Spray Cooling Block for Digital Micromirror Device Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cooling digital micromirror devices in laser imaging modules are inefficient, leading to improper operation, reduced life expectancy, or failure due to high heat fluxes and limited cooling space.
Innovation Solution
A spray cooling block with a first plurality of openings to spray liquid droplets onto the digital micromirror device and a second plurality of openings to collect effluent, forming an enclosed volume with a socket and the device, utilizing a coolant like water and ethylene glycol or fluorocarbon-based fluids to enhance heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cooling methods are used for the digital micromirror device, then the device can operate, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient leading to high temperature and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic cooling by introducing a liquid coolant through channels formed in the substrate material. The coolant flows through these channels to directly remove heat from the digital micromirror device, transforming the cooling mechanism from conventional indirect methods to direct liquid-based thermal management. This hydraulic approach enables efficient heat removal while maintaining device reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal management parameters by forming cooling channels directly within the substrate material itself. This structural parameter change allows the coolant to be in close proximity to the heat-generating components, significantly improving heat transfer efficiency. The substrate is modified to include these channels, changing the thermal conduction path and enabling more effective temperature control.
2Productivity
If more cooling space is allocated to the digital micromirror device, then cooling efficiency improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling structure with the substrate itself by forming cooling channels directly within the substrate material. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate cooling components or additional mounting structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective cooling. The substrate serves dual purposes: structural support and thermal management conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the substrate material with formed channels to create a porous-like cooling structure. The channels are integrated into the substrate, allowing coolant flow through the material itself. This approach provides efficient cooling pathways without requiring complex external cooling assemblies, simplifying the overall device architecture while improving cooling productivity.
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
The spray cooling block achieves a higher heat transfer rate and more efficient cooling, maintaining the digital micromirror device within a safe temperature range, preventing damage and failure.
Implementation Method 1
spray liquid droplets onto the surface of the DMD within an enclosed volume formed by the spray cooling block, a socket and the surface of the DMD
Implementation Method 2
spray cooling block coupled to the socket to form an enclosed volume with a surface of the DMD. The spray cooling block includes a first plurality of openings to spray liquid droplets onto the surface of the DMD
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for cooling a digital micromirror device are disclosed. For example, the apparatus includes a digital micromirror device (DMD), a socket coupled to the DMD and a spray cooling block coupled to the socket to form an enclosed volume with a surface of the DMD. The spray cooling block includes a first plurality of openings to spray liquid droplets onto the surface of the DMD and a second plurality of openings to collect effluent into an effluent collection volume.