Thermal management of very small form factor projectors with synthetic jets
View Patent ↗A thermal management device ( 401 ) is provided which comprises a synthetic jet actuator ( 403 ) and a heat sink ( 405 ) comprising a fin ( 407 ). The fin has at least one interior channel ( 409 ) defined therein which has first and second openings that are in fluidic communication with each other. The synthetic jet actuator is adapted to direct a synthetic jet into said channel.
1. A thermal management device, comprising:
a synthetic jet actuator; and
a heat sink comprising a plurality of fins, wherein any pair of adjacent fins has a space disposed between them;
wherein each of said plurality of fins has first and second major surfaces, wherein each of said plurality of fins has defined in the interior thereof and between said first and second major surfaces a primary channel and a plurality of secondary channels, wherein said primary channel has a first opening which is in fluidic communication with said synthetic jet actuator, and wherein said primary channel is in fluidic communication with a space disposed between a pair of adjacent fins by way of said plurality of secondary channels.
2. The thermal management device of claim 1 , wherein each of said secondary channels has first and second ends that are in fluidic communication with each other, and wherein said first end of each of said secondary channels is in fluidic communication with said primary channel.
3. The thermal management device of claim 2 , wherein said second end of each of said secondary channels is disposed along the periphery of said fin.
4. The thermal management device of claim 3 , wherein said second end of each of said secondary channels is in open communication with the ambient environment.
5. The thermal management device of claim 4 , wherein each of said secondary channels is adapted to direct a flow of air along a surface of said fin.
6. The thermal management device of claim 5 , wherein each of said secondary channels is directed along the longitudinal axis of said fin.
7. The thermal management device of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of secondary channels comprises first and second sets of secondary channels, wherein the first set of secondary channels have longitudinal axes parallel to a first axis, and wherein the second set of secondary channels have longitudinal axes parallel to a second axis.
8. The thermal management device of claim 7 , wherein the first and second axes are essentially orthogonal.
9. The thermal management device of claim 7 , wherein the first and second axes are disposed at an angle to each other which is within the range of about 60° to about 120°.
10. The thermal management device of claim 7 , wherein the first and second axes are disposed at an angle to each other which is within the range of about 75° to about 105°.
11. The thermal management device of claim 7 , wherein said plurality of secondary channels comprises first and second sets of secondary channels, and wherein said primary channel and each member of said first and second groups of secondary channels have longitudinal axes that are parallel to one of said first and second major surfaces.
12. The thermal management device of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of secondary channels comprises first and second sets of secondary channels, wherein each member of said first group of secondary channels extends away from said main channel in a first direction, and wherein each member of said second group of sub-channels extends away from said main channel in a second direction distinct from said first direction.
13. The thermal management device of claim 12 , wherein the longitudinal axes of said main channel and said first and second groups of sub-channels are coplanar.
14. The thermal management device of claim 13 , wherein said primary channel is in fluidic communication with the environment external to said fin only by way of said first and second groups of secondary channels.
15. The thermal management device of claim 1 , wherein said synthetic jet actuator operates to eject a plurality of synthetic jets from said plurality of secondary channels.
16. The thermal management device of claim 15 , wherein said synthetic jet actuator operates to eject a synthetic jet from each of said plurality of secondary channels.
17. The thermal management device of claim 1 , in combination with an LED die.
18. An LED projector comprising the thermal management device of claim 1 .
19. The thermal management device of claim 1 , in combination with a heat pipe.
20. A thermal management device, comprising:
a synthetic jet actuator; and
a heat sink comprising a plurality of fins, wherein any pair of adjacent fins has a space disposed between them;
wherein each of said plurality of fins has first and second major surfaces, wherein each of said plurality of fins has defined in the interior thereof and between said first and second major surfaces a primary channel and a plurality of secondary channels, wherein said primary channel has a first opening which is in fluidic communication with said synthetic jet actuator, wherein said primary channel is in fluidic communication with a space disposed between a pair of adjacent fins by way of said plurality of secondary channels, wherein each of said secondary channels has first and second ends that are in fluidic communication with each other, wherein said first end of each of said secondary channels is in fluidic communication with said primary channel, wherein said plurality of secondary channels comprises first and second sets of secondary channels, wherein the first set of secondary channels have longitudinal axes parallel to a first axis, wherein the second set of secondary channels have longitudinal axes parallel to a second axis, and wherein the first and second axes are disposed at an angle to each other which is within the range of about 60° to about 120°.