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US20120237363A1 - Method And System For Cleaning A Fan Inlet - Google Patents

Method And System For Cleaning A Fan Inlet Download PDF

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Publication number
US20120237363A1
US20120237363A1 US13/049,410 US201113049410A US2012237363A1 US 20120237363 A1 US20120237363 A1 US 20120237363A1 US 201113049410 A US201113049410 A US 201113049410A US 2012237363 A1 US2012237363 A1 US 2012237363A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
fan
inlet
housing
airflow
controller
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/049,410
Inventor
Richard A. Kominsky
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Exelis Inc
Original Assignee
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC filed Critical ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
Priority to US13/049,410 priority Critical patent/US20120237363A1/en
Assigned to ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, INC. reassignment ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KOMINSKY, RICHARD A.
Assigned to Exelis Inc. reassignment Exelis Inc. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ITT CORPORATION, ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC
Publication of US20120237363A1 publication Critical patent/US20120237363A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D27/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids
    • F04D27/004—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids by varying driving speed
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D25/00—Pumping installations or systems
    • F04D25/16—Combinations of two or more pumps ; Producing two or more separate gas flows
    • F04D25/166—Combinations of two or more pumps ; Producing two or more separate gas flows using fans
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
    • F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
    • F04D29/70—Suction grids; Strainers; Dust separation; Cleaning
    • F04D29/701—Suction grids; Strainers; Dust separation; Cleaning especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
    • F04D29/703—Suction grids; Strainers; Dust separation; Cleaning especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps specially for fans, e.g. fan guards
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/70—Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Definitions

