IP Library Granted Patent US 7,436,662
Granted Patent B2
US 7,436,662 · App. 11/184,194 · Granted Oct 14, 2008

Hot swappable cooling fan system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,436,662
App. No.
11/184,194
Granted
Oct 14, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computer system includes a housing having a base and a door positioned opposite the base and a cooling system. The cooling system includes a support rack that is connected to the base and a first cooling fan that is removably attached to the support rack with a plurality of mounting systems. The mounting systems each include a mount that extends away from the cooling fan in a direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the cooling fan and/or the mount extends in a direction substantially parallel to an area, proximate the first cooling fan, of the door. The support rack is configured to position the first cooling fan away from the housing.

Claims (42)

1. A cooling fan system for a computer system, comprising

a first cooling fan;

a support rack; and

a plurality of mounting systems for removably attaching the first cooling fan to the support rack, wherein the support rack is configured to position the first cooling fan away from a housing of the computer system, wherein

each of the plurality of mounting systems includes a mount extending from the first cooling fan and a mounting slot within the support rack, and the mounting slot is adapted to receive the mount, and

an opening of the mounting slot is positioned on an outside periphery of the support rack.

2. The cooling fan system according to claim 1 , wherein the mount extends away from the first cooling fan in a direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the cooling fan.

3. The cooling fan system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second cooling fan adjacent the first cooling fan, and

cable slot positioned within the support rack substantially in a middle position of the adjacent cooling fans.

4. The cooling fan system according to claim 1 , wherein the support rack has an inner dimension greater than an outer dimension of the first cooling fan along a direction of movement of the cooling fan towards the opening of the mounting slot.

5. A computer system, comprising:

a housing having a base and a door positioned opposite the base;

a support rack connected to the base;

a first cooling fan; and

a plurality of mounting systems for removably attaching the first cooling fan to the support rack, wherein

the plurality of mounting systems each include a mount extending in a direction substantially parallel to a plane defined by an area, proximate the first cooling fan, of the door, wherein

each of the plurality of mounting systems includes a mounting slot within the support rack, and the mounting slot is adapted to receive the mount, and

an opening of the mounting slot is positioned on an outside periphery of the support rack.

6. The cooling fan system according to claim 5 , wherein the opening of the mounting slot is positioned proximate the door.

7. The cooling fan system according to claim 5 , further comprising:

a second cooling fan adjacent the first cooling fan, and

the mounts of the plurality of mounting systems of the first cooling fan extending in a direction substantially parallel to an area defined by the second cooling fan and proximate the first cooling fan.

8. The cooling fan system according to claim 7 , further comprising:

a cable slot positioned within the support rack substantially in a middle position of the adjacent cooling fans.

9. The cooling fan system according to claim 5 , wherein the first cooling fan positioned away from the housing.

10. The cooling fan system according to claim 5 , wherein the support rack has an inner dimension greater than an outer dimension of the first cooling fan along a direction of movement of the cooling fan towards the door.

11. A computer system, comprising:

a housing having a base and a door positioned opposite the base;

a support rack connected to the base;

a first cooling fan; and

a plurality of mounting systems for removably attaching the first cooling fan to the support rack, wherein

the plurality of mounting systems each include a mount extending away from the cooling fan in a direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the cooling fan, wherein

each of the plurality of mounting systems includes a mounting slot within the support rack, and the mounting slot is adapted to receive the mount, and

an opening of the mounting slot is positioned on an outside periphery of the support rack.

12. The cooling fan system according to claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of mounting systems includes a mounting slot within the support rack, and the mounting slot is adapted to receive the mount.

13. The cooling fan system according to claim 11 , wherein the opening of the mounting slot is positioned proximate the door.

14. The cooling fan system according to claim 11 , wherein the support rack has an inner dimension greater than an outer dimension of the first cooling fan along a direction of movement of the cooling fan towards the door.

15. The cooling fan system according to claim 11 , further comprising:

a second cooling fan adjacent the first cooling fan, and

a cable slot positioned within the support rack substantially in a middle position of the adjacent cooling fans.

16. The cooling fan system according to claim 11 , wherein the first cooling fan positioned away from the housing.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: LENOVO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 034194/0280 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 24, 2005
From: GUNDLACH, JOHN G.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016663/0160 →