Acoustic attenuation air movement device housing

Abstract

Acoustic attenuation air movement device housing. The air movement device (AMD) includes a housing that attenuates noise and specifies an air flow path. The AMD housing includes a focus bearing surface having an associated focus. The focus bearing surface specifies an air flow path through the AMD housing, reflecting and concentrating noise at the focus. The AMD housing further includes a noise attenuation structure at the focus to reduce, absorb, or attenuate the concentrated noise, or a combination thereof. Since the noise is concentrated, a relatively small-sized noise attenuation structure can effectively or properly reduce or attenuate the AMD noise. The smaller-sized noise attenuation structure relatively reduces the air flow impedance. As such, the AMD housing can provide both reduced AMD noise and relatively reduced air flow impedance thereat, therefrom, or both.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments of the present application generally relate to cooling an electronic system with an active air moving device (AMD).

Background Art

[0002] Electronic system components such as processing chips (PCs) and memories generate heat during operation. The heat can be transferred from these components by one or more active AMDs, such as a blower, to maintain an appropriate operating temperature.

[0003] As a byproduct of moving air, the AMD also generates noise. The noise mainly originates from the forced air exiting the blower, and a small amount of noise is generated from the new air being drawn into it to replace it. The noise from the outgoing air is due to the vortices following the trailing edge of the rotating blades. Since the leading edge of each blade cuts through the air and moves forward, more noise is generated by the outward pulse of the air.

[0004] The trailing vortices produce a broad spectrum of random noise that is modulated by the rotational movement of the blower blades per minute or the total cycle of blade rotation per unit time. However, the AMD can generate acoustic field noise at frequencies lower than the blade frequency. The outward pulses occur at the blade frequency and include harmonics. Since a portion of this blade has a higher relative velocity, noise generation is stronger near the tip of the blade. The faster splitting of the air results in a sharper leading-edge pressure pulse. Therefore, higher-frequency noise is concentrated at the blade tips.

[0005] Since one blade is not exactly the same as another blade in the blower, the noise from the blower will exhibit variations from the blower blade frequency. Furthermore, the vortices are not the same each time a blade passes by. The vortices are usually random, and the variation from one rotation period to the next leads to the generation of subharmonic noise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, an air moving device is presented. The air moving device comprises a housing including an air inlet, an air outlet, and a downstream focus bearing surface. The air moving device further includes a blower system having a blower that rotates about an axis of rotation. The blower system acts on the air flow in a first direction with respect to the downstream focus bearing surface and generates noise. The downstream focus bearing surface redirects the air flow in a second direction towards the air outlet. The air moving device further includes a first noise attenuation structure at the focus of the downstream focus bearing surface. The downstream focus bearing surface redirects the noise and concentrates it at the focus of the downstream focus bearing surface. The first noise attenuation structure reduces the concentrated noise.

[0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, an air moving device method is presented. The method includes generating an air flow in a first direction with respect to a downstream focus bearing surface using a blower system. The method further includes redirecting the air flow in a second direction towards the air outlet using the downstream focus bearing surface. The air moving device further includes concentrating the noise emitted from the blower system at the focus of the downstream focus bearing surface using the downstream focus bearing surface. The air moving device further includes reducing the concentrated noise at the focus of the downstream focus bearing surface using a first noise attenuation structure.

[0008] These and other embodiments, features, aspects, and advantages will be better understood with reference to the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] In a general manner, the various features shown in the figures may not be to an exact scale. Thus, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily enlarged or reduced for clarity. Further, some of the figures may not show all of the components of a given system, method, or device. Finally, like reference numerals may be used throughout this specification and the figures to indicate like features.

[0011] One of the most practical techniques for increasing the amount of heat transfer from electronic system components is to increase the fan frequency of the AMD used to cool such devices. However, increasing the fan frequency will inherently increase the acoustic noise emitted from the AMD. Due to the inherent trade-off between airflow and noise generation, there is a need for an AMD solution that outputs high airflow with low or reduced acoustic noise.

[0012] A known solution for reducing AMD-related noise is to use high-airflow impedance materials at the electronic system level. Such system-level solutions provide modest improvements in noise reduction and can often dramatically reduce airflow through the system. Another known solution is to optimize the blower fan blade shape to reduce noise. However, such blades may not reduce noise sufficiently at the fan frequencies required in modern and future electronic systems.

