Utilizing an altitude sensor to control fan speed
a technology of altitude sensor and fan speed, which is applied in the direction of machines/engines, marine propulsion, vessel construction, etc., can solve the problems of prone to errors, inability to optimize the solution for systems operating at sea level, and inability to operate within the thermal design margin of electronic devices
Inactive Publication Date: 2005-01-27
HEWLETT PACKARD DEV CO LP
View PDF8 Cites 26 Cited by
- Summary
- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The patent describes a device that uses a DC cooling fan to control the temperature of a heat-generating device. The speed of the fan can be adjusted based on the input voltage, and the device can determine the speed needed for cooling based on the altitude. This allows for efficient cooling of the device while maintaining its operating range. The invention provides a technical solution for controlling the temperature of heat-generating devices in a precise and efficient manner.
Problems solved by technology
This fact presents a problem for designers looking to characterize system requirements, since a given configuration that works well at sea level, may be sufficiently degraded in cooling capacity at higher altitudes such that some electronic devices may no longer be operating within their thermal design margins.
However, this solution is not optimum for systems operating at sea level, since the same system could operate at a higher frequency at sea level due to the improved air-cooling present at sea level.
While it is certainly possible to require users to input altitude information upon first use of a system, this approach is prone to errors.
Method used
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View moreImage
Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Smart ImageViewing Examples
Examples
Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test
Embodiment Construction
[0011]FIG. 1 is a view of a DC fan and converter according to the present invention. In an example embodiment of the present invention a DC fan 100 including fan blades 104, a motor 102, and an electrical port 108 is provided to cool a heat-generating device. Optionally, the DC fan 100 may have the ability to output its rotational speed from the fan 100 itself without any additional devices. Alternatively a speed sensor 106, such as an opto-electronic device that counts fan blades 104 may be used for DC fans 100 without the ability to output their rotational speed. Also optionally, the speed data from the fan 110, or the speed data from the speed sensor 112 is then input to a converter 114. The converter 114 also receives an altitude input 118 from the user or another source. Note that within the scope of the present invention this altitude may come from a wide variety of sources. The converter 114 is programmed using data obtained by characterizing the thermal margin of a heat-gene...
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More PUM
Login to View More Abstract
A heat-generating device is characterized to determine the relationship between the speed of a DC cooling fan, and the thermal margin of the heat-generating device. Since the speed of DC fans is substantially linear with respect to their input voltage, the speed of the fan may be adjusted within a system to provide the speed necessary for cooling needs. An altitude is input to a converter which uses the characterization of the heat-generating device to determine a fan speed necessary at that altitude to cool the heat-generating device to a temperature within its operating range. The converter then controls the voltage supplied to the DC fan to result in the needed fan speed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to application Ser. No. ______ entitled, “Technique for Sensing Altitude from Fan Speed,” filed on or about the same date as the present application, and hereby incorporated herein by reference. Application Ser. No. ______ discloses and claims a technique utilizing the altitude calculated from the fan speed in a method to set a fan speed sufficient to allow for proper processor thermal margin.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of cooling technologies and more specifically to the field of cooling technologies within a device enclosure where cooling efficiency is related to fan speed and altitude. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] As altitude above sea level increases, atmospheric density decreases. This decrease in atmospheric density is responsible for a reduction in cooling capacity of a fan running at a given speed. Since there is less air at higher altitudes...
Claims
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More Application Information
Patent Timeline
Login to View More Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F04D27/02F04D27/00H02P7/06H05K7/20
CPCF04D27/002
Inventor DELANO, ANDREW D.SMITH, ROBERT B.
Owner HEWLETT PACKARD DEV CO LP