Abstract:
A rotary flow inducing device having a rotary flow inducing blade and a protection mechanism including a trigger to move the protection mechanism between an operational flow configuration and a protective no-flow configuration with respect to the rotary flow inducing blade.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART 
   This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of the present technique that are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
   Electronic devices, such as laptops, desktop computers, and servers, create heat that can cause decreased performance, failure, or malfunction. Therefore, cooling systems may be employed to remove this heat. For example, fans are often used to provide forced air cooling. In certain systems, such as servers, service personnel often remove, replace, or install fans during operation. Thus, the rotating fan blades present a risk of user harm without the appropriate protective measures. Unfortunately, the typical finger guard or fan grill restricts the airflow, thereby decreasing the cooling efficiency of the fan. These guards and grills also increase noise levels associated with airflow passing through the fan. Similar problems exist with other fluid systems having flow devices, such as pumps and compressors, which may be accessed during operation of the system. 
   SUMMARY 
   A rotary flow inducing device having a rotary flow inducing blade and a protection mechanism including a trigger to move the protection mechanism between an operational flow configuration and a protective no-flow configuration with respect to the rotary flow inducing blade. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Advantages of one or more disclosed embodiments may become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a system having a removable flow device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a flow device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a flow device having a retractable blind in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the flow device of  FIG. 3  having the retractable blind in a retracted configuration within a flow passage in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the flow device of  FIG. 3  removed from the flow passage and having the retractable blind in a protective no-flow configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a flow device having a brake assembly in a disengaged configuration within a flow passage in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the flow device of  FIG. 6  removed from the flow passage and having the brake assembly in an engaged configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a flow device having an alternative brake assembly in a disengaged configuration within a flow passage in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the flow device of  FIG. 8  removed from the flow passage and having the brake assembly in an engaged configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a flow device having an outer brake assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the flow device of  FIG. 10  within the flow passage and having the outer brake assembly in a disengaged configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the flow device of  FIG. 10  removed from a flow passage and having the outer brake assembly in an engaged configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   One or more specific embodiments of the present technique will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
   Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a system  10  comprising a flow device  12 , a flow passage  14 , and a mounting region  16  in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. For example, the system  10  may comprise an electronic device, such as a computer. Thus, the flow device  12  may be a cooling fan disposed in a rack mount electronics system, a rack mount computer system, a server, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or other processor based device. In certain embodiments, the flow device  12  may comprise a rotary flow inducing device, such as a rotary fan, having one or more rotary flow inducing blades. Other possible applications may include industrial heat transfer and/or fluid transfer/mixing systems, such as those found in chemical plants, nuclear facilities, natural resource processors and other facilities, water treatment facilities, waste processing systems, and various other systems depending on fluid flow or agitation. Thus, the system  10  also may comprise other pneumatic or fluid control or flow devices  12 , such as a pump, a compressor, or an expander. 
   The flow device  12  of system  10  is configurable into at least two positional stages or configurations, an operational flow configuration and a protective no-flow configuration. More specifically, the protective no-flow configuration blocks or stops the moving components of the flow device  12  during removal of the flow device  12  from the mounting region  16 . The operational flow configuration disables mechanisms associated with the protective no-flow configuration to permit operation of the flow device  12  to optimize flow while the flow device  12  is disposed within mounting region  16 . For example, certain embodiments of the flow device  12  may have a blind mechanism, which moves between open and closed positions in the operational flow and protective no-flow configurations, respectively. By further example, other embodiments of the flow device  12  may have a braking mechanism, which moves between free and braked positions in the operational flow and protective no-flow configurations, respectively. As discussed in detail below, these operational flow and protective no-flow configurations may be selectively or automatically changed as the flow device  12  is moved between an inserted position and a removed position with respect to the mounting region  16 . 