Thermal rotary link
An example apparatus may include a first plate having a first side. A first plurality of fins may be integral with the first side of the first plate and protruding perpendicularly therefrom. The first plurality of fins may be arranged in first concentric circles separated radially by a first distance. The apparatus may also include a second plate having a first side. The second plate may be rotatably coupled to the first plate. A second plurality of fins may be integral with the first side of the second plate and protruding perpendicularly therefrom. The second plurality of fins may be arranged in second concentric circles separated radially by the first distance. Each fin of the second plurality of fins may interpose between adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins to transfer heat between the second plate and the first plate.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a first plate having a first side;
a first plurality of fins integral with the first side of the first plate and protruding perpendicularly therefrom, the first plurality of fins arranged in first concentric circles separated radially by a first distance;
a second plate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second plate is rotatably coupled to the first plate, and wherein the second side is fixedly connected to a heat source to maintain thermal contact between the second plate and the heat source, wherein the heat source comprises an electronic device;
a second plurality of fins integral with the first side of the second plate and protruding perpendicularly therefrom, the second plurality of fins arranged in second concentric circles separated radially by the first distance, wherein each fin of the second plurality of fins interposes between adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins to transfer heat between the second plate and the first plate;
a chamber defined between the first side of the first plate, the first side of the second plate, and innermost fins of the first plurality of fins and the second plurality of fins; and
a transformer disposed within the chamber, wherein the transformer is configured to provide wireless power to the electronic device and comprises (i) a primary winding connected to the first plate and (ii) a secondary winding connected to the second plate.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each fin of the first plurality of fins and the second plurality of fins has a first thickness, and wherein each of the second concentric circles is radially offset from each of the first concentric circles by at least the first thickness to allow each fin of the second plurality of fins to interpose between adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each fin of the first and second pluralities of fins extends continuously about the circumference of a respective concentric circle.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein two or more fins extend along portions of the circumference of each respective concentric circle of the first concentric circles and the second concentric circles, and wherein a gap between adjacent fins of the two or more fins is configured to generate convective fluid flow in response to rotation of the second plurality of fins with respect to the first plurality of fins.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device, and wherein the second plate is configured to rotate with respect to the first plate to cause rotation of the LIDAR device.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first plate comprises a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second side of the first plate is fixedly connectable to a cooling device to maintain thermal contact between the first plate and the cooling device.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first plate comprises a circular hole concentric with the first plate, further comprising:
a rod rigidly connected at a first end thereof to the first plate, the rod protruding through the circular hole, wherein the second plate is rotatably connected to the first plate by way of a rotatable connection of the second plate to a second end of the rod.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a sealed chamber enclosing the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first plate and the second plate are disposed within the sealed chamber with the first plurality of fins interposed with the second plurality of fins.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the sealed chamber is filled with a thermally conductive fluid to maintain thermal contact between the first plurality of fins and the second plurality of fins.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first plate, the second plate, the first plurality of fins, and the second plurality of fins comprise a metallic material.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a motor disposed within the chamber and configured to rotate the second plate with respect to the first plate, the motor comprising:
one or more motor windings connected to the first plate; and
one or more magnets connected to the second plate.
12. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising:
a vehicle configured for autonomous operation based on data from the LIDAR device, wherein the LIDAR device is mounted to the vehicle by way of the first plate and the second plate.
13. A system, comprising:
a thermal rotary link comprising:
a first plate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
a first plurality of fins integral with the first side of the first plate and protruding perpendicularly therefrom, the first plurality of fins arranged in first concentric circles separated radially by a first distance;
a second plate having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the second plate is rotatably coupled to the first plate; and
a second plurality of fins integral with the first side of the second plate and protruding perpendicularly therefrom, the second plurality of fins arranged in second concentric circles separated radially by the first distance, wherein each fin of the second plurality of fins interposes between adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins to transfer heat between the second plate and the first plate;
a rotating heat source thermally connected to the second side of the second plate, wherein the rotating heat source comprises an electronic device;
a cooling device thermally connected to the second side of the first plate, the cooling device configured to absorb heat transferred from the rotating heat source by way of the thermal rotary link;
a chamber defined between the first side of the first plate, the first side of the second plate, and innermost fins of the first plurality of fins and the second plurality of fins; and
a transformer disposed within the chamber, wherein the transformer is configured to provide wireless power to the electronic device and comprises (i) a primary winding connected to the first plate and (ii) a secondary winding connected to the second plate.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the electronic device comprises a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device fixedly connected to the second side of the second plate, and wherein the second plate is configured to rotate with respect to the first plate to cause rotation of the LIDAR device.
15. The system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a vehicle configured for autonomous operation based on data from the LIDAR device, wherein the cooling device, the thermal rotary link, and the LIDAR device are mounted to the vehicle.
16. The system of claim 13 , wherein each fin of the first plurality of fins and the second plurality of fins has a first thickness, and wherein each of the second concentric circles is radially offset from each of the first concentric circles by at least the first thickness to allow each fin of the second plurality of fins to interpose between adjacent fins of the first plurality of fins.
17. The system of claim 13 , wherein each fin of the first and second pluralities of fins extends continuously about the circumference of a respective concentric circle.
18. The system of claim 13 , wherein two or more fins extend along portions of the circumference of each respective concentric circle of the first concentric circles and the second concentric circles, and wherein a gap between adjacent fins of the two or more fins is configured to generate convective fluid flow upon rotation of the second plate with respect to the first plate.