METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING HEAT IN POWER CONVERSION SYSTEMS
A power conversion module, such as a power adapter, includes a heat removal system such as an active heat removal system, a passive heat removal system or a hybrid heat removal system. A small-size power conversion module having a heat removal system is described.
1 . A power adapter, comprising:
a housing;
an AC/DC converter in the housing, the AC/DC converter being configured to convert an AC input signal into a DC output signal; and
at least one compartment in the housing, the at least one compartment comprising a phase change material having a transition temperature between 25° C. and 85° C.
2 . The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the phase change material has a transition temperature between 30° C. and 50° C.
3 . The power adapter of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second material having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the phase change material, the second material being between first and second regions of the phase change material.
4 . The power adapter of claim 3 , wherein the second material comprises a metal.
5 . The power adapter of claim 1 , wherein the power adapter has a volume no greater than 3 cubic inches.
6 . The power adapter of claim 5 , wherein the phase change material is of a volume and configuration such that a temperature of an exterior surface of the housing remains below a temperature of 40° C. when the power adapter delivers an average power of at least 45 W for a period of 30 minutes.
7 . The power adapter of claim 6 , wherein the phase change material is of a volume and configuration such that a temperature of the exterior surface of the housing remains below a temperature of 40° C. when the power adapter delivers an average power of at least 45 W for a period of 2 hours.
8 . A power adapter, comprising:
a housing;
an AC/DC converter in the housing, the AC/DC converter being configured to convert an AC input signal into a DC output signal; and
a heat removal system comprising an opening in the housing and/or a heat absorbing material;
wherein the power adapter has a volume no greater than 4 cubic inches,
wherein the power adapter is configured to deliver an output power of at least 40 watts.
9 . The power adapter of claim 8 , wherein the heat removal system comprises a heat absorbing material and the heat absorbing material comprises a phase change material having a transition temperature such that the phase change material changes phase during operation of the power adapter.
10 . The power adapter of claim 9 , wherein the transition temperature is between 25° C. and 85° C.
11 . The power adapter of claim 8 , wherein the housing comprises an outer enclosure and an inner enclosure, wherein a plenum separates the outer enclosure from the inner enclosure, the outer enclosure having the opening to allow airflow between the plenum and an exterior of the power adapter.
12 . The power adapter of claim 8 , further comprising an actuated heat removal device within the housing.