[0013] Embodiments described herein relate to an AMD housing that attenuates noise while also specifying the airflow path. The AMD housing includes a focus bearing surface having an associated focus. The focus bearing surface specifies the airflow path, reflects the noise, and focuses it at the focus. The AMD housing further includes a noise attenuation structure at the focus for reducing, absorbing, or attenuating the focused noise or a combination thereof. Since the noise is concentrated within the AMD housing, a relatively small-sized noise attenuation structure can effectively or properly reduce or attenuate the noise generated by the AMD. The relatively small-sized noise attenuation structure provides a relatively reduced airflow impedance. As such, embodiments can provide both reduced AMD noise and relatively reduced airflow impedance either there or therefrom or both.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows an xy - plane cross - sectional view AMD100 including an AMD housing 110 that specifies the path of an air flow 130 and attenuates acoustic noise 150, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 2, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. AMD100 further includes a blower system 102, an inlet 112, an outlet 114, one or more focus bearing surfaces 120 having associated foci, and one or more noise attenuation structures 140 at each focus of each focus bearing surface 120. The blower system 102 may include one or more blower blades 106 extending from a central blower hub 104.

[0015] The blower system 102 induces or generates an air flow 130 from the inlet 112 through the AMD housing 110 to the outlet 114 with respect to one or more focus bearing surfaces 120. The blower system 102 may induce or generate the air flow 130 by rotating both the blower blades 106 and the central blower hub 104 system about an axis of rotation 108, as exemplarily shown in FIGS. 6 and 10. Without the AMD housing 110, the blower system 102 generally induces or generates the normal air flow 130 in the general flow path mainly in the negative x - axis direction. This normal air flow 130 is caused by the blower blades 106 that push air out from the blower system 102 on the associated push side of the blower system 102 and draw in new air on the opposite pull side of the blower system 102. This normal air flow 130 may have an air flow bisector or vector parallel to the axis of rotation 108.

[0016] When incorporated into the AMD housing 110, the blower system 102 can direct or generate an air flow 130 from the inlet 112 through the outlet 114 to one or more focus bearing surfaces 120 in multiple directions, such as in a < shape direction, an S shape direction, a Z shape direction, etc. This multi-directional air flow 130 is caused by the blower blades 106 that push air from the blower system 102 on one side of the blower system 102 and generally direct the direction of the air flow 130 towards the outlet 114 and press that air against the focus bearing surface 120.1 that changes the direction of the air flow 130. Since the focus bearing surface 120.1 is located downstream of the air flow 130 in relation to a reference position of the blower system 102, such as the blade 106, the focus bearing surface 120.1 may be referred to herein as the downstream focus bearing surface 120.

[0017] Fresh air can be drawn in from the inlet 112, generally changing the direction of the air flow 130 towards the blower system 102, and further pressed against the focus bearing surface 120.2. Since the focus bearing surface 120.2 is located upstream of the air flow 130 in relation to the reference position of the blower system 102, the focus bearing surface 120.2 may be referred to herein as the upstream focus bearing surface 120.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown, the outlet 114 may be located in dimension "a" from the pull side of the blower system 102. This dimension "a" positions the outlet 114 relatively far from the focus bearing surface 120.1 to achieve an appropriate or proper air flow 130 path length such that the air flow 130 path can change direction towards the outlet 114 relative to the focus bearing surface 120.1. The dimension "a" may be large enough to allow the air flow 130 to generally turn at an acute angle and return towards the blower system 102 as it exits the blower system 102, influenced by the focus bearing surface 120.1, pass by the blower system 102, and exit at the outlet 114.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown, the inlet 112 can be positioned in dimension "b" from the push side of the blower system 102. This dimension "b" positions the inlet 112 relatively away from the focus bearing surface 120.2 in order to achieve an appropriate or proper airflow 130 path length such that the airflow 130 path can change direction with respect to the focus bearing surface 120.2 towards the blower system 102. The dimension "b" may be large enough to allow the airflow 130 to enter the inlet 112, pass by the blower system 102, generally change direction at an acute angle so as to be affected by the focus bearing surface 120.2, and turn back towards the blower system 102.

