Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6038129?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=5910382
Timestamp: 2014-09-21 05:16:44
Document Index: 773638300

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 98303321', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'arts 8', 'art 8', 'art 8']

Patent US6038129 - Cooling electronic apparatus - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsAn electronic apparatus having a heat dissipative external enclosure is disclosed. The external enclosure having a containment wall from which depend extended surfaces or fins having a length extending vertically and defining channels therebetween. The thickness of the enclosure between external surfaces...http://www.google.com/patents/US6038129?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6038129 - Cooling electronic apparatusAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6038129 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/300,341Publication dateMar 14, 2000Filing dateApr 27, 1999Priority dateApr 28, 1998Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2266274A1, CN1237083A, EP0954210A1Publication number09300341, 300341, US 6038129 A, US 6038129A, US-A-6038129, US6038129 A, US6038129AInventorsHamid Reza Falaki, William George Gates, Patrick Francis Hanlon, Martin Michael Mark Keegan, Daniel Peter KellyOriginal AssigneeLucent Technologies Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (6), Non-Patent Citations (8), Referenced by (44), Classifications (20), Legal Events (9) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCooling electronic apparatusUS 6038129 AAbstract An electronic apparatus having a heat dissipative external enclosure is disclosed. The external enclosure having a containment wall from which depend extended surfaces or fins having a length extending vertically and defining channels therebetween. The thickness of the enclosure between external surfaces of opposed containment walls varying between a relatively thin portion and a relatively thick portion to provide an interior space having a relatively narrow portion and a relatively wide portion to accommodate components or units of corresponding different extent. The fins having outer edges, spaced from the containment wall, and having plain first opposed surfaces adjacent their outer edges, the first surfaces including a first angle therebetween. The fins or parts of fins adjacent the relatively thin portion of the enclosure also having plain second opposed surfaces inwards of the first surfaces, the second surfaces including therebetween a second angle greater than the first angle. Making the thickness of the enclosure between external surfaces of opposed containment walls vary between a relatively thin portion and a relatively thick portion so that the interior space fits components or units of corresponding different extent, allows the fins to have a greater depth than would be the case if the thickness were constant. Making the deeper fins with roots having a greater draft angle, e.g. 3� allows the deeper fins or parts of fins to come out of the mould more readily than using a constant draft angle, e.g. 2�, especially when the casting material is LM20.
We claim: 1. Electronic apparatus having a heat dissipative external enclosure, the external enclosure comprising:a plurality of containment walls, from at least one of which depend fins having a length extending vertically defining channels therebetween; a thickness of the external enclosure between external surfaces of opposed containment walls, the thickness varying between a relatively thin portion and a relatively thick portion to provide an interior space having a relatively narrow portion and a relatively wide portion to accommodate components or units of corresponding different extent; the fins having outer edges, spaced from one of the containment wall, and having plain first opposed surfaces adjacent their outer edges, said first surfaces including a first angle therebetween, and the fins or parts of the fins adjacent the relatively thin portion of the enclosure also having plain second opposed surfaces, said second surfaces including therebetween a second angle greater than the first angle. 2. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relatively thick portion of the enclosure and the relatively thin portion of the enclosure are located one above another and wherein the first opposed surfaces extend the full length of the fins which extend over both portions.
3. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first angle is approximately 2� and the second angle is approximately 3�.
4. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the depth to which the first angle extends is less than approximately 25 mm.
5. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fins are evenly spaced and the outer edges lie in a common plane.
6. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external enclosure is contained by a case that has side walls that with the containment walls define air passages into which the fins extend.
7. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the case has:vents at the top and the bottom of the air passages; louvers in one or more of its side walls; louvers lower in the one or more of its side walls slanting upwards and inwards; and louvers higher in the one or more of its side walls slanting upwards and outwards. 8. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein components or units dissipating higher power are located below components or units dissipating lower power.
9. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a power supply unit located low in the external enclosure.
10. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fins are spaced sufficiently that at no location is a boundary layer established completely across a channel by air flowing therein by convection.
11. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a transmitter/receiver for a cellular mobile telecommunications network.
12. Electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein components or units dissipating higher power are coupled to the containment wall by a heat pipe having its condenser lower than the component or unit.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority of European Patent Application No. 98303321.8, which was filed on Apr. 28, 1998.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cooling electronic apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The background to the invention will be described with reference to a particular application. Other applications may occur readily to the reader.
Cellular mobile telecommunications networks utilize electronic apparatus that is mounted outside at base stations. The apparatus includes high power units, for example a radio transmitter that includes a high power wide band amplifier. Being mounted outside the apparatus is subject to whatever weather prevails. Generally, the apparatus is contained by an environmentally sealed outer enclosure that is itself mounted within a ventilated case. It is desired that cooling is normally by natural convection so as to avoid the noise, power consumption and maintenance associated with fans necessary to provide forced convection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided electronic apparatus having a heat dissipative external enclosure, the external enclosure having a containment wall from which depend extended surfaces or fins having a length extending vertically and defining channels therebetween. The thickness of the enclosure between external surfaces of opposed containment walls varying between a relatively thin portion and a relatively thick portion to provide an interior space having a relatively narrow portion and a relatively wide portion to accommodate components or units of corresponding different extent. The fins having outer edges, spaced from the containment wall, and having plain first opposed surfaces adjacent their outer edges, the first surfaces including a first angle therebetween. The fins or parts of fins adjacent the relatively thin portion of the enclosure also having plain second opposed surfaces inwards of the first surfaces, the second surfaces including therebetween a second angle greater than the first angle. In a case where the relatively thick portion of the enclosure and the relatively thin portion of the enclosure are located one above another, the first opposed surfaces preferably extend the full length of the fins which extend over both portions. The fins are preferably evenly spaced and the outer edges preferably lie in a common plane.
The external enclosure is preferably contained by a case that has sidewalls that, with the containment walls define air passages into which the extended surfaces or fins extend. Further improvements can be made if the case has vents at the top and the bottom of the air passages, and has louvers in one or more its side walls, louvers lower in the side wall(s) slanting upwards and inwards, louvers higher in the side walls slanting upwards and outwards.
Yet further improvements may be obtained if components or units dissipating higher power are either located below components or units dissipating lower power or connected to the containment wall by a heat pipe having its condenser lower than the component or unit. An example of a unit which is preferably located low in the external enclosure is a power supply.
A further improvement may be obtained if the extended surfaces or fins are spaced sufficiently that at no location is a boundary layer established completely across a channel by air flowing therein by convection.
Making the thickness of the enclosure between external surfaces of opposed containment walls vary between a relatively thin portion and a relatively thick portion so that the interior space fits components or units of corresponding different extent, allows the fins to have a greater depth than would be the case if the thickness were constant. Making the deeper fins with roots having a greater draft angle, e.g. 3� the fins allows the deeper fins or parts of fins to come out of the mould more readily than using a constant draft angle, e.g. 2�, especially when the casting material is LM20.
FIG. 1 illustrates an external enclosure of electronic apparatus embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view in cross section of the enclosure of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a scrap end view in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view, partly in cross section of the enclosure in an outer casing;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the casing of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the casing; and
FIG. 7 illustrates the inside of one part of the enclosure of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 concurrently, a base station for a cellular mobile telecommunications network comprises electronic equipment contained by external enclosure 2. Electronic units such as RF screened transmitter receivers 3, RF screened power amplifiers 4, processor board 5 (mounting components not shown) and duplexers 6 are environmentally sealed within the enclosure 2, which is shown open in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7 concurrently, processor board 5 is mounted on protuberances 7a from wall 7 of the external enclosure. Transmitter/receivers 3 are mounted over processor board 5 on protuberances 9 from wall 7. The power amplifier and other units dissipate a significant amount of power and require cooling. Because the enclosure is sealed, cooling is effected by conduction. For example there is conduction from power amplifiers 4 to the wall 7 of the enclosure on which the power amplifiers are mounted. The enclosure is cooled by convection. Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2 concurrently, to improve the cooling of the enclosure, it is provided with extended surfaces or fins 8. In order to maximize the size of the fins within a given overall dimension, interior space 10 of the enclosure has a width w that varies sufficiently to accommodate the electronic units 4, 6 etc. without a significant waste of space. This allows the extended surfaces or fins 8 to vary in depth between a deep part 8a where the interior space required to accommodate the power amplifier 4 is narrow, to a shallower part 8b where the interior space required to accommodate the duplexer 6 is wider. The outer ends of the fins are contained in a common plain. Thus the maximum depth of the fins is obtained within the overall dimensions. Referring to FIG. 3, the fins are evenly spaced at a sufficient distance within the length of channels 12 to ensure that a boundary layer does not establish itself across the channels between the fins.
