System and method for cooling a beam projector

• US 20060044524A1
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V. (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V. (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Feliss, Norbert A., Gillis, Donald R., Suk, Mike
• Application Number:
  US10/931,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20060044524A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 353/54
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/16 Cooling; Preventing overheating

Abstract

A system and method for cooling a beam projector. The system includes a fluid reservoir proximal to a light-generating source of the beam projector, a heat pipe coupled with the fluid reservoir and a thermal mass coupled with the heat pipe. The fluid reservoir adapted for storing a low energy state fluid that changes to a higher energy state fluid when it absorbs a heat energy generated by the light-generating source. The heat pipe adapted for transmitting the higher energy state fluid. The thermal mass adapted for receiving and dissipating the heat energy released from the higher energy state fluid when it returns to a low energy state fluid.

Claims

1. A system for cooling a beam projector comprising:

a fluid reservoir proximal to a light-generating source of said beam projector, said fluid reservoir for storing a low energy state fluid that changes to a higher energy state fluid when it absorbs a heat energy generated by said light-generating source;

a heat pipe coupled with said fluid reservoir, said heat pipe for transmitting the higher energy state fluid; and

a thermal mass coupled with said heat pipe, said thermal mass for receiving and dissipating the heat energy released from the higher energy state fluid when it returns to a lower energy state fluid.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second heat pipe fixedly coupled with said fluid reservoir; and

a second thermal mass fixedly coupled with said second heat pipe.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a thermal mass fan for providing increased airflow proximate said thermal mass fixedly coupled with said heat source.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

a battery for powering said thermal mass fan when said beam projector is not connected with a primary power source.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said thermal mass fan operates at a lower speed than a light-generating source fan.

3. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

a light-generating source fan for providing increased airflow proximate said light-generating source.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

a battery for powering said light-generating source fan when said beam projector is not connected with a primary power source.

8. A method for cooling a beam projector comprising:

providing a passive cooling system for a light-generating source of said beam projector; and

providing an active cooling system for said light-generating source of said beam projector, wherein said passive cooling system and said active cooling system provide a combined cooling system for said light-generating source of said beam projector.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said providing said passive cooling system further comprises:

providing a fluid reservoir proximal to a light-generating source of said beam projector, said fluid reservoir for storing a low energy state fluid that changes to a higher energy state fluid when it absorbs a heat energy generated by said light-generating source;

providing a heat pipe coupled with said fluid reservoir, said heat pipe for transmitting the higher energy state fluid; and

providing a thermal mass coupled with said heat pipe, said thermal mass for receiving and dissipating the heat energy released from the higher energy state fluid when it returns to a lower energy state fluid.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein said providing said passive cooling system further comprises:

providing a second heat pipe fixedly coupled with said fluid reservoir; and

providing a second thermal mass fixedly coupled with said second heat pipe.

11. The method as recited in claim 9 wherein said providing said active cooling system further comprises:

providing a low speed fan for increasing airflow to said thermal mass coupled with said heat pipe.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said providing said active cooling system further comprises:

providing a fan for increasing airflow across said light-generating source.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising:

providing a battery for powering said active cooling system when said beam projector is unplugged from a primary power source.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said battery is recharged when said beam projector is plugged into a primary power source.

15. A method for cooling a beam projector comprising:

providing a passive cooling system for a light-generating source of said beam projector;

providing an active cooling system for said light-generating source of said beam projector, wherein said passive cooling system and said active cooling system provide a combined cooling system for said light-generating source of said beam projector; and

providing a battery for said beam projector, said battery for providing power to said active cooling system when said beam projector is disconnected from a primary power source.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said providing said passive cooling system further comprises:

providing a fluid reservoir proximal to a light-generating source of said beam projector, said fluid reservoir for storing a low energy state fluid that changes to a higher energy state fluid when it absorbs a heat energy generated by said light-generating source;

providing a heat pipe coupled with said fluid reservoir, said heat pipe for transmitting the higher energy state fluid; and

providing a thermal mass coupled with said heat pipe, said thermal mass for receiving and dissipating the heat energy released from the higher energy state fluid when it returns to a lower energy state fluid.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said providing said passive cooling system further comprises:

providing a second heat pipe fixedly coupled with said fluid reservoir; and

providing a second thermal mass fixedly coupled with said second heat pipe.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said providing said active cooling system comprises:

providing a low speed fan for increasing airflow proximate said thermal mass coupled with said heat pipe.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said providing said active cooling system further comprises:

providing a fan for increasing airflow proximate said light-generating source.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein said providing a battery further comprises:

recharging said battery when said beam projector is plugged into said primary power source.