  • Fans are used in a number of applications to keep electrical components cool.
  • a mesh or filter is placed in front of the fan air intake to collect dirt and remove dirt from the air stream prior to the air being blown into the device being cooled.
  • the inlet retains the dirt to protect the device being cooled.
  • the inlet e.g., mesh or filter
  • passages through the inlet are reduced to a point where the airflow is ineffective for cooling the device.
  • An exemplary embodiment of the invention is system comprising a housing; a first fan having a first inlet and a second fan having a second inlet, the first fan and the second fan mounted in a wall of the housing, the first fan and the second fan oriented to draw air into the housing; a device in the housing, the device positioned to receive airflow from the first fan and the second fan; and a controller for controlling the first fan and the second fan, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a cleaning cycle during which the first fan is on and the second fan is off to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the second inlet in a reverse direction for a first time period and the first fan is off and the second fan is on to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the first inlet in a reverse direction for a second time period.
  • Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method of providing a housing; providing a first fan having a first inlet and a second fan having a second inlet, the first fan and the second fan mounted in a wall of the housing, the first fan and the second fan oriented to draw air into the housing; providing a device in the housing, the device positioned to receive airflow from the first fan and the second fan; and providing a controller for controlling the first fan and the second fan, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a cleaning cycle during which the first fan is on and the second fan is off to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the second inlet in a reverse direction for a first time period and the first fan is off and the second fan is on to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the first inlet in a reverse direction for a second time period.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a system for cleaning a fan inlet in exemplary embodiments.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process for cleaning a fan inlet in exemplary embodiments.
  • FIG. 3 depicts the system of FIG. 1 with one fan shut off in exemplary embodiments.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a system for cleaning a fan inlet in exemplary embodiments.
  • the system 100 includes a housing 102 .
  • the housing 102 may partially or completely contain the elements depicted in FIG. 1 .
  • a voltage regulator 104 or alternatively components of a voltage regulator requiring cooling.
  • the voltage regulator 104 is part of a motor vehicle electrical system that converts AC voltage from an alternator to DC voltage (e.g., 28 VDC).
  • a heat sink 106 is in thermal contact with regulator 104 to dissipate heat. Heat sink 106 may be coupled to regulator 104 using known heat transfer media (e.g., thermally conductive adhesive).
  • Two fans 110 1 and 110 2 are mounted in a wall of the housing 102 to draw air from outside the housing. Although two fans are shown in FIG. 1 , it is understood that embodiments may be implemented using more than two fans.
  • Each fan 110 includes an inlet 112 1 and 112 2 .
  • the inlets 112 may be a mesh or a filter (e.g. HEPA filter), designed to trap particulates to prevent the particulates from entering housing 102 .
  • the outlet from each fan 110 is directed at heat sink 106 to assist in cooling the regulator 104 . Airflow exits the housing 102 through vents in one of the sidewalls of the housing.
  • a driver 130 controls the fans 110 by providing drive signals to fans 110 .
  • the drive signals may be any known type of electrical signals (e.g., DC, PWM), and will depend on the nature of the motors in fans 110 .
  • a separate driver may be used for each fan 110 , although a single driver 130 is shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity.
  • a controller 132 provides control signals to the driver 130 to control speed and direction of fans 110 .
  • the controller 132 may be implemented using known processor-based devices (e.g., a general purpose microprocessor executing code), hardware, a combination of hardware and software, ASICs, etc. As described herein, controller 132 controls fans 110 so that the fan inlets 112 are periodically cleaned of particulates.
  • FIG. 2 is flowchart of an exemplary process for cleaning the fan inlets 112 .
  • the process begins at block 200 where the system of FIG. 1 is powered on. When powered on, controller 132 executes the fan cleaning cycle.
  • controller 132 generates control signals to driver 130 to generate drive signals turning fan 110 1 on and fan 110 2 off for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 minutes).
  • FIG. 3 illustrates fan 110 1 on and 110 2 off.
  • the backpressure from heat sink 106 forces some airflow to flow through fan 110 2 , through inlet 112 2 and out of the housing 102 . This reverse airflow forces particulates out of inlet 112 2 effectively cleaning the inlet 112 2 .
  • controller 132 After a predetermined amount of time, flow proceeds to block 204 where controller 132 generates control signals to driver 130 to generate drive signals turning fan 110 1 off and fan 110 2 on for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 minutes). This is the opposite of the mode shown in FIG. 3 , and results in the backpressure airflow from heat sink 106 to flow through fan 110 1 and inlet 112 1 and out of the housing 102 .
  • a predetermined period of time e.g., 5 minutes.
  • the controller 132 can re-initiate the cleaning cycle of blocks 202 and 204 after a time interval has lapsed.
  • the process in FIG. 2 includes block 208 , where a determination is made if a time interval (e.g., a number of hours) has lapsed. If not, the controller 132 continues to operate in normal mode at block 206 . If a time interval has lapsed, the process loops back to block 202 to perform the cleaning cycle again.
  • a time interval e.g., a number of hours

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cooling Or The Like Of Electrical Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

