Controlling thermal, acoustic, and/or electromagnetic properties of a computing device
View Patent ↗A computing device includes a housing with various electrical and/or mechanical components included therein. Disposed within the housing is a processor assembly that includes a fan. The fan is configured to draw air into the interior of the housing and force air heated by the internal components of the computing device from the interior of the housing. The fan has a diameter that is larger than the smallest dimension of the three orthogonal dimensions of the housing of the computing device and generates low levels of acoustic noise having a low frequency. Additionally, the processor assembly includes a support structure that supports the fan and reduces the effects of electromagnetic emissions generated by a processor of the processor assembly upon electrical devices adjacent to the computing device.
1. A computing device comprising:
a housing adapted to receive at least one processor, wherein said housing further comprises a baffle that is configured to direct air flowing from a fan mounted within the housing, and wherein said baffle comprises at least one aperture for allowing air to flow from said fan;
said fan having means for cooling the at least one processor; and
a support structure for mounting said fan within said housing and for limiting electromagnetic interference caused by said at least one processor.
2. A computing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fan has an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a height of the housing.
3. A computing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said housing is adapted to receive at least one of a power supply assembly, a hard drive assembly, and a mother board assembly.
4. A computing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a cover and a carriage, both said cover and said carriage comprises a plurality of vents.
5. A computing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said fan is a fan selected from the group consisting of a ball bearing fan, a sleeve bearing fan, and a oil bearing fan.
6. A computing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said fan is a variable speed fan.
7. A computing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein support structure is configured to suppress electromagnetic energy generated by a processor.
8. A computing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of holes that are each configured to allow air to flow therethrough.
9. A computing device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising at least one dampening member disposed between said fan and said support structure, said at least one dampening member acoustically dampening said fan from said housing.
10. A computing device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a plurality of vents, at least one of said plurality of vents being disposed in at least one of a back portion, a front portion, a side portion, and a top portion of said housing.