Methods and apparatus for electronic cooling unit with unique features

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for electronic cooling unit with unique features is disclosed. In representative embodiments and applications, the present invention generally provides improved methods and systems for cooling electronic equipment in environments subject to ingestion of foreign object debris.

1 . An electronic cooling unit comprising:
 a heat exchanger suitably canted off axis in relation to gravity to permit gravimetrically assisted ambient air flow through said heat exchanger; and   a plurality of fins affixed to said heat exchanger suitably adapted to reduce the probability of blockage resulting from foreign object debris contained within the ambient air flow.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fan configured to move ambient air across the heat exchanger; and   an air duct positioned between the heat exchanger and the fan.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the fan is configured to temporarily cease operation when the electronic cooling unit is submerged in water. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first cooling line suitably adapted to move a fluid through the heat exchanger; and   a second heat exchanger suitably adapted to transfer heat to or from the first cooling line.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective element substantially covering the cooling unit, wherein the protective element comprises a first opening and a second opening configured to provide a flow path for ambient air through the electronic cooling unit. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first opening and second opening are further configured to prevent a direct line of sight into the electronic cooling unit. 
   
   
       7 . An electronic cooling unit system comprising:
 a first heat exchanger suitably canted off axis in relation to gravity to permit gravimetrically assisted ambient air flow through said heat exchanger;   a plurality of fins affixed to said heat exchanger suitably adapted to reduce the probability of blockage resulting from foreign object debris contained within the ambient air flow;   a first cooling line configured to pass a first fluid through said first heat exchanger; and   a second heat exchanger suitably adapted to transfer heat to said first cooling line.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a fan configured to move ambient air across the first heat exchanger; and   an air duct positioned between the first heat exchanger and the fan.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the fan is configured to temporarily cease operation when the electronic cooling unit is submerged in water. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a second cooling line suitably adapted to move a second fluid through the second heat exchanger and transfer heat to said first fluid. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second cooling line is configured to circulate the second fluid from the second heat exchanger to a remote location. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second cooling loop is configured to absorb heat from an electronics assembly essentially attached to the electronic cooling unit. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the second heat exchanger comprises a coldplate suitably configured to absorb heat from an electronics assembly essentially attached to the electronic cooling unit. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a protective element substantially coveting the cooling unit, wherein the protective element comprises a first opening and a second opening configured to provide a flow path for ambient air through the electronic cooling unit. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are configured with an overlapping multi-layered element suitably adapted to provide a non-straight flow path for ambient air through the first and second openings. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are configured with a chevron shaped element suitably adapted to provide a non-straight flow path for ambient air through the first and second openings. 
   
   
       17 . A method for cooling electronic equipment comprising:
 moving ambient air through a heat exchanger suitably canted off axis in r elation to gravity to permit gravimetrically assisted ambient air flow through said heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of fins affixed to the heat exchanger suitably configured to withstand clogging from foreign object debris contained within the ambient air flow; and   exchanging heat from a first cooling line to the ambient air flow.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a second heat exchanger suitably adapted to transfer heat to the first cooling line; and   a second cooling line suitably adapted to exchange heat from a remote heat source with the first cooling line through the second heat exchanger.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising a protective covering that at least partially covers at least one of said first heat exchanger and said second heat exchanger.