Stackable switch cooling system

摘要

A switch includes a switch chassis that houses a heat producing component. A plurality of side walls are located on the switch chassis and define a chassis perimeter. A top wall extends between the plurality of side walls and defines a top wall perimeter vent adjacent the chassis perimeter. A bottom wall extends between the plurality of side walls, is located opposite the switch chassis from the top wall, and defines a bottom wall perimeter vent adjacent the chassis perimeter. A plurality of feet are located on the bottom wall and provide an air gap between the switch chassis and a support surface when the plurality of feet engage the support surface. In response to the heat producing component generating heat, fresh air is drawn in through the air gap and the bottom wall perimeter vent, and heated air flows through the top wall perimeter vent.

主权项

1. A switch system, comprising:
a first switch, comprising:
a first switch side wall member that is provided by a single extruded piece of material;a first switch top wall that extends between the first switch side wall member and that defines a first switch top wall perimeter vent that is located between the first switch side wall member and a first switch top wall center portion that is free of venting;a first switch bottom wall that is located opposite the first switch from the first switch top wall, that extends between the first switch side wall member, and that defines a first switch bottom wall perimeter vent that is located between the first switch side wall member and a first switch bottom wall center portion that is free of venting;a first switch housing that is defined between the first switch side wall member, the first switch top wall, and the first switch bottom wall; anda first switch heat producing component that is centrally located in the first switch housing between the first switch top wall center portion and the first switch bottom wall center portion; and a second switch that is positioned in a stacked configuration with the first switch, wherein the second switch comprises:
a second switch side wall member that is provided by a single extruded piece of material;a second switch top wall that extends between the second switch side wall member, that defines a second switch top wall perimeter vent that is located between the second switch side wall member and a second switch top wall center portion that is free of venting, and that is positioned adjacent the first switch bottom wall perimeter vent on the first switch such that a first air gap is provided between the second switch top wall and the first switch bottom wall;a second switch bottom wall that is located opposite the second switch from the second switch top wall, that extends between the second switch side wall member, and that defines a second switch bottom wall perimeter vent that is located between the second switch side wall member and a second switch bottom wall center portion that is free of venting;a second switch housing that is defined between the second switch side wall member, the second switch top wall, and the second switch bottom wall; anda second switch heat producing component that is centrally located in the second switch housing between the second switch top wall center portion and the second switch bottom wall center portion; wherein, in response to operation of the first switch and the second switch in the stacked orientation, a perimeter airflow is created by:
drawing first fresh air in through the second switch bottom wall perimeter vent such that the first fresh air flows throughout a first airflow perimeter between the second switch heat producing component and the second switch side wall member;heating the first fresh air using the second switch heat producing component to provide first heated air;exhausting the first heated air through the second switch top wall perimeter vent;drawing the first heated air that was exhausted through the second switch top wall perimeter vent through the first air gap and the first switch bottom wall perimeter vent such that the first heated air flows throughout a second airflow perimeter between the first switch heat producing component and the first switch side wall member;heating the first heated air using the first switch heat producing component to provide second heated air; andexhausting the second heated air through the first switch top wall perimeter vent.