Conventionally, the enclosure 2 would be cast in light metal LM6. Enclosures for electronic apparatus are conventionally cast in light metal specification LM6, which is easy to cast. Light metal specification LM20 is more difficult to cast and is more expensive. Light metal LM6 has a thermal conductivity of 124 W/m. �K. Light metal LM20 has marginally greater a thermal conductivity of 155 Watts/m/�K. The small increase in thermal conductivity combined with the greater difficulty in casting, and the greater cost has previously prejudiced those skilled in the art against trying it. However, the inventors found that by using light metal specification LM20 a 3� K improvement in the temperature of critical components in the enclosure can be achieved. Therefore, there is a significant improvement in cooling by casting the enclosure in light metal LM20. For the enclosure illustrated, a 3� C. reduction in the temperature of the enclosure is obtained.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the deeper parts 8a of fins 8 are difficult to cast, being difficult or impossible to release from the mould. The problem is exacerbated by use of LM20. The problem occur with a two degree draft angle when the depth of the fins exceeded approximately 25 mm. The inventors found that easier release from the mould can be obtained by casting the fins with a two stage draft angle. Part 8a of the fin has a draft angle of 2� contained by plain opposed surfaces 14. These surfaces extend throughout the length of the fin. In part 8a, the fin has further opposed plain surfaces 16 between which there is a draft angle of 3�.
Further improvements to cooling the enclosure are obtained by the provision of an outer case 18 shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The case 18 defines with the wall 7 of the enclosure air passages 20 into which fins 8 project. The case is provided at its top 22 and bottom 24 with vents 26 (the top and bottom are similar). In addition, the front of the case 18 is provided with louvers 28 between which are vents 30. The back of the case is provided with louvers 32 at the bottom and louvers 34 at the top. The louvers 32 slant upwards and inwards to assist the passage of air into the case. The louvers 34 slant upwards and outwards to assist the passage of air out of the case.
In general, the top of the enclosure will tend to be hotter than the bottom. In order to reduce the tendency it would be desirable to locate those units that dissipate most heat towards the bottom of the enclosure and those units that dissipate less heat towards the top of the case. Other considerations sometimes make that difficult. In the present case, the power amplifier, which dissipates large amounts of heat, is located above the duplexer, which dissipates comparatively little heat. In order reduce temperature difference between the top and the bottom of the enclosure, a heat pipe 36 has its evaporator 38 arranged to conduct heat from the upper part of the wall 7 or directly from the power amplifier to the condenser 40 in thermal contact with the lower part of the wall 7 in the region of the duplexer 6.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4535386 *May 23, 1983Aug 13, 1985Allen-Bradley CompanyNatural convection cooling system for electronic componentsUS5065278 *Jan 29, 1990Nov 12, 1991Power GuardCast housing encased CATV power supply unitUS5812373 *Mar 21, 1997Sep 22, 1998Lucent Technologies Inc.Heat dissipating weathertight outdoor electronics enclosureUS5831830 *Sep 26, 1996Nov 3, 1998Telefonaktiebolaget Lm EricssonDevice for cooling of electronics unitsUS5915466 *Jan 19, 1998Jun 29, 1999Lucent Technologies Inc.Heat dissipating structure for an electrical assemblyEP0681422A2 *Apr 24, 1995Nov 8, 1995Ford Motor CompanyA printed wire board assembly* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1"East Coast Casting Co. Ltd." "Norfolk Foundry Watton Casting" p. 1.2 *East Coast Casting Co. Ltd. Norfolk Foundry Watton Casting p. 1.3Formcast: "Aluminium and Zinc Casting, Investment Casting, Sand Casting" Formation Ltd. 1998 p. 1.4 *Formcast: Aluminium and Zinc Casting, Investment Casting, Sand Casting Formation Ltd. 1998 p. 1.5Hufnagel, W. "Aluminium-Schlussel" "Aluminium Verlag Editon 2 1983" p. 109.6Hufnagel, W. "Aluminium-Taschenbuch" "Aluminium Verlag Editon 14 1983" pp. 98-110.7 *Hufnagel, W. Aluminium Schlussel Aluminium Verlag Editon 2 1983 p. 109.8 *Hufnagel, W. Aluminium Taschenbuch Aluminium Verlag Editon 14 1983 pp. 98 110.* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS6259798 *Jul 17, 1998Jul 10, 2001Mackie Designs Inc.Passive radiator cooled electronics/heat sink housing for a powered speakerUS6374912 *Dec 30, 1998Apr 23, 2002Lucent TechnologiesDeep drawn enclosure with integrated heatsink and fastening detailsUS6392207 *May 21, 2001May 21, 2002Catem Gmbh & Co. KgElectric heating device, especially for use in motor vehiclesUS6459581 *Dec 19, 2000Oct 1, 2002Harris CorporationElectronic device using evaporative micro-cooling and associated methodsUS6522542Mar 20, 2000Feb 18, 2003Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Power distribution panel with heat sinkUS6586674 *Nov 9, 2001Jul 1, 2003Harting Automotive Gmbh & Co. KgHermetically sealed housingUS6628521 *Mar 12, 2001Sep 30, 2003Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Mechanical housingUS6781830Nov 5, 2002Aug 24, 2004Adc Dsl Systems, Inc.Methods and systems of heat transfer for electronic enclosuresUS6795316Dec 21, 2001Sep 21, 2004Redfern Broadband Networks, Inc.WDM add/drop multiplexer moduleUS6804116 *Dec 18, 2002Oct 12, 2004Redfern Broadband Networks Inc.WDM add/drop multiplexer moduleUS6822860Dec 18, 2002Nov 23, 2004Redfern Broadband Networks Inc.WDM add/drop multiplexer moduleUS6862180May 24, 2002Mar 1, 2005Adc Dsl Systems, Inc.Housings for circuit cardsUS6865085Sep 26, 2003Mar 8, 2005Adc Dsl Systems, Inc.Heat dissipation for electronic enclosuresUS6894907Jul 31, 2001May 17, 2005Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Clamping caseUS6897377Jul 31, 2001May 24, 2005Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Clamping receptacleUS6992249Apr 5, 2005Jan 31, 2006Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Clamping receptacleUS7075789Sep 29, 2003Jul 11, 2006Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Mechanical housingUS7269895Apr 5, 2005Sep 18, 2007Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Clamping caseUS7418995 *Jan 14, 2005Sep 2, 2008Vanner, Inc.System for cooling environmentally sealed enclosuresUS7436660 *Dec 13, 2006Oct 14, 2008Fujitsu LimitedHeat sinks for electronic enclosuresUS7535716 *May 23, 2007May 19, 2009Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Apparatus for enclosing electronic components used in telecommunication systemsUS7633757Oct 31, 2007Dec 15, 2009Adc Dsl Systems, Inc.Mechanical housingUS7852880Dec 13, 2006Dec 14, 2010Fujitsu LimitedProvision of TDM service over GPON using VT encapsulationUS7876753Dec 12, 2006Jan 25, 2011Fujitsu LimitedIP multi-cast video ring distribution and protectionUS7911786 *Apr 7, 2009Mar 22, 2011Fujitsu Ten LimitedElectronic apparatusUS7944696 *Apr 7, 2009May 17, 2011Fujitsu Ten LimitedElectronic apparatusUS7990853Dec 12, 2006Aug 2, 2011Fujitsu LimitedLink aggregation with internal load balancingUS8031464 *Sep 8, 2009Oct 4, 2011Intergraph Technologies CorporationRuggedized computer capable of operating in high-temperature environmentsUS8031470 *May 27, 2009Oct 4, 2011Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Systems and methods for thermal managementUS8050028 *Oct 26, 2010Nov 1, 2011Apple Inc.Heat dissipation in computing deviceUS8184625Dec 13, 2006May 22, 2012Fujitsu LimitedGPON management systemUS8254850Jun 11, 2008Aug 28, 2012Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Communication module component assembliesUS8289858Dec 12, 2006Oct 16, 2012Fujitsu LimitedONU