Abstract:
A device for cooling a computer, the device including a housing with a sidewall and a bottom forming an inner cavity, a horizontal board having a first end and a second end disclosed within the inner cavity, a motor connected to the horizontal board to rotate the horizontal board, a track disposed within the inner cavity with segments of the track at a higher elevation than other segments of the track, a first fan connected to a first end of the horizontal board displacing air vertically and nearly vertically connected to an end of the horizontal board and riding upon the track, a second fan fixed therethrough the sidewall to move air from outside of the housing to within the inner cavity, a third fan fixed therethrough the sidewall to move air from within the inner cavity to outside the housing; and a connection point to secure the computer to the device.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/520,348, filed on Nov. 17, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to laptop computers, and more specifically to a device and method to cool the electronic components of a laptop computer.  
         [0003]     Laptop computers are extremely popular for users who travel a lot or who need to take their computer to a remote work site. To enhance their portability, these computers are designed to be as lightweight as possible and to pack a large number of electronic devices into a relative small package.  
         [0004]     Because of the density of electronics inside the laptop, a number of strategies have been used to provide adequate cooling to the components inside the computer, using heat pipes, radiator fins, and fans. However, for at least some models of laptop computers, the lower surface of the computer becomes quite hot during operation. If adequate ventilation to this surface is not provided, overheating of the internal components may result along with possible malfunction. Additionally, if the user is using the laptop on their lap, it may become uncomfortable to continue working the computer while on the user&#39;s lap.  
         [0005]     The creation of high temperatures inside a computer results from the central processing unit (CPU), memory modules, hard drive, and the video card. Generally, the CPU, in a desktop PC, leads to a heat dissipation of 50-80 watts, by itself. Modern-day laptop computers operate at a similar processing speed as a desktop PC. A desktop, however, is larger than a laptop computer, allowing more air to circulate when compared to the smaller casing of a laptop. At the same time, the smaller structured laptop computer generates approximately the same amount of heat as the larger desktop computer. In addition, the laptop computer&#39;s internal components are closer in proximity causing heat to be more easily conducted at greater transfer rates. These factors all pose significant damage potential to the computers hardware.  
         [0006]     Though prior art exists that attempts to provide cooling for laptop computers, it would be advantageous to have a more effective device for cooling the internal components of a laptop while also providing added comfort to the user of the laptop.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     This invention provides a method and device for cooling a laptop, while at the same time protecting a laptop user from excessive heat from the laptop. In one embodiment a device for cooling a computer is provided. The device includes a housing with a sidewall and a bottom forming an inner cavity. A horizontal board, or wing, having a first end and a second end is disclosed within the inner cavity. A motor is connected to the horizontal board to rotate the horizontal board. A track is disposed within the inner cavity with segments of the track at a higher elevation than other segments of the track. A first fan is connected to a first end of the horizontal board displacing air vertically and nearly vertically connected to an end of the horizontal board and riding upon the track. A second fan is fixed therethrough the sidewall to move air from outside of the housing to within the inner cavity. A third fan is fixed therethrough the sidewall to move air from within the inner cavity to outside the housing. A connection point to is provided to secure the computer to the device.  
         [0008]     In another preferred embodiment, a method for cooling internal components of a portable computer is disclosed. The method comprises placing a track within an a cavity formed within a circular housing assembly having a high elevation and a low elevation. A motor is provided to rotate a wing positioned within the cavity wherein the wing has a fan attached at a first end. The first fan is rotated along the track. Air is blown into the cavity with a second fan formed therethrough the circular housing assembly. Air is exhausted from the cavity with a third fan formed therethrough the circular housing assembly. The computer is secured to sit above the housing assembly whereby an air cushion is formed between the housing assembly and the computer. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of several components of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of several other components of the present invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates side view of a computer connected to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of several other components of the present invention including a ventilated top cover;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the ventilated top cover in place;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a battery and its cover;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of an arm with discs and a stand; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates an en elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of several components of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     With reference to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Meaning, the scope of the invention disclosed is applicable to a plurality of devices for cooling devices, such as electronic devices that produce a high amount of heat. Thus, even though embodiments are described specific to laptop computers, the present invention is applicable for other devices that would benefit from cooling as well. The present invention has been described in terms of a separate device, but in an alternate embodiment the device could be designed for permanent attachment to a laptop computer, or the features could be incorporated in to the design of a portable case.  
