System for cooling an electronic image assembly with manifolds and ambient gas

• US 8,749,749 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2011
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: Hubbard, Tim
• Primary Examiner(s): BLEVINS, JERRY M
• Application Number:
  US13/100,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20120105790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 349/161, 349/58, 165/121, 165/104.34, 361/692, 361694-696
• US Class Current: 349/161
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13332 Front frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133628 with cooling means
• 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 7/20145 Means for directing air flow, e.g. ducts, deflectors, plenum or guides
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20172 Fan mounting or fan specifications
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20954 for display panels

Abstract

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.

Claims

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.