APPARATUS FOR COOLING COMPUTER BODY BY INTRODUCING COOLING AIR THEREIN

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus, which circulates a refrigerant in a computer body to produce cooling air and introduces the cooling air into the computer body, thus cooling the computer body. The apparatus includes an opening hole formed in either of side covers closing both side surfaces of the computer body to permit inflow of external air. A cooling hole is formed in the side cover in such a way as to be spaced apart from the opening hole. A cooling means is provided inside the side cover of the computer body, produces cooling air and cools a refrigerant by supplying, circulating and collecting the refrigerant stored in a refrigerant tank, thus cooling the interior of the computer body with the cooling air.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a cooling apparatus which introduces cooling air into a computer body to cool the computer body and, more particularly, to a cooling apparatus, which circulates a refrigerant in a computer body to produce cooling air and introduces the cooling air into the computer body, thus cooling the computer body.

2. Description of the Related Art

As is well known to those skilled in the art, electronic equipment such as computers generally includes parts which emit heat.

In order to maintain the temperature of the electronic equipment, for example, the computer within an operating range, a variety of types of cooling apparatuses have been proposed to eliminate heat from heat emitting parts.

That is, as conventional cooling apparatuses which have been developed and are being used currently, a water cooling type apparatus, an air cooling type apparatus, a gas and refrigerant combination type apparatus and other cooling apparatuses have been proposed. However, a forced air cooling type apparatus using a fan has been widely used.

The conventional apparatuses have many problems. One of the problems found in the conventional cooling apparatuses is insufficient cooling ability. As the electronics industry has rapidly developed, the integration density of parts increases continuously and thus thermal density also increases. Thus, although the performance of a cooling fan is continuously improving, the apparatuses which are currently widely used have a limit for sufficiently eliminating emitted heat.

Further, in order to increase cooling ability, the cooling apparatus becomes large and complicated, which is undesirable.

The air cooling type apparatus is problematic in that noise is generated because of the use of a fan, in addition to insufficient cooling ability.

That is, the air cooling type apparatus is greatly affected by the position of a computer body. When air does not circulate smoothly or hot air is not discharged smoothly from a computer to the outside, the cooling efficiency of operating equipment in the computer is considerably reduced, thus causing the malfunction of the equipment.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for a computer cooling apparatus which introduces cooling air into a computer body while using the existing air cooling method, thus rapidly cooling heat generated by operating equipment in the computer, and preventing a reduction in operating efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling apparatus which forcibly circulates a refrigerant in a heat exchanger to produce cooling air and forcibly supplies the cooling air into a computer body, so that the cooling air can cool the computer body by flowing into the computer body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling apparatus, which can be detachably mounted to a computer body, so that it can be selectively used when necessary.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cooling apparatus, which checks the internal temperature of a computer and displays it, thus rendering control of a cooling operation possible, therefore enhancing cooling efficiency and stabilizing the operation of parts of the computer.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling apparatus, which can be installed and used in an existing computer body, so that changes in structure and volume attributable to the installation of the cooling apparatus are not required.

In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides an apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein. The apparatus includes an opening hole formed in either of side covers closing both side surfaces of the computer body to permit inflow of external air. A cooling hole is formed in the side cover in such a way as to be spaced apart from the opening hole. A cooling means is provided inside the side cover of the computer body, produces cooling air and cools a refrigerant by supplying, circulating and collecting the refrigerant stored in a refrigerant tank, thus cooling an interior of the computer body with the cooling air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of introducing cooling air into the computer body and cooling the computer body, in the cooling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled state of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a projected plan view illustrating the cooling apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which a casing is fastened to the computer body, in the cooling apparatus of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a computer body and an apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a projected perspective view illustrating the cooling apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of the cooling apparatus of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating the state in which the computer body is cooled using the cooling apparatus of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus for cooling heat generated from a computer body 110 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an opening hole 112, a cooling hole 115, and a cooling means 170. The opening hole 112 is formed in either of side covers 111 closing both side surfaces of the computer body 110 so as to permit external air to flow into the computer body 110. The cooling hole 115 is formed in the side cover 111 in such a way as to be spaced apart from the opening hole 112. The cooling means 170 is provided inside the side cover 111 of the computer body 110, and generates cooling air and cools a refrigerant by supplying, circulating and collecting a refrigerant stored in a refrigerant tank 130, thus cooling the interior of the computer body 110 with cooling air.

