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

• US 9,089,079 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2014
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: Dunn, William
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, RICHARD H
• Application Number:
  US14/508,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20150022967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 287 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 gas cooling system for an electronic display is disclosed herein. A closed loop of circulating gas is preferably positioned to surround the electronic display. An open loop of cooling air preferably travels along the rear surface of the electronic display. In an exemplary embodiment the cooling air does not mix with the circulating gas. Heat may be transferred from the circulating gas to the cooling air in order to cool the display.

Claims

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

a closed loop of circulating gas positioned to surround the electronic display; and

an open loop of cooling air travelling along the rear surface of the electronic display without mixing with the circulating gas

wherein the open loop cooling air flows through the center of the closed loop of circulating gas.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a means for transferring heat from the circulating gas to the cooling air.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the means for transferring heat from the circulating gas to the cooling air comprises placing the circulating gas within a plenum and allowing cooling air to contact exterior surfaces of the plenum.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a transparent anterior plate positioned in front of the display surface to define a gap;

a fan positioned to force the circulating gas through said gap.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising:

a second transparent anterior plate bonded to the first transparent anterior plate.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

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

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a fan positioned to force cooling air along the rear surface of the electronic display.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature sensing device within said closed loop of circulating gas;

a fan positioned to force circulating gas through the closed loop;

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

wherein the fan is switched on when the temperature within the closed loop of circulating gas reaches a threshold value.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the flow of open loop cooling air is perpendicular to the flow of circulating gas in the closed loop.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein:

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

11. A thermally regulated electronic display comprising:

a housing having an entrance and 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 closed loop of circulating gas positioned to surround the liquid crystal stack and LED backlight; and

an open loop of cooling air travelling through the entrance, along the rear surface of the LED backlight, and exhausting out of the display.

12. The electronic display of claim 11 wherein:

the flow of open loop cooling air is perpendicular to the flow of circulating gas in the closed loop.

13. The electronic display of claim 11 wherein:

the open loop cooling air flows through the closed loop of circulating gas.

14. The electronic display of claim 11 further comprising:

a means for transferring heat from the circulating gas to the cooling air.

15. The electronic display of claim 14 wherein:

the means for transferring heat from the circulating gas to the cooling air comprises placing the circulating gas within a plenum and allowing cooling air to contact exterior surfaces of the plenum.

16. A thermally regulated liquid crystal display assembly, the system comprising:

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 glass plate placed in front of the display surface, the space between the glass plate and display surface defining a channel;

a closed loop of circulating gas positioned to surround the liquid crystal stack and LED backlight where circulating gas flows through the channel; and

an open loop of cooling air contacting the rear surface of the LED backlight.

17. The electronic display of claim 16 wherein:

the flow of open loop cooling air is perpendicular to the flow of circulating gas in the closed loop.

18. The electronic display of claim 16 further comprising:

a plenum having interior and exterior surfaces where the circulating gas contacts the interior surfaces and the cooling air contacts the exterior surfaces.