[0020] The focus bearing surface 120.1 is the internal AMD housing surface that redirects the airflow 130 on the push side of the blower system 102. The focus bearing surface 120.1 may be any geometric surface that includes one focus, such as a spherical surface, a parabolic surface, etc. Similarly, the focus bearing surface 120.2 is the internal AMD housing surface that redirects the airflow 130 on the pull side of the blower system 102. The focus bearing surface 120.2 may be any geometric surface that includes one focus, such as a spherical surface, a parabolic surface, etc. The focus bearing surface 120.1 is shown as the same geometric surface as the focus bearing surface 120.2. However, the focus bearing surface 120.1 may be a different geometric surface from the focus bearing surface 120.2. For example, the focus bearing surface 120.1 may be a spherical surface and the focus bearing surface 120.2 may be a parabolic surface.

[0021] In one embodiment, the outlet 114 is positioned in relation to the focus bearing surface 120.1 so as to efficiently or geometrically direct the airflow 130 therefrom towards the outlet 114. Similarly, the inlet 112 can be positioned in relation to the focus bearing surface 120.2 so as to efficiently or geometrically direct the airflow 130 therefrom towards the blower system 102.

[0022] Referring to both FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 2 shows an xy-plane cross-sectional view, and FIG. 3 shows an xz-plane cross-sectional view of the AMD 100 including an AMD housing that designates the path of the air flow 130 and attenuates the acoustic noise 150, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] As a byproduct of moving air or generating the air flow 130, the AMD 100 also generates noise 150. Some of the noise 150 is derived from the pushed air exiting the blower system 102, and some of the noise 150 is generated from the new air being drawn into the blower system 102 to replace it. According to embodiments, the focus bearing surface 120 and the noise attenuation structure 140 can be used to reduce the noise exiting the AMD 100.

[0024] The focus bearing surface 120.1 further reflects the noise 150 and focuses it at its associated focus. Similarly, the focus bearing surface 120.2 reflects the noise 150 and focuses it at its associated focus.

[0025] To achieve noise reduction, the AMD housing 110 further includes one or more noise attenuation structures 140 at each focus to reduce, absorb, or attenuate the concentrated noise or a combination thereof. The noise attenuation structure 140 may be a structure, device, system, etc. that reduces noise or acoustic energy. The noise attenuation structure 140 may be a passive noise absorption device such as foam, gel, rubber, etc., or an active noise absorption device or cancellation system or component, such as a reverse sound wave noise cancellation device, microphone, speaker, etc.

[0026] Since the noise 150 is concentrated within the AMD housing 110, a relatively small-sized noise attenuation structure 140 can effectively or properly reduce or attenuate the noise generated by the blower system 102. The relatively smaller-sized noise attenuation structure results in a relatively increased airflow 130 through the AMD housing 110, providing a relatively reduced airflow impedance. As such, embodiments can provide both a relatively reduced AMD noise 150 and a relatively increased airflow 130, either there or therefrom or both.

[0027] The noise attenuation structure 140.1 can be located at the focus of the focus bearing surface 120.1, and the noise attenuation structure 140.2 can be located at the focus of the focus bearing surface 120.2. In a particular implementation, the center of the noise attenuation structure 140.1 coincides with the focus of the focus bearing surface 120.1, and the center of the noise attenuation structure 140.2 coincides with the focus of the focus bearing surface 120.2, and so on. As used herein, "center" is understood to be the central point of the volume of the associated three-dimensional structure, material, etc.

[0028] The noise attenuation structure 140.1 is shown as having the same structure, size, etc. in relation to the noise attenuation structure 140.2. However, the noise attenuation structure 140.1 may have a different size and may be a different structure or device, etc. than the noise attenuation structure 140.2. In one implementation, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the noise attenuation structures 140.1 and 140.2 may each be spheres of noise-absorbing material of equal diameter. In another implementation, the noise attenuation structure 140.1 may have a relatively larger diameter. Since the noise 150 energy may be greater on the push side of the blower system 102, the noise attenuation structure 140.1 may be of a larger size compared to the noise attenuation structure 140.2 on the pull side of the blower system 102, or may be a structure or device that absorbs, attenuates, or reduces a relatively large amount of noise 150, or a combination thereof.

[0029] Referring to both FIGS. 4 and 5, FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively show a normal y - z plane view of the AMD housing 110 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The inlet 112 may have an xy - plane bisector 113, and the outlet 114 may have an xy - plane bisector 115. As shown in FIG. 4, the plane bisector 113 and the plane bisector 115 may be in the same plane. Thus, in one embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the total airflow 130 bisector or vector through the AMD housing 110 may be in the same plane having the plane bisector 113 and the plane bisector 115.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the plane bisector 113 and the plane bisector 115 may draw different horizontal planes at an obtuse angle with respect to each other, for example. In a different implementation, the plane bisector 113 and the plane bisector 115 may draw orthogonal horizontal planes with respect to each other. For example, the plane bisector 115 may draw an xy - horizontal plane, and the plane bisector 113 may draw an xz - horizontal plane. Thus, in these implementations, the total airflow 130 bisector or vector may be drawn in different horizontal planes through the AMD housing 110.

[0031] Referring to both FIGS. 6 and 7, FIGS. 6 and 7 show the exemplary acoustic noise attenuation structure 140.1 arrangement and size in relation to the blower system 102 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] The blower system 102 can induce or generate an airflow 130 by rotating the blower blades 106 and the central blower hub 104 system around the axis of rotation 108. Without the AMD housing 110, the blower system 102 generally induces or generates the normal airflow 130 in the general flow path in the large negative x - axis direction. This normal airflow 130 is caused by the blower blades 106 that push air out from the blower system 102 on the associated push side of the blower system 102 and draw in new air on the opposite pull side of the blower system 102. This normal airflow 130 may have an airflow bisector or vector that is parallel to or coincides with the axis of rotation 108 or both.

[0033] The outer periphery of the normal airflow 130 going out of the blower system 102 can have a conical shape as shown in the figure. The outer periphery 130.1 of the normal airflow 130 from the tip of the rotating blade 106 can have a conical shape that spreads outwardly in relation to the axis 108. The inner periphery 130.2 of the normal airflow 130 from the base of the rotating blade 106 can have a conical shape that tapers inwardly in relation to the axis 108. The conical shape that tapers inwardly can be due to the interrelationship between the hub 104 and the one or more blades 106. The outer periphery 130.1 and the inner periphery 130.2 going out of the blower system 102 can alternatively be perpendicular to the blower system, for example, generally parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0034] The conical shape that contracts inwardly of the normal airflow 130 can form a low - air - pressure conical region 162. The low - air - pressure conical region 162 generally has a lower air pressure than the surrounding region of the normal airflow 130.

[0035] In one implementation, the acoustic noise attenuation structure 140.1 can be disposed entirely within the low - air - pressure conical region 162 in order to minimize the impedance of the high - air - pressure surrounding region of the airflow 130. In such an implementation, the diameter 105 of the hub 104 can be larger than the diameter 141 of the acoustic noise attenuation structure 140.1 as shown in FIG. 7. Further, in one implementation shown in FIG. 6, the center or other portion of the acoustic noise attenuation structure 140.1 can coincide with the axis of rotation 108.

[0036] FIG. 8 shows a cross - sectional view of the xy - plane of the AMD housing 110 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The AMD housing 110 can further include an internal recirculation surface 122 that at least partially prevents airflow 130 recirculation. Airflow recirculation occurs when the airflow going out of the blower system 102 from the push side recirculates to the pull side of the blower system 102 without exiting the AMD housing 110. Since the recirculation surface 122 at least partially prevents recirculation, such a recirculation surface 122 can further affect the airflow 130 so as to achieve a < - shaped, Z - shaped, S - shaped airflow path through the AMD housing 110 or otherwise provide it.