First, the opening hole 112 is formed in either of the side covers 111 closing both side surfaces of the computer body 110 so as to permit the inflow of external air, and the cooling hole 115 is formed in the side cover 111 in such a way as to be spaced apart from the opening hole 112.

Further, the cooling means 170 performs the supply-circulation-collection process for the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 130 which is provided inside the side cover 111 of the computer body 110, thus producing cooling air and cooling a refrigerant and thereby cooling the interior of the computer body 110 using the cooling air.

Here, the cooling means 170 includes a compressor 171 which increases the pressure of low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to a saturation pressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at which the refrigerant may be condensed and liquefied, with the refrigerant tank 130 provided in the compressor 171.

Further, the cooling means 170 includes a condenser 172 to change a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, which is supplied from the refrigerant tank 130 by pumping action, into a low-temperature liquid refrigerant which is cooled.

Such a condenser 172 is installed in back of the opening hole 112, and has a plurality of heat dissipating plates 122 arranged in a row and a refrigerant pipe 111 passing through the heat dissipating plates 122 in a zigzag fashion. A condenser fan 172a is provided on a surface of the heat dissipating plates 122 in such a way as to be opposite to the opening hole 112, and is received in a recess which is formed by cutting a part of the heat dissipating plates 122 so as not to interfere with the refrigerant pipe 121.

The condenser 172 is formed such that four sides thereof are surrounded by a cover 172b attached to the side cover 111, thus preventing hot heat generated from the condenser 172 from being transmitted to the interior of the computer body 110.

When the refrigerant liquefied by the condenser 172 moves from a narrow passage to a wide passage, an expansion valve 173 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to evaporate it.

Further, an evaporator 174 obtains cold air using the evaporating heat of the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant passing through the expansion valve 173, and is connected to the compressor 171 to transmit the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to the compressor 171.

The evaporator 174 is installed in back of the cooling hole 115 which is formed in the side cover 111.

The evaporator 174 is provided in back of the cooling hole 115, and has a plurality of heat dissipating plates 122 arranged in a row and the refrigerant pipe 121 passing through the heat dissipating plates 122 in a zigzag fashion. A blast fan 140 is provided on a surface of the heat dissipating plates 122 in which the cooling hole 115 is formed, and is received in a recess which is formed by cutting a part of the heat dissipating plates 122 so as not to interfere with the refrigerant pipe 121.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5B, an apparatus for cooling heat generated from a computer body 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a cooler 123 and a heat exchanger 120 which are mounted to a side cover 111 of the computer body 110. The cooling apparatus 1000 is constructed so that a refrigerant stored in a refrigerant tank 130 circulates in the heat exchanger 120 to produce cooling air and a refrigerant having increased temperature passes through the cooler 123 to be cooled and collects in the refrigerant tank 130, thus cooling the interior of the computer body 110 using the cooling air.

The heat exchanger 120 is provided on either of the side covers 111 closing both side surfaces of the computer body 110, and is installed in back of an opening hole 112 which permits the inflow of external air.

Further, the cooler 123 is provided in back of a cooling hole 115, spaced apart from the opening hole 112, in such a way as to be surrounded by a closing plate 116, and is connected to the heat exchanger 120 so that a refrigerant is transmitted from the heat exchanger 120 to the cooler 123.

The heat exchanger 120 includes a refrigerant pipe 121 which is arranged in the zigzag fashion so that the refrigerant of the refrigerant tank 130 circulates in the refrigerant pipe 121, and heat dissipating plates 122 which are coupled to the refrigerant pipe 121 to dissipate heat.

The cooler 123 functions to cool the refrigerant which converts external hot air into cooling air while passing through the heat exchanger 120 and is thus increased in temperature. Heat generated at the time of cooling is discharged through the cooling hole 115 to the outside. Further, the closing plate 116 prevents the heat generated at the time of cooling from being transmitted to the interior of the computer body 110.