A system includes a housing; a first fan having a first inlet and a second fan having a second inlet, the first fan and the second fan mounted in a wall of the housing, the first fan and the second fan oriented to draw air into the housing; a device in the housing, the device positioned to receive airflow from the first fan and the second fan; and a controller for controlling the first fan and the second fan, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a cleaning cycle during which the first fan is on and the second fan is off to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the second inlet in a reverse direction for a first time period and the first fan is off and the second fan is on to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the first inlet in a reverse direction for a second time period.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Fans are used in a number of applications to keep electrical components cool. In a conventional fan inlet, a mesh or filter is placed in front of the fan air intake to collect dirt and remove dirt from the air stream prior to the air being blown into the device being cooled. The inlet retains the dirt to protect the device being cooled. During normal operation, the inlet (e.g., mesh or filter) retains dirt and becomes partially blocked. As the quantity of dirt increases, passages through the inlet are reduced to a point where the airflow is ineffective for cooling the device. There is a need in the art for a system that regularly cleans fan inlets to maintain airflow.
    • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • An exemplary embodiment of the invention is system comprising a housing; a first fan having a first inlet and a second fan having a second inlet, the first fan and the second fan mounted in a wall of the housing, the first fan and the second fan oriented to draw air into the housing; a device in the housing, the device positioned to receive airflow from the first fan and the second fan; and a controller for controlling the first fan and the second fan, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a cleaning cycle during which the first fan is on and the second fan is off to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the second inlet in a reverse direction for a first time period and the first fan is off and the second fan is on to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the first inlet in a reverse direction for a second time period.
  • Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is a method of providing a housing; providing a first fan having a first inlet and a second fan having a second inlet, the first fan and the second fan mounted in a wall of the housing, the first fan and the second fan oriented to draw air into the housing; providing a device in the housing, the device positioned to receive airflow from the first fan and the second fan; and providing a controller for controlling the first fan and the second fan, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a cleaning cycle during which the first fan is on and the second fan is off to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the second inlet in a reverse direction for a first time period and the first fan is off and the second fan is on to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the first inlet in a reverse direction for a second time period.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 depicts a system for cleaning a fan inlet in exemplary embodiments.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process for cleaning a fan inlet in exemplary embodiments.
  • FIG. 3 depicts the system of FIG. 1 with one fan shut off in exemplary embodiments.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • FIG. 1 depicts a system for cleaning a fan inlet in exemplary embodiments. The system 100 includes a housing 102. The housing 102 may partially or completely contain the elements depicted in FIG. 1. Within housing 102 is a voltage regulator 104, or alternatively components of a voltage regulator requiring cooling. In exemplary embodiments, the voltage regulator 104 is part of a motor vehicle electrical system that converts AC voltage from an alternator to DC voltage (e.g., 28 VDC). As the regulator 104 handles substantial power, a heat sink 106 is in thermal contact with regulator 104 to dissipate heat. Heat sink 106 may be coupled to regulator 104 using known heat transfer media (e.g., thermally conductive adhesive).
  • Two fans 110 1 and 110 2 are mounted in a wall of the housing 102 to draw air from outside the housing. Although two fans are shown in FIG. 1, it is understood that embodiments may be implemented using more than two fans. Each fan 110 includes an inlet 112 1 and 112 2. The inlets 112 may be a mesh or a filter (e.g. HEPA filter), designed to trap particulates to prevent the particulates from entering housing 102. The outlet from each fan 110 is directed at heat sink 106 to assist in cooling the regulator 104. Airflow exits the housing 102 through vents in one of the sidewalls of the housing.
  • A driver 130 controls the fans 110 by providing drive signals to fans 110. The drive signals may be any known type of electrical signals (e.g., DC, PWM), and will depend on the nature of the motors in fans 110. A separate driver may be used for each fan 110, although a single driver 130 is shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity.
  • A controller 132 provides control signals to the driver 130 to control speed and direction of fans 110. The controller 132 may be implemented using known processor-based devices (e.g., a general purpose microprocessor executing code), hardware, a combination of hardware and software, ASICs, etc. As described herein, controller 132 controls fans 110 so that the fan inlets 112 are periodically cleaned of particulates.
  • FIG. 2 is flowchart of an exemplary process for cleaning the fan inlets 112. The process begins at block 200 where the system of FIG. 1 is powered on. When powered on, controller 132 executes the fan cleaning cycle. At block 202, controller 132 generates control signals to driver 130 to generate drive signals turning fan 110 1 on and fan 110 2 off for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 minutes). FIG. 3 illustrates fan 110 1 on and 110 2 off. In this state, the backpressure from heat sink 106 forces some airflow to flow through fan 110 2, through inlet 112 2 and out of the housing 102. This reverse airflow forces particulates out of inlet 112 2 effectively cleaning the inlet 112 2.
  • After a predetermined amount of time, flow proceeds to block 204 where controller 132 generates control signals to driver 130 to generate drive signals turning fan 110 1 off and fan 110 2 on for a predetermined period of time (e.g., 5 minutes). This is the opposite of the mode shown in FIG. 3, and results in the backpressure airflow from heat sink 106 to flow through fan 110 1 and inlet 112 1 and out of the housing 102. Once the predetermined amount of time has passed, the process flows to 206 where the controller 132 operates fans 110 in a normal operation mode. This may entail running both fans at steady or variable speeds based on sensed conditions.
  • The controller 132 can re-initiate the cleaning cycle of blocks 202 and 204 after a time interval has lapsed. The process in FIG. 2 includes block 208, where a determination is made if a time interval (e.g., a number of hours) has lapsed. If not, the controller 132 continues to operate in normal mode at block 206. If a time interval has lapsed, the process loops back to block 202 to perform the cleaning cycle again. The embodiments described above provide for cleaning of fan inlets without requiring reversal of fan direction.
  • While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out the invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. A system comprising:
a housing;
a first fan having a first inlet and a second fan having a second inlet, the first fan and the second fan mounted in a wall of the housing, the first fan and the second fan oriented to draw air into the housing;
a device in the housing, the device positioned to receive airflow from the first fan and the second fan; and
a controller for controlling the first fan and the second fan, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a cleaning cycle during which the first fan is on and the second fan is off to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the second inlet in a reverse direction for a first time period and the first fan is off and the second fan is on to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the first inlet in a reverse direction for a second time period.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the first inlet is a mesh.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the first inlet is a filter.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein:
the device includes a heat sink.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein:
the device includes a voltage regulator component.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein:
the voltage regulator component is part of a motor vehicle electrical system that converts AC voltage from an alternator to DC voltage.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein:
wherein the DC voltage is 28 VDC.
8. A method of cooling a device comprising:
providing a housing;
providing a first fan having a first inlet and a second fan having a second inlet, the first fan and the second fan mounted in a wall of the housing, the first fan and the second fan oriented to draw air into the housing;
providing a device in the housing, the device positioned to receive airflow from the first fan and the second fan; and
providing a controller for controlling the first fan and the second fan, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a cleaning cycle during which the first fan is on and the second fan is off to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the second inlet in a reverse direction for a first time period and the first fan is off and the second fan is on to cause backpressure airflow to flow through the first inlet in a reverse direction for a second time period.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein:
the first inlet is a mesh.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein:
the first inlet is a filter.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein:
the device includes a heat sink
12. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the device includes a voltage regulator component.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein:
the voltage regulator component is part of a motor vehicle electrical system that converts AC voltage from an alternator to DC voltage.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein:
wherein the DC voltage is 28 VDC.
US13/049,410 2011-03-16 2011-03-16 Method And System For Cleaning A Fan Inlet Abandoned US20120237363A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/049,410 US20120237363A1 (en) 2011-03-16 2011-03-16 Method And System For Cleaning A Fan Inlet

