Patent ID: 7353908

Claim:
An apparatus for attenuating noise emanating from a cabinet housing a noise-generating fan for creating an airflow through the cabinet, the apparatus comprising: a noise cancellation device including: means for receiving a first portion of a noise signal output from the fan; means for determining characteristics of the noise signal; means for generating a cancellation signal which is identical to the noise signal but approximately 180 degrees out-of-phase with the noise signal; and means for outputting the cancellation signal proximate the noise-generating equipment, to attenuate noise emanating from the cabinet; and means for absorbing an amount of the second portion of the noise signal output from the fan, to attenuate the noise emanating from the cabinet; wherein the means for absorbing an amount of the second portion of the noise signal includes a noise absorption member including a foam portion mounted on a support member, the foam portion having a first surface substantially non-parallel to a direction of an airflow pathway through the cabinet from the fan, such that the noise impinges the first surface of the foam portion of the noise absorption member; and wherein the noise cancellation device is mounted on the support member of the absorbing means within a void in the foam portion and arranged such that the means for determining characteristics of the noise signal, the means for generating the cancellation signal and the means for outputting the cancellation signal are disposed within the void, between the support member and the first surface of the foam portion; the means for outputting the cancellation signal having a surface, distal from the support member, that is approximately aligned with a plane defined by the first surface of the foam portion to minimize any effect of the noise cancellation device on the airflow through the cabinet.