Fan apparatus

Abstract

A fan apparatus includes first axial fans each arranged with a rotation axis thereof extending perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to a mounting surface provided in a case designed to contain an electronic device; and second axial fans each having a rotation axis coinciding with the rotation axis of a separate one of the first axial fans. The first axial fans are arranged to rotate in a first rotation direction to introduce, send, or discharge air into, inside, or out of the case, while the second axial fans are arranged to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction to cause a flow of air in the same direction in which the first axial fans cause a flow of air. Both of the first axial fans and the second axial fans either share a common single-piece housing or have separate housings joined together.

1 . A fan apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of first axial fans arranged in a two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in parallel to a mounting surface provided in a case designed to contain an electronic device, each of the first axial fans having a rotation axis that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface; and   a plurality of second axial fans arranged in a two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in parallel to the mounting surface, each having a rotation axis coinciding with the rotation axis of a separate one of the first axial fans, and being arranged in contact or close proximity with the separate one of the first axial fans; wherein   the first axial fans are arranged to rotate in a first rotation direction to introduce air into the case, discharge air out of the case, or send air inside the case, while the second axial fans are arranged to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction to cause a flow of air in a same direction in which the first axial fans cause a flow of air; and   the first axial fans either share a common single-piece housing or have separate housings joined together, and the second axial fans either share a common single-piece housing or have separate housings joined together.   
     
     
         2 . The fan apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the array of the first axial fans is arranged to be capable of being inserted into and removed from the case in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the mounting surface, and the array of the second axial fans is also arranged to be capable of being inserted into and removed from the case in the same direction. 
     
     
         3 . A fan apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of first axial fans arranged in a two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in parallel to a mounting surface provided in a case designed to contain an electronic device, each of the first axial fans having a rotation axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface; and   a plurality of second axial fans arranged in a two-dimensional array in parallel or substantially in parallel to the mounting surface, each having a rotation axis coinciding with the rotation axis of a separate one of the first axial fans, and being arranged in contact or close proximity with the separate one of the first axial fans; wherein   the first axial fans are arranged to rotate in a first rotation direction to introduce air into the case, discharge air out of the case, or send air inside the case, while the second axial fans are arranged to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction to cause a flow of air in a same direction in which the first axial fans cause a flow of air;   each of the second axial fans and the separate one of the first axial fans arranged in contact or close proximity with the second axial fan either share a common single-piece housing or have separate housings joined together; and   a unified collection of the first and second axial fans is arranged to be capable of being inserted into and removed from the case in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the mounting surface.