A cooling system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said motor assembly is rotatably supported by said motor support on said axis and includes an electric motor rotatably supported by said motor support and extending axially from said motor support into said cylinder and towards said bottom plate, wherein said motor assembly includes a motor casing surrounding said electric motor and is rotatable therewith.

8. A cooling system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said fan assembly is rotatably secured to said motor assembly and wherein said hub is a cup shape defining said hub bottom extending radially to a hub periphery and a hub side wall extends axially from said hub periphery of said hub bottom to a rim, and wherein said hub includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs each being L-shaped and circumferentially spaced about the interior of said cup-shaped hub and wherein each of said reinforcing ribs begin at said rim of said hub and extend axially along said hub side wall and thereafter inward radially along said hub bottom to an inner end disposed on a circle about said axis, said reinforcing ribs being press-fit against said motor casing in spaced relationship to the interior of said cup-shaped hub for securing said fan assembly to said motor casing and establishing channels between said motor casing and the interior of said cup-shaped hub.

9. A cooling system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said heat sink assembly includes a plurality of cooling fins extending radially from said side core portion of said heat sink assembly into axial alignment with said fan blades for guiding air moved by said fan blades from an upstream region to a downstream region.

10. A cooling system as set forth in claim 9 including a mounting plate for interconnecting said bottom plate and said cooling fins, said mounting plate including an annular mounting rib having a rib diameter to define an annular gap between said cooling fins and said bottom plate.

11. A cooling system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said top core portion of said heat sink assembly is axially spaced from said hub bottom to define an air cavity in communication with both said gap and said air passage.

12. A cooling system as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of said vanes extend axially from said hub bottom a greater distance adjacent said tube than adjacent said gap for moving the air over said top core portion and through said air passage to establish communication between the channels and said air cavity.

13. A cooling system as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of said vanes extend axially from said hub bottom a shorter distance adjacent said tube than adjacent said gap for moving the air over said top core portion and through said air passage to establish communication between the channels and said air cavity.

14. A cooling system as set forth in claim 11 including a shaft being hollow and extending along said axis and through said motor assembly to said tube for the movement of air therethrough and for establishing communication between said shaft and said air cavity.

15. A cooling system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said top plate includes four top edges defining a rectangular top periphery about said axis and interconnected by rounded top corners, and wherein said bottom plate includes four bottom edges defining a rectangular bottom periphery about said axis and interconnected by rounded bottom corners.

16. A cooling system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said top plate includes a first funnel section converging radially inward and axially downward across each of said top corners to define a first air opening having a first diameter and said top plate includes an axially extending top depending section tangent to and between adjacent first funnel sections.

17. A cooling system as set forth in claim 16 wherein said bottom plate includes a second funnel section converging radially inward and axially upward across each of said bottom corners to define a second air opening having a second diameter equal to said first diameter and said bottom plate including an axially extending bottom depending section tangent to and between adjacent second funnel sections.

18. A cooling system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said top and bottom plates include a through hole having a through hole diameter disposed in each of said top and bottom corners, and wherein said peripheries of said top and bottom plates are axially aligned.

19. A cooling system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said motor support is disposed on said axis and said housing includes a plurality of spokes each being tubular and extending radially outward of said motor support with one of said spokes extending to each of said first funnel sections adjacent said top depending sections.

20. A cooling system as set forth in claim 19 including a wire port extending radially through one of said top edges adjacent one of said spokes for extending electrical lead wires from said electric motor and through one of said spokes and said wire port to connect said electric motor to a power source.

21. A cooling system as set forth in claim 20 wherein said heat sink assembly includes diametrically opposite groups of said cooling fins defining attachment notches each being U-shaped and extending radially inward.

22. A cooling system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said mounting plate is generally rectangular with four rounded plate corners, said mounting rib defining a third air opening and extending axially from said mounting plate for defining said annular gap between said cooling fins and said bottom plate, and said mounting plate having a plurality of mounting holes disposed adjacent each of said plate corners and having a mounting hole diameter equal to said through hole diameter and aligned with said through holes in said bottom plate of said housing for securing said mounting plate to said bottom plate of said housing.

