Abstract:
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a laptop computer that can allow for enhanced cooling of a passively cooled notebook while maintaining the desired waterproof and dust resistance of the design. This is achieved by creating a separate cooling channel where air can flow through to provide cooling to an electronics enclosure connected thereto. The cooling channel may utilize membranes (e.g., hydrophobic membranes) to protect again water and dust penetration. In some cases, two fans are used in opposite directions in order to automatically clean the membranes from dust accumulation.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Some notebook computers are designed to be sealed to the exterior ambient to maintain a waterproof (or resistant) and dustproof (or resistant) computer. These computers utilize no external venting since the external venting could provide a liquid and/or dust path into the notebook, resulting in a notebook susceptible to the elements. The cooling for these computers was provided passively utilizing devices to dissipate the heat (heat sinks). The “sealed” computer worked well when platform powers were low; however, increased performance requirements are making it challenging to achieve the necessary cooling in a sealed design. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the various embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a side view of an example two-chamber notebook computer with a display in an open position, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a front view of an example two-chamber notebook computer with the display in a closed position, according to one embodiment; 
         FIGS. 2A-B  illustrate side views of an example two-chamber notebook computer, according to one embodiment; 
         FIGS. 3A-B  illustrates a side view and top view of an example two-chamber notebook computer, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view an example two-chamber notebook computer, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front view an example two-chamber notebook computer, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view an example two-chamber notebook computer, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side view an example notebook computer having a cooling channel, according to one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of an example two-chamber notebook computer housed in a docking station that includes fans in alignment with the openings, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of an example two-chamber notebook computer where the second chamber includes a receptacle to receive a plug-and-play fan, according to one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of an example two-chamber notebook computer having a cooling channel that is removably connected to the electronics enclosure in a removed configuration, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a side view of an example two-chamber notebook computer  100 . The computer includes a display  105  illustrated in an open position. A first chamber  110  is an electronics enclosure where the notebook electronics are contained. The first chamber  110  may include a motherboard  115  having one or more integrated circuits or other electronic components  120 A-C connected thereto (three illustrated). The first chamber  110  is isolated from the external environment (is sealed) to provide a water and dust proof (or water and dust resistant) environment. A second chamber  125  is a cooling channel where airflow is generated in order to properly cool the notebook computer  100  (electronics contained within the first chamber  110 ). The second chamber  125  is illustrated as being below the first chamber  110  and running from front to back of the computer  100  but is not limited thereto. The second chamber  125  may include openings  130 A-B to the external environment to permit air to flow therethrough. As illustrated, the second chamber  125  includes an inlet  130 A in the front and an outlet  130 B in the back and air flows from the front of the computer  100  to the back. The openings  130 A-B are in no way intended to be limited in number, location, or the direction of airflow they provide. 
     The first chamber  110  and the second chamber  125  share a common wall  135 , the common wall  135  is where the heat is transferred from the electronics enclosure  110  to the cooling channel  125 . If necessary, one or more of the electronic components  120  may be put into thermal contact with the common wall  135  in order to enhance the component cooling. As illustrated, a heat transfer component (e.g., a thermal interface material or a heat pipe)  140  is used to provide a connection between the electronic component  120 B and the common wall  135 . The second chamber  125  may include a fan  145  to aid in circulating air therethrough. The fan  145  may include  147  walls extending from an outlet of the fan  145  to separate the fan outlet from a fan inlet to prevent backflow. 
     In the event additional cooling is required, a heat dispersion component (e.g., fins)  150  may be included within the second chamber  125  to disperse the heat from the common wall  135 . The fins  150  provide additional surface area for the heat to be dispersed and cooled by the airflow. The fins  150  may be connected to a hot spot (or hot spots) on the common wall  135 . The hot spots may be adjacent to components drawing excessive heat in the electronics enclosure  110  (e.g., component  120 B). 
     The openings  130 A-B in the second chamber  125  may enable water or dust particles to enter the second chamber  125 . While the second chamber  125  is separate and isolated from the first chamber  110 , it may not be desirable to have water and dust particles in that close of proximity to the first chamber  110 . Accordingly, each opening  130 A-B may be fitted with at least one membrane (e.g., hydrophobic membrane)  155 A-B, in order to seal an inlet  130 A and an outlet  130 B of the cooling channel  125 . The hydrophobic membranes  155 A-B would be designed to achieve the necessary airflow through the cooling channel  125  (e.g., from the fan or fans  145 ) while still inhibiting entry of water and dust (e.g., provide the desired water proofing (resistance) for the computer  100 ). It should be noted that the membranes  155 A-B are not limited to hydrophobic membranes. Rather, other materials could be utilized that would provide sufficient airflow and prevent (or limit) the amount of dust and/or liquid capable of flowing therethrough without departing from the scope. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a front view of an example two-chamber notebook computer  160 . The computer  160  may include many (or all) of the same components as the computer  100  and those components illustrated are labeled with the same reference numbers (components not illustrated are in no way intended to be excluded). The display  105  is illustrated in a closed position. The second chamber  125  is illustrated as being below the first chamber  110  and running from side to side of the computer  100  but is not limited thereto. As illustrated, the inlet  130 A and outlet  130 B are on the left and right side of the computer  100  respectively and air flows from left to right. Again it should be noted that the openings  130 A-B are in no way intended to be limited in number, location, or the direction of airflow they provide. 
