Patent ID: 7234510

Claim:
A combined support structure and cooling duct system providing physical support and cooling of electronic circuitry in a control console of a type suitable for use in conjunction with an x-ray food inspection station, comprising: a console enclosure containing the electronic circuitry in an interior region thereof; a heat-dissipating duct, external to the console enclosure, having two ends that are both in airflow communication with the interior region of the console enclosure which is otherwise made substantially airtight, thus forming a closed loop air passageway that includes said duct and the console enclosure, said duct being made from metal in tubular form, configured in a U-shape with both upwardly-extending legs connected to a bottom panel of the console enclosure at respective through-openings, and being made and arranged to also contribute substantially to structural support of the control console; a first electric fan located near a first end region of said heat-dissipating duct, made and arranged to promote circulation of air around the closed loop air passageway; a base platform, made and arranged to provide ground-level support of the console enclosure, attached in a supportive manner to said heat-dissipating duct in a lower region thereof; and a straight support strut configured as a metal tube attached to the base platform and the bottom panel of the console enclosure, and extending there-between in a predominantly vertical inclined direction.