[0037] In the illustrated implementation, the recirculation surface 122.1 may be essential to the focus bearing surface 120.1 and may also be a focus bearing surface including a common focus with the focus bearing surface 120.1. Similarly, the recirculation surface 122.2 may be essential to the focus bearing surface 120.2 and may also be a focus bearing surface including a common focus with the focus bearing surface 120.2. When the recirculation surfaces 122.1 and 122.2 include foci, the foci of each corresponding recirculation surface 122.1 and 122.2 may be the same focus as one of any of the foci associated with the focus bearing surfaces 120.1 and 120.2. For example, the focus of the recirculation surface 122.1 may be the same as the focus of the focus bearing surface 120.2, and the focus of the recirculation surface 122.2 may be the same as the focus of the focus bearing surface 120.1, and so on.

[0038] In other implementations, the recirculation surface 122.1 and the recirculation surface 122.2 may each be a separate structure or a separate surface, such as a baffle associated with the focus bearing surface 120.1 or the focus bearing surface 120.2, a non-focus bearing surface, etc.

[0039] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary blower system 102 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The blower system 102 may further include a housing, a housing inlet 107, and a housing outlet 105. The housing inlet 107 and the housing outlet 105 may generally be holes in the housing. The blower system 102 can draw air from the housing inlet 107 (i.e., from the pull side of the blower system 102) and can push or discharge air from the housing outlet 105 (i.e., from the push side of the blower system 102). The illustrated blower system 102 includes a blower hub and a blade assembly component 101 including a hub 104 and blades 106.

[0040] The exemplary blower system 102 may have a plurality of blower hubs and blade assembly components 101. Different blower hubs and blade assembly components 101 may be blowers that rotate in opposite directions. For example, the blower hub and the blade assembly component 101.1 rotate around the axis 108 in the clockwise direction, and the blower hub and the blade assembly component 101.2 rotate around the axis 108 in the counterclockwise direction.

[0041] Figure 10 shows an exemplary acoustic noise attenuation structure arrangement associated with the focus bearing surface 120, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] The focus bearing surface 120 defines a focus 121. The focus bearing surface 120 reflects and concentrates noise 150 at the focus 121. To achieve noise reduction, the AMD housing 110 further includes one or more noise attenuation structures 140 located at the focus 121 to reduce, absorb, or attenuate the concentrated noise 150, or a combination thereof. In a particular implementation, the center of the noise attenuation structure 140 coincides with the focus 121. In a further particular implementation, the center of the noise attenuation structure 140 coincides with the axis 108 of rotation of the blower system 102.

[0043] Since the noise 150 is concentrated within the AMD housing 110 at the focus 121, a relatively small-sized noise attenuation structure 140 can effectively or properly reduce or attenuate the noise generated by the blower system 102. The relatively smaller-sized noise attenuation structure provides a relatively reduced airflow impedance that leads to a relatively increased airflow 130 through the AMD housing 110.

[0044] Figure 11 shows an exemplary method 200 for routing the airflow 130 and attenuating the acoustic noise 150, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. At block 202, the airflow 130 is emitted from the blower system 102 of the AMD 100. For example, the airflow 130 is induced from the inlet 112 through the AMD housing 110 by the blower system 102 that draws air from the housing inlet 107 from the pull side of the blower system 102 and by the blower system 102 that pushes air out from the housing outlet 105 from the push side of the blower system 102.

[0045] Method 200 may continue at block 204 by directing or impinging airflow 130 against focus bearing surface 120.1, thereby changing the direction or vector of airflow 130, and then discharging airflow 130 at outlet 114 of AMD housing 110.

[0046] Method 200 may continue at block 206 by generating noise 150 from blower system 102. For example, as a byproduct of moving air or generating airflow 130, AMD 100 also generates noise 150. Some of noise 150 is due to the pushed air exiting blower system 102, and some of noise 150 is generated from the new air being drawn into blower system 102 to replace it.

[0047] Method 200 may continue at block 208 by redirecting or reflecting noise 150 towards focus bearing surface 120.1 towards associated focus 121. Focus bearing surface 120.1 further reflects and concentrates noise 150 at focus 121.

[0048] Method 200 may continue at block 210 by absorbing or generally reducing noise 150 with noise attenuation structure 140 that is at least partially located at focus 121. Since noise 150 is concentrated at AMD housing 110, a relatively small sized noise attenuation structure 140 can effectively or suitably reduce or attenuate the noise generated by blower system 102. The relatively smaller sized noise attenuation structure provides a relatively reduced airflow impedance leading to a relatively increased airflow 130 through AMD housing 110. As such, embodiments can provide both relatively reduced AMD noise 150 and relatively increased airflow 130, either there or therefrom or both.

