System for cooling an electronic image assembly with manifolds and ambient gas
View Patent ↗A system for cooling an electronic image assembly using ambient gas. The system contains a plurality of channels place behind the electronic image assembly and preferably in conductive thermal communication with the image assembly. Ambient gas is ingested into the display housing and directed to a first manifold which distributes the ambient gas to the plurality of channels. A second manifold preferably collects the ambient gas from the channels after absorbing heat from the electronic image assembly and/or channels. The second manifold then preferably directs the ambient gas towards an exhaust aperture and out of the display housing. Circulating gas may also be used to cool a front portion of the electronic image assembly. A cross through plate may be used to allow the ambient gas and circulating gas to cross paths without mixing.
1. A system for cooling an electronic image assembly with ambient gas, the system comprising:
a plurality of channels placed behind the electronic image assembly, each channel having an inlet and exit;
a first manifold in gaseous communication with the inlet of each channel;
a second manifold in gaseous communication with the exit of each channel;
a fan positioned to force ambient gas through the channels;
a front plate placed in front of the electronic image assembly, the space between the front plate and the electronic image assembly defining a front channel;
a circulating fan position to force circulating gas through the front channel; and
a pass through plate having a first pathway for ambient gas travelling through the plurality of channels behind the electronic image assembly and a second pathway for circulating gas travelling through the front channel.
2. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein:
the channels are in thermal communication with the electronic image assembly.
3. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein:
the first and second manifolds are placed along a pair of vertical edges of the electronic image assembly.
4. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein:
the fan is placed within either the first or second manifold.
5. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein:
the channels have a rectangular cross-section.
6. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein:
the channels are arranged in horizontal rows.
7. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein:
the cooling channels are metallic.
8. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein:
the first and second gas pathways are substantially perpendicular.
9. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein:
the first and second gas pathways do not allow the ambient gas and circulating gas to mix.
10. The cooling system of claim 1 wherein:
the pass through plate is positioned adjacent to the first manifold.
11. An electronic display assembly comprising:
a housing;
an electronic image assembly contained within the housing and having a pair of opposing edges;
an inlet aperture in the housing for accepting ambient gas;
an exhaust aperture in the housing for exhausting ambient gas;
a plurality of channels placed behind the electronic image assembly;
a first manifold placed along one of the opposing edges which accepts ambient gas from the inlet aperture and distributes ambient gas to the plurality of channels;
a second manifold placed along the opposite edge as the first manifold which accepts ambient gas from the channels and directs it towards the exhaust aperture; and
a fan which forces the ambient gas through the channels.
12. The electronic display assembly of claim 11 wherein:
the fan is placed within the first manifold.
13. The electronic display assembly of claim 11 wherein:
the housing contains a top and bottom portion;
the inlet aperture is located at the top portion of the housing; and
the exhaust aperture is located at the bottom portion of the housing.
14. The electronic display assembly of claim 11 wherein:
the first and second manifolds are oriented vertically; and
the plurality of channels are oriented horizontally.
15. The electronic display assembly of claim 11 wherein:
the channels are in conductive thermal communication with the electronic image assembly.
16. The electronic display assembly of claim 11 further comprising:
a transparent front plate placed in front of the electronic image assembly, the space between the front plate and the electronic image assembly defining a front channel;
a circulating fan position to force circulating gas through the front channel; and
a first pass through plate adjacent to the first manifold and a second pass through plate adjacent to the second manifold, each pass through plate having a first pathway for ambient gas travelling through the plurality of channels behind the electronic image assembly and a second pathway for circulating gas travelling through the front channel.
17. The cooling system of claim 16 wherein:
the first and second gas pathways are substantially perpendicular.
18. An electronic display assembly comprising:
a housing having a top portion, bottom portion, and a pair of vertical edges;
an electronic image assembly contained within the housing;
an inlet aperture in the housing for accepting ambient gas;
an exhaust aperture in the housing for exhausting ambient gas;
a plurality of metallic channels placed behind and in conductive thermal communication with the electronic image assembly;
a first manifold placed along one of the vertical edges which accepts ambient gas from the inlet aperture and distributes ambient gas to the plurality of channels;
a second manifold placed along the opposite vertical edge as the first manifold which accepts ambient gas from the channels and directs it towards the exhaust aperture; and
a plurality of fans within the first manifold which draw the ambient gas into the inlet aperture and through the channels.
19. The electronic display assembly of claim 18 wherein:
the electronic image assembly is a liquid crystal display.