ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH A LOOPED THERMAL MODULE HAVING A UNIDIRECTIONAL VALVE

    公开(公告)号:US20240397665A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-11-28

    申请号:US18202229

    申请日:2023-05-25

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A thermal module may include a valve used to promote unidirectional flow. The valve may be formed from several flow barriers designed to provide minimal resistance to a refrigerant while flowing in one direction, but provide significant resistance to flow in the opposite direction. The thermal module may include a void. The refrigerant may flow or circulate in a loop around the void. Using the valve for unidirectional flow, a thermal module may provide enhanced thermal transport capabilities.

    COOLING FAN AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH A COOLING FAN

    公开(公告)号:US20210051823A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-02-18

    申请号:US16791834

    申请日:2020-02-14

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An electronic device includes a fan assembly that draws air (including heated air) away from components and forces the air out of the electronic device. The fan assembly includes a guide vane located in the fan housing. Subsequent to air entering the fan assembly via the fan inlets, the guide vane is designed to direct the air to a fan outlet. Further, the guide vane is designed and positioned in the fan assembly to limit or prevent flow separation that may cause the heated air to recirculate and may also cause increased turbulence leading to elevated acoustic noise. Furthermore, the guide vane may include a tapered region to allow the heated air to readily flow over the guide vane to limit or prevent a vortex from occurring within the fan assembly. Using the guide vane, the fan assembly drives more air at the same fan speed and lowers noise generation.

    FAN ASSEMBLY WITH A SELF-ADJUSTING GAP AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH A FAN ASSEMBLY

    公开(公告)号:US20210095692A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-04-01

    申请号:US16792034

    申请日:2020-02-14

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An electronic device with a fan assembly is disclosed. The fan assembly includes an impeller and an insert separated from the impeller by a gap. The fan assembly increases airflow by rotationally driving the impeller. For a sufficient rotational speed of the impeller, the airflow reaches a level that provides a force that displaces the insert. The displacement may include movement and/or compression of the insert. As a result of the displacement, the gap between the impeller and the insert increases. The increased gap reduces the pressure and associated noise that is otherwise caused by the airflow. When the rotational speed of the impeller reduces or ceases, the insert returns to its initial position. In this manner, the fan assembly includes a self-adjusting gap that changes based on the airflow.

    FAN IMPELLER WITH SECTIONS HAVING DIFFERENT BLADE DESIGN GEOMETRIES

    公开(公告)号:US20220287202A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-09-08

    申请号:US17448700

    申请日:2021-09-23

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: Fan assemblies are disclosed. Fan assemblies include an impeller with asymmetric design. For example, an impeller may include a first set of blades with one geometry and second set of fan blades with another geometry. This enables a dual-inlet centrifugal fan to generate different air flow performance characteristics for the air entering one fan inlet compared to the air entering the other fan inlet. The impeller, with different fan blade configurations, can better handle air flow entering the fan assembly through different inlets, particularly when the air flow conditions differ through the inlets due to impeding structures (e.g., motor, struts, etc.). As a result, air flow distribution from air leaving the impeller, including the locations associated with the different fan blade configurations, is relatively uniform. Beneficially, when air flow distribution uniformity increases, the fan assembly operates more efficiently, as air flow pressure losses due to flow separation are mitigated.

    THERMAL MANAGEMENT COMPONENTS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES

    公开(公告)号:US20180352676A1

    公开(公告)日:2018-12-06

    申请号:US15994753

    申请日:2018-05-31

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: A thermal management system that includes a fan assembly, a heat exchanger, and an insulating box is described. The fan assembly can have two impellers and a housing that includes two scroll portions. An internal portion of the scroll wall can be truncated. A motor housing can be connected to the fan housing via multiple struts. The struts can be oriented angularly with a tangential component and can slope inward to increase the effective inlet area. The heat exchanger can be formed of a fin stack that has a curved body that defines an airflow path that turns radially from the inlet to the exhaust. The heat exchanger can have an inlet that is smaller than the exhaust. The heat exchanger can be connected to one or more heat pipes. The insulating box can have a grid that directs air to certain specific directions.

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