Rotatable Heat Sink With Internal Agitator for Optical Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat sink solutions for optical wavelength conversion materials in image projection systems face challenges with thermal management, including mechanical complexity, limited heat dissipation rates, and issues with air flow and thermal conductivity, especially when using larger rotating disks or liquid cooling methods that require mechanical seals and can cause optical aberrations.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable heat sink device that employs thermal conduction and internal convection using a cooling fluid, where an agitator promotes circulation between a first portion that absorbs heat from the conversion material and a second portion that dissipates heat externally, allowing for smaller diameter and lower rotational speeds, and eliminating the need for rotating mechanical seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a larger diameter solid disk is used as heat sink, then heat dissipation rate is improved, but mechanical complexity and difficulty of packaging increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a liquid cooling system with cooling channels and fluid circulation to replace the need for a larger solid disk. The cooling fluid flows through internal channels to efficiently remove heat from the conversion material, achieving high heat dissipation rates without increasing the mechanical size or complexity of the rotating disk assembly.
2Productivity
If multiple parallel fins are added to solid rotating disk, then heat dissipation rate is improved, but air flow constraints and thermal conductivity limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces air-cooled fins with a liquid cooling system. Cooling fluid is pumped through internal channels that are in direct thermal contact with the conversion material, eliminating the inefficiencies of air flow stagnation between fins and thermal conductivity limitations. This provides much higher heat transfer coefficients and more effective heat removal.
3Productivity
If liquid cooling is used to increase heat dissipation rate, then heat dissipation rate is improved, but mechanical complexity and optical aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the cooling fluid channels directly within the solid disk structure itself. The cooling channels are integrated into the disk's internal architecture, allowing the cooling system to be nested within the rotating component without requiring external piping or rotating mechanical seals. This eliminates the mechanical complexity while maintaining effective liquid cooling.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances heat absorption, transport, and dissipation rates, simplifies mechanical operation and packaging, and avoids optical interference, while maintaining effective heat dissipation without the need for complex mechanical seals or large heat sink diameters.
Implementation Method 1
employs thermal conduction and internal convection provided by a cooling fluid to absorb heat from an optical wavelength conversion material
Implementation Method 2
internal convection provided by a cooling fluid to absorb heat from an optical wavelength conversion material
Implementation Method 3
an agitator agitates the cooling fluid inside the heat sink and promotes circulation of the cooling fluid between the first portion and the second portion
Implementation Method 4
a second portion configured to dissipate at least a portion of the thermal energy to surroundings external to the heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present specification there is provided a rotatable heat sink device which comprises a heat sink configured to enclose a cooling fluid, and the heat sink is rotatable about a rotational axis. The heat sink, in turn, comprises a first portion configured to receive thermal energy from a source external to the heat sink, and a second portion configured to dissipate at least a portion of the thermal energy to surroundings external to the device. The device further comprises an optical wavelength conversion material disposed on an outside surface of the first portion of the heat sink, and an agitator disposed inside the heat sink. The agitator is rotationally independent of the heat sink and is configured to promote circulation of the cooling fluid between the first portion and the second portion.