Apparatus to predict fan wear-out and impending failure and method of manufacturing the same
View Patent ↗An apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure and a method of manufacturing the same. One embodiment provides for (1) a lookup table containing expected fan speeds at given duty cycles; and (2) a processor for comparing a measured fan speed at a given duty cycle with an expected fan speed at the given duty cycle, the processor generating a predicted fan wear-out and impending failure.
1. An apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure, comprising:
a lookup table of expected fan speeds at given duty cycles, wherein said duty cycles refer to a proportion of time during which said fan is to be operated; and
a processor for comparing a measured fan speed at a given duty cycle with an expected fan speed at said given duty cycle, said processor predicting fan wear-out and impending failure based on such comparison.
2. An apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure as recited in claim 1 wherein said measured fan speed is provided by a fan tachometer.
3. An apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure as recited in claim 1 wherein said lookup table is included in a fan control algorithm.
4. An apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure as recited in claim 1 further including a fan wear-out alarm.
5. An apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure as recited in claim 4 wherein said fan wear-out alarm indicates said fan is approaching end of life conditions.
6. An apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure as recited in claim 4 wherein said fan wear-out alarm is selected from the group consisting of:
an alarm bit;
an audible alarm signal; and
a visual alarm signal.
7. An apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure as recited in claim 4 wherein said fan wear-out alarm is configured to provide either an immediate or a delayed alarm signal.
8. An electronic device, comprising:
an electronic power circuit; and
a fan associated with said electronic power circuit, said fan including an apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure, said apparatus including:
a lookup table of expected fan speeds at given duty cycles, wherein said duty cycles refer to a proportion of time during which said fan is to be operated; and
a processor for comparing a measured fan speed at a given duty cycle with an expected fan speed at said given duty cycle, said processor predicting fan wear-out and impending failure based on such comparison.
9. An electronic device as recited in claim 8 wherein said measured fan speed is provided by a fan tachometer.
10. An electronic device as recited in claim 8 wherein said lookup table is included in a fan control algorithm.
11. An electronic device as recited in claim 8 further including a fan wear-out alarm.
12. An electronic device as recited in claim 11 wherein said fan wear-out alarm indicates said fan is approaching end of life conditions.
13. An electronic device as recited in claim 11 wherein said fan wear-out alarm is selected from the group consisting of:
an alarm bit;
an audible alarm signal; and
a visual alarm signal.
14. An electronic device as recited in claim 11 wherein said fan wear-out alarm can be configured to provide either an immediate or a delayed alarm signal.
15. A method for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure, comprising:
providing, by a processor, a lookup table of expected fan speeds at given duty cycles, wherein
said duty cycles refer to a proportion of time during which said fan is to be operated; and
comparing, by said processor, a measured fan speed at a given duty cycle with an expected fan speed at said given duty cycle, said processor predicting fan wear-out and impending failure based on such comparison.
16. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein said measured fan speed is provided by a fan tachometer.
17. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein said lookup table is included in a fan control algorithm.
18. A method as recited in claim 15 further including a fan wear-out alarm.
19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said fan wear-out alarm indicates said fan is approaching end of life conditions.
20. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said fan wear-out alarm is selected from the group consisting of:
an alarm bit;
an audible alarm signal; and
a visual alarm signal.