Heat exchanger for back to back electronic displays

• US 9,173,325 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2015
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Manufacturing Resources International, Inc.
• Inventors: Dunn, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Dennis Y
• Application Number:
  US14/702,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20150237761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 179 Days
• Field of Search: 349/161, 361694-697
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/67 characterised by the arrangement of fans
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/673 the fans being used for intake
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/15 Organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 9/00 Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall F28F3/083, F28F3/086 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 3/02 Elements or assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with recesses, with corrugations F28F3/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133342 for double-sided displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133382 Heating or cooling of liquid crystal cells other than for activation, e.g. circuits or arrangements for temperature control, stabilisation or uniform distribution over the cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133385 with cooling means, e.g. fans
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133628 with cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20145 Means for directing air flow, e.g. ducts, deflectors, plenum or guides
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20154 Heat dissipaters coupled to components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/202 Air circulating in closed loop within enclosure wherein heat is removed through heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20972 Forced ventilation, e.g. on heat dissipaters coupled to components

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments include an electronic display assembly for back to back electronic image assemblies. A first closed gaseous loop may encircle the first electronic image assembly while a second closed gaseous loop may encircle the second electronic image assembly. A heat exchanger is preferably positioned within the path of the first and second closed gaseous loop along with an open loop of ambient air. A circulating fan(s) may be used to force circulating gas around the closed gaseous loops. An open loop fan may be used to force ambient air through the heat exchanger and through an optional channel behind each electronic image assembly.

Claims

1. An electronic display assembly comprising:

a first and second electronic image assembly where the two image assemblies are positioned back to back;

a first closed gaseous loop encircling the first image assembly;

a second closed gaseous loop encircling the second image assembly;

a heat exchanger placed within the path of both the first and second closed gaseous loops;

a circulating fan assembly positioned to force circulating gas through the first gaseous loop, second gaseous loop, and heat exchanger; and

an open loop fan which forces ambient air through the heat exchanger;

wherein the ambient air is not permitted to mix with the circulating gas.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a first transparent channel placed in front of the first electronic image assembly and forming a portion of the first closed loop; and

a second transparent channel placed in front of the second electronic image assembly and forming a portion of the second closed loop.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the ambient air is permitted to contact a rear surface of the first and second image assemblies.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the heat exchanger comprises multiple corrugated layers.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein:

the heat exchanger comprises multiple layers which alternate between accepting circulating gas and accepting ambient gas.

6. An electronic display assembly comprising:

a first and second electronic image assembly where the two image assemblies are positioned back to back;

an open loop of ambient air passing between the first and second electronic image assemblies;

a closed loop of circulating gas which encircles both the first and second electronic image assemblies;

a circulating fan assembly positioned to force the circulating gas around the closed loop;

an open loop fan positioned to force ambient air through the open loop; and

a heat exchanger positioned to accept both the circulating gas and the ambient air;

wherein the ambient air does not cross paths with the circulating gas.

7. The assembly of claim 6 further comprising:

the heat exchanger having a plurality of layers which alternate between accepting the circulating gas and the ambient air.

8. The assembly of claim 6 further comprising:

a surface spaced apart from a rear portion of each electronic image assembly; and

a pair of channels defined by the space between the surfaces and the rear portion of the electronic image assemblies.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

the open loop of ambient air is permitted to travel through the channels.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein:

the electronic image assemblies are LED backlit LCD assemblies where the channels include at least a portion of a rear surface of the LED backlight.

11. The assembly of claim 6 wherein:

the heat exchanger comprises multiple corrugated layers of plastic.

12. The assembly of claim 6 wherein:

the first and second electronic image assemblies are substantially parallel to one another.

13. An electronic display assembly comprising:

a first and second electronic image assembly where the two image assemblies are positioned back to back;

a closed loop of circulating gas which encircles both the first and second electronic image assemblies;

an open loop of ambient air which passes between the two image assemblies;

a heat exchanger placed within the path of both the circulating gas and the ambient air;

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

an open loop fan positioned to force the ambient air through the heat exchanger;

wherein the ambient air is substantially prevented from mixing with the circulating gas.

14. The assembly of claim 13 further comprising:

a first channel which includes a rear portion of the first electronic image assembly; and

a second channel which includes a rear portion of the second electronic image assembly.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein:

the open loop fan is further positioned to force the ambient air through the first and second channels.

16. The assembly of claim 13 wherein:

the closed loop includes a first transparent channel in front of the first electronic image assembly and a second transparent channel in front of the second electronic image assembly.

17. The assembly of claim 13 wherein:

the first and second electronic image assemblies are OLED displays.