         [0019]     With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a cooling device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown, the present invention has a housing  10  which has a vertical sidewall  11 , a bottom surface  14 , and an optional top surface  15  (not illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). In a preferred embodiment, the housing  10  is circular or cylindrical in nature. However, other shapes, such as but not limited to rectangular and/or square are also possible. An arm, horizontal board, or wing  12  is located within the housing  10  and is connected to a bottom surface  14  of the housing  10 . The wing  12  is connected to the bottom surface  14  by a central motor  16  that is operable to rotate the wing  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, segments  9  from the wing  12  are removed and then possibly contoured like a fan blade to allow the wing  12  to pull air towards a top area where a device  32  would rest upon stands provided on the present invention  5 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0020]     A first fan  18  and a second fan  19  are connected to opposite ends of the wing  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the fans  18 ,  19  are connected by a movable connector, such as a socket connection joint  21 , so that the fans  18 ,  19  are oriented to blow vertically upwards, and at varying acute angles as well as discussed below. In a preferred embodiment, an alternate angel track  27  is located within the housing  10  near or as part of the inside sidewall or the bottom surface  14 . In another preferred embodiment, the alternate angel track  27  is located at a distance away from the inner sidewall within the housing. Poles  29  extend from the inner wall  8  of the housing  10  to which the track  27  is connected, at a higher elevation to create changes in elevation. The alternate angel track  27  alters the angular reach of the fans  18 ,  19  allowing the fans  18 ,  19  to provide air to a wider area of the laptop computer&#39;s  32  base. In an exemplary embodiment, an outer track, or rail, is provided that is connected to an inner surface of the sidewall  11 . Though any numbers of elevation changes are possible, in a preferred embodiment, the rail  27  rises and lowers four times, equal distances apart from an adjacent raised elevation. To assist the fans  18 ,  19  with moving freely along the track  27 , wheels  31 ,  33  are provided on an outer casing  34  of the fans  18 ,  19  which are positioned to ride upon the track  27 .  
         [0021]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the sidewall  11  of the housing  10  has a plurality of vents  26  provided therethrough the sidewall  11 . The vents  26  are located both above and below the wing  12 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , air injecting fans  22  and air removing fans  24  are also provided through the sidewall  11 . Though a plurality of injecting fans  22  and removing fans  24  are disclosed, in a preferred embodiment, only one of each fan may be provided. An air injecting fan  22  is located on one side of the sidewall  11 , preferably parallel to and/or below the wing  12  and is orientated to pull fresh air from outside of the housing  10  into present invention  5 . In a preferred embodiment, the air injecting fan  22  is not positioned vertically, but instead is positioned at an angled to pull air upwardly into the housing  10 . The air removing fan  24  is located on one side of the sidewall  11 , such as opposite the air injecting fan, above the wing  12  and is orientated to pull air that gradually increases in temperature throughout the cooling process from the invention  5 . In another preferred embodiment, the air removing fan  24  is angled downward to withdraw heated air downward and away from the laptop  32 . In a preferred embodiment, all fans  18 ,  19 ,  22 ,  24  are standard computer fans, such as but not limited to ball-bearing fans and/or magnetic fans. These types of fans are used to promote a continuous thrust of cool air within the housing region.  
         [0022]     In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the present invention  5  has a flat ventilated top  41 , or cover  36 . If the housing  10  is cylindrical in nature, the top  36  is also circular. The vents  41  are provided to allow air flow from the internal components of the present invention  5  to the bottom of the laptop computer  32 . In a preferred embodiment, an upward ridge  38  is displaced around the diameter of the top  5 . The ridge  38  rises high enough and is wide enough to allow the fans  18 ,  19  to rotate freely about the ball joint without making contact to the top  26 . The vents  41  allow for cool air to flow from inside the housing  10  upwards into air space  43 , such that a cool flow of air is realized throughout air space  43 .  
         [0023]     In a preferred embodiment, the motor and fans  18 ,  19 ,  23 ,  24  are powered by a battery source  30 . In a preferred embodiment the battery source  30  is located on an outside surface of the sidewall  11 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . A transfer of electric power between the device connected to the present invention  5 , such as a laptop computer  32 , and the battery source  30  located on present invention  5  powers and recharges the battery. In operation when the user is mobile, the present invention  5  utilizes the battery source  30  to run the present invention. When the user is stationary and next to an electrical outlet, the present invention  5  can utilize the electrical outlet to run the present invention. In another preferred embodiment, power required to operate the motors and fans is supplied directly from the power source of the laptop computer  32 .  
         [0024]     In a preferred embodiment, further illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the body of the battery is shaped in an ovular mold. A battery holder  51  is designed in a larger, than the battery  30  ovular fashion to encompass the battery source  30 . Rubber griping grooves  53  are provided to allow a user ease in removing the battery source  30 . A battery charge indicator  55  is also provided on the present invention  5  so that the user can determine a status of the power source  30 .  
         [0025]     On one side of the sidewall  11 , a user control panel  57  is provided. In a preferred embodiment the control panel  57  has two illuminating LED fixtures  58 ,  59  and a fan speed dial  60 . Each respective illuminating LED fixtures  58 ,  59  illustrate a revolving blade speed for an individual fan  18 ,  19 . Thus, the user can visually determine whether both fans  18 ,  19  are operating at equal, or near equal proficiency. The fan speed setting dial  60  allows the user to control the RPM of all fans  18 ,  19 ,  22 ,  24  shown. In another preferred embodiment, the fan speed setting dial  60  also controls the speed of the wing  12 , and in another preferred embodiment, a plurality of dials (not illustrated) is provided to control any number of fans/wing configurations.  
         [0026]     The present invention has four extendable arms  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73  extending from inside the housing  10  to outside the housing  10 . Each arm  70 ,  71 ,  72 , 73  is located at a point along the housing  10  so as to effectively create an extendable quadrilateral. This quadrilateral is optionally extendable and retractable so the length and width of the laptop computer  32  can fit snugly onto and into the present invention  5 . Extending from the ends of each arm is a stand  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 . The stands  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  elevate the laptop  32 , once positioned upon the stands, above the present invention  5  which in turn creates a cushion of air  43  between the bottom of the laptop  81  and the top  36  of the present invention  5 .  
         [0027]     The arms  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73  form an “X” configuration and extend outward from a center  90  of the housing  10 . The center  90  where the arms  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73  meet is a single wheel  83  that allows for the arms to swivel. Within the housing  10 , in a preferred embodiment, the arms  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73  fit within a groove or track  85  within the bottom  14  of the housing  10 . The arms  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73  extend out through respective doors  95  disposed therethrough the sidewall  11 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Once extended the doors  95  close to allow air to be directed towards the laptop computer  32  instead of out the doors. In a preferred embodiment, the arms  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73  are located within the housing  10  beneath where the alternate angle track  27  is at the elevated height, thus providing room for the arms  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73  and stands  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 .  
         [0028]     In a preferred embodiment, the two front stands  76 ,  77  differ from the two rear stands  78 ,  79  in two general aspects. The first differentiation is an increased height is provided for the two front stands creating an acceptable ergonomic positioning for the user&#39;s wrists and posture. The front stands also have locking apparatus used to secure the laptop  32  to the present invention  5 . Though locking apparatus  100  could be included in the back stands, the preference is to leave the back of the laptop open so that the laptop ports and/or cords are not interfered with when either locking or unlocking the laptop from the present invention. In another preferred embodiment, the arms  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73  have a swivel capability in a 360° rotation, allowing the laptop computer to easily rotate while being used. In another preferred embodiment, the heights for all stands  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  are adjustable, thus resulting in less space being taken up by the arms and stands when retracted into the housing  10 . In another preferred embodiment, the stands bend over to fit within the housing  10 . In this embodiment, the stands  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  have an upper and lower segment  97 ,  98  connected by a joint, such as two wheel attachments  99  that allow the upper body  97  to be bent over, thus reducing the height of the stands  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 . Those skilled in the art will readily recognize other ways to minimize and/or assist in securing the stands against and/or within the housing.  
         [0029]     In a preferred embodiment, the arms  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73  are made of retractable discs  80  with reinforced sides, such as five discs, that when extended, lock into place creating a solid arm that can be locked into place with a locking mechanism. When retracted, the discs  80  stack on top of each other. In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIG. 7  the discs  80  overlap wherein a retraction point  88  is provided within the internal groove or track  94 , below the first disc closest to the housing  10 . When extended, outward, a disc, connected between the retraction point  88  and an adjacent disc pulls the point to the center of the first disc, thereby securing the discs  80 . In another embodiment, the arms can be made of other elements other than discs that extend and retract. For example, the arms can be telescoping wherein segments fit within other segments where the largest leg is closest to the housing and the segments grow smaller the further out the leg extends.  
         [0030]     In operation, by effectively cooling air space  43  above which the laptop computer  32  sits, the present invention  5  forces the laptop-generated hot air to dissipate downwards, towards the air space  43  and away from the laptop computer  32 . With an increased dissipation of heat away from the laptop computer  32  and towards air space  43 , a convective heat sink is effectively created which in turn decreases the temperature within the laptop computer  32 . With heat being dissipated away from the inside of a laptop  32  to a convective heat sink, computer components, not shown, are no longer susceptible to the excessive heat damage once experienced with the ineffective use of stationary fans.  
         [0031]     The present invention  5  has been described in terms of a separate device, but in an alternate embodiment the invention  5  could be designed for permanent attachment to a portable computer, or the features could be incorporated in to the design of a portable case. In this embodiment, the heat sink could cover essentially all of the lower surface of the portable computer  32  or be configured to cover only those portions of the lower surface which are most likely to require additional cooling, such as near the battery or processor.  
         [0032]     The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiment but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims