U.S. patent application number 12/855064 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-24 for fan apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIDEC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Harushige OSAWA, Hideyuki TAKEMOTO, Shinji TAKEMOTO, Tatsuya TATARA.
Application Number | 20110044799 12/855064 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43605512 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110044799 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKEMOTO; Shinji ; et
al. |
February 24, 2011 |
FAN APPARATUS
Abstract
A fan apparatus includes first axial fans each arranged with a
rotation axis thereof extending perpendicularly or substantially
perpendicularly to a mounting surface provided in a case designed
to contain an electronic device; and second axial fans each having
a rotation axis coinciding with the rotation axis of a separate one
of the first axial fans. The first axial fans are arranged to
rotate in a first rotation direction to introduce, send, or
discharge air into, inside, or out of the case, while the second
axial fans are arranged to rotate in a second rotation direction
opposite to the first rotation direction to cause a flow of air in
the same direction in which the first axial fans cause a flow of
air. Both of the first axial fans and the second axial fans either
share a common single-piece housing or have separate housings
joined together.
Inventors: |
TAKEMOTO; Shinji; (Kyoto,
JP) ; TAKEMOTO; Hideyuki; (Kyoto, JP) ; OSAWA;
Harushige; (Kyoto, JP) ; TATARA; Tatsuya;
(Kyoto, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIDEC CORPORATION;c/o KEATING & BENNETT, LLP
1800 Alexander Bell Drive, SUITE 200
Reston
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
NIDEC CORPORATION
Kyoto
JP
|
Family ID: |
43605512 |
Appl. No.: |
12/855064 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
415/143 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 25/0613 20130101;
H05K 7/20172 20130101; F04D 19/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
415/143 |
International
Class: |
F04D 29/00 20060101
F04D029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 18, 2009 |
JP |
2009-189523 |
Claims
1. A fan apparatus comprising: a plurality of first axial fans
arranged in a two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in
parallel to a mounting surface provided in a case designed to
contain an electronic device, each of the first axial fans having a
rotation axis that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular
to the mounting surface; and a plurality of second axial fans
arranged in a two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in
parallel to the mounting surface, each having a rotation axis
coinciding with the rotation axis of a separate one of the first
axial fans, and being arranged in contact or close proximity with
the separate one of the first axial fans; wherein the first axial
fans are arranged to rotate in a first rotation direction to
introduce air into the case, discharge air out of the case, or send
air inside the case, while the second axial fans are arranged to
rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first
rotation direction to cause a flow of air in a same direction in
which the first axial fans cause a flow of air; and the first axial
fans either share a common single-piece housing or have separate
housings joined together, and the second axial fans either share a
common single-piece housing or have separate housings joined
together.
2. The fan apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the array of the
first axial fans is arranged to be capable of being inserted into
and removed from the case in a direction parallel or substantially
parallel to the mounting surface, and the array of the second axial
fans is also arranged to be capable of being inserted into and
removed from the case in the same direction.
3. A fan apparatus comprising: a plurality of first axial fans
arranged in a two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in
parallel to a mounting surface provided in a case designed to
contain an electronic device, each of the first axial fans having a
rotation axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the
mounting surface; and a plurality of second axial fans arranged in
a two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in parallel to
the mounting surface, each having a rotation axis coinciding with
the rotation axis of a separate one of the first axial fans, and
being arranged in contact or close proximity with the separate one
of the first axial fans; wherein the first axial fans are arranged
to rotate in a first rotation direction to introduce air into the
case, discharge air out of the case, or send air inside the case,
while the second axial fans are arranged to rotate in a second
rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction to
cause a flow of air in a same direction in which the first axial
fans cause a flow of air; each of the second axial fans and the
separate one of the first axial fans arranged in contact or close
proximity with the second axial fan either share a common
single-piece housing or have separate housings joined together; and
a unified collection of the first and second axial fans is arranged
to be capable of being inserted into and removed from the case in a
direction parallel or substantially parallel to the mounting
surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a fan apparatus. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a fan apparatus that
is arranged to be attached to a case designed to contain an
electronic device.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A variety of conventional fan apparatuses including a
plurality of fans have been provided to be attached to cases
designed to contain electronic devices. JP-A 2008-140406, for
example, discloses a conventional rack-mounted system 10 including
fan/LAN tray slots 23. Each fan/LAN tray slot 23 is provided with
eight air blowers, as shown in FIG. 8 of JP-A 2008-140406.