[0049] Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Alternative embodiments of the present invention may be devised without departing from the scope of the present invention. Various connections and positional relationships (e.g., above, below, adjacent, etc.) are specified between elements in the following description and in the drawings. These connections or positional relationships or both may be direct or indirect, and the present invention is not intended to be limited in this regard. Thus, a physical connection may refer to either a direct connection or an indirect connection, and the positional relationship between entities may be a direct or indirect positional relationship. Further, the various tasks and process steps described herein may be incorporated into more comprehensive procedures or processes having additional steps or functionality not detailed herein.

[0050] One or more of the methods described herein may be implemented in any or a combination of the following techniques, each well known in the art: discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing logical functions on data signals, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) having appropriate combinations of logic gates, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like.

[0051] For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to carrying out and using aspects of the present invention may or may not be detailed herein. Various aspects of computing systems and specific computer programs for implementing the various technical features described herein are well known. Thus, for the sake of brevity, details of many conventional implementations are simply described briefly herein, or are completely omitted without providing details of well-known systems or processes or both.

[0052] In some embodiments, various functions or activities may be performed at a given location or in connection with or in combination with the operation of one or more devices or systems. In some embodiments, a portion of a given function or activity may be performed at a first device or location, and the remaining function or activity may be performed at one or more additional devices or locations.

[0053] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes" and / or "including" as used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0054] All structural, material, activities, and equivalents of the functional elements added to all means or steps within the scope of the following claims are intended to include any structure, material, or activity for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the form disclosed. Numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others skilled in the art to understand the present disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0055] The figures described in this specification are examples. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, numerous variations to the figures or the steps (or actions) described in this specification may exist. For example, actions may be performed in a different order, or actions may be added, deleted, or modified. Also, the term "connected" describes having a signal path between two elements and does not imply a direct connection between elements without intervening elements / connections therebetween. All of these variations are considered to be part of the present disclosure.

[0056] The following definitions and abbreviations will be used for the interpretation of the claims and the specification. In this specification, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", "including", "have", "having", "contain" or "containing" or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a composition, mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises elements of a list is not necessarily limited to only those elements, and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition, mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0057] In addition, the term "exemplary" is used in this specification to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are understood to include any integer greater than or equal to one, i.e., one, two, three, four, etc. The term "plurality" is understood to include any integer greater than or equal to two, i.e., two, three, four, five, etc. The term "connected" may include both indirect "connection" and direct "connection".

[0058] The terms "about," "substantially," "approximately," and variations thereof are intended to include a degree of error in the measurement of a quantity based on the equipment available at the time of filing of this application. For example, "about" can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.

[0059] The present invention can be a system, method, or computer program product, or a combination thereof, in the integration of any possible level of technical detail. The computer program product can include one or more computer-readable storage media having computer-readable program instructions therein for causing a processor to implement aspects of the present invention.

[0060] A computer-readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can hold and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. A computer-readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of computer-readable storage media includes the following: portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVDs), memory sticks, floppy disks, punch cards, mechanically encoded devices such as ridges on a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer-readable storage medium as used herein should not be construed to be a transient signal per se, such as a radio wave or other freely propagating electromagnetic wave, an electromagnetic wave propagating through a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., an optical pulse passing through an optical fiber cable), or an electrical signal transmitted through a wire.

[0061] The computer-readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to respective computing / processing devices or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, or a wireless network, or a combination thereof. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, or edge servers, or a combination thereof. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network and transfers the computer-readable program instructions for storage on a computer-readable storage medium within each respective computing / processing device.

[0062] The computer-readable program instructions for carrying out the operations of the present invention may be source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuits, or object-oriented programming languages such as Smalltalk, C++, and procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, an electronic circuit configuration, including, for example, a programmable logic circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a programmable logic array (PLA), may execute the computer-readable program instructions by using the state information of the computer-readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuit configuration for implementing aspects of the present invention.

