US 11,994,223 B2
Backflow blocking device for axial fans
Adriana del Pilar Rangel, Campbell, CA (US); Quinn Bonard Gaumer, Durham, NC (US); and Pinlin Zhuang, Pleasanton, CA (US)
Assigned to Cisco Technology, Inc.
Filed by Cisco Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/533,828.
Prior Publication US 2023/0160485 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. F16K 15/03 (2006.01); B29C 63/04 (2006.01); F04D 25/14 (2006.01); F04D 29/52 (2006.01); H05K 7/20 (2006.01); F04D 29/56 (2006.01)
CPC F16K 15/035 (2013.01) [B29C 63/04 (2013.01); F04D 25/14 (2013.01); F04D 29/524 (2013.01); H05K 7/20145 (2013.01); F04D 29/563 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
an electronic device comprising a plurality of modular electronic component and a plurality of fans, wherein the plurality of fans are configured to pull air over the plurality of modular electronic component, wherein each of the plurality of fans comprises a fan exhaust; and
a backflow blocking apparatus attached to the fan exhaust, wherein the backflow apparatus comprises:
a first section of a sheet, the first section comprising a plurality of flaps parallel to each other, wherein the plurality of flaps are cut out of and retained by the first section of the sheet;
a second section of the sheet, the second section comprising a guard structure; and
a fold about which the first section and the second section are folded on one another, wherein the guard structure comprises a first plurality of cross members and a second plurality of cross members, wherein the first plurality of cross members are perpendicular to the second plurality of cross members, and wherein the guard structure further comprises a plurality of openings between the first plurality of cross members and the second plurality of cross members.