Patent ID: 6247898
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: F04D,G06F,H04L,H05K,Y02B,Y02D

Abstract:
A cooling system for a computer comprising:a plurality of fans adapted to provide forced air cooling of a computer wherein each of the plurality of fans operate at a speed that is related to the voltage that is applied to the fans;a voltage source that provides a first voltage;at least one voltage divider connected to the voltage source and the plurality of fans so as to be interposed between the plurality of fans and the voltage source;at least one switch connected to the voltage source and to the plurality of fans so as to be interposed between the plurality of fans and the voltage source, so that when the switch is in a first position, the plurality of fans receive a first input voltage and operate at a normal speed and so that when the switch is in a second position the plurality of fans receive a second input voltage and operate at a higher speed of operation which is more than the normal speed of operation;a speed monitoring system which provides an indication of the speed of operation of the plurality of fans; anda controller that receives signals from the speed monitoring system and ascertains if at least one of the plurality of fans are operating at an undesired speed of operation and, upon ascertaining that at least one of the plurality of fans are operating at an undesired speed of operation, induces the switch to move to the second position so that at least one of the remaining fans in the plurality of fans operate at the higher speed of operation.