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6532151B2 (en) * 2001-01-31 2003-03-11 Hewlett-Packard Company Method and apparatus for clearing obstructions from computer system cooling fans
US20030085621A1 (en) * 1997-11-17 2003-05-08 Potega Patrick Henry Power supply methods and configurations
US20060090787A1 (en) * 2004-10-28 2006-05-04 Onvural O R Thermoelectric alternators and thermoelectric climate control devices with controlled current flow for motor vehicles
US20070090810A1 (en) * 2005-07-20 2007-04-26 Aerovironment, Inc. Integrated battery unit for electric vehicles
US20090097202A1 (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-04-16 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Systems and Methods for Cleaning Filters of an Electrical Device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030085621A1 (en) * 1997-11-17 2003-05-08 Potega Patrick Henry Power supply methods and configurations
US6532151B2 (en) * 2001-01-31 2003-03-11 Hewlett-Packard Company Method and apparatus for clearing obstructions from computer system cooling fans
US20060090787A1 (en) * 2004-10-28 2006-05-04 Onvural O R Thermoelectric alternators and thermoelectric climate control devices with controlled current flow for motor vehicles
US20070090810A1 (en) * 2005-07-20 2007-04-26 Aerovironment, Inc. Integrated battery unit for electric vehicles
US20090097202A1 (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-04-16 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Systems and Methods for Cleaning Filters of an Electrical Device

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, INC., DELAWARE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KOMINSKY, RICHARD A.;REEL/FRAME:025968/0494

Effective date: 20110315

AS Assignment

Owner name: EXELIS INC., VIRGINIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC;ITT CORPORATION;SIGNING DATES FROM 20111221 TO 20111222;REEL/FRAME:027542/0683

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION