COOLING ELECTRONIC DEVICES USING FLOW SENSORS

摘要

An electronic device can be provided with a housing having at least one wall defining a cavity and a flow sensor at least partially contained within the cavity. The flow sensor may be configured to detect a flow characteristic related to the flow of a fluid through a first portion of the cavity. The electronic device may also include a processor configured to alter a performance characteristic of the electronic device based on the detected flow characteristic.

主权项

1. A portable computer, comprising:
a housing that defines a cavity; a first cooling port and a second cooling port allowing air to move between the cavity and an external environment; a flow sensor system disposed within the cavity and configured to detect air flow rates through the first and second cooling ports; and a processor disposed within the cavity and configured to periodically receive a signal from the flow sensor system that includes a flow characteristic associated with the detected air flow rates, wherein the processor alters a performance characteristic of the portable computer in accordance with the received flow characteristic.