[0005] JP-A 2008-251067 discloses another conventional fan
apparatus included in a power supply module 40 used for a disk
array apparatus, as shown in FIG. 14 of JP-A 2008-251067. In a fan
portion 42 of the power supply module 40, two fans 43 having the
same structure are arranged in tandem, one in front of the other,
along an axial direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] With improved performance and increased density of
electronic devices, cases designed to contain such electronic
devices are required to have improved ventilation efficiency.
Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide
a fan apparatus that enables air to be efficiently introduced into,
sent inside, or discharged out of such a case.
[0007] A fan apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention includes a plurality of first axial fans arranged
in a two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in parallel
to a mounting surface provided in a case designed to contain an
electronic device, each of the first axial fans having a rotation
axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the mounting
surface; and a plurality of second axial fans arranged in a
two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in parallel to
the mounting surface, each having a rotation axis coinciding with
the rotation axis of a separate one of the first axial fans, and
being arranged in contact or close proximity with the separate one
of the first axial fans. The first axial fans are preferably
arranged to rotate in a first rotation direction to introduce air
into the case, discharge air out of the case, or send air inside
the case, while the second axial fans are arranged to rotate in a
second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction
to cause a flow of air in a same direction in which the first axial
fans cause a flow of air. The first axial fans preferably either
share a common single-piece housing or have separate housings
joined together, and the second axial fans either share a common
single-piece housing or have separate housings joined together.
[0008] The fan apparatus according to preferred embodiments of the
present invention enables air to be efficiently introduced into,
sent inside, or discharged out of the case designed to contain the
electronic device.
[0009] Fan apparatuses according to preferred embodiments of the
present invention are usable as fan apparatuses to be attached to a
variety of cases designed to contain electronic devices.
[0010] The above and other elements, features, steps,
characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become
more apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of a rack-type electronic system
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the rack-type electronic
system.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first fan tray according to the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second fan tray according to the
first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example modification of the
first fan tray.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front view of a rack-type electronic system
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a right side view of the rack-type electronic
system according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a
contra-rotating fan according to the second preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Preferred Embodiment
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front view of a rack-type electronic system 1
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a right side view of the rack-type electronic system 1.
The rack-type electronic system 1 preferably includes a case 11,
electronic devices 12, power supply units 13, first fan trays 14,
and second fan trays 15.
[0020] The exterior of the case 11 is preferably rectangular
parallelepiped shaped, but could be any other desirable shape is so
desired. The case 11 contains the electronic devices 12, the power
supply units 13, the first fan trays 14, and the second fan trays
15. The electronic devices 12 in this preferred embodiment are
so-called blade servers, which are substantially plate-shaped, but
any other type of electrical device could be included without
departing from the present invention. The electronic devices 12 are
preferably arranged horizontally and in an upright orientation.
Preferably three arrays of the electronic devices 12 are provided
at different vertical levels. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the power
supply units 13 are arranged behind the arrays of the electronic
devices 12. Other components, such as a control device, a
communication device, and the like, are arranged near the power
supply units 13 as appropriate.