Such a cooler 123 includes a cooling pipe 123a which is arranged in a zigzag fashion such that the refrigerant flows through the cooling pipe 123a, and a plurality of heat dissipating plates 123b which are provided around the cooling pipe 123a.

The cooling pipe 123a is connected to the refrigerant pipe 121 of the heat exchanger 120 to permit the flow of the refrigerant.

The refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 130 installed in a casing 113 of the computer body 110 is supplied, circulated, and collected to the heat exchanger 120 by pumping action, thus producing cooling air and thereby cooling the interior of the computer body 110.

A blast fan 140 is installed in back of the heat exchanger 120 of the side cover 111 to supply cooling air, produced by the heat exchanger 120, into the casing 113 of the computer body 110 using the blowing force of the blast fan 140.

That is, when the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 130 circulates in the heat exchanger 120, the blast fan 140 is operated, so that air existing outside the computer body 110 passes between the heat dissipating plates 122 of the heat exchanger 120 and is cooled, prior to flowing into the computer body 110.

Further, the refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger 120 passes through the cooler 123 to be cooled, prior to collecting in the refrigerant tank 130.

A display 150 is provided on the exterior of the front of the casing 113 of the computer body 110 to display the operation of the blast fan 140 and the internal temperature of the computer body 110.

Here, the internal temperature of the computer body 110 which is shown on the display 150 is detected by a temperature sensor which is not shown in the drawings.

The cooling apparatus also includes a power switch 161 and an actuating switch 162. The power switch 161 controls power for a refrigerant circulating pump 131 which forcibly circulates the refrigerant to the blast fan 140, the heat exchanger 120 and the cooler 123. The actuating switch 162 controls the operation of the refrigerant circulating pump 131.

Further, the blast fan 140 and the refrigerant circulating pump 131 may be constructed to be powered by electricity supplied from the computer body 110 or from an additional power source.

Here, in the case of using power of the computer body 110, power is supplied through a power supply unit 114 to the computer body 110. Meanwhile, in the case of using the additional power source, power may be supplied through a plug.

Further, the refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 130 is supplied, circulated and collected by the pumping action of the refrigerant circulating pump 131.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, opening holes 112 are formed in either of side covers 111 closing both side surfaces of a computer body 110 to permit the inflow of external air, and a cooling hole 115 is formed so as not to interfere with the opening holes 112. A cooler 123 is installed in back of the cooling hole 115 in such a way as to be surrounded by a closing plate 116.

A heat exchanger 120 may be provided in the lower portion of a casing 113 of the computer body 110.

Further, in order to circulate cooling air produced from the heat exchanger 120, a blast fan 140 may be provided inside the opening holes 112 of the side cover 111, and the cooler 123 may be provided at a side of the blast fan 140.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an apparatus for cooling heat generated from a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, includes a casing 20 which is detachably mounted to a side of the computer body 10. A refrigerant tank 30 installed in the casing 20 supplies, circulates, and collects a refrigerant through pumping action, thus producing cooling air in a cooling means 80. The cooling air produced by the cooling means 80 is supplied into the computer body 10 using the blowing force of a blast fan 50.

The refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 30 installed in the casing 20, which is detachably mounted to a side of the computer body 10, is supplied, circulated and collected by pumping action, thus producing the cooling air in the cooling means 80.

An exhaust hole 21 is formed in either of the front or rear wall of the casing 20 for an exhaust operation, and a cooling air hole 22 is formed to be opposite the exhaust hole 21 for the supply of cooling air.

Here, the cooling means 80 includes a compressor 81 which has the refrigerant tank 30 therein and increases the pressure of a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to a saturation pressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at which the refrigerant may be condensed and liquefied.

Further, the cooling means 80 includes a condenser 82 to discharge heat, generated when a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant tank 30 by pumping action is changed into a low-temperature liquid refrigerant which is cooled, to the outside using the blowing operation of a blast fan 82a.

