Ventilation – Electronic cabinet
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-07
2003-07-15
Lu, Jiping (Department: 3749)
Ventilation
Electronic cabinet
C361S695000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06592448
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to exhaust systems for computers, and particularly to exhaust systems for personal computers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, computers have used exhaust fans to exhaust hot air from the computer casing to cool electronic equipment held therein. Typically, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,673 to Gagnon et al., one or more exhaust fans are positioned on the rear of the computer housing or casing and hidden from main viewing surfaces.
Many computer gaming enthusiasts are searching for improved ways to cool their computer systems to obtain improved performance and/or graphic capability compared to conventional systems. Improved cooling can be particularly helpful for computer systems employing increased numbers of heat generating components such as faster operating microprocessor chips, more electronic powered devices, and/or multiple graphics cards. The increased graphic capability is desirable for many gaming enthusiasts in order to provide more realistic play, and/or improved PC gaming platform performance.
In operation, computer systems with advanced operating protocols and components and improved cooling can improve the response time or speed of the system. Unfortunately, by employing a larger number of powered electronic equipment within the computer casing and/or by configuring the computer system with faster operating systems, the computer system within the housing can build up heat during operation and potentially, and undesirably, overheat, thereby causing the system to crash.
In addition, such exhaust systems are conventionally hidden from view (positioned on a rear surface of the housing) or otherwise de-emphasized so as to blend in with the computer housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to configure computers with power exhaust systems to vent heat therefrom to reduce the likelihood that the computer system performance will be negatively affected by overheating during operation.
It is another object of the present invention to emphasize visually the performance or power capability of the computer by configuring a power exhaust system in a visually dominant manner which is visible during use.
These and other objects of the invention are provided by a top-mounted (or side mounted adjacent the top) visually dominant power exhaust stack. Preferably, the power exhaust stack is in fluid communication with an exhaust fan to vent hot air from the top of the computer.
A first aspect of the invention is a computer with a power exhaust stack. The computer includes a computer housing with at least one upstanding wall (and typically four upstanding walls) and a ceiling attached to and overlying the at least one upstanding wall to define an enclosure. The computer also includes at least one power exhaust stack extending upwardly from the housing ceiling. The power exhaust stack comprises a tubular section with an airflow channel therein and opposing first and second end portions. The power exhaust stack tubular section has a profile when viewed from the side which rises a distance up from the ceiling and arcuately turns to direct the air flow channel (and second end portion) toward the rear of the computer. The computer includes a plurality of air vents disposed in at least one of the at least one upstanding walls and an exhaust fan mounted proximate to said ceiling in fluid communication with the power exhaust stack first end portion. During operation of a computer subsiding within the computer housing, the exhaust fan directs air out from the computer housing (i.e., above and away from the enclosure) through the power exhaust stack.
In a preferred embodiment, the power exhaust stack has a reflective external surface, or is formed of or coated with chrome or a chrome-like material, to provide an external surface which has the appearance of chrome, while the computer housing is red.
The invention can, alternatively, be directed to an aesthetic configuration to provide a computer housing with a visually dominant top-mounted exhaust stack (but not requiring the use of an upwardly mounted proximate exhaust fan). The computer housing includes a computer housing with at least one upstanding wall (and typically four upstanding walls) and a ceiling overlying the at least one upstanding wall to define an enclosure. The housing also includes at least one power exhaust stack extending upwardly from the housing ceiling. The power exhaust stack comprises a tubular section with at least one airflow channel therein and opposing first and second end portions. The power exhaust stack tubular section has a profile when viewed from the side which generally vertically rises a distance up from the ceiling and then arcuately turns to direct the air flow channel toward the rear of the computer housing.
A second aspect of the invention is a power exhaust modification kit for a computer. The power exhaust modification kit for a computer comprises an upwardly extending power exhaust stack with a tubular section comprising at least one air flow channel and opposing first and second end portions. The power exhaust stack tubular section has a profile when viewed from the side such that it generally vertically rises a distance up at the first end portion and then arcuately turns to direct the air flow channel toward the rear of the computer casing at the second end portion. The kit also includes a template configured to overlay at least a portion of the top of the computer casing. The template has visual indicia representing an opening sized and configured to correspond with the power exhaust stack first end portion for allowing a user to identify a desired location (and/or the desired size opening or shape of the opening) for an opening in the top of the computer. The kit also includes an exhaust fan sized and configured to assemble to the computer such that it is mounted proximate to the top of the computer adjacent the desired location. In position, the exhaust fan is operably associated with the power exhaust stack to direct air from the computer casing during operation.
In a preferred embodiment, the kit can include a second template configured to overlay at least one side of the computer, the second template has visual indicia representing at least one air vent aperture corresponding to air vent inlet openings for allowing a user to identify a desired location (and/or draw a desired opening shape) on the bottom portion of the side walls of the computer for the air vent aperture(s). The kit can also include grommets and filters to be positioned proximate to the air vent inlets.
Another aspect of the present invention is a computer housing with an alternate embodiment of a power exhaust stack. Similar to those described above, the computer housing includes at least one, and typically, four, upstanding side walls and a ceiling overlying the at least one (and typically, four) upstanding side walls. The computer also includes at least one power exhaust stack having a tubular section extending upwardly from the housing ceiling. The power exhaust stack tubular section comprises at least one airflow channel therein and opposing first and second end portions. The power exhaust stack tubular section has a profile which generally vertically rises a distance up from the ceiling and directs the airflow channel upwardly out (above and away) from the computer. The computer housing also includes at least one air vent disposed in at least one of the (four) upstanding walls and an exhaust fan mounted proximate to the ceiling in fluid communication with the power exhaust stack first end portion. During operation, the exhaust fan directs air out (above and away) from the computer housing through the power exhaust stack.
The second end portion of the tubular member can be either substantially horizontal or inclined. The computer housing can also include a lid pivotably connected to the end of the power exhaust stack second portion. The lid can be biased to open with relatively low air pressure exhausting from the comput
contrapposto, inc.
Lu Jiping
Myers Bigel & Sibley Sajovec, PA
LandOfFree
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