     The membranes  155 A-B utilized to prevent (or inhibit) water and dust flow may become clogged with dust over time. As the dust builds up the airflow may become restricted and/or the dust may enter the second chamber  125 . Restricted airflow may affect the cooling provided to the computer  100 . 
       FIGS. 2A-B  illustrate side views of an example two-chamber notebook computer  200 . The computer  200  may include many (or all) of the same components as the computer  100  and those components illustrated are labeled with the same reference numbers (components not illustrated are in no way intended to be excluded). The display  105  is illustrated in an open position. The second chamber  125  includes two fans  205 ,  210  to create the airflow therethrough. The fans  205 ,  210  may create the airflow in alternate directions (e.g., opposite) with one fan creating airflow in a first direction and the other fan creating airflow in a second direction. Only one fan may be active (on) at any given time. For example, the fan  205  may circulate in a direction that creates an airflow from the front of the computer  200  to the back of the computer  200  ( FIG. 2A ) and the fan  210  may create an opposite airflow ( FIG. 2B ). 
     The fan that is operational may switch based on any number of parameters. For example, the operational fan may switch at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 20 minutes), after a certain number of computer  200  starts (e.g., every 3 starts), in response to the airflow being restricted in a certain direction (possibly indicating a clogged inlet vent), or in response to a determination that an inlet vent is clogged. By reversing the flow of air through the cooling channel  125 , the dust that has collected in the inlet vent may be blown out. For example, when fan  205  is on (operational) and the fan  210  is off creating the airflow through the cooling channel  125  from front to back, the opening  130 A and membrane  155 A may act as an inlet and capture dust. When the fan  205  is turned off and the fan  210  becomes operational the opening/membrane  130 A/ 155 A becomes an outlet and dust captured therewithin may be blown out. By switching the airflow and blowing accumulated dust out of the vents the overall airflow and cooling provided thereby may remain relatively constant over time. 
     Rather then utilizing two fans  205 ,  210  to create airflow in alternate directions (and to blow accumulated dust out) a single fan that is capable of operating in two directions may be used. The direction of the fan may be switched in a similar fashion to switching between the fans  205 ,  210 . 
       FIGS. 3A-B  illustrates a side view and top view of an example two-chamber notebook computer  300 . The computer  300  may include many (or all) of the same components as the computer  100  and those components illustrated are labeled with the same reference numbers (components not illustrated are in no way intended to be excluded). Referring to  FIG. 3A , the display  105  is illustrated in an open position. The computer  300  includes a second chamber (cooling channel)  305 , and the second chamber may include a lower extension  310  extending along the bottom of the computer  300  (first chamber  110 ) and a side extension  315  extending up the back of the computer  300  (first chamber  110 ). The second chamber  305  may have two common walls  320 ,  325  with the first chamber  110 . The wall  320  being common between the lower extension  310  and the bottom of the first chamber  110  and the wall  325  being common between the side extension  315  and a rear wall of the first chamber  110 . The second chamber  305  may have openings  330  (only one visible) formed in a top edge of the side extension  315 . The openings  330  may be at least partially located beneath the display  105  and/or a hinge  335  used to open the display  105 . The placement of the openings  330  below the display  105  and/or hinge  335  may aid in keeping the dust out of the second chamber  305 . It may also protect the openings  330  from damage or dust build-up. The openings  330  may include membranes (e.g., hydrophobic membranes)  340  in order to seal the openings  330 . A fan  345  may be used to create airflow through the second chamber  305 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , the airflow may be through an inlet (opening  330 A, membrane  340 A), down the side extension  315 , along the lower extension  310 , back up the other side of the side extension  315 , and then out an outlet (opening  330 B, membrane  340 B). The airflow along the bottom of the second chamber  305  may be below the motherboard  115  that is within the first chamber  105  (airflow and fan  345  beneath the first chamber  105  illustrated as dashed). According to one embodiment, a second fan (not illustrated) can be utilized in order to create airflow in the opposite direction as the fan  345 . The fan that is operational may be switched to rotate the direction of the airflow through the second chamber  305 . As noted above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-B , rotating the airflow may be used to keep the inlets free of dust so as not to restrict the airflow so that a constant airflow may be maintained. 