Such a condenser 82 is installed in back of the exhaust hole 21, and has a plurality of heat dissipating plates 42 arranged in a row and a refrigerant pipe 41 passing through the heat dissipating plates 42 in a zigzag fashion. A condenser fan 82a is provided on a surface of the heat dissipating plates 42 in such a way as to be opposite to the exhaust hole 21, and is received in a recess which is formed by cutting a part of the heat dissipating plates 42 so as not to interfere with the refrigerant pipe 41.

The condenser 82 is formed such that four sides thereof are surrounded by a cover 82b attached to the casing 20, thus preventing hot heat generated from the condenser 82 from being transmitted to the interior of the casing 20.

When the refrigerant liquefied by the condenser 82 moves from a narrow passage to a wide passage, an expansion valve 83 reduces the pressure of the refrigerant to evaporate it.

Further, an evaporator 84 obtains cold air using the evaporating heat of the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant passing through the expansion valve 83, and is connected to the compressor 81 to transmit the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to the compressor 81.

The evaporator 84 is provided in back of the cooling air hole 22, and has a plurality of heat dissipating plates 42 arranged in a row and the refrigerant pipe 41 passing through the heat dissipating plates 42 in a zigzag fashion. A blast fan 50 is provided on a surface of the heat dissipating plates 42 in such a way as to be opposite to the cooling air hole 22, and is received in a recess which is formed by cutting a part of the heat dissipating plates 42 so as not to interfere with the refrigerant pipe 41.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, an apparatus 100 for cooling heat generated from a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, includes a refrigerant tank 30, a heat exchanger 40, and a blast fan 50. The refrigerant tank 30 is installed in a casing 20 to store a refrigerant therein. The refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant tank 30 circulates in the heat exchanger 40. The blast fan 50 functions to forcibly supply cooling air, produced by the heat exchanger 40, into the computer body 10.

The casing 20 is mounted to a side of the computer body 10. A display 60 is provided on a surface of the casing 20 to display the operation of the blast fan 50 and the internal temperature of the computer body 10.

The cooling apparatus 100 also includes a power switch 71 and an actuating switch 72. The power switch 71 controls power for a refrigerant circulating pump 31 which forcibly circulates the refrigerant to the blast fan 50. The actuating switch 72 controls the operation of the refrigerant circulating pump 31.

Here, the casing 20 may be made of a metal or plastic material. According to the present invention, the casing 20 is manufactured to have a box shape, so that the casing 20 can be easily attached to or detached from the computer body 10.

The refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 30 installed in the casing 10 is supplied, circulated and collected by pumping action, thus producing cooling air in the heat exchanger 40.

That is, when the refrigerant circulating pump 31 pumps the refrigerant in the refrigerant tank 30, the supply, circulation and collection of the refrigerant is performed.

At this time, the heat exchanger 40 includes a refrigerant pipe 41 which is arranged in a zigzag fashion to allow the refrigerant of the refrigerant tank 30 to circulate, and heat dissipating plates 42 which are provided around the refrigerant pipe 41 to dissipate heat.

That is, cooling air produced in the heat exchanger 40 is supplied to the interior of the computer body 10 using a blowing force which is forcibly generated by the blast fan 50.

Further, the casing 20 may be detachably mounted to the computer body 10.

The blast fan 50 and the refrigerant circulating pump 31 may be constructed to be powered by electricity supplied from the computer body 10 or from an additional power source.

Among both side surfaces of the casing 20, one side surface of the casing 20 which is opposite to the computer body 10 is open to be in contact with atmospheric air, so that the heat dissipating plates 42 of the heat exchanger 40 are exposed to the outside. The other side surface of the casing 20 is open such that the blast fan 50 is exposed to the outside, thus allowing the cooling air to be supplied to the interior of the computer body 10.

Further, a filter may be provided on the front of the heat exchanger 40 to eliminate impurities present in external air which is introduced through the open portion by the suction force of the blast fan 50.

The operation and operational effect of the present invention constructed as described above will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling means 170 of the computer cooling apparatus 1000 increases the pressure of a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant in the compressor 171 to a saturation pressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at which the refrigerant may be condensed and liquefied, prior to transmitting the refrigerant to the condenser 172.

The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant fed to the condenser 172 is changed into a low-temperature liquid refrigerant which is cooled, and then is fed to the expansion valve 173.

