Apple patent talks about using subwoofer to provide air cooling

Apple was recently granted a patent (number 10,045,461) that describes a method of using integrated subwoofers to provide air cooling. In particular, the patent describes how a subwoofer may be mounted in a device housing above the power supply. The system can then supply inaudible signals to the speaker to enhance the air flow produced by the speaker.

It's not sure if or for which future products Apple is planning to use this technology. It could potentially be used for future Mac computers, or perhaps displays or HomePod devices. Then again, it's also possible that this will never be used for a real product.

A speaker such as a subwoofer may be mounted in a device housing above the power supply so that airflow from the speaker cools the power supply. To enhance cooling, the control circuitry may supply inaudible signals to the speaker that enhance airflow produced by the speaker. The inaudible signals may be supplied in response to detecting current heat-producing audio playback conditions, to predicting future heat-producing conditions, or real-time temperature measurements.

Via: AppleWorld