[0063] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

[0064] These computer-readable program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart, a block diagram, or both. The computer-readable storage medium having the instructions stored thereon comprises a product comprising instructions for implementing the aspects of the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart, a block diagram, or both. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, or other device, or combinations thereof, to function in a particular manner.

[0065] These computer-readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of a flowchart, a block diagram, or both.

[0066] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this context, each block in the flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions that include one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur in a different order than that noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. It should also be noted that each block of the block diagrams or flowchart illustrations, or combinations of blocks in the block diagrams or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or acts, or combinations of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0067] The description of the various embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or technical improvements found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A housing having an air inlet, an air outlet, and a downstream focus bearing surface, A blower system comprising a blower that rotates about an axis of rotation that generates noise when it acts on the airflow in a first direction with respect to the downstream focus bearing surface, wherein the downstream focus bearing surface redirects the airflow in a second direction toward the air outlet, the blower system; A first noise attenuation structure at the focus of the downstream focus bearing surface, wherein the downstream focus bearing surface redirects the noise and focuses it at the focus of the downstream focus bearing surface, and the first noise attenuation structure reduces the focused noise, the first noise attenuation structure; An air moving device comprising.

2. The air moving device according to claim 1, wherein the first noise attenuation structure includes a radially outward surface and is formed of a passive noise reduction material.

3. The air moving device according to claim 1, wherein the first noise attenuation structure is an active noise reduction device.

4. The air moving device according to claim 1, wherein the plane bisector of the air inlet is on the same surface as the plane bisector of the air outlet.

5. The air moving device according to claim 1, wherein the plane bisector of the air inlet is bent at an obtuse angle in relation to the plane bisector of the air outlet.

6. The air moving device according to claim 1, wherein the first noise attenuation structure is completely located in the low air pressure region of the airflow emitted from the blower system.

7. The air moving device according to claim 6, wherein the diameter of the first noise attenuation structure is less than the diameter of the hub of the blower.

8. The air moving device according to claim 2, wherein the center of the first noise attenuation structure coincides with the focus of the downstream focus bearing surface.

9. The air movement device according to claim 1, wherein the air flow outlet is located in a first x-axis dimension from the pull side of the blower system. **Claim 10** The air movement device according to claim 1, wherein the air flow inlet is located in a second x-axis dimension from the push side of the blower system. **Claim 11** The air movement device according to claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an upstream focus bearing surface and a second noise attenuation structure at the focus of the upstream focus bearing surface, the upstream focus bearing surface redirecting the noise and concentrating it at the focus of the upstream focus bearing surface, and the second noise attenuation structure reducing the concentrated noise. **Claim 12** The air movement device according to claim 11, wherein the first noise attenuation structure is a sphere of passive noise reduction material including a first diameter, and the second noise attenuation structure is a sphere of passive noise reduction material including a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. **Claim 13** The air movement device according to claim 11, wherein the center of the first noise attenuation structure and the center of the second noise attenuation structure coincide with the axis of rotation. **Claim 14** The air movement device according to claim 11, wherein the center of the second noise attenuation structure coincides with the focus of the upstream focus bearing surface. **Claim 15** The air movement device according to claim 11, wherein the downstream focus bearing surface is spherical. **Claim 16** The air movement device according to claim 15, wherein the upstream focus bearing surface is spherical. **Claim 17** Issuing an air flow in a first direction with respect to the downstream focus bearing surface using a blower system, Redirecting the air flow in a second direction toward the air flow outlet using the downstream focus bearing surface, Concentrating the noise emitted from the blower system at the focus of the downstream focus bearing surface using the downstream focus bearing surface, At the focus of the downstream focus bearing surface, reducing the concentrated noise using a first noise attenuation structure An air movement device method including this.

18. The air movement device method according to claim 17, wherein the first noise attenuation structure is completely located in the low air pressure region of the air flow emitted from the blower system.

19. The air movement device method according to claim 17, wherein the diameter of the first noise attenuation structure is less than the diameter of the hub of the blower.

20. Concentrating the noise emitted from the blower system at the focus of the upstream focus bearing surface using the upstream focus bearing surface; At the focus of the upstream focus bearing surface, reducing the concentrated noise using a second noise attenuation structure The air movement device method according to claim 17, further including this.

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