At this time, the cover 172b prevents heat generated by the condenser 172 from being transmitted to the interior of the computer body 110, so that the heat is discharged to the outside through the opening hole 112 by the blowing operation of the condenser fan 172a.

When the liquefied refrigerant transmitted to the expansion valve 173 moves from the narrow passage to the wide passage, the pressure of the refrigerant is reduced and the refrigerant is evaporated, so that the refrigerant is transmitted to the evaporator 174.

Further, cold air is obtained using the evaporating heat of the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant fed to the evaporator 174. The cold air blows into the computer body 110 by the operation of the blast fan 140.

That is, the evaporator 174 may produce cold air because air existing around the plurality of heat dissipating plates 122 is rapidly cooled.

Further, the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant is fed from the evaporator 174 to the compressor 171.

The refrigerant circulating through the compressor 171, the condenser 172, the expansion valve 173 and the evaporator 174 in regular order is transported by the pumping action of the refrigerant circulating pump 131.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5B, in order to use the computer cooling apparatus 1000, the opening hole 112 is formed in one of the side covers 111 of the computer body 110 to permit the inflow of external air.

One opening hole 112 or a plurality of small opening holes 112 may be formed in the side cover 111.

Subsequently, the cooler 123 and the heat exchanger 120 are installed to close the cooling hole 115 and the opening hole 112 of the side cover 111, and the blast fan 140 is installed in back of the heat exchanger 120. The side cover 111 is attached to the casing 113 in such a way that the blast fan 140 faces the interior of the computer body 110.

Next, power is supplied to the refrigerant circulating pump 131 of the refrigerant tank 130 and the blast fan 140. In the present invention, power is supplied by the power supply unit 114 of the computer body 110.

As such, when the power is supplied to the refrigerant circulating pump 131, the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 130 is fed to the heat exchanger 120.

The refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant pipe 121 of the heat exchanger 120 by the operation of the refrigerant circulating pump 131, and simultaneously the blast fan 140 is operated.

The surrounding air of the heat exchanger 120 is cooled by the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant pipe 121. While air flows from the outside of the computer cooling apparatus 1000 through the opening hole 111 to the heat dissipating plates 122 of the heat exchanger 120 by the operation of the blast fan 140, the air is cooled and then introduced into the computer body 110.

Further, in order to re-cool the refrigerant which has circulated through the heat exchanger 120 to produce the cooling air, the refrigerant is cooled while flowing through the cooling pipe 123a of the cooler 123, and then re-enters the refrigerant tank 130. Thereafter, the refrigerant is circulated and collected in the heat exchanger 120. The process is repeatedly performed.

Here, heat which is generated when the refrigerant flowing through the cooler 123 is cooled is discharged to the outside through the cooling hole 115, but is not transmitted to the interior of the computer body 110 because of the closing plate 116, thus preventing a reduction in cooling efficiency.

The cooling air obtained in this way flows into the computer body 110, thus performing a cooling function together with coolers which serve to cool heat generated when the devices of the computer body 110, including a CPU board and a graphic card, are operated.

Therefore, the present invention adopts a method of introducing cooling air from the exterior to the interior of the computer body 110, in place of a conventional method of discharging heat, generated when the devices in the computer body 110 are operated, to the outside, thus enhancing cooling efficiency.

Further, the computer cooling apparatus 1000 may be detachably mounted to the computer body, so that the computer cooling apparatus 1000 may be selectively used as necessary according to the provided conditions.

A filter may be additionally provided on the front of the opening hole 112 so as to remove impurities from external air introduced into the opening hole 112 by the suction force of the blast fan 140.

Further, the operation and operational effect of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described below.

Referring to the drawings, the cooling means 80 of the computer cooling apparatus 100 increases the pressure of a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant in the compressor 81 to a saturation pressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at which the refrigerant may be condensed and liquefied, prior to transmitting the refrigerant to the condenser 82.

The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant fed to the condenser 82 is changed into a low-temperature liquid refrigerant which is cooled, and then is fed to the expansion valve 83.

