US5440450A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Housing cooling system
Assignee: Next Inc
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Filing: 1994-05-23
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Granted: 1995-08-08
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Expires: 2014-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A housing for a desk top personal computer incorporating a novel integrated cooling system. The housing features a cast magnesium chassis that acts as a heat sink that conductively absorbs heat from internal components. A recessed, rectangular, open-sided cooling channel is integrally formed in the bottom of the chassis. A fan is mounted to one end of the cooling channel. A series of fins running lengthwise extends down from the top of the channel. A power supply module, which dissipates heat from a conduction plate along its bottom, is mounted on the top side of the chassis directly above the channel. In operation, the fan draws air into the housing through a series of openings along the top back edge of the chassis. The air passes over the inside surfaces of the chassis, dissipating the relatively small amount of heat generated by the components mounted thereon and flows into the cooling channel. The air flows through the channel and across the surfaces of the fins extending down from the top of the channel, dissipating the heat generated by the power supply mounted directly above.
Inventors
- 👤 Tim O. Lau
- 👤 Alexander Huang
- 👤 Douglas P. Lo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
An apparatus for dissipating heat from an enclosure comprising: an open-sided heat transfer channel recessed into and integrally formed with a first side of an enclosure and having an open side external to said enclosure, said open-sided heat transfer channel comprising: a first opening disposed for receiving a cooling fluid within said enclosure and from outside said channel; and a second opening for exhausting said cooling fluid from said channel; wherein said channel forms a closed-sided heat transfer passage when the open side of said channel is disposed to a surface; and heat transfer means for transferring heat from a heat generating source within said enclosure to said cooling fluid within said channel, said heat transfer means comprising; a heat absorption surface comprising a metal plate connected to said heat generating source, said heat absorption surface within said enclosure disposed substantially adjacent to and in thermal communication with said heat transfer channel and said heat generating source; and, a heat dissipation surface comprising at least one fin extending within said heat transfer channel, said heat dissipation surface in thermal communication with said heat absorption surface disposed within said heat transfer channel; an electric fan for moving said cooling fluid through said heat transfer channel, said fan mounted at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of said heat transfer channel, said heat transfer channel having a substantially longitudinal shape.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
229 words
An apparatus for dissipating heat from an enclosure comprising: an open-sided heat transfer channel recessed into and integrally formed with a first side of an enclosure and having an open side external to said enclosure, said open-sided heat transfer channel comprising: a first opening disposed for receiving a cooling fluid within said enclosure and from outside said channel; and a second opening for exhausting said cooling fluid from said channel; wherein said channel forms a closed-sided heat transfer passage when the open side of said channel is disposed to a surface; and heat transfer means for transferring heat from a heat generating source within said enclosure to said cooling fluid within said channel, said heat transfer means comprising; a heat absorption surface comprising a metal plate connected to said heat generating source, said heat absorption surface within said enclosure disposed substantially adjacent to and in thermal communication with said heat transfer channel and said heat generating source; and, a heat dissipation surface comprising at least one fin extending within said heat transfer channel, said heat dissipation surface in thermal communication with said heat absorption surface disposed within said heat transfer channel; an electric fan for moving said cooling fluid through said heat transfer channel, said fan mounted at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of said heat transfer channel, said heat transfer channel having a substantially longitudinal shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The heat dissipating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first side comprises the bottom side of said enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The heat dissipating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heat dissipation surface comprises at least one fin extending within said heat transfer channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The heat dissipating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second openings are disposed at first and second ends of said heat transfer channel, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The heat dissipating apparatus of claim 4 further comprising transfer means for moving said cooling fluid through said heat transfer channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heat dissipating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fan is disposed adjacent to said first opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The heat dissipating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said heat transfer channel has a substantially U-shaped cross section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The heat dissipating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cooling fluid comprises air.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The heat dissipating apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bottom side is comprised of a cast metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The heat dissipating apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bottom side is comprised of sheet metal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-07 | 1999-02-06 | 1999-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-07 | 2003-02-06 | 2003-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-07 | 2007-02-06 | 2007-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |