Pivotable fan assembly and associated systems

A pivotable fan assembly includes a mounting frame, a panel, and a bracket. The panel can be coupled to the mounting frame at a first edge. The panel can pivot about the mounting frame between a first position and an angularly displaced second position. At least one fan assembly can be coupled to the bracket, which extends distally from the panel with a first pair of adjacent sides of the fan assembly bounded by the panel and the bracket and a second pair of adjacent sides of the fan assembly unbounded and exposed. When attached to a chassis cover, the panel can pivot to expose the fan assembly for tool-less replacement.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to fans, and more particularly to fan assemblies.

Background Art

The processing power of integrated circuits and microprocessors is continually increasing. At the same time, the physical size of these devices is decreasing. Year after year, manufacturers produce smaller processors and integrated circuits that offer more computational power. While these technological advances yield smaller devices with more computational capabilities, there are tradeoffs that must be considered. A primary tradeoff is the fact that these smaller devices produce large amounts of heat, which must be removed for the devices to operate properly. This issue of excess heat generation is exacerbated when large numbers if integrated circuits and processors are densely populated in computer and server housings.

Illustrating by example, in server systems and other advanced computing platforms, large numbers of processors, memory devices, drivers, and other circuit components may be populated on printed circuit boards disposed within a chassis. When these components are all working simultaneously, they generate tremendous amounts of heat. This heat must be removed from the chassis to prevent the circuit components from overheating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. It is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating the fan assemblies, tool-less removal devices, and chassis configurations described below with minimal experimentation.

As noted above, in advanced computing systems, large amounts of heat must be reliably removed from the housing or chassis of a computational device to keep the temperature-sensitive electronic circuits inside operating properly. The traditional method for removing heat is to place one or more fans along the vertical sidewalls of the chassis. These fans are bolted in place along the sidewalls to hold them in place. They are then powered by electronic busses disposed within the chassis.

While in this traditional configuration of bolting fans to the sidewalls, or alternatively bolting the fans to the bottom wall, fans can be functionally effective in removing heat, it is not without certain problems. Many of these computers systems are continually powered. Consequently, the fans attached to the chassis must run constantly. It is known, however, that fans periodically degrade and fail, and therefore must be replaced. In conventional systems, this requires powering down the electronic components in the chassis (and quite frequently the entire computational system those components support), removing the chassis from the system, at least partially disassembling the chassis with specialized tools to remove the fan. A technician must then replace the fan and re-assembling the chassis with the specialized tools. Only then can the electronic components and system be brought back on-line. These steps are labor intensive and time consuming to say the least, each of which results in additional cost for the system manufacturer.

A second problem associated with conventional systems is the fact that placement of fans along the vertical sides of a chassis consumes valuable chassis real estate that could be used for other things. For example, a chassis manufacturer may desire to place input or output connections or devices along the sides of a chassis, or alternatively diagnostic tools, gauges, and instruments. Other chassis manufacturers may wish to apply stylistic or other aesthetically pleasing ornamentation on the sides of the chassis to differentiate their products in the marketplace. An engineer's requirement that six fans be disposed along the front face of the chassis to keep the system reliably operational disrupts each of these goals.

Some prior art attempts to satisfy the placement of fans other than on the sides has included placing fans in the middle of the chassis. This has been done because modular slots are located in the front where electronic modules are loaded, and rear sides include several input/output connectors. When fans are permanently placed in this location, serviceability represents a problem due to the number of operations, time, and skilled resources consumed for fan replacement. Some other prior art solutions to facilitate fan replacement are focused on fans disposed at the front end or rear end of the product, instead of at the middle of the chassis.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution to the issues provides above. Embodiments of the disclosure provide a pivotable fan assembly that can be disposed not on the sides of a chassis, but along a top cover or a bottom cover of the chassis interior to the sides of the chassis. This interior location means that the fans can be removed from the sidewalls of the chassis, thereby freeing room for diagnostic devices, input and output devices, or stylized or other aesthetically pleasing ornamentation.

Additionally, embodiments of the disclosure provide a pivotable fan assembly that allows for the tool-less removal of fans via a simple “snap out and snap in” process. Advantageously, a technician can replace a fan very quickly using only their fingers. In one or more embodiments, this quick swap of the fan can occur while the components within the chassis are running, thereby allowing the technician to perform a “hot swap” on the fan without the need for any complex tools.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments where the fans are disposed interior to the upper or lower cover, i.e., with portions of the upper or lower cover surrounding the pivotable fan assembly to which the fans are attached, the technicians can replace the fans without having to alter connections to the sides of the chassis in any way. Where, for example, a front panel includes bus connections, input and output connectors, and so forth, none of these connections need to be manipulated or altered when changing fans configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The technician simply pivots a panel from a closed position to a radially displaced open position, snaps out a fan with their fingers only, snaps another fan in, and closes the panel. The tool-less fan swap is fast and convenient, and results in less down time and reduced cost for the system provider.

In one embodiment, a pivotable fan assembly includes a mounting frame and a panel. The panel is coupled to the mounting frame at a first edge of the panel. The panel then extends distally form the mounting frame to a second edge of the panel. In one embodiment, the panel is configured to pivot about the mounting frame between a first position and an angularly displaced second position.

A bracket is then coupled to the panel. In one embodiment, the bracket extends distally from the panel at substantially an orthogonal angle relative to the panel so as to define an ell. As used herein, the term “about” or “substantially” refers to a measurement, configuration, or alignment that is inclusive or manufacturing tolerances. For example, an angle designed and specified to be orthogonal with manufacturing tolerances of plus or minus 1.5 degrees may be, due to those manufacturing tolerances, 89.1, 91.2, 90.6, or some other angle and still be substantially orthogonal as the term is used herein.

In one embodiment, at least one fan assembly is coupled to the bracket. When the fan assembly is coupled to the bracket, in one embodiment a first pair of adjacent sides of the assembly are bounded by the panel and the bracket while a second pair of adjacent sides of the at least one fan assembly unbounded and exposed. This unbounded and exposed pair of adjacent sides makes the fan assembly easily and readily available to a technician to allow tool-less replacement of the fan assembly after pivoting the panel.

In one embodiment, the pivotable fan assembly is coupled to a cover for a computer chassis or tray. The chassis cover can define a major face having an aperture therein. In one embodiment, the aperture is disposed interior to the chassis cover, which means portions of the chassis cover surround the aperture so that the aperture is not disposed along an edge of the chassis cover. The mounting frame can be coupled to an edge of the aperture such that the panel pivots about the mounting frame between a first position closing the aperture and a second position angularly displaced from the first position. When the panel is in the first position, the one or more fan assemblies coupled to the bracket are disposed within an interior volume of the chassis to cool the electronic devices therein. However, when the panel is in the second position, the one or more fan assemblies are disposed exterior to the chassis, thereby allowing quick and easy replacement.

Embodiments of the disclosure offer numerous advantages over prior art designs. In one embodiment, a retractable fan tray allows easy access from the top of the chassis to the centrally located fans without the need of removing the cover. Since the cover need not be removed, specialized tools and devices are not required for fan replacement. In one embodiment, a fan tray secures fans mounted to a self-retracting panel. The panel is mounted on hinges with torsional springs. The panel lifts and rotates to allow access to the fans beneath the panel. Once the panel is rotated, fans can be released from the tray by pushing a tab of a plastic module. A failed fan can thus be easily replaced. When the panel is released, the assembly returns to a closed position. In one embodiment, this return to the closed position is assisted by the torsional springs. Embodiments of the disclosure provide a competitive advantage for serviceability in the field by reducing equipment down time.

Turning now toFIG. 1, illustrated therein is one explanatory fan assembly100suitable for use with embodiments of the disclosure. While the fan assembly100ofFIG. 1provides one example for illustration, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that other fan assemblies could equally be used with embodiments of the disclosure. For example, while the fan assembly100ofFIG. 1has a generally square cross section, other fan assemblies having rectangular, circular, elliptical, or other cross sectional shapes could equally be used with embodiments of the disclosure.

The fan assembly100ofFIG. 1includes a fan101, a housing102, and a motor (not shown) disposed within the housing to turn the fan. The fan101turns in response to the motor and draws air114through a central cavity115of the housing102. The motor is powered, in one embodiment, by a wire buss103terminating at an electrical connector104. In one embodiment the electrical connector104is coupled to a sidewall105of the fan assembly100. The electrical connector104can include a latching connector106to couple to a complementary latching connector coupled to a power source. The housing102ofFIG. 1terminates at one or more edges, e.g., edges116and117. In one embodiment, these edges116,117are substantially orthogonal corners of the housing102.

In one embodiment, to make the fan assembly100suitable for use with legacy systems, one or more apertures107,108,109,110can pass through the housing102. Screws or bolts can be placed through the apertures107,108,109,110to bold the fan assembly100to a conventional chassis along the sidewalls.

In one embodiment, one or more recesses, e.g., recesses111,112, can be disposed about ducts, e.g., duct113, through which the apertures, e.g., aperture108, pass. The recesses111,112not only save material in the housing102, but make the fan assembly easier to hold as well.

Turning now toFIG. 2, illustrated therein is one explanatory latching mechanism200configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As will be described in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 7-9, in one or more embodiments a fan assembly can be coupled to a bracket with a latching mechanism. The latching mechanism200ofFIG. 2is one example thereof. Others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The illustrative latching mechanism200ofFIG. 2is manufactured from a thermoplastic material by way of an injection molding process. For example, in one embodiment the latching mechanism200is manufactured from a polycarbonate plastic resin via an injection molding process. Other thermoplastic materials may also be used, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, and polycarbonate-ABS due to their durability. Other equivalents, such as styrene for example, may be substituted. In other embodiments, the latching mechanism200can be manufactured of metal, such as spring steel, stainless steel, or other materials.

In one or more embodiments, the material chosen—be it plastic, metal, or other—is selected to provide some compliance. For example, the illustrative latching mechanism200ofFIG. 2includes a base member201and a cantilevered arm202. The base member201defines an aperture221through which the fan (101) of the fan assembly (100) can draw air. In one embodiment, the aperture221has an area and size that is substantially similar to that of the central cavity (115) of the fan assembly (100).

As will be described in more detail below, in one or more embodiments the latching mechanism200can be used to retain the fan assembly (100) ofFIG. 1to a bracket in a pivotable fan assembly. To provide tool-less removal and replacement of the fan assembly (100), in one embodiment the cantilevered arm202angularly deflects203relative to the base member201to release the fan assembly (100). To provide for this angular deflection203, in one embodiment the material of the latching mechanism200is compliant so that the cantilevered arm202can angularly deflect203relative to the base member between five and thirty degrees without compromising the structural integrity of the latching mechanism200.

In one embodiment, when the cantilevered arm202is in its rest position, one or more mechanical features204extending from a termination beam205of the cantilevered arm202can engage an edge (116) of the fan assembly (100) to retain the fan assembly (100) to the latching mechanism200. When a user applies outward pressure to a finger lever206, the cantilevered arm202angularly deflects203to a release position where the one or more mechanical features204release the edge (116) of the fan assembly (100) for easy removal. In one embodiment, the finger lever206can serve as a handle to facilitate fan replacement. In another embodiment, a protrusion or other form of handle can extend from the finger protrusion—or other portion of the cantilevered arm202—to assist the user in replacing a fan. For example, the user can grasp the handle to assist in deflecting the cantilevered arm202in one or more embodiments.

In one embodiment, the cantilevered arm202is a singular beam extending substantially orthogonally from the base member201. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 2, the cantilevered arm202is configured with two cantilevered beams211,212extending substantially orthogonally from a lever beam213and terminating at the termination beam205. This “open” design where an aperture214is defined within the cantilevered arm202provides various advantages over a solid design where a singular beam extends from the base member201. A first advantage is there is a material savings in that no material is needed at the aperture214. A second advantage is that the force required to make the cantilevered arm202angularly deflect203can be tuned by varying the cross-sectional area of each cantilevered beam211,212. A third advantage, which will be shown in more detail with reference toFIG. 4below, is that the aperture214can allow visual inspection of the electrical connection at the electrical connector (104) of the fan assembly (100) when the fan assembly (100) is latched to the latching mechanism200.

In one embodiment, the latching mechanism200includes one or more bosses208,209,210extending distally from the base member201. The bosses208,209,210are to insert into the apertures (107,108,109,110) of the fan assembly (100). The cantilevered arm202then extends from the base member201and engages an edge (116) or other feature of the fan assembly (100) to retain the one or more bosses208,209,210within the one or more apertures (107,108,109,110).

In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 2, four bosses208,209,210(with a fourth boss hidden by cantilevered beam212) are provided to insert into and engage the apertures (107,108,109,110) of the fan assembly (100). In other embodiments, two or three bosses can be used instead of four. Where a fan assembly has more mating features disposed along its engagement face, more bosses can be used. While the bosses208,209,210ofFIG. 2are circular in cross section, those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that other cross-sectional shapes could be substituted for the circular cross sections as well.

The inclusion of the bosses208,209,210, while optional, offers several advantages. First, the provision of the bosses208,209,210provides a quick an easy alignment tool with which to align the fan assembly (100) and the latching mechanism. Second, the provision of the bosses208,209,210prevents lateral translation of the fan assembly (100) when it is latched within the latching mechanism. Moments and other lateral forces can be created when the fan (101) is running at high speed. Where the bosses208,209,210are included, they provide a stabilizing mechanism that prevents the moments or other lateral forces from dislodging the fan assembly (100) from the latching mechanism200.

In one or more embodiments, the latching mechanism200includes one or more minor cantilever arms218,219,220. Where, for example, the sidewalls (105) of the fan assembly (100) include surface features such as recesses (111,112), detents, niches, protrusions, or other features, the one or more minor cantilever arms218,219,220can engage those surface features to assist in latching the fan assembly (100) to the latching mechanism200. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 2, translational stops are provided to limit translation of the fan assembly (100) as well. For example, sidewall217and lever beam213act as translational stops to prevent lateral translation of the fan assembly (100) when latched to the latching mechanism200.

In one or more embodiments, an electrical connector215is coupled to the latching mechanism200. The illustrative electrical connector215ofFIG. 2is complementary to the electrical connector (104) attached to the fan assembly (100) ofFIG. 1. Said differently, where the electrical connector (104) is a four-pin, female connector, the complementary electrical connector215may be a four-pin, male connector. In one embodiment, the electrical connector215is to couple to the electrical connector (104) of the fan assembly (100) when the fan assembly (100) is latched to the latching mechanism200.

In the illustrative latching mechanism200ofFIG. 2, the base member201and the cantilevered arm202define an ell216. In this illustrative embodiment, the electrical connector215is disposed within this ell216. It will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the electrical connector215could be disposed in other locations as well based upon the design of the fan assembly (100) to which the latching mechanism200is attached. However, disposing the electrical connector215within the ell216ensures a reliable and robust electrical connection between the electrical connector215and the fan assembly as the engagement force applied by the cantilevered arm202translates through the electrical connector (104) of the fan assembly (100) to the electrical connector215of the latching mechanism.

Turning now toFIG. 3, illustrated therein is the fan assembly100ofFIG. 1being latched to the latching mechanism200ofFIG. 2. To attach the fan assembly100to the latching mechanism200, a technician or other person translates301the fan assembly100toward the latching mechanism200such that the one or more bosses208,209,210align302with the one or more apertures107,108,109,110disposed along an engagement face303of the fan assembly100.

In one embodiment, the finger lever206is configured to extend from the termination beam205at an obtuse angle304. When a side edge of the fan assembly100, or alternatively the electrical connector104of the fan assembly100, engages the inner surface of the finger lever206, the cantilevered arm202deflects away from the base member201to permit the fan assembly100to engage with the latching mechanism200. When this occurs, the one or more bosses208,209,210insert within the one or more apertures107,108,109,110. The electrical connector215of the latching mechanism200engages the electrical connector104of the fan assembly100. Additionally the cantilevered arm202engages an edge116or other surface of the fan assembly100to retain the fan assembly100to the latching mechanism200. The result is shown inFIG. 4.

Turning now toFIG. 4, illustrated therein is a latched assembly400configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As shown, the fan assembly100is latched within the latching mechanism200. As shown, the one or more bosses (208,209,210) are seated within the one or more apertures107,108,109,110. The electrical connector (215) of the latching mechanism200is engaged with the electrical connector104of the fan assembly100. Additionally the cantilevered arm202engages an edge116or other surface of the fan assembly100to retain the fan assembly100to the latching mechanism200. A technician or other user can remove the fan assembly100from the latching mechanism200quickly and easily, and without any tools, by angularly deflecting203the cantilevered arm202sufficiently to release the edge116of the fan assembly.

Turning now toFIG. 5, illustrated therein are the base components of one explanatory pivotable fan assembly configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Shown inFIG. 5are a mounting frame501, a panel502, and a bracket503. In one embodiment, each of the mounting frame501, the panel502, and the bracket503are manufactured from metal. It will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that other materials, including fiberglass, thermoplastics, or ceramics can be used as well.

In one embodiment, the panel502is coupled to the mounting frame501along a first edge504of the panel502. The panel502then extends distally from the mounting frame501to a second edge505. In one or more embodiments, the first edge504and the second edge505constitute major edges of the panel, with minor edges506,507having lengths shorter than the first edge504and the second edge505. Note that while the panel502is shown inFIG. 5as being substantially rectangular, those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that the panel502can take other shapes when viewed in the plan orientation as well, including round shapes, triangular shapes, polygonal shapes, and free-form shapes.

In one or more embodiments, the panel502is to pivot509about the mounting frame501between a first position (shown inFIG. 5) and a second, angularly displaced position, which will be shown inFIG. 9below. In this illustrative embodiment, the second edge505defines a finger engagement ledge508with which a user may pivot509the panel502about the mounting frame501.

A bracket503couples510to the panel502in this illustrative embodiment. The bracket503extends distally from the panel502at a substantially orthogonal angle relative to the lower major face of the panel502in this illustrative embodiment. The bracket503includes one or more apertures511,512through which a connected fan assembly (100) may draw air when operational. The completed panel-fan assembly600is shown inFIG. 6.

Turning now toFIG. 7, illustrated therein is an exploded view of one explanatory pivotable fan assembly700configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. For illustration purposes, the pivotable fan assembly700ofFIG. 7is to accommodate two fan assemblies. However, those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that the pivotable fan assembly700could be configured to accommodate a single fan assembly or three or more fan assemblies as well by varying the length of the bracket503and panel502, and replicating or eliminating components as necessary. Accordingly, the number of fan assemblies accommodated is not to be construed as a critical, required, or an essential feature or element of any or all the claims.

As described above, the panel502is coupled to the mounting frame501along a first edge504of the panel502. The panel502then extends distally from the mounting frame501to a second edge505. The panel502is to pivot509about the mounting frame501between a first position and an angularly displaced second position.

At least one fan assembly100is to couple to the bracket503. In this illustrative embodiment, a separate latching mechanism200is used to couple the fan assembly100to the bracket503. In other embodiments, various features of the latching mechanism200, such as the cantilevered arm202, could be integrated into the bracket503such that the latching mechanism200and bracket503comprise a unitary, integrated component.

In this illustrative embodiment, the latching mechanism200is fixedly coupled to the bracket503by one or more self-cinching studs or pins707,708,709,710that are riveted and/or clinched to the bracket503. While riveting is one possible mode of coupling the self-cinching studs or pins707,708,709,710to the bracket503, others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. For example the self-cinching studs or pins707,708,709,710can be fixed to the bracket503by adhesives, welding, bolting, screwing, press-fitting, swedging, or other methods. Still other methods will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Further, while self-cinching studs or pins707,708,709,710are one devices suitable for fixedly coupling the latching mechanism200to the bracket503, other devices such as adhesive devices, welding devices, bolting devices, screwing devices, press-fitting devices, friction-fitting devices, or swedging devices will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The latching mechanism200is used to couple the fan assembly100to the bracket503in this illustrative embodiment. In one or more embodiments, the coupling mechanism to the bracket503is such that the latching mechanism200has enough freedom for the cantilevered arm202to move so as to allow a fan assembly to released from, and replaced to, the latching mechanism200without the use of tools or specialized devices.

Turning now toFIG. 8, in one embodiment, optional torsion springs801,802can be used to couple the mounting frame501to the panel502. In one embodiment, the torsion springs801,802can be included to bias the panel502in a predefined position. For example where the panel is to pivot between a first position and an angularly displaced second position, the torsion springs801,802can be used to bias the panel502in either position. As will be described below with reference toFIGS. 10-11, in one embodiment the pivotable fan assembly700can be placed atop an aperture of a chassis cover. In such a configuration, the panel502can be configured to pivot from a first position closing the aperture to a second position, angularly displaced form the first position, in which the aperture is exposed. In one or more embodiments, the optional torsion springs801,802can be used to bias the panel502, for example, in the first position by applying a pre-loading force against the panel502to retain the panel502in the first position. This pre-loading force, in one embodiment, causes the pivotable fan assembly700to be “self-retractable” in that when a technician opens the panel502, the torsion springs801,802apply a loading force to cause the panel502to return to the closed position. The pivotable fan assembly700is shown in the first position inFIG. 8.

Turning now toFIG. 9, the pivotable fan assembly700is shown with the panel502pivoted to an explanatory angularly displaced second position. A few advantageous elements of the pivotable fan assembly700become visible when the panel is pivoted to this position. Note that in this illustrative embodiment the panel502and the bracket503define an ell901about a pair of adjacent sides902,903of the fan assembly100. This results in the first pair of adjacent sides902,903being bounded by the panel502and the bracket503, while a second pair of adjacent sides904,905are unbounded and exposed. Note that the in this embodiment the panel502does not touch side902of the fan assembly100. Instead it runs along side it in close proximity with the side902. On the other hand, side903is coupled to the latching mechanism200and bracket503. Thus, bounded as used herein covers both configurations.

The exposure and unbounded arrangement of the pivotable fan assembly700about the second pair of adjacent sides904,905advantageously allows the fan assembly100to be removed without tools in one or more embodiments. Since multiple sides904,905are unbounded and exposed, a technician or other user can grasp the fan assembly100and manipulate the cantilevered arm202without tools to quickly and easily release and/or attach the fan assembly100to the pivotable fan assembly700.

In still other embodiments, such as where the latching mechanism200is press-fit or friction-fit to the bracket503, a technician can alternatively remove both the latching mechanism200and the fan assembly100as a collective unit. Said differently, the latched assembly (400) ofFIG. 4can be removed from the bracket503as a single unit, rather than removing the fan assembly100from the latching mechanism200as described in the preceding paragraph. These two methods illustrate two explanatory methods of exchanging a fan assembly100in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Still others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In this illustrative embodiment, the cantilevered arm202and base member201also define an ell216about the fan assembly100. Specifically, the cantilevered arm202and the base member201define an ell216about a third pair of adjacent sides903,906of the fan assembly100. Once side, i.e., side903, is bounded both by the ell901defined by the panel502and the bracket503and the cantilevered arm202and the base member201. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments the first pair of adjacent sides902,903and the third pair of adjacent sides903,906have a common side903between them.

Turning now toFIG. 10, illustrated therein is an exploded view of a chassis1000that includes a chassis cover1001and a chassis base1002. In this illustrative embodiment, the chassis cover1001includes a major face1003that defines an aperture1004. In this illustrative embodiment, the aperture1004has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the panel502of the pivotable fan assembly700. As before, the panel502is to pivot about the mounting frame501between a first position closing the aperture1004and a second position angularly displaced from the first position.

One or more gaskets1005,1006can optionally be included to provide a more airtight seal between the pivotable fan assembly700and the chassis cover1001in one or more embodiments. For example, a first gasket1005can be disposed between the panel502and a receiving recess1007defined within the chassis cover1001to receive the panel502when in the first position. Similarly, a second gasket1006can be disposed between the mounting frame501and the chassis cover1001. In this illustrative embodiment the mounting frame501is coupled to the chassis cover1001on a major face defining the underside of the chassis cover1001. As before, the cantilevered arm202and the base member (201) of the latching mechanism (200) define a tool-less latching device to permit tool-less removal of the fan assembly100from the bracket503.

When the pivotable fan assembly700is coupled to the chassis cover1001and is in the first position, i.e., the position shown inFIG. 10, the panel502closes the aperture1004and the fan assembly100is disposed on a first side1008, i.e., the bottom, of the chassis cover1001. By contrast, turning now toFIG. 11, when the panel502is pivoted to the second position, shown inFIG. 11and angularly displaced from the first position, the fan assembly100is exposed at a second side1108of the chassis cover1001. This position allows a “hot swappable” replacement of equipment cooling fans, e.g., fan assembly100, regardless of mounting location, e.g., front of chassis cover1001, rear of chassis cover1001, or mid-portion of chassis cover1001, and without the need for cover removal and tools. Additionally, the pivotable fan assembly700is self-retractable where torsion springs are included as noted above. This embodiment provides a hinged and self-retractable pivotable fan assembly700that can be used at any location of a 1RU or other type chassis. The second side1108of the chassis cover1101is the top side of the chassis cover1001in this embodiment due to the fact that the chassis cover1001is disposed on the top of the chassis1000. Where the chassis cover1001was disposed on the bottom of the chassis1000, the first side (1008) and the second side1108would be reversed.

Advantageously, the exposure of the fan assembly100via pivoting the panel502to the second position allows a technician to simply open the panel, replace the fan assembly100, and shut the panel again. As noted above, there is no need to employ special tools. Nor is there a need to take the circuit components disposed within the chassis1000off-line. Where connectors, diagnostics, or ornamental features were disposed along the vertical sidewalls1102of the chassis1000, there would be no need to disturb these elements either. Advantageously, the pivotable fan assembly700ofFIG. 11not only allows the fan assembly to be centrally disposed within the interior volume1103of the chassis1000, but also allows quick and easy tool-less replacement of the fan assembly100as well.

The embodiment shown inFIG. 11offers advantages over prior art designs. For example, while some prior art designs attempt to provide pivoting fan assemblies, such designs generally provides fan assemblies disposed at the ends of a chassis assembly with a perpendicular axis of rotation. By contrast, embodiments of the present disclosure are disposed at the middle of the chassis1000with a horizontal pivoting direction.

Similarly, some prior art designs offer modules that slide into a chassis with a button to facilitate fan replacement. Embodiments of the present disclosure offer advantages over such designs in that the pivotable fan assembly700can be located at any location along the chassis1000or chassis cover1001. Additionally, the sliding prior art designs require removal of the chassis cover prior to fan replacement. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pivotable fan assembly700where a panel502can be pivoted to expose the fan assembly100without removal of the chassis cover1001.

Some prior art designs describe removable fan modules integrated with a pivoting handle. The pivoting handle has locking features and facilitates the handling of the fan unit. Such designs can only be used to replace fans at the ends of the chassis. By contrast, embodiments of the disclosure can be used for fan replacement at the middle of the chassis1000.

Still other prior art designs describe a device that use holders attached to a fan frame that can be slid into a fixed frame in chassis. These designs require removal of the chassis cover for fan replacement and do not employ the advantageous pivoting panel502configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Turning now toFIG. 12, illustrated therein is another electrical component chassis1200configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As with the chassis (1000) ofFIG. 10, the electrical component chassis1200ofFIG. 12defines an aperture1204. This aperture1204is disposed interior to the chassis cover1201, which means that portions1205,1206,1207,1208of the major face1203of the chassis cover1201surround the aperture1204. In one or more embodiments, the portions1205,1206,1207,1208are at least one inch long so that the aperture1204is surrounded by at least an inch of the major face1203of the chassis cover1201and away from the sides1209,1210,1211,1212of the chassis cover1201. This interior location allows the one or more fan assemblies coupled to the pivotable fan assembly700to strategically cool interior portions of the electrical component chassis1200rather than being disposed on distant sidewalls1202of the electrical component chassis1200. As noted above, the pivotable fan assembly700could be located at any location along the chassis cover1201in one or more embodiments. Further, the pivotable fan assembly700could be located along any portion of the bottom surface1213of the electrical component chassis as well. In still other embodiments, the pivotable fan assembly700could be located on any one of the side surfaces, e.g., sidewall1202, as well. Still other locations will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The electrical component chassis1200ofFIG. 12includes a top surface, defined by the major face1203of the chassis cover1201, a bottom surface1213, and one or more side surfaces, e.g., sidewall1202. These surfaces define an interior volume similar to the interior volume (1103) shown inFIG. 11. The pivotable fan assembly700can be disposed along either the top surface, as is the case inFIG. 11, or along the bottom surface1213. As previously described, the pivotable fan assembly700includes a panel502to which at least one fan assembly (100) is attached.

The panel502is disposed in a closed position inFIG. 12. As the chassis cover1201is the top cover in this embodiment, the fan assembly (100) is disposed along an interior of the top surface of the electronic component chassis1200. Accordingly, gravity1214biases the panel502in the closed position.

In one or more embodiments, the panel502is pivotable from a closed position (shown inFIG. 12) with the fan assembly (100) disposed within the interior volume of the electrical component chassis1200to an angularly displaced open position, which is shown inFIG. 13. Turning toFIG. 13, when the panel502is pivoted to the angularly displaced second position, the fan assembly100is exposed exterior of the electronic component chassis1200, thereby allowing easy removal1301and replacement.

As shown and described, embodiments of the disclosure provide a rotating fan tray that facilitates a “hot swap” (replacement of fan assemblies without taking the device the fans are cooling off-line) field replacement of centrally mounted fans without the need for tools. Embodiments of the disclosure specifically address, and provide advantageous solutions for, field replacement of centrally mounted fans without the need to remove the chassis cover. Embodiments of the disclosure provide competitive advantages by reducing failed fan replacement time. Experimental testing has shown that the replacement time can be reduced from an average of 27 minutes, where a chassis cover must be removed with tools, to approximately 38 seconds and without tools. Further, embodiments of the disclosure advantageously allow for fan assemblies to be swapped without taking accompanying equipment offline. Still other advantages will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.