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Abstract

There is described a method (20) of cooling a device generating heat. The method includes (21) monitoring a temperature associated with the device. The method also includes (25) automatically operating a cooling means at a first rate if the monitored temperature rises above a first temperature threshold. The method also includes (26) automatically operating the cooling means at a second increased rate if the monitored temperature rises above a second temperature threshold. There is also described a system (10) for cooling a device (16) generating heat. The system (10) comprises means (18) for monitoring a temperature associated with the device (10), cooling means (14), and a controller (12) for operating the cooling means (14) at various rates. The controller (12) is arranged to automatically operate the cooling means (14) at a first rate if the temperature rises above a first temperature threshold. The controller (12) is further arranged to automatically operate the cooling means (14) at a second increased rate if the temperature rises above a second temperature threshold. According to the invention, the point at which the monitored temperature reaches the second threshold may be delayed by operating the cooling means at a first rate prior to operating the cooling means at an increased second rate. In applications in which short periods of relatively high heat generation are experienced, the invention may delay the point at which the cooling means needs to be operated at a high level, reducing the overall noise generation of the cooling means.

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First Claim