Rack mountable computer component fan cooling arrangement and method

Abstract

According to certain embodiments of the invention, there is provided an arrangement for cooling a series of closely spaced upright computer components mounted to a support, the arrangement including a tray having a plurality of air moving devices such as fans. Members are used for helping mount removably the tray to the support in a generally horizontal disposition, and the air moving devices move air in a generally upright path of travel to help cool the upright computer components. The tray also has a series of connector ports for connecting electrically to outputs from individual ones of the computer components.

1 . A cooling arrangement for cooling a series of closely spaced upright computer components mounted to a support, comprising: 
 a frame adapted to be mounted on the support;    a tray having a plurality of air moving devices removably mounted within the frame;    members for helping mount removably said tray within the frame in a generally horizontal disposition;    said air moving devices for moving air in a generally upright path of travel to help cool the upright computer components; and    an upstanding removable front panel on the frame for permitting the tray to be withdrawn from the frame when the front panel is removed therefrom.    
   
   
       2 . A cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , further including connector ports arranged in a row at the front panel.  
   
   
       3 . A cooling arrangement according to  claim 2 , wherein said front panel can be opened to permit access to said air moving devices.  
   
   
       4 . A cooling arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein said tray is arranged in separately removable tray portions.  
   
   
       5 . A method of cooling a series of closely spaced upright computer components mounted to a support, comprising: 
 using a frame adapted to be mounted to the support;    using a tray having a plurality of air moving devices and a series of connector ports for connecting electrically to outputs from individual ones of the computer components;    mounting the frame to the support;    mounting removably the tray within the frame behind a front panel in a generally horizontal disposition;    utilizing the air moving devices to move air in a generally upright path of travel to help cool the upright computer components; and    removing the front panel from the frame for permitting the tray to be withdrawn from the frame.    
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , further including arranging the tray in a plurality of separately removable subtrays, and removing individual ones of the subtrays.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6 , further including providing connector ports arranged on the openable front panel, and further including opening the front panel and removing at least one of the subtrays from the frame while maintaining the electrical connection to the connector ports.  
   
   
       8 . A cooling tray for cooling a series of closely spaced upright computer components mounted to a support, comprising: 
 a frame adapted to be mounted on the support;    a tray having a plurality of air moving devices for mounting within the frame;    a removable upstanding front panel over an access opening in the frame;    guide mounted on the frame for helping mount removably said tray to the frame in a generally horizontal disposition;    said air moving devices for moving air in a generally upright path of travel to help cool the upright computer components; and    at least one signal conductor mounted on the back portion of the frame and electrically connected to the air moving devices.    
   
   
       9 . A cooling arrangement according to  claim 8 , further including connector ports arranged in a row at the front panel.  
   
   
       10 . A cooling arrangement according to  claim 9 , wherein said front panel can be opened to permit access to said air moving devices.  
   
   
       11 . A cooling arrangement according to  claim 8 , wherein said tray is arranged in separately removable tray portions.