Pumps – Motor driven – Electric or magnetic motor
Utility Patent
1999-12-30
2001-01-02
Thorpe, Timothy S. (Department: 3746)
Pumps
Motor driven
Electric or magnetic motor
C417S360000, C417S053000
Utility Patent
active
06168396
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a fan assembly adapted to be installed in a standard expansion slot of a microcomputer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The most typical cause of failure of a microcomputer is dust that has settled on a component of the system and has caused an unwanted electrical connection. Unfortunately, currently available microcomputers have little in the way of safeguards against contamination by dust. Most microcomputers are equipped with two fans. A first fan is entirely internal to the computer case and cools the central processing unit (CPU) but does not draw air into or out of the computer. A second fan cools the transformer that provides voltage in the range of 5 to 12 VDC to the computer digital circuitry. The second fan typically draws air over the transformer surfaces and discharges the air through holes in the computer case. The discharged air is replaced by air that enters the computer by other holes in the case that are included for that purpose or by small seams where various case elements fit together. The replacement air is unfiltered and typically contains dust that may cause a computer failure.
SUMMARY
In a first aspect, the present invention is a fan assembly adapted to be installed into a standard expansion slot of a microcomputer. This assembly comprises a frame, sized to fit into the standard expansion slot, including attachment members adapted to permit attachment of the frame into the standard expansion slot and defining an air passageway through the frame, the air passageway having a first opening coincident to the attachment members and having a second opening positioned away from the attachment members. Additionally, an electric fan is mounted in the frame and positioned to move air through the air passageway from the first opening through the second opening. Finally, an electrical conductor and connector assembly is adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power and to transmit electrical power from the source of electrical power to the electric fan.
In a separate, second aspect, the present invention is a microcomputer adapted to avoid dust related failures and comprising a case defining a set of standard expansion slots and a fan assembly. This assembly includes a frame, an electric fan and an electrical conductor and connector assembly. The frame is sized to fit into the standard expansion slot, including attachment members adapted to permit attachment of the frame into the standard expansion slot and defining an air passageway through the frame, the air passageway having a first opening coincident to the case and having a second opening inside the case. The electric fan is mounted in the frame and positioned to move air through the air passageway from the first opening through the second opening. Finally, the electrical conductor and connector assembly is adapted to be connected to a source of electric power and to transmit electrical power from the standard internal power port to the electric fan.
In a separate, third aspect, the present invention is a method of retrofitting a microcomputer having a case and an unused standard expansion slot to be less susceptible to failure due to dust contamination, comprising the steps of: Providing a fan and filter assembly, including a frame, an electric fan, an electrical conductor and connector assembly. The frame is sized to fit into the standard expansion slot, including attachment members adapted to permit attachment of the frame into the standard expansion slot and defining an air passageway through the frame, the air passageway having a first opening coincident to the attachment members and having a second opening positioned away from the attachment members. The electric fan is mounted in the frame and positioned to move air through the air passageway from the first opening through the second opening. The electrical conductor and connector assembly adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power and to transmit electrical power from the source of electrical power to the electric fan. The filter is positioned in the air passageway and adapted to filter particles from air that is being moved from the first opening through the second opening by the fan. The fan and filter assembly is installed into the expansion slot of the microcomputer so that the fan brings air from outside the case through the first opening and the filter and out through the second opening into the interior of the case.
The foregoing and other objectives, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Evora Robert Z.
Siegel Timothy E.
Thorpe Timothy S.
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