Computers with power exhaust systems

Abstract

Computers with power exhaust systems include a visually dominant top or side mounted power exhaust stack in fluid communication with an exhaust fan mounted proximate to the top or side mounted stack. The power exhaust fan pulls ambient air in from the lower portion of the computer and forces it out the top or a top portion of the housing into a power exhaust stack. The power exhaust stack is prominently positioned on the computer to provide a visual focal point reminiscent of an automotive “souped-up” operating machine which can forcibly cool the computer even when loaded with high-end graphics cards and fast microprocessors. The power exhaust stacks can be configured in a number of ways such as in an arcuate or linearly extending diesel truck-like chrome stack configuration, or in a header or laterally extending exhaust pipe(s) configuration.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A computer housing with a power exhaust stack, comprising: 
 a computer housing with at least one upstanding wall and a ceiling overlying said at least one upstanding wall defining an enclosure space therebetween;    at least one power exhaust stack extending upwardly from said housing ceiling, said power exhaust stack having a tubular section defining an air flow channel and opposing first and second end portions, wherein said power exhaust stack has a profile which rises generally vertically a distance up from said ceiling and directs said air flow channel upwardly out from said computer housing;    at least one air vent disposed in said at least one upstanding wall; and    an exhaust fan mounted proximate to said ceiling in fluid communication with said power exhaust stack first end portion, wherein, during operation, said exhaust fan directs air out from said computer housing through said power exhaust stack air flow channel.    
     
     
         2 . A computer housing according to  claim 1 , wherein said power exhaust stack has a reflective external surface.  
     
     
         3 . A computer housing according to  claim 1 , wherein said power exhaust stack external surface has the appearance of chrome.  
     
     
         4 . A computer housing according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lid pivotably connected to the end of said power exhaust stack second portion.  
     
     
         5 . A computer housing according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cap which is fixedly attached to said exhaust stack second end portion via a plurality of standoffs to define an air exit path therebetween such that, during operation, air is directed out of said power exhaust stack second end through said air exit path.  
     
     
         6 . A computer housing according to  claim 1 , wherein said ceiling has a length and a width, said length direction extending between the front and rear walls of said computer housing, and wherein said power exhaust stack tubular section is a single exhaust stack of substantially round cross-section which has a diameter sized at about at least 25-30% the length of said ceiling.  
     
     
         7 . A computer housing according to  claim 1 , wherein said ceiling has a length and a width, said length direction extending between the front and rear walls of said computer housing, and wherein said power exhaust stack tubular section comprises a substantially round cross-section with a diameter which is substantially equal to the width of said ceiling.  
     
     
         8 . A computer housing according to  claim 1 , wherein said power exhaust stack tubular section has a substantially round cross-section with a diameter of at least about four inches.  
     
     
         9 . A computer housing according to  claim 1 , wherein said power exhaust stack second end portion has an inclined configuration.  
     
     
         10 . A computer housing according to  claim 9 , further comprising an exhaust air filter disposed in said power exhaust stack and configured and sized to extend across said air flow channel.  
     
     
         11 . A computer housing with a top mounted exhaust stack, comprising: 
 a computer housing having a top portion and four upstanding walls, said four upstanding walls including a front wall, a rear wall, and first and second opposing side walls;    an exhaust stack extending upwardly from said housing top portion, said exhaust stack comprising an air foil section defining at least one air flow channel therein, said air foil section including opposing first and second end portions, said first end portion configured to overlie said ceiling adjacent said front wall, wherein said power exhaust stack air foil section has a profile when viewed from the side which rises at said first end portion and then turns to generally horizontally extend toward the rear of said computer housing to direct said air out of and away from said computer housing toward the rear of said computer housing;    at least one air vent disposed in at least one of said four upstanding walls; and    at least one exhaust fan mounted to said housing such that it is proximate to and in fluid communication with said exhaust stack air foil section, wherein, during operation, said exhaust fan directs air out from said computer housing and into said exhaust stack air foil section and out of said computer housing.    
     
     
         12 . A computer housing with a top mounted exhaust stack according to  claim 11 , wherein said exhaust stack air foil section has a width and a length, wherein said computer top portion has a width and a length, and wherein said exhaust stack air foil section width is substantially the same as said ceiling width.  
     
     
         13 . A computer housing with a top mounted exhaust stack according to  claim 11 , wherein said computer top portion has a width and a length, and wherein said exhaust stack air foil section has a length which is less than the length of said computer top portion.  
     
     
         14 . A computer housing with a top mounted exhaust stack according to  claim 11 , wherein said computer top portion has a width and a length, and wherein said exhaust stack air foil length is one of substantially the same or longer than said top portion length.  
     
     
         15 . A computer housing with a top mounted exhaust stack according to  claim 11 , wherein said exhaust stack air foil section comprises a reflective external surface.  
     
     
         16 . A computer housing with a top mounted exhaust stack according to  claim 11 , wherein said exhaust stack air foil section has the appearance of chrome.  
     
     
         17 . A computer housing according to  claim 11 , wherein said at least one exhaust fan is a plurality of exhaust fans positioned along the length of said air foil section.  
     
     
         18 . A computer housing according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said exhaust fans is mounted in said air foil section such that it extends in the radial direction across a portion of said air flow channel.  
     
     
         19 . A computer housing according to  claim 11 , wherein said computer housing is configured as a substantially open body at said top portion, and wherein said air foil section is configured to attach to said computer walls such that it overlies and defines the ceiling of an enclosure space.  
     
     
         20 . A computer housing with a power exhaust stack, comprising: 
 a computer housing with four upstanding side walls and a ceiling overlying said four upstanding side walls including a front wall, a rear wall, and two opposing side walls;    at least one power exhaust stack extending outwardly from at least one of said housing side walls, said power exhaust stack comprising at least one tubular member having an external surface and at least one air flow channel therein, said at least one tubular member having opposing first and second end portions, wherein said power exhaust stack tubular member has a profile when viewed from above which extends outwardly from a forward portion of said side wall and turns to extend generally horizontally alongside said side wall to direct said air flow channel such that the air exits out and away from said computer housing adjacent said rear wall;    at least one air vent disposed in at least one of said four upstanding walls; and    at least one exhaust fan mounted in said housing such that it is proximate to and in fluid communication with said power exhaust stack first end portion, wherein, during operation, said exhaust fan directs air out from said computer housing through at least one of said tubular members of said power exhaust stack.    
     
     
         21 . A computer housing according to  claim 20 , wherein said power exhaust stack at least one tubular member has a reflective external surface.  
     
     
         22 . A computer housing according to  claim 21 , wherein said power exhaust stack comprises one tubular member.  
     
     
         23 . A computer housing according to  claim 21 , wherein said power exhaust stack comprises a plurality of tubular members.  
     
     
         24 . A computer housing according to  claim 20 , wherein said at least one power exhaust stack is two, each extending outwardly from opposing sidewalls.  
     
     
         25 . A computer housing according to  claim 24 , wherein each of said power exhaust stacks comprises a plurality of tubular members, each tubular member having an external surface and at least one channel therein, and wherein each of said tubular members is mounted to a respective one of said sidewalls at a different position along the length of said respective sidewall.  
     
     
         26 . A computer housing according to  claim 25 , wherein said at least one exhaust fan is a plurality of exhaust fans, wherein said exhaust fans are mounted in said housing such that at least one is proximate to a respective one of said opposing power exhaust stacks.  
     
     
         27 . A computer housing according to  claim 26 , wherein each of said tubular members is in fluid communication with an exhaust fan.