[0021] In this preferred embodiment, four pairs of the first and
second fan trays 14 and 15 are arranged above or below the arrays
of the electronic devices 12, but any other number of the first and
second fan trays 14 and 15 could be provided if so desired. Each
second fan tray 15 is placed above the paired first fan tray 14. In
other words, each pair of the first and second fan trays 14 and 15
defines an individual fan apparatus 10. Four of such fan
apparatuses 10 are arranged at different locations in the rack-type
electronic system 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the first
and second fan trays 14 and 15 is capable of being horizontally
inserted into and removed from the case 11 through a front of the
case 11.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first fan tray 14. A bottom
side of FIG. 3 corresponds to the front of the case 11. A total of
twelve first axial fans 2, three in a width direction and four in a
depth direction, are arranged on the first fan tray 14 is
preferably provided. Each first axial fan 2 includes a motor, an
impeller 21, and a housing 22. A rotation axis J2 of the first
axial fan 2 extends in a vertical direction. The motor is
preferably a direct current brushless motor, but any other
desirable type of motor could be used. The impeller 21 includes a
central cup portion 211 and a plurality of blades 212. The blades
212 are arranged to project radially outward from an outside
surface of the cup portion 211. The motor is placed inside the cup
portion 211. The housing 22 is arranged to surround an outer
circumference of the impeller 21. In FIG. 3, the impeller 21 is
preferably arranged to rotate counterclockwise as indicated by
arrow R2.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the second fan tray 15. A bottom
side of FIG. 4 corresponds to the front of the case 11. A total of
twelve second axial fans 3, three in the width direction and four
in the depth direction, are arranged on the second fan tray 15. The
second fan tray 15 is similar in structure to the first fan tray 14
except that the second axial fans 3 are arranged to rotate in an
opposite direction. That is, each second axial fan 3 includes a
motor, an impeller 31, and a housing 32. A rotation axis J3 of the
second axial fan 3 extends in the vertical direction. In FIG. 4,
the impeller 31 is arranged to rotate clockwise as indicated by
arrow R3. The impeller 31 includes a central cup portion 311 and a
plurality of blades 312.
[0024] In the case where a frame 141 of the first fan tray 14 is
regarded as a horizontal mounting surface for the first axial fans
2 provided in the case 11, the first axial fans 2 are arranged in a
two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in parallel to
the mounting surface, with the rotation axis J2 of each of the
first axial fans 2 extending perpendicularly or substantially
perpendicularly to the mounting surface. Similarly, in the case
where a frame 151 of the second fan tray 15 is regarded as a
horizontal mounting surface for the second axial fans 3 provided in
the case 11, the second axial fans 3 are arranged in a
two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in parallel to
the mounting surface, with the rotation axis J3 of each of the
second axial fans 3 extending perpendicularly or substantially
perpendicularly to the mounting surface. The first and second fan
trays 14 and 15 are placed one above the other such that the
rotation axes J2 of the first axial fans 2 and the rotation axes J3
of the second axial fans 3 coincide with each other. In addition,
the array of the first axial fans 2 and the array of the second
axial fans 3 are arranged in contact or close proximity with each
other along an axial direction.
[0025] A situation in which the array of the first axial fans and
the array of the second axial fans 3 are arranged in contact or
close proximity with each other means a situation in which a
rotational velocity component of an air flow from each axial fan on
an inlet side serves to increase efficiency of the associated axial
fan on an outlet side in sending out the air, and encompasses a
situation in which the fan trays placed one above the other have
been fitted into the case 11, with the result that the array of the
first axial fans 2 and the array of the second axial fans 3 are
spaced from each other. The array of the first axial fans 2 and the
array of the second axial fans 3 may be spaced from each other by a
greater distance so long as the aforementioned interaction
therebetween can still be achieved.
[0026] The housing 22 of each first axial fan 2 is attached to the
frame 141 of the first fan tray 14, so that the first axial fans 2
are, in essence, joined together horizontally. Similarly, the
housing 32 of each second axial fan 3 is attached to the frame 151,
so that the second axial fans 3 are, in essence, joined together
horizontally. As a result, as described above with reference to
FIG. 2, the array of the first axial fans 2 is capable of being
inserted into and removed from the case 11 in the direction
parallel or substantially parallel to the mounting surface.
Similarly, the array of the second axial fans 3 is capable of being
inserted into and removed from the case 11 in the direction
parallel or substantially parallel to the mounting surface.
