System for using constricted convection with closed loop cooling system as the convection plate

• US 8,482,695 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2012
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: Dunn, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, RICHARD H
• Application Number:
  US13/605,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20120327600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 306 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 349/58
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133385 with cooling means, e.g. fans
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/36 Airflow channels, e.g. constructional arrangements facilitating the flow of air
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20127 Natural convection
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20136 Forced ventilation, e.g. by fans H05K7/202 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20145 Means for directing air flow, e.g. ducts, deflectors, plenum or guides
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20163 the components being isolated from air flow, e.g. hollow heat sinks, wind tunnels or funnels
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/202 Air circulating in closed loop within enclosure wherein heat is removed through heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20209 Thermal management, e.g. fan control
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20954 for display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20972 Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components

Abstract

A cooling system and a method for cooling an electronic display is disclosed. A preferred embodiment utilizes a first gas chamber positioned anterior to the front display surface and a second gas chamber in gaseous communication with the first gas chamber and positioned posterior to the electronic display. The space between the second gas chamber and electronic display defines a gap, where ambient air can be drawn through the gap in order to cool the electronic display. A cooling chamber fan preferably forces gas to circulate through the first and second gas chambers, in order to remove heat from the front display surface.

Claims

1. A gas cooling system for an electronic display having a display surface and a rear surface, the system comprising:

a first gas chamber positioned anterior to the electronic display surface;

a second gas chamber in gaseous communication with said first gas chamber and positioned posterior to the rear surface of the electronic display, the space between the rear surface and the second gas chamber defining a gap;

a cooling chamber fan within said second gas chamber to propel gas around the first and second gas chambers; and

a fan positioned to draw ambient air through said gap.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a means for cooling the gas which is contained within the second gas chamber.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first gas chamber comprises

a transparent anterior plate;

the electronic display surface;

spacers separating the electronic display surface and said transparent anterior plate; and

an entrance opening and an exit opening.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the first gas chamber further comprises a second transparent anterior plate bonded to the first transparent anterior plate.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a metallic layer bonded to the rear surface of the electronic display.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first gas chamber is adapted to transfer heat from the electronic display surface to the gas.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the fan is positioned above the gap and adapted to draw ambient air through said gap.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature sensing device within said first gas chamber;

a switch in communication with said temperature sensing device and said cooling chamber fan; and

wherein the cooling chamber fan is switched on when the temperature within the first gas chamber reaches a threshold value.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein

said gap is between one-third inch and three inches wide.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising

one or more thermoelectric modules within the second gas chamber.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising

a filter within the second gas chamber.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the means for cooling the gas comprises a fan adapted to force air over external surfaces of the second gas chamber.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the air being forced over the external surfaces has been air conditioned.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the rear surface of the electronic display is the rear surface of an LED backlight.

15. A thermally regulated electronic display comprising:

a housing having an exhaust;

a liquid crystal stack having a display surface;

an LED backlight with a thermally conductive rear surface positioned posterior to the liquid crystal stack;

a first gas chamber positioned anterior to and containing the display surface;

a second gas chamber in gaseous communication with said first gas chamber, said second gas chamber positioned adjacent to the rear surface of the LED backlight, the space between the second gas chamber and rear surface of the LED backlight defining a gap;

a cooling chamber fan which propels gas around the first and second gas chambers; and

a fan which forces ambient air into the housing, through the gap, and out the exhaust.

16. The display from claim 15 further comprising

a plurality of surface features in thermal communication with the rear surface of the LED backlight.

17. An isolated gas cooling system for a liquid crystal display (LCD) having a display surface and a LED backlight panel, the system comprising:

a first glass plate;

a second glass plate laminated to the first glass plate and placed in front of the LCD display surface, the space between the glass plates and LCD display surface defining a channel;

an anti-reflective coating applied to any one of the following;

first glass plate and second glass plate;

a cooling plenum in gaseous communication with the channel and positioned behind the LED backlight panel, the space between the cooling plenum and backlight panel defining a gap;

a first fan positioned so as to circulate isolated gas through the channel and cooling plenum; and

a second fan positioned so as to force cooling gas over the cooling plenum and through the gap.

18. The cooling system of claim 17 further comprising:

a plurality of surface features attached to the cooling plenum.

19. The cooling system of claim 17 further comprising:

a thermoelectric module within the cooling plenum.

20. The cooling system of claim 17 wherein:

the LED backlight panel is comprised of metal printed circuit boards.