Apparatus for dynamic positioning of a fan to reduce noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
The noise generated by multiple computer fans in data centers and offices becomes a significant issue due to their operational nature, which can lead to increased ambient noise levels, potentially causing hearing damage and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a computer enclosure with a first and second fan, a fan controller, and an input from a microphone to adjust the axial position or speed of the fans to reduce noise levels, utilizing an actuator and extendable duct to achieve destructive interference and minimize sound pressure at specified locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fan speed is increased to remove more heat, then cooling performance is improved, but noise level increases and may damage hearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful noise generated by fans into a beneficial effect by using active noise cancellation technology. Microphones detect the noise from fans, and speakers generate anti-phase sound waves that cancel the original noise through destructive interference, thereby reducing the harmful noise while maintaining high fan speeds for effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components (microphones and speakers) between the noise source (fans) and the environment. The microphones act as sensors to detect fan noise, and the speakers act as actuators to generate canceling sound waves, creating a mediation system that reduces noise without affecting fan performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fan speed is reduced to lower noise, then noise level is decreased, but cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows fans to operate at high speeds for optimal cooling while converting the resulting noise into a beneficial cancellation effect. The noise that would normally be harmful is instead used as the target for active noise cancellation, enabling the system to maintain cooling performance without sacrificing to noise reduction
3Temperature
If multiple fans are used to increase cooling capacity, then cooling performance is improved, but noise level increases and becomes difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple noise sources (multiple fans) into a single manageable noise profile by detecting the aggregate noise from all fans using microphones. The system then generates a unified anti-phase sound wave that cancels the combined noise from multiple fans, effectively managing the total noise output while maintaining the cooling capacity provided by multiple fans
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the noise output from multiple fans using microphones and dynamically adjusting the anti-phase sound waves generated by speakers. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time noise cancellation that adapts to changing fan speeds and noise characteristics, effectively managing noise from multiple fans
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces noise levels by positioning or adjusting the speed of fans to create destructive interference, resulting in a noticeable decrease in sound pressure, often achieving a 3 to 6 decibel reduction, thereby improving user comfort and reducing noise-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
position the first fan to reduce the noise indicated by the signal from the microphone with the first and second fans in operation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a computer enclosure with a first fan, a second fan, a fan controller, and an input for receiving a signal from a microphone indicating an amount of noise at a target location. The apparatus further includes a first actuator coupled to the first fan for adjusting an axial position of the first fan, wherein the controller controls the operation of the first actuator to position the first fan to reduce the noise indicated by the signal from the microphone with the first and second fans in operation. The microphone senses sound pressure and the controller automatically adjusts a position of one or more fans using an actuator to change the distance from the fan to the microphone, which may be co-located with a user, to provide destructive interference at the location of the microphone.