Frame-less bracket fans offer quiet operation

Frame-less bracket fans offer target IC, CPU or embedded heat sink designs, and can be directly mounted onto circuit boards. The blade diameter ranges in size from 20 to 88-mm. Height ranges from 7 to 15 mm. Airflow ranges from 3.5 to 51 cfm. Standard operating temperature is –10° to +70°C, and extended operating temperatures are available from –35° to +90°C.

Bearing options available for the frame-less bracket fans include dual-ball bearing and aerospace fluid bearing (AFB) designs. The AFB bearing currently offers the best-in-class for overall performance by minimizing mechanical friction, resulting in a low-noise, long-life product. As the fan starts to rotate, centrifugal force pushes aerospace fluid from the outside of the bearing towards the center of the rotating shaft. This force forms a thin film between the shaft and the bearing that greatly reduces friction.