Patent ID: 6134104
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A portable computer comprising:a base housing having first and second adjacent exterior wall portions with first and second air flow openings respectively extending therethrough;a display screen housing secured to said base housing for movement relative thereto between open and closed positions;a first drive unit;a second drive unit;a third drive unit;an AC/DC electrical power converter structure;a circuit board;a processor mounted on said circuit board;mounting structure operatively mounting said first second and third drive units, said AC/DC electrical power converter structure and said circuit board within said base housing, with said processor and said AC/DC electrical power converter structure being adjacent one another and said first and second adjacent exterior wall portions within the interior of said base housing,said AC/DC electrical power converter structure, said circuit board, said processor, and said first and second adjacent exterior wall portions partially bounding a substantially walled-off plenum area extending inwardly from said first and second air flow openings through only a relatively small interior portion of said base housing; anda cooling system operative to create a localized flow of cooling air which sequentially (1) flows into said plenum area through said first air flow opening, (2) flows through said plenum area in a manner contacting and cooling each of said AC/DC electrical power converter structure and said processor, and (3) flows outwardly from said plenum area through said second air flow opening.