[0027] Each first axial fan 2 is arranged to cause an upward flow
of air through the counterclockwise rotation of the impeller 21.
Each second axial fan 3 is arranged to cause the same upward flow
of air through the clockwise rotation of the impeller 31. The case
11 has openings on top and bottom portions thereof. The lowermost
fan apparatus 10 is arranged to introduce air into the case 11
through the bottom portion of the case 11. The second and third fan
apparatuses 10 from the bottom are arranged to send the air inside
the case 11 so that the air travels further upward. Finally, the
uppermost fan apparatus 10 is arranged to discharge the air out of
the case 11.
[0028] In the rack-type electronic system 1, the first axial fans 2
and the second axial fans 3, which are arranged to rotate in
mutually opposite directions with respect to one another, are
arranged along the axial direction to achieve an improvement in
static pressure-air volume characteristics of the fan apparatuses
10. This enables air to be efficiently introduced into, sent
inside, and discharged out of the case 11, which contains the
electronic devices arranged in a densely packed manner. Moreover,
it is possible to reduce a production cost of the fan apparatuses
10 through the similarity between the frame 141, which is a
component used to join the first axial fans 2 together, and the
frame 151, which is a component used to join the second axial fans
3 together.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example of a modification that
can be made to the first fan tray 14. In this modification of the
first fan tray 14, a single-piece housing 22a serves as a common
housing of all the first axial fans 2. In the other respects, this
modification of the first fan tray 14 is similar to the first fan
tray 14 illustrated in FIG. 3. Similarly, in a modification of the
second fan tray 15, a single-piece housing may be arranged to serve
as a common housing of all the second axial fans 3.
Second Preferred Embodiment
[0030] FIG. 6 is a front view of a rack-type electronic system la
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 7 is a right side view of the rack-type electronic
system 1a. The rack-type electronic system la includes the case 11,
the electronic devices 12, the power supply units 13, and fan trays
16. The rack-type electronic system la is similar to the rack-type
electronic system 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that each
fan tray 16 replaces a separate pair of the first and second fan
trays 14. That is, each fan tray 16 in the rack-type electronic
system 1a corresponds to a separate one of the fan apparatuses 10
illustrated in FIG. 1. In the other respects, the rack-type
electronic system 1a is similar to the rack-type electronic system
1, and in the following description, components that have their
counterparts in FIGS. 1 and 2 are assigned the same reference
numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0031] In each fan tray 16, a plurality of first axial fans 2 are
arranged to define a lower array, and a plurality of second axial
fans 3 are arranged to define an upper array. The manners of the
horizontal arrangement of the first axial fans 2 and of the second
axial fans 3 are similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,
respectively. In the fan tray 16, the housing 22 of each first
axial fan 2 and the housing 32 of the associated second axial fan 3
are joined together in the vertical direction to provide a
so-called contra-rotating fan 4.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
contra-rotating fan 4. The first axial fan 2 includes a motor 23,
the impeller 21, and the housing 22. Note that the relative
vertical positions of the impeller and the motor are reversed
compared to those in the first axial fan 2 illustrated in FIG. 3,
and that the impeller 21 is arranged below the motor 23. The second
axial fan 3 includes a motor 33, the impeller 31, and the housing
32. In FIG. 8, a mechanism to join the housings 23 and to each
other is omitted from illustration. The contra-rotating fan 4
includes a rib 24 arranged to support the motor in relation to the
housing 22, and a rib 34 arranged to support the motor 33 in
relation to the housing 32. The ribs 24 and 34 are arranged one
above the other and in contact or close proximity with each
other.
[0033] Also in the fan tray 16, the rotation axes J2 of the first
axial fans 2 and the rotation axes J3 of the second axial fans 3
are arranged to coincide with each other such that they are coaxial
or substantially coaxial. Each of the first axial fans 2 and the
associated one of the second axial fans 3 are arranged in contact
or close proximity with each other along the axial direction. The
impeller 21 of each first axial fan 2 is arranged to rotate
counterclockwise in plan view to cause an upward flow of air. The
impeller 31 of each second axial fan 3 is arranged to rotate
clockwise in plan view to cause the same upward flow of air.
