Bi-directional Blowers for Cooling Laptop Computers

Abstract

Bi-directional Blowers capable of sucking-in ambient air and blowing-out hot air from system box simultaneously are invented to cool computer or electronic systems. The application to cooling laptop computers is disclosed in very details. The bi-directional blowers are comprised of a DC or AC motor, a rotary part of blades and / or impellers, an optional cover, and a housing frame with built-in broken walls, stationary blades and airfoils, which control the flow volume and direction. The separate zone to divide the blow-out and suck-in channels is constructed using the broken walls with conjunction of the blades and / or impellers. The rotary part is the radial blades, or a combination of blades and impellers. Two types of bi-directional blowers are explored: the pressure type and hybrid type. A one-way blower of pressure type utilizes the same principle of the bi-directional blowers such that the inlet and outlet can be located on sides of the blower. With the advantages of the invention, the air gap between laptop bottom and top surface of the desk can be eliminated for better heat conduction through lower side because the desk can be used as a natural heat sink.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to the field of thermal management for computer and electronics systems and more specifically to bi-directional blowers for cooling laptop computers. [0002] Fans and blowers are the essential components in the active air cooling for computer and electronics systems, as the power is increasing dramatically. To extend air cooling limit and make more efficient air cooling, duct cooling must be utilized. Because the heat density in a system is different in various zones, the ideal approach is to remove heat from hot region to outside of system box immediately through duct. However, it is a real challenge to make it happen because of the compact design with many different components such as CPU, PCI components, graphics and network processors, memory and other components. [0003] Axial fans are normally used in desktop, server systems because axial fans are the most efficient way to move air in same direction, but blowers...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The special object of the invention is that a pressure-type bi-directional blower can enhance heat dissipation for a laptop because the cool (room temperature) air is sucked into the box as well as the hot air is blown out because intakes or outlets are designed on the sides. Thus the air gap between laptop bottom and desk top can be eliminated so that the table can be served as a natural heat sink.

[0009] A very valuable object of the invention is that various rotary blades are explored, for example, a combination of blades and impeller which makes the bi-directional functions more efficiently.

Problems solved by technology

However, it is a real challenge to make it happen because of the compact design with many different components such as CPU, PCI components, graphics and network processors, memory and other components.

Axial fans are normally used in desktop, server systems because axial fans are the most efficient way to move air in same direction, but blowers are commonly used for laptop cooling because of the space limitation.

A same size centrifugal blower is not as efficient as an axial fan because of these reasons: 1) the intake size is much smaller; 2) the air mass moves out of the blades driven by centrifugal force due to the high rotational speed of the blades or impellers; 3) most of the air mass will have to go through the circular tunnel before it escapes through outlet; 4) and further, the air is dragged by the tunnel walls during circular movement.

Overheating is a common problem for high power laptop, although blowers have had to be used for laptop cooling due to space limitation.

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