delay and jitter measurementUS8520381 *Sep 20, 2010Aug 27, 2013Sma Solar Technology AgInverter with electrical and electronic components arranged in a sealed housingUS8537540 *Nov 2, 2010Sep 17, 2013Technology Advancement Group, Inc.Field serviceable CPU moduleUS8549741 *May 22, 2009Oct 8, 2013Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Suspension method for compliant thermal contact of electronics modulesUS8553411 *May 23, 2008Oct 8, 2013Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Computer chassisUS8605426Sep 23, 2011Dec 10, 2013Apple Inc.Heat dissipation in computing deviceUS20070201486Dec 13, 2006Aug 30, 2007David SolomonGPON management systemUS20090311974 *May 22, 2009Dec 17, 2009Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Suspension method for compliant thermal contact of electronics modulesUS20110058330 *May 23, 2008Mar 10, 2011Benjamin AbrahamComputer chassisUS20110069451 *Sep 20, 2010Mar 24, 2011Sma Solar Technology AgInverter with Electrical and Electronic Components Arranged in a Sealed HousingUS20110317346 *Jun 28, 2010Dec 29, 2011Zte CorporationTotally-enclosed integrative access system and power consumption reduction method thereofUS20120106070 *Nov 2, 2010May 3, 2012Trevor LandonField serviceable cpu module* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification361/699, 174/16.1, 361/690, 361/700, 361/698, 174/15.2, 361/720, 165/80.3, 165/80.4, 361/688, 361/689International ClassificationH05K7/20, B22C9/06, H04B1/036Cooperative ClassificationB22C9/065, H04B1/036, H05K7/209European ClassificationH04B1/036, B22C9/06D, H05K7/20W5Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMar 7, 2013ASAssignmentFree format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ALCATEL-LUCENT USA INC.;REEL/FRAME:030510/0627Owner name: CREDIT SUISSE AG, NEW YORKEffective date: 20130130Sep 9, 2011FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12Sep 7, 2007FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Dec 6, 2006ASAssignmentOwner name: LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC., NEW JERSEYFree format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK), AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT;REEL/FRAME:018590/0047Effective date: 20061130Aug 19, 2003FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Apr 5, 2001ASAssignmentOwner name: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, TEXFree format text: CONDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT OF AND SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. (DE CORPORATION);REEL/FRAME:011722/0048Effective date: 20010222Owner name: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, AS COLLATERAL AGENT P.O.Feb 14, 2000ASAssignmentOwner name: LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC., NEW JERSEYFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HANLON, PATRICK FRANCIS;REEL/FRAME:010617/0166Effective date: 20000204Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:FALAKI, HAMID REZA;GATES, WILLIAM GEORGE;KEEGAN, MARTIN MICHAEL MARK;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:010617/0195Effective date: 20000125Owner name: LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. 600 MOUNTAIN AVENUE, P.O.Owner name: LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. P.O. BOX 636 600 MOUNTAINFeb 1, 2000ASAssignmentOwner name: LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC., NEW JERSEYFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FALAKI, HAMID REZA;REEL/FRAME:010836/0164Effective date: 20000125Owner name: LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. P.O. BOX 636 600 MOUNTAIApr 27, 1999ASAssignmentOwner name: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED, TEXASFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BRITO, JOAO CARLOS FELICO;TRAFTON, FREDRICK W.;ROTE, JOHN K.;REEL/FRAME:009937/0613Effective date: 19990427RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google