An automatic recirculation airflow damper for use in electronic enclosures
utilizing multiple air moving devices to cool electronic components
within the enclosure. When an air moving device is removed, the damper
automatically closes an orifice associated with the absent air moving
device, thus preventing the loss of cooling air from the vacated orifice
and the subsequent reduction in cooling capacity. In some embodiments,
the damper is attached to the enclosure with hinges. In certain
embodiments, the damper is configured with elastomeric material such that
the interface between the orifice and the damper offers high impedance to
airflow while the damper is in a closed position. The automatic
recirculation airflow damper reduces electronic thermal failures and
therefore increases the reliability of a system equipped with the device.