[0034] In the case where a frame 161 of each fan tray 16 is
regarded as a horizontal mounting surface for the first axial fans
2 provided in the case 11, the first axial fans 2 are arranged in a
two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially parallel to the
mounting surface, with the rotation axis J2 of each of the first
axial fans 2 extending perpendicularly or substantially
perpendicularly to the mounting surface. The second axial fans 3
are also arranged in a two-dimensional array in parallel or
substantially parallel to the mounting surface, with the rotation
axis J3 of each of the second axial fans 3 extending
perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the mounting
surface.
[0035] The assembly of each of the first axial fans 2 and the
associated one of the second axial fans 3 is attached to the frame
161, so that the assemblies of the first axial fans 2 and their
respective associated second axial fans 3 are, in essence, joined
together horizontally, resulting in a unified collection of the
first and second axial fans 2 and 3 as illustrated in FIG. 7. The
unified collection is capable of being inserted into and removed
from the case 11 in the direction parallel or substantially
parallel to the mounting surface.
[0036] In the rack-type electronic system la, the lowermost fan
tray 16 is arranged to introduce air into the case 11 through the
bottom portion of the case 11. The second and third fan trays 16
from the bottom are arranged to send the air inside the case 11 so
that the air travels further upward. Finally, the uppermost fan
tray 16 is arranged to discharge the air out of the case 11.
[0037] The rack-type electronic system la is also so constructed as
to enable air to be efficiently introduced into, sent inside, and
discharged out of the case 11, which contains the electronic
devices arranged densely. Moreover, because each contra-rotating
fan 4 defines a unit in each fan tray 16, it is possible to reduce
a production cost of the fan trays 16.
Other Preferred Embodiments
[0038] Note that the present invention is not limited to the
above-described preferred embodiments, and that variations and
modifications are possible. For example, in a modification of the
fan tray 16 according to the second preferred embodiment, a
single-piece housing may be arranged to replace the two housings
and 32. Also, in modifications of the first and second preferred
embodiments, the joining of the housings in directions
perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axial direction
may be accomplished directly through the housings themselves,
instead of through the frame of the fan tray.
[0039] In modifications of the first and second preferred
embodiments, the relative vertical positions of the motor and the
impeller in each of the first and second axial fans 2 and 3 may be
varied as appropriate. Furthermore, the joining of the housings in
the directions perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the
axial direction may be accomplished through an additional joining
member provided on sides of the housings, for example.
[0040] The mounting surfaces to which the first or second axial
fans 2 or 3 are attached may be provided not only inside the case
11 but also on an outer surface of the case 11, in other preferred
embodiments. Furthermore, the mounting surfaces may not necessarily
be arranged horizontally, but may be arranged, for example,
vertically in other preferred embodiments. Furthermore, the first
and second axial fans 2 and 3 may be indirectly attached to the
mounting surfaces therefor in the case 11 in other preferred
embodiments. Furthermore, fan apparatuses according to other
preferred embodiments may be used to perform only one of the steps
of the introduction of air into the case, the discharge of air out
of the case, and the sending of air inside the case. In other
preferred embodiments, the case may contain any of a variety of
electronic devices, and also a portion of any of the electronic
devices may define a portion of the case. The electronic devices
contained in the case may be personal computers, disk drive
apparatuses, or the like in other preferred embodiments. That is,
fan apparatuses according to other preferred embodiments of the
present invention may not necessarily be of a tray type.
Furthermore, the electronic devices contained in the case may
include an electronic device, e.g., a power supply or a light
source, which defines a portion of an electronic device system in
other preferred embodiments of the present invention.
[0041] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described above, it is to be understood that variations and
modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without
departing the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope
of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by
the following claims.
* * * * *