At this time, the cover 82b prevents heat generated by the condenser 82 from being transmitted to the interior of the casing 20, so that the heat is discharged to the outside through the exhaust hole 21 by the blowing operation of the condenser fan 82a.

When the liquefied refrigerant transmitted to the expansion valve 83 moves from the narrow passage to the wide passage, the pressure of the refrigerant is reduced and the refrigerant is evaporated, so that the refrigerant is transmitted to the evaporator 84.

Further, cold air is obtained using the evaporating heat of the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant fed to the evaporator 84. The cold air blows into the computer body 10 by the operation of the blast fan 50.

That is, the evaporator 84 may produce cold air because air existing around the plurality of heat dissipating plates 42 is rapidly cooled.

Further, the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant is fed from the evaporator 84 to the compressor 81.

The refrigerant circulating through the compressor 81, the condenser 82, the expansion valve 83 and the evaporator 84 in regular order is transported by the pumping action of the refrigerant circulating pump 31.

Meanwhile, in order to use the computer cooling apparatus 100 of FIGS. 10 to 13, a supply hole 11 is formed in a surface of the computer body 10 to supply cooling air.

One supply hole 11 or a plurality of small supply holes 11 may be formed.

Subsequently, in the state in which a side surface of the casing 20 of the computer cooling apparatus 100 through which the blast fan 50 is exposed is aligned with the supply hole 11, the casing 20 is attached to the computer body 10.

The casing 20 and the computer body 10 may be coupled to each other by using magnetic force or fastening bolts. In this embodiment, the fastening method using the bolts is used.

Next, power is supplied to the refrigerant circulating pump 31 of the refrigerant tank 30 and the blast fan 50. According to this embodiment, power is supplied by the power supply unit 12 of the computer body 10.

As such, when power is supplied to the refrigerant circulating pump 31, the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant tank 30 is supplied to the heat exchanger 40.

The refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant pipe 41 of the heat exchanger 40 by the operation of the refrigerant circulating pump 31, and simultaneously the blast fan 50 is operated.

The surrounding air of the heat exchanger 40 is cooled by the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant pipe 41. While air flows from the outside of the computer cooling apparatus 100 to the heat dissipating plates 42 of the heat exchanger 40 by the operation of the blast fan 50, the air is cooled and then fed through the supply hole 11 into the computer body 10.

The cooling air cooled in this way flows into the computer body 10 through the supply hole 11 thereof, thus cooling heat generated when the devices of the computer body 10, including a CPU board and a graphic card, are operated.

Therefore, the present invention adopts a method of introducing cooling air from the exterior to the interior of the computer body 10, in place of a conventional method of discharging heat, generated when the devices in the computer body 10 are operated, to the outside, thus enhancing cooling efficiency.

Further, the computer cooling apparatus 100 may be detachably mounted to the computer body, so that the computer cooling apparatus 100 may be selectively used as necessary according to the provided conditions.

As described above, the present invention provides a cooling apparatus which forcibly circulates a refrigerant in a heat exchanger to produce cooling air and forcibly supplies the cooling air into a computer body, thus cooling the computer body by introducing the cooling air into the computer body.

The present invention provides a cooling apparatus, which can be detachably mounted to a computer body, thus being selectively used when necessary.

Further, the present invention provides a cooling apparatus, which checks the internal temperature of a computer and displays it, thus rendering control of a cooling operation possible, therefore enhancing cooling efficiency and stabilizing the operation of parts of the computer.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a cooling apparatus, which can be installed and used in a conventional computer body, so that changes in structure and volume attributable to the installation of the cooling apparatus are not required.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, comprising:

an opening hole formed in either of side covers closing both side surfaces of the computer body to permit inflow of external air;

a cooling hole formed in the side cover in such a way as to be spaced apart from the opening hole; and

cooling means provided inside the side cover of the computer body, producing cooling air and cooling a refrigerant by supplying, circulating and collecting the refrigerant stored in a refrigerant tank, thus cooling an interior of the computer body with the cooling air.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cooling means comprises:

a compressor increasing a pressure of a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to a saturation pressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at which the refrigerant may be condensed and liquefied, with the refrigerant tank being provided in the compressor;

a condenser discharging heat generated when a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, fed from the refrigerant tank by pumping action, is changed into a low-temperature liquid refrigerant which is cooled to an outside by a blowing operation of a condenser fan;

an expansion valve reducing a pressure of the refrigerant, when a liquefied refrigerant passing through the condenser moves from a narrow passage to a wide passage, thus evaporating the refrigerant; and

an evaporator obtaining cold air using evaporating heat of a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant passing through the expansion valve, and connected to the compressor to transmit the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to the compressor.