       FIGS. 1-3  have illustrated the electronics enclosure  110  having a level bottom surface and the cooling channel  125 ,  305  having a level upper surface and a shared common wall  135 ,  320  with the bottom surface of the electronics enclosure  110 . The electronics enclosure and the cooling channel are in no way intended to be limited thereby. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view an example two-chamber notebook computer  400 . The computer  400  may include many (or all) of the same components as the computer  100  and those components illustrated are labeled with the same reference numbers (components not illustrated are in no way intended to be excluded). The display  105  is illustrated in an open position. A first chamber  405  includes a staggered lower surface and a second chamber  410  includes a staggered upper surface. The staggered surfaces enable the computer  400  to have a flat bottom even though the electronics enclosure  405  need not be flat. This enables more flexibility in the design and layout of the electronics enclosure  405 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a front view an example two-chamber notebook computer  500 . The computer  500  may include many (or all) of the same components as the computer  100  and those components illustrated are labeled with the same reference numbers (components not illustrated are in no way intended to be excluded). The display  105  is illustrated in a closed position. A second chamber (cooling channel)  510  extends through middle of a lower portion of a first chamber (electronics enclosure)  505 . The second chamber  510  may include openings (not illustrated separately) and the openings may include membranes  515 . The second chamber  510  may include a fan (not illustrated) to circulate the air therethough. As illustrated the air is circulated from a front to a back of the computer  500 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a side view an example two-chamber notebook computer  600 . The computer  600  may include many (or all) of the same components as the computer  100  and those components illustrated are labeled with the same reference numbers (components not illustrated are in no way intended to be excluded). The display  105  is illustrated in an open position. The computer includes a second chamber (cooling channel)  610  that extends along the front of a first chamber (electronics enclosure)  110 . The second chamber  610  may include an inlet  615  and an outlet  620  for circulating air therethrough. Heat is transferred from the electronics enclosure  110  to the cooling channel  610  by the use of a heat transfer component  140  (e.g. a heat pipe). 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side view an example notebook computer  700  having a cooling channel  710 . The computer  700  may include many (or all) of the same components as the computer  100  and those components illustrated are labeled with the same reference numbers (components not illustrated are in no way intended to be excluded). The display  105  is illustrated in an open position. The electronics enclosure  110  includes a heat transfer element  720  that transfers heat from the electronics enclosure  110  to a hinge  730  that opens and closes the display  105 . The display  105  includes the second chamber (cooling channel)  710  connected to an outer surface of the display  105  for cooling of the display  105  and the heat transferred from the electronics enclosure  110 . The use of the cooling channel  710  on the display  105  enables more heat to be dissipated in the display  105 . The cooling channel  710  may include a fan or multiple fans to circulate air therethrough. 
     According to one embodiment, a cooling channel (second chamber) of a two-chamber computer may utilize an external fan for providing airflow therethrough. The airflow provided by the external fan may be in addition to the airflow created by a fan within the cooling channel or may be in place of the internal fan. The external fan may be provided by a docking station utilized to house the notebook computer. The docket station may require fans that are aligned with the openings in the cooling channel. Using an external fan may enable the cooling channel to be thinner.  FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of an example two-chamber notebook computer  800  housed in a docking station  810  that includes fans  820  in alignment with the openings  130 A-B. 
     The cooling channel may include a receptacle for receiving an external fan. The external fan may be a plug-an-play fan that could be connected into the receptacle in the cooling channel, much like a disk drive and/or battery are plugged into receptacles in the housing of laptop computers. The plug-and-play fan may fit within the cooling channel or may extend out from the cooling channel.  FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of an example two-chamber notebook computer  900  where the second chamber includes a receptacle  910  to receive a plug-and-play fan  920 . 
     According to one embodiment, the cooling channel may not be permanently adhered to the electronics enclosure. Rather, the cooling channel may be configured to be removably connected to the electronics enclosure. This configuration would enable the cooling channel to be removed from the electronics enclosure when cooling requirements are reduced or when portability (reduced size) is of more concern and connected to the cooling channel when cooling requirements dictate.  FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of an example two-chamber notebook computer  1000  having a cooling channel  1010  that is removably connected  1020  to the electronics enclosure  110  in a removed configuration. 
     The disclosure has focused on notebook computers but is not limited thereto. Rather it could be applied to other types of portable computers or even a desktop computer. 
     Although the disclosure has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent that the disclosure is not limited thereto as various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope. Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described therein is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     The various embodiments are intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.