On November 6th, the Apple company patented the “ionic wind generator,” which is referred to in the patent as, “a method and apparatus for cooling electronic devices.” Anyone who owns an Apple product, whether it’s a MacBook or an iPod, knows that this new device is much needed. While it doesn’t always pose a danger, electronics tend to get hot with use.
Apple’s new patent outlines a system for cooling that employs an ionic wind pump which utilizes magnets in order to send cool air to certain parts of an electronic machine. Sensors in the device tell the pump which areas need cooling. In turn, the pump uses magnets to target these specific areas.
To many, this may sound similar to a basic cooling system that all laptops today have. The difference is that Apple’s patent only cools what needs to be cooled instead of the entire machine. Most fans in laptops cool the entire device even when certain components are’t being used. This means that Apple’s new fans are more efficient, because airflow is only directed where it’s needed. Plus, the fan won’t run all the time.
Another difference is that most laptop fans are large. Apple, sticking to its dedication to make electronics smooth and sleek, wanted a smaller, more portable cooling device. The best part is that Apple’s new patent creates a fan that isn’t loud.
Apple already has a pretty technologically-forward fan design in its current products. The problem they’ve been having with their current fan is that the airflow still isn’t efficient enough. Air moves from electrode to electrode, which means that only certain parts of the machine benefit from cooling.
Of course, Apple’s new ionic wind generator will be used in both laptops and desktops. In addition, it will also be used in mobile devices, including the iPhone. There are actually three different designs of the generator to be used in the company’s varying devices. While this technology has been used in labs and industrial settings, Apple has patented it to be used in consumer devices.
Post Date: December 26, 2012