3. An apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, comprising:

a heat exchanger provided in back of an opening hole which is formed in either of side covers closing both side surfaces of the computer body to permit inflow of external air; and

a cooler provided in back of a cooling hole which is formed in the side cover in such a way as to be spaced apart from the opening hole, surrounded by a closing plate, and connected to the heat exchanger such that a refrigerant is transmitted from the heat exchanger to the cooler,

wherein a refrigerant in a refrigerant tank, provided at a predetermined position in a casing of the computer body, is supplied, circulated, and collected through the heat exchanger to the cooler through pumping action, thus producing cooling air and cooling the refrigerant, therefore cooling an interior of the computer body with the cooling air.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein a blast fan is provided in back of the heat exchanger of the side cover to supply the cooling air from the heat exchanger into the casing of the computer body using a blowing force of the blast fan.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising:

a display exteriorly provided on a front of the casing of the computer body to display operation of the blast fan and an internal temperature of the computer body;

a power switch controlling power of the refrigerant circulating pump which forcibly circulates the refrigerant to the blast fan and the heat exchanger; and

an actuating switch controlling operation of the refrigerant circulating pump.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the blast fan and the refrigerant circulating pump are powered by electricity supplied from the computer body or from an additional power source.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein

the cooler is provided in back of the cooling hole which is formed so as not to interfere with the opening hole formed in either of the side covers closing both side surfaces of the computer body to permit inflow of external air, and is surrounded by the closing plate, and

the heat exchanger is provided at a lower position in the casing of the computer body, so that a refrigerant having increased temperature is cooled through the cooler and then is fed to the refrigerant tank.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the blast fan is provided inside the opening hole of the side cover to circulate the cooling air produced by the heat exchanger.

9. An apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, comprising:

cooling means producing cooling air by supplying, circulating, and collecting a refrigerant of a refrigerant tank through pumping action, the refrigerant tank being provided in a casing which is detachably mounted to a side surface of the computer body; and

a blast fan supplying the cooling air, produced by the cooling means, to an interior of the computer body using a blowing force of the blast fan.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cooling means comprises:

a compressor increasing a pressure of a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to a saturation pressure corresponding to a condensing temperature at which the refrigerant may be condensed and liquefied, with the refrigerant tank being provided in the compressor;

a condenser discharging heat generated when a high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, fed from the refrigerant tank by pumping action, is changed into a low-temperature liquid refrigerant which is cooled to an outside by a blowing operation of a condenser fan;

an expansion valve reducing a pressure of the refrigerant, when a liquefied refrigerant passing through the condenser moves from a narrow passage to a wide passage, thus evaporating the refrigerant; and

an evaporator obtaining cold air using evaporating heat of a low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant passing through the expansion valve, and connected to the compressor to transmit the low-temperature and low-pressure gas refrigerant to the compressor.

11. An apparatus for cooling a computer body by introducing cooling air therein, comprising:

a heat exchanger producing cooling air by supplying, circulating, and collecting a refrigerant of a refrigerant tank through pumping action, the refrigerant tank being provided in a casing which is detachably mounted to a side surface of the computer body; and

a blast fan supplying the cooling air, produced by the heat exchanger, to an interior of the computer body using a blowing force of the blast fan.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, further comprising:

a display provided at a predetermined position of the casing to display operation of the blast fan and an internal temperature of the computer body;

a power switch controlling power of the refrigerant circulating pump which forcibly circulates the refrigerant to the blast fan and the heat exchanger; and

an actuating switch controlling operation of the refrigerant circulating pump.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the casing is detachably mounted to the computer body, and the blast fan and the refrigerant circulating pump are powered by electricity supplied from the computer body or from an additional power source.