23. A cooling system as set forth in claim 22 including a plurality of locking arms extending axially from said mounting plate at said plate corners and including a hook extending radially inward for engaging said attachment notches in said cooling fins to attach said mounting plate to said cooling fins of said heat sink assembly, and including a plurality of alignment pins extending axially from said mounting rib between adjacent cooling fins to prevent said mounting plate from rotating about said axis.

24. A cooling system as set forth in claim 23 including a fastening mechanism having a pin being T-shaped and an expandable body of rubber disposed in each of said through holes of said bottom plate and each of said mounting holes for securing said housing to said mounting plate.

25. A cooling system as set forth in claim 24 wherein said cylinder has an internal diameter equal to said first and second diameters and extends axially between said first and second funnel sections of said top and bottom plates.

26. A cooling system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said housing includes a web at each of said top and bottom corners extending axially along said cylinder between said first funnel sections and said second funnel sections and radially outwardly from said cylinder.

27. A cooling system as set forth in claim 26 wherein side core portion defines a core diameter disposed radially inwardly of said hub side wall.

28. A cooling system as set forth in claim 27 wherein said core defines a chamber and includes a fill neck being tubular and extending radially from said side core portion of said core for adding a liquid to said chamber of said core.

29. A cooling system as set forth in claim 28 including an attachment mechanism attached to said base for engaging said heat sink assembly with the electronic device and wherein said attachment mechanism includes an anchor plate defining a core aperture receiving said core diameter and having four legs each extending radially outward through an axial offset away from said bottom core portion to a distal end and each of said legs having an attachment hole disposed adjacent to said distal end and wherein said attachment mechanism includes four fasteners spaced about said axis and secured to selected cooling fins and extending through said attachment holes in said legs and for engaging the base.

