Ion Emitter Blower Cooling for Silent Information Handling Systems

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cooling systems in information handling systems, such as fans, generate noise that interferes with system usage, especially when operating at high speeds due to increased heat generation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an ion emitter/collector blower cooling system, which uses ionization to create airflow for cooling, reducing the need for traditional fans and minimizing noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional fans are used for cooling, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but noise levels increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidnoise levels

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical fan system with an electrostatic ion emitter/collector system. The ion emitter generates charged ions that are attracted to collector electrodes, creating an electrostatic force that drives airflow without mechanical moving parts. This substitution eliminates the noise generated by fan blades while maintaining cooling effectiveness through electrostatically-driven air movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses electrostatic fields to generate and control airflow. The ion emitter creates charged particles that move through the air toward collector electrodes, and this ion movement generates a drag force that drives bulk airflow. This pneumatic approach using electrostatic forces replaces mechanical fan-driven airflow, achieving silent operation while maintaining cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If fan speed is increased to handle increased heat generation, then cooling capacity is improved, but noise interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidnoise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical fan system with an electrostatic ion emitter/collector system. The ion emitter generates charged ions that are attracted to collector electrodes, creating an electrostatic force that drives airflow without mechanical moving parts. This substitution eliminates the noise generated by fan blades while maintaining cooling effectiveness through electrostatically-driven air movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters from mechanical rotation speed to electrostatic field strength. By adjusting the voltage applied to the ion emitter and collector electrodes, the system can control airflow intensity without the noise associated with increasing mechanical fan speed. The electrostatic parameters can be modulated to match cooling demands while maintaining silent operation across all capacity levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If traditional fan cooling is used, then cooling function is provided, but system noise interferes with usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling functionVSAvoidsystem noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical fan system with an electrostatic ion emitter/collector system. The ion emitter generates charged ions that are attracted to collector electrodes, creating an electrostatic force that drives airflow without mechanical moving parts. This substitution eliminates the noise generated by fan blades while maintaining cooling effectiveness through electrostatically-driven air movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The ion emitter/collector blower cooling system effectively cools information handling systems with reduced noise levels, achieving silent operation during normal temperature conditions and providing a backup cooling mechanism through fan activation when temperatures rise.

Implementation Method 1

causing the charged ions to be repelled from the ion emitter to create an airflow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

an ion collector configured to attract the ionized gases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS20250165048A1Method and apparatus for a silent blower in an information handling system

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system includes a processor, a memory device, and a PMU to provide power to the processor and memory device. The information handling system further includes an ion emitter/collector blower cooling system including an ion emitter including an inner ring of vertically arranged ion emitter blades and an ion collector including an outer ring of vertically arranged ion collector blades. The cooling system includes an ionic driving circuit operatively coupled to the ion emitter to couple a first voltage to the ion collector blades to ionize gases at the ion emitter to create charged ions and the ionic driving circuit operatively coupled to the ion collector to apply a second voltage to attract the charged ions from the ion emitter to create an airflow, the airflow passing through the outer ring and out of an external opening of an ion emitter/collector housing of the ion emitter/collector blower cooling system.