Patent ID: 9641659
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: E04H,G06F,G08B,H04M,H04W

Claim:
1. An Access Node for a communication system, comprising: a column shaped housing having a chassis, a rear panel and a door; at least one of a network switch or an application server mounted to the chassis within the column shaped housing, the at least one of the network switch or the application server being operable to communicate with remotely located call stations; a power module mounted to the chassis within the column shaped housing, the power module being connected to external power and being operable to provide power to the at least one of the network switch or the application server; a battery back-up power supply mounted to the chassis within the column, the battery back-up power supply being operable to provide power to the at least one of the network switch or the application server in the event of failure of the external power; a fan controller and a fan mounted to the chassis within the column, the fan controller being operable to drive the fan; the chassis and rear panel and door forming a closed interior space and defining air flow channels within the closed interior space, a first air flow channel extending over the at least one of the network switch or the application server and the power module and a second air flow channel extending along the rear panel, the first and second air flow channels being substantially parallel with one another; and the fan being driven to move air in a circulating air flow within the closed interior space such that air flow driven by the fan causes air circulation in a first direction over the at least one of the network switch or the application server and the power module and in a second direction along the rear panel so that heat in the circulating air may dissipate at the rear panel.