Forced convection cooling system for electronic equipment

Abstract

A cooling system for telecommunication equipment including a heat exchanger having outwardly protruding, parallel fins to dissipate heat. Each pair of fins forming an elongated channel. The system includes an ejector positioned within each channel to direct pressurized air through the channels while dragging ambient air through the channels along with the pressurized air. The pressurized and ambient air passing through the channels increases the ability of the fins to dissipate heat. Since the source of pressurized air can be remote from the telecommunications equipment in a protected and easily accessed location, the ejectors provide a rugged cooling mechanism adjacent the heat exchanger with no moving parts.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cooling system comprising: 
 a heat exchanger having two spaced, longitudinally extending fins protruding from an outwardly facing surface, each of said fins having a first end and a second end, said fins and said surface forming a longitudinal cavity extending between said first and second ends of said fins; and    an ejector coupled to said heat exchanger and positioned within said cavity and between said fins such that a gap exists between said ejector and each of said fins, said ejector having an exit opening facing toward a far end of said cavity to direct air passing through said ejector and ambient air along said cavity toward said far end to dissipate heat from said fins.    
     
     
         2 . The cooling system of  claim 1 , wherein 
 said fins are substantially parallel to each other.    
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a cover positioned over a portion of said cavity.    
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said apparatus is coupled to a top of a telecommunications antenna.    
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an air compressor fluidly coupled to said ejector and positioned off of said antenna.    
     
     
         6 . A system for cooling telecommunications electronic equipment comprising: 
 a heat exchanger including a heat exchanger body and a pair of elongated, flat or corrugated fins protruding outwardly from said heat exchanger, each of said pair of fins being substantially parallel and in spaced relation to each other, and a longitudinally extending channel formed between said pair of fins and extending the length of said pair of fins;    means for directing pressurized air through said channel while dragging ambient air through said channel to dissipate heat in said pair of fins.    
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 means for sending or receiving telecommunication signals.    
     
     
         8 . A method of cooling telecommunication equipment, comprising: 
 providing an antenna with a heat exchanger on a support structure;    directing pressurized air from a compressor remote and spaced from said support structure to said heat exchanger;    forcing the pressurized air over the heat exchanger to dissipate heat from the heat exchanger;    forming a negative pressure in an area adjacent the heat exchanger; and    dragging ambient air adjacent the heat exchanger away from the heat exchanger to further dissipate heat from the heat exchanger.    
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 said fins are substantially flat.    
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 said fins are corrugated.