Hybrid fluid-dynamic apparatus

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a hybrid fluid-dynamic apparatus, and more particularly to a hybrid fluid-dynamic apparatus assembled by an axial impeller and a centrifugal impeller.

In the modern era, a computer has become an indispensable tool for the people in their daily lives. It is desired to miniaturize the computer size and, therefore, the computer enclosure is densely filled with heat-generated components. The heat generated by the components is not easily dissipated from the computer due to the limited space of the computer enclosure, especially, a laptop computer. If the heat is not adequately removed from the computer enclosure, the temperature inside the enclosure may rise to levels that degrade the life and reliability of the computer. Thus, heat dissipation in a limited space of a computer is a significant issue during the operation of computers. It is desirable to enhance the performance of the heat dissipating devices of computers in order to efficiently dissipate the heat generated during operation in a limited space of the computer enclosure.

It is usual to use at least two serial axial fans to enhance the air pressure for facilitating the air convection of the fan. Because the air of a centrifugal fan is directed to axially flow into the fan and flow out laterally, the air pressure of the centrifugal fan cannot be increased by assembling at two fans in serial. Thus, the utilization of centrifugal fans in computer is limited.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to provide a hybrid fluid-dynamic apparatus which is an assembly of an axial fan and a centrifugal fan. The assembly apparatus is able to enhance the volume of airflow and the air pressure of a centrifugal fan. Moreover, the assembly apparatus of the present invention is to utilize the width difference of the fluid path for enhancing the air velocity and thus, the utilization of the centrifugal fan are enhanced.

The hybrid fluid-dynamic apparatus includes a first dynamic device, a second dynamic device, and a fluid path between the first and second dynamic devices; wherein the first dynamic device includes an axial impeller, the second dynamic device includes a centrifugal impeller, the fluid path is gradually narrowed from the first dynamic device to the second dynamic device. The air is able to be directed to the fluid path by the first dynamic device and exhausted by the second dynamic device. Thus, the hybrid fluid-dynamic apparatus is capable to increase the airflow volume and air pressure to enhance the efficiency of the heat dissipation.

These and other objectives of the present invention will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings therein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two dynamic apparatuses of the first embodiment combined in serial;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown the perspective view and the cross-section view of the first embodiment. The present invention is to provide a hybrid fluid dynamic apparatus for actuating an air or a fluid as transmitting media. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the fluid dynamic apparatus 1 is used as a cooling fan. The first dynamic apparatus 1 includes a first dynamic unit 10, a second dynamic unit 11 and a fluid path 12 extendly connecting the first unit 10 and the second unit 11.

The first dynamic unit 10 is a common axial cooling fan which includes a main frame 100, an impeller 101 actuated by a motor unit (not shown). The impeller 101 is received in the central part of the main frame 100. The media transmitted by the first dynamic unit 10 is axially directed into the impeller 101 and axially directed out the impeller 101. The second dynamic unit 11 is a common centrifugal cooling fan, the centrifugal impeller 110 of which is actuated by a motor unit (not shown). The media transmitted by the first dynamic unit 11 is axially directed into the impeller 110 and radially directed out the impeller 110.

The fluid path 12 is formed in the casing 13. In this embodiment, the casing 13 is in a rectangular cube with two sides at each end, 130 and 131. The end 130 is for installing the first dynamic unit 10. The air (or the media) can be directed from the external into the casing 13 via the impeller 101. The second end 131 is at the opposite side of the end 130 with a smaller opening (as shown in FIG. 4) for exhausting the air (or media) from the casing 13 via the second dynamic unit 11.

As above described, the fluid path 12 in casing 13 for extendly connecting the first and second dynamic units 10, 11 is formed by the internal side of casing 13 and a leading plate 120. The leading plate 120 is inclinedly to connect the first and second dynamic units 10 and 11. Thus, the fluid path 12 is gradually narrowed from the first dynamic unit 10 to the second dynamic unit 11. An opening 121 is formed on the leading plate 120 at the position above the second dynamic unit 11 for the air flow thereinto.

In addition, the leading plate 120 is able to be further streamlined for facilitating the flow of fluid. The hybrid fluid dynamic apparatus is thus constructed.

The present invention can be implemented in various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, the hybrid apparatus of the present invention can be carried out by assembly in serial.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are shown the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the casing of the hybrid fluid dynamic apparatus is in a “L” shape. This second embodiment can be utilized on a need that the air inlet and outlet are at different level.

FIG. 6 is shown the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the centrifugal impeller of the hybrid fluid dynamic apparatus is positioned horizontally.

While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.