30. A cooling system for cooling a blower motor comprising;

a housing of plastic being generally rectangular about an axis,
said housing including a top plate having four top edges defining a rectangular top periphery about said axis and interconnected by rounded top corners,
said top plate including a first funnel section converging radially inward and axially downward across each of said top corners to define a first air opening having a first diameter,
said top plate including an axially extending top depending section tangent to and between adjacent first funnel sections,
said housing including a bottom plate spaced axially from said top plate and having four bottom edges defining a rectangular bottom periphery about said axis and interconnected by rounded bottom corners,
said peripheries of said top and bottom plates being axially aligned,
said bottom plate including a second funnel section converging radially inward and axially upward across each of said bottom corners to define a second air opening having a second diameter equal to said first diameter,
said bottom plate including an axially extending bottom depending section tangent to and between adjacent second funnel sections,
said top and bottom plates having a through hole with a through hole diameter disposed in each of said top and bottom corners,
said housing including a cylinder having an internal diameter equal to said first and second diameters and extending axially between said first and second funnel sections of said top and bottom plates,
said housing including a web at each of said top and bottom corners extending axially along said cylinder between said first funnel sections and said second funnel sections and radially outwardly from said cylinder,
said housing including a motor support on said axis and a plurality of spokes each being tubular and extending radially outward of said motor support with one of said spokes extending to each of said first funnel sections adjacent said top depending sections,
a motor assembly including an electric motor rotatably supported by said motor support and extending axially from said motor support into said cylinder and towards said bottom plate,
a wire port extending radially through one of said top edges adjacent one of said spokes for extending electrical lead wires from said electric motor and through one of said spokes and said wire port to connect said electric motor to a power source,
said motor assembly including a motor casing surrounding said electric motor and rotatable therewith,
a fan assembly of plastic secured to said motor casing for rotation by said electric motor and extending radially from said axis within said cylinder for moving air in a primary path axially through said cylinder,
said fan assembly including a hub having a cup shape defining a hub bottom extending radially to a hub periphery and a hub side wall extending axially from said hub periphery of said hub bottom to a rim,
said fan assembly including a plurality of fan blades extending radially outwardly from said hub side wall for moving air in the primary path axially through said cylinder from an upstream region to a downstream region,
said hub including a plurality of reinforcing ribs each being L-shaped and circumferentially spaced about the interior of said cup-shaped hub,
each of said reinforcing ribs beginning at said rim of said hub and extending axially along said hub side wall and thereafter inward radially along said hub bottom to an inner end disposed on a circle about said axis,
said reinforcing ribs being press-fit against said motor casing in spaced relationship to the interior of said cup-shaped hub for securing said fan assembly to said motor casing and establishing channels between said motor casing and the interior of said cup-shaped hub,
a base,
an electronic device disposed on said base,
a heat sink assembly aligned with said housing for transferring heat away from said electronic device,
said heat sink assembly including a core of copper having a top core portion and a bottom core portion and a cylindrical side core portion defining a core diameter disposed radially inwardly of said hub side wall,
said core defining a chamber and including a fill neck being tubular and extending radially from said side core portion of said core for adding a liquid to said chamber of said core,
said heat sink assembly including a plurality of cooling fins of aluminum extending radially from said side core portion of said heat sink assembly into axial alignment with said fan blades for guiding air moved by said fan blades from the upstream region to the downstream region,
diametrically opposite groups of said cooling fins defining attachment notches each being U-shaped and extending radially inward,
an attachment mechanism attached to said base for engaging said heat sink assembly with said electronic device,
said attachment mechanism including an anchor plate defining a core aperture receiving said core diameter and having four legs each extending radially outward through an axial offset away from said bottom core portion to a distal end,
each of said legs having an attachment hole disposed adjacent to said distal end,
said attachment mechanism including four fasteners spaced about said axis and secured to selected cooling fins and extending through said attachment holes in said legs and into engagement with said base,
a mounting plate of plastic being generally rectangular with four rounded plate corners for interconnecting said bottom plate and said cooling fins,
said mounting plate including an annular mounting rib having a rib diameter defining a third air opening and extending axially from said mounting plate to define an annular gap between said cooling fins and said bottom plate,
said mounting plate having a plurality of mounting holes disposed adjacent each of said plate corners and having a mounting hole diameter equal to said through hole diameter and aligned with said through holes in said bottom plate of said housing for securing said mounting plate to said bottom plate of said housing,
a plurality of locking arms extending axially from said mounting plate at said plate corners and including a hook extending radially inward for engaging said attachment notches in said cooling fins to attach said mounting plate to said cooling fins of said heat sink assembly,
a plurality of alignment pins extending axially from said mounting rib between adjacent cooling fins to prevent said mounting plate from rotating about said axis,
a fastening mechanism having a pin being T-shaped and an expandable body of rubber disposed in each of said through holes of said bottom plate and each of said mounting holes for securing said housing to said mounting plate,
said top core portion of said heat sink assembly being axially spaced from said hub bottom to define an air cavity in communication with said gap,
said hub including a tube extending axially from said hub bottom and defining an air passage extending axially through the center of said hub bottom for establishing communication with said cavity, and
a plurality of air vanes extending from said hub bottom and into said air cavity to a vane edge each extending in a spiral path and radially away from said tube for moving air through said air passage of said hub and creating turbulence over said top core portion.

31. A cooling system as set forth in claim 30 wherein each of said vanes extend axially from said hub bottom a greater distance adjacent said tube than adjacent said gap for moving the air over said top core portion and through said air passage to establish communication between the channels and said air cavity.

32. A cooling system as set forth in claim 30 wherein each of said vanes extend axially from said hub bottom a shorter distance adjacent said tube than adjacent said gap for moving the air over said top core portion and through said air passage to establish communication between the channels and said air cavity.

33. A cooling system as set forth in claim 30 including a shaft being hollow extending along said axis and through said motor assembly to said tube for the movement of air therethrough and for establishing communication between said shaft and said air cavity.

Patent History
Publication number: 20080247874
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 5, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 9, 2008
Inventors: James A. Acre (Barker, NY), Ilya Reyzin (Williamsville, NY), Stephan Michael Vetter (Lockport, NY)
Application Number: 11/784,037
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Heating, Cooling Or Thermal Insulation Means (416/95)
International Classification: F04D 29/58 (20060101);