Ventilation system for electronic equipment

Abstract

A system for ventilating an enclosure for electronic equipment has an axial fan mounted between first and second pipes. The first and second pipes have major and minor diameters, the diameters being sized to fit into different sized of standard ventilation duct. The first and second pipes, the fan, mounting means, and an optional gas cap can be assembled to provide airflow through the system in either of two directions. The system if preferably connected by ducting to an enclosure having heat-generating electronic components and mounted some distance away therefrom, such as in an attic space.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A ventilation system comprising: 
 a first pipe; the first pipe having a first end and a second end; the first end of the first pipe having a major diameter and the second end of the first pipe having a minor diameter;    an axial fan; the axial fan connected to the first pipe at its first end;    a second pipe; the second pipe having a first end and a second end; the first end of the second pipe having a major diameter and the second end of the second pipe having a minor diameter; and,    the first end of the second pipe connected to the axial fan,    so that operation of the fan causes airflow through the first and second pipes.    
     
     
         2 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first mounting means for connecting the first pipe to the axial fan.  
     
     
         3 . The ventilation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second mounting means for connecting the second pipe to the axial fan.  
     
     
         4 . The ventilation system of  claim 1  where the minor and major diameters of the first pipe are sized to fit the inside diameters of standard ventilation ducts.  
     
     
         5 . The ventilation system of  claim 1  where the minor and major diameters of the second pipe are sized to fit the inside diameters of standard ventilation ducts.  
     
     
         6 . The ventilation system of  claim 1  where the axial fan is driven by a brushless motor.  
     
     
         7 . A ventilation system comprising: 
 a first pipe; the first pipe having a first end and a second end; the first end of the first pipe having a major diameter and the second end of the first pipe having a minor diameter;    the major and minor diameters of the first pipe being sized to fit the inside diameters of standard ventilation ducts;    an axial fan; the axial fan driven by a brushless motor;    a first mounting means connecting the first end of the first pipe to the axial fan; the first mounting means further comprising a flange integral with the first pipe;    a second pipe; the second pipe having a first end and a second end; the first end of the second pipe having a major diameter and the second end of the second pipe having a minor diameter;    the major and minor diameters of the second pipe being sized to fit the inside diameters of standard ventilation ducts; and,    a second mounting means connecting the first end of the second pipe to the axial fan; the second mounting means further comprising a flange integral with the second pipe,    so that operation of the fan causes airflow through the first and second pipes.    
     
     
         8 . A kit for ventilating an enclosure comprising: 
 an axial fan;    a first pipe, the first pipe having a first and second ends; the first end of the first pipe having a major diameter and the second end of the first pipe having a minor diameter;    a second pipe; the second pipe having a first and second ends; the first end of the second pipe having a major diameter and the second end of the first pipe having a minor diameter;    so that the kit may be assembled by connecting the first and second pipes to the axial fan to direct the airflow from the axial fan through the first and second pipes in either of two predetermined directions.    
     
     
         9 . The kit for ventilating an enclosure of  claim 8  further comprising first and second mounting means for mounting the first end of the first pipe and the first end of the second pipe to the axial fan.  
     
     
         10 . The kit for ventilating an enclosure of  claim 8  where the minor and major diameters of the first and second pipes being sized to fit the inside diameters of standard ventilation ducts.  
     
     
         11 . The kit for ventilating an enclosure of  claim 8  further comprising an axial fan having a brushless motor.  
     
     
         12 . A kit for ventilating an enclosure comprising: 
 an axial fan; the axial fan having a brushless motor;    a first pipe, the first pipe having first and second ends; the first end of the first pipe having a major diameter and the second end of the first pipe having a minor diameter; the major and minor diameters of the first pipe being sized to fit the inside diameters of standard ventilation ducts;    a second pipe; the second pipe having first and second ends; the first end of the second pipe having a major diameter and the second end of the first pipe having a minor diameter; the major and minor diameters of the second pipe being sized to fit the inside diameters of standard ventilation ducts;    a first mounting means for connecting the first end of the first pipe to the axial fan; the first mounting means further comprising a flange integral with the first pipe; and,    a second mounting means for connecting the first end of the second pipe to the axial fan; the second mounting means further comprising a flange integral with the second pipe,    so that the kit may be assembled by connecting the first and second pipes to the axial fan to direct the airflow from the axial fan through the first and second pipes in either of two predetermined directions.