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

• US 8,854,572 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2013
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• 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:
  US13/937,777
• Publication Number:
  US 20140111940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 455 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 method for cooling an electronic display is disclosed herein. The electronic display preferably contains a rear surface, where a substantially planar surface is positioned adjacent to the rear surface to define a gap. Cooling air is preferably forced through said gap. In some embodiments, the additional step of circulating gas around the display in a closed loop may also be performed. In these embodiments the circulating gas may contact the front viewing surface of the electronic display, so that heat can be removed from this surface.

Claims

1. A method for cooling an electronic display having a rear surface, comprising the steps of:

placing a substantially planar surface adjacent to the rear surface of the electronic display to define a gap between the planar surface and the electronic display;

placing a closed loop of circulating gas around the display;

forcing a circulating gas around the closed loop; and

forcing cooling air through said gap.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said gap is between 0.25 and 1.25 inches.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said gap is between 0.33 and 2.5 inches.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said substantially planar surface is provided by the wall of a cooling chamber.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said step of forcing cooling air through said gap is performed by a fan which draws ambient air through the gap.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said step of forcing cooling air through said gap is performed by a fan which pushes gas through the gap.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

filtering the cooling air prior to forcing it through said gap.

8. A method for cooling an electronic display having a front surface and a gap defined between a rear surface of the electronic display and a second posterior surface, comprising the steps of:

circulating gas around the display in a closed loop;

allowing the gas to contact the front surface of the electronic display; and

forcing cooling air through the gap

where the cooling air is not permitted to mix with the circulating gas.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein:

the step of circulating gas around the display in a closed loop is performed by

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

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

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

10. The method of claim 9 wherein:

the second posterior surface is defined by the second gas chamber.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein:

said gap is between 0.25 and 1.25 inches.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein:

said gap is between 0.33 and 2.5 inches.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein:

said step of forcing cooling air through said gap is performed by a fan which draws ambient air through the gap.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein:

said step of forcing cooling air through said gap is performed by a fan which pushes gas through the gap.

15. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

filtering the cooling air prior to forcing it through said gap.

16. A method for cooling an LED backlit liquid crystal display where the LED backlight contains a rear surface and the LCD contains a front viewing surface, and a posterior surface is spaced apart from the rear surface of the LED backlight to define a gap, the method comprising the steps of:

circulating gas around the LCD and backlight in a closed loop;

forcing cooling air through the gap; and

preventing the circulating gas from mixing with the cooling air.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of:

allowing the circulating gas to contact the front surface of the LCD.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein:

the step of circulating gas around the LCD in a closed loop is performed by a first gas chamber positioned anterior to the front viewing surface of the LCD;

a second gas chamber in gaseous communication with said first gas chamber and positioned posterior to the rear surface of the LED backlight; and

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

19. The method of claim 18 wherein:

said gap is between 0.25 and 1.25 inches.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein:

said gap is between 0.33 and 2.5 inches.