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the flow device  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flow device  12  comprises a rotary flow inducing device, such as a rotary air-moving fan. However, the flow device  12  may comprise a variety of flow inducing devices for a heating airflow, a cooling airflow, a heating fluid flow, a cooling fluid flow, and so forth. This embodiment, as illustrated, comprises a housing  20  having a front flange  22 , a back flange  24 , and a central cylindrical portion  26  coupled to the front flange  22  and back flange  24 . Other embodiments may comprise alternate geometries and/or means of support to form a housing  20 . Further, additional structural support is provided by a truss  28 , which attaches to both the cylindrical portion  26  and the front and back flanges  22  and  24 . The back flange  24  further comprises a bracket  30 , which supports a motor and/or bearing assembly  32  having a central rotor  34  rotatable about an axis of rotation  36 . The rotor  34  extends to a movable hub  38 , which has a plurality of impellers or blades  40  extending therefrom. In operation, these impellers or blades  40  rotate with along with rotation of the movable hub  38  within the cylindrical portion  26 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the flow device  12  also has a retractable blind  52  coupled to an upper lip or edge portion  54  of the front flange  22 . As discussed in detail below, the blind  52  is movable along guides  56  between a protective no-flow configuration (blind closed) and an operational flow configuration (blind open). Other embodiments of the blind  52  may comprise an iris, a sheet, links, multiple bars, or other means of providing a retractable barrier. However, each of these embodiments has a protective no-flow configuration (blind closed) and an operational flow configuration (blind open). The compressibility of the retractable blind  52  also may be enhanced by selective removal of material to create slits  58 , such as those shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     FIG. 4  represents a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the flow device  12  with the retractable blind  52  disposed in an inserted position within the mounting region  16 . During insertion, the retractable blind  52  compresses or folds in an alternating or zig-zagging manner upon engagement with an edge or lip  60  of the mounting region  16 . Upon complete insertion, the retractable blind  52  is fully compressed, as is illustrated by  FIG. 4 . In the fully compressed position, the blind  52  facilitates substantially full and unencumbered air flow through the flow device  12 . 
   Upon removal, the retractable blind  52  expands to a protective no-flow configuration (blinds closed), which protects or blocks the moving parts of the flow device  12 . Accordingly, if the flow device  12  is removed during operation, then the moving parts are inaccessible. The embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 5  depicts a fully removed flow device  12  and a fully expanded retractable blind  52 . In the illustrated embodiment, the expansion of the retractable blind  52  is due to gravity and the elastic nature of the material comprising the retractable blind  52 . Alternatively, springs, coils, elastic materials, magnets or other biasing mechanisms could be used to cause this expansion of the retractable blind  52 . 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  represent an alternative embodiment of the flow device  12  comprising a brake assembly  70  in two different configurations, i.e., an operational flow configuration ( FIG. 6 ) and a protective no-flow configuration ( FIG. 7 ).  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of system  10  illustrating the flow device  12  disposed within the mounting region  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the brake assembly  70  comprises a lever arm  72  coupled to the housing  20  by a first pivot joint  74  and coupled to an engaging arm  78  by a second pivot joint  76 . In certain embodiments, the brake assembly  70  may be a single piece or multiple pieces. Additionally, the brake assembly  70  comprises a spring mechanism  80 , which interacts with an upper portion  82  of the lever arm  72  and with the housing  20  to bias the engaging arm  78  inwardly toward the blades  40 . More specifically, the spring mechanism  80  biases the lever arm  72  to rotate about the first pivot joint  74  in a counter clockwise direction. However, in the inserted configuration of  FIG. 6 , the lip  60  counteracts the spring mechanism  80  to rotate the lever arm  72  clockwise out of engagement with the blades  40 . Upon removal, the spring mechanism  80  rotates the lever arm  72  about the pivot joint  74 , thereby forcing the engaging arm  78  to engage the blades  40 . Thus, the brake assembly  70  stops rotation of the blades  40  during removal of the flow device  12  from the system  10 . In other embodiments, the spring mechanism  80  may be replaced by other means of providing resilient bias. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 7 , the flow device  12  is being removed from the mounting region  16 , thereby engaging the brake assembly  70  against the blades  40 . During removal of the flow device  12 , the spring mechanism  80  expands against the upper portion  82  of the lever arm  72  to pivot the lever arm  72  counter clockwise about the pivot joint  74 , thereby biasing the engaging arm  78  against the blades  40 . As a result, the engaging arm  78  immediately or progressively stops rotation of the blades  40 . In certain embodiments, the engaging arm  78  may be made of a material that is flexible, rubberized, inflexible, feathered, or textured. Additionally, other embodiments of the brake assembly  70  may comprise a spring loaded pin, a disc brake, an air brake, a drum brake, and various other braking mechanisms and controls. For example, these braking mechanisms may have mechanical triggers, electrical triggers, software-based triggers, and so forth. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  represent an alternative embodiment of the flow device  12  comprising a brake assembly  90  in two different configurations, i.e., an operational flow configuration ( FIG. 8 ) and a protective no-flow configuration ( FIG. 9 ).  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of system  10  illustrating the flow device  12  disposed within the mounting region  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the brake assembly  90  comprises a lever arm  92  coupled to the housing  20  by a first pivot joint  94  and coupled to an engaging arm  98  by a second pivot joint  96 . In certain embodiments, the brake assembly  90  may be a single piece or multiple pieces with or without pivot joints. Additionally, the brake assembly  90  comprises a spring mechanism  100 , which interacts with an upper portion  102  of the lever arm  92  and with the housing  20  to bias the engaging arm  98  inwardly toward the blades  40 . More specifically, the spring mechanism  100  biases the lever arm  92  to rotate about the first pivot joint  94  in a counter clockwise direction. However, in the inserted configuration of  FIG. 8 , the lip  60  counteracts the spring mechanism  100  to rotate the lever arm  92  clockwise out of engagement with the blades  40 . Upon removal, the spring mechanism  100  rotates the lever arm  92  about the pivot joint  94 , thereby forcing the engaging arm  98  to engage nubs, nodules, or stopping members  106  disposed about the hub  38 . Thus, the brake assembly  90  stops rotation of the hub  38  and blades  40  during removal of the flow device  12  from the system  10 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the nodules  106  are shown disposed along the outer circumference of the hub  38 . However, other embodiments can be envisaged wherein the nodules are disposed along the inner circumference of the hub  38 , along the outer edges of the blades  40 , on a contour disposed around the outer edge of rotor  34 , or along some other portion of the rotor  34 . Additionally, the nodules  106  may be rubberized, textured, inflexible or otherwise to improve functionality. In other embodiments, the nodules  106  may be replaced by a frictional contact member, which creates a stopping force by friction or resistance between the brake assembly  90  and a corresponding portion of the rotor  34  or hub  38 . 
   Turning now to  FIG. 9 , the flow device  12  is being removed from the mounting region  16 , thereby engaging the brake assembly  90  against the nubs or nodules  106 . During removal of the flow device  12 , the spring mechanism  100  expands against the upper portion  102  of the lever arm  92  to pivot the lever arm  92  counter clockwise about the pivot joint  94 , thereby biasing the engaging arm  98  against the nubs or nodules  106 . As a result, the engaging arm  98  immediately or progressively stops rotation of the hub  38  and blades  40 . Again, certain embodiments of the engaging arm  98  may be made of a material that is flexible, rubberized, inflexible, feathered, or textured. In addition, some embodiments of the brake assembly  90  may have mechanical triggers, electrical triggers, software-based triggers, and so forth. 
     FIG. 10  illustrates another embodiment of the flow device  12  having a brake band  200 , which encircles the movable (rotatable) components of the flow device  12 , i.e., the rotor  34 , hub  38 , and blades  40 . In other embodiments, the brake band  200  may partially encircle one or more of these movable (rotatable) components of the flow device  12 . Additionally, certain embodiments may include additional parts, such as a band around the outer edge of the blades  40 , for substantially reducing component wear during braking of the flow device  12 . As illustrated, the brake band  200  comprises lift guides  202  that are accessible from the top of the housing  20 . The lift guides  202  are moveable towards each other (see arrows in  FIG. 10 ) to constrict the brake band  200  into compressive engagement with fan blades  40 , thereby preventing rotation of the movable (rotatable) components of the flow device  12 , i.e., the rotor  34 , the hub  38 , and/or the blades  40 . 
     FIGS. 11 and 12  represent the flow device  12  of  FIG. 10  having the brake band  200  in two different configurations, i.e., an operational flow configuration ( FIG. 11 ) and a protective no-flow configuration ( FIG. 12 ).  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of system  10  illustrating the flow device  12  disposed within the mounting region  16 . In the installed position, the blades  40  are free to move without restriction, because the brake band  200  is not constricted about the moving parts of the flow device  12 . 
     FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of system  10  illustrating the flow device  12  removed from the mounting region  16 . In operation, the flow device  12  can be removed from the mounting region  16  by inserting a user&#39;s fingers into the lift guides  202 , pushing the lift guides  202  together to constrict about and brake the moving parts of the flow device  12 , and lifting the flow device  12  out of the mounting region  16 . Advantageously, the engagement of the braking band  200  secures and protects the moving parts of the flow device  12 . The braking band  200  also functions to stop the moving parts of the flow device  12  as the flow device  12  is removed during operation of the system  10 . 
   While the technique may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.