초록 ▼

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the thermal management and regulation of electronic equipment. Microfluidic channels are utilized to actively change the aerodynamics of a surface, which may allow for the ability to change a surface texture from flat to raised, or dimpled, o

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the thermal management and regulation of electronic equipment. Microfluidic channels are utilized to actively change the aerodynamics of a surface, which may allow for the ability to change a surface texture from flat to raised, or dimpled, or from open to closed. The changing of the surface texture influences the fluid flow over or through the surface, thus allowing for thermal regulation of the surface. The thermal regulation system further controls fluid flow through an electronic device via a coating, or layer, having a plurality of active perforations thereon. The active perforations may open and close to increase and decrease the inlet of air to the system in order to help balance the back pressure in the system and redirect airflow to more sensitive system components. Active perforations may be individually opened and/or closed depending on location and system component utilization.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for providing thermal regulation of an electronic component, comprising: a thermoelectric device;a microfluidic pump operatively connected with the thermoelectric device;a temperature sensor in operative communication with the electronic component and the thermoelectric device; anda self

1. A device for providing thermal regulation of an electronic component, comprising: a thermoelectric device;a microfluidic pump operatively connected with the thermoelectric device;a temperature sensor in operative communication with the electronic component and the thermoelectric device; anda self-activating active perforation layer comprising a plurality of individual active perforations each coupled with an area of the electronic component, wherein the individual active perforations each have a controllable aperture of an adjustable diameter for controlling an amount of fluid allowed to pass therethrough, wherein when a positive change in temperature above a normal operating temperature of the electronic component is received by the temperature sensor a voltage is generated by the thermoelectric device which powers the microfluidic pump, wherein powering the microfluidic pump expands a reservoir to affect the adjustable diameter of the individual active perforations coupled to the area of the electronic component corresponding to the positive change in temperature. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein a magnitude and a polarity of the voltage is dependent upon a magnitude and a polarity of the change in temperature of the electronic component. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein when the electronic component is in an off state the plurality of individual active perforations are in a closed position. 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fan coupled with the device for moving fluid through or around the individual active perforations. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein when the individual active perforations are closed, fluid flow is redirected around the individual active perforations. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is an expandable reservoir, and wherein the self-activating active perforation layer further comprises: an elastomeric layer;a fluid channel;andan operating fluid for flowing through the fluid channel, wherein the operating fluid expands the expandable reservoir upon entering the fluid channel, and contracts the expandable reservoir upon exiting the fluid channel. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the operating fluid is a liquid. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the self-activating active perforation layer is a polymer material. 9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller comprises a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the controller to activate the thermal regulation system, by performing an operation comprising: receiving a real-time temperature reading from the temperature sensor;comparing the real-time temperature reading to a predetermined acceptable temperature of the electronic component;determining whether the real-time temperature reading is outside of the predetermined acceptable temperature;issuing a signal to the thermoelectric device when the real-time temperature reading is outside of the predetermined acceptable temperature;responsive to the signal, outputting a voltage signal by the thermoelectric device, wherein a magnitude and a polarity of the voltage signal are dependent on a magnitude and a polarity of the difference in the real-time temperature reading and the predetermined acceptable temperature; andin proportion to the voltage signal, controlling the plurality of individual active perforations by adjusting the respective controllable apertures of each of the plurality of individual active perforations. 10. A device for providing thermal regulation of an electronic component, comprising: a thermoelectric device;a microfluidic pump operatively connected with the thermoelectric device;a temperature sensor in operative communication with the electronic component and the thermoelectric device; anda self-activating active perforation layer, having a plurality of individual active perforations each coupled with an area of the electronic component, wherein the individual active perforations each have a controllable aperture of an adjustable diameter for controlling an amount of fluid allowed to pass therethrough, wherein when a negative change in temperature below a normal operating temperature of the electronic component is received by the temperature sensor a voltage is generated by the thermoelectric device which powers the microfluidic pump, wherein powering the microfluidic pump contracts a reservoir to affect the adjustable diameter of the individual active perforations coupled to the area of the electronic component corresponding to the negative change in temperature. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein a magnitude and a polarity of the voltage is dependent upon a magnitude and a polarity of the change in temperature of the electronic component. 12. The device of claim 10, wherein when the electronic component is in an off state the plurality of individual active perforations are in a closed position. 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the reservoir is an expandable reservoir, and wherein the self-activating active perforation layer further comprises: an elastomeric layer;a fluid channel;andan operating fluid for flowing through the fluid channel, wherein the operating fluid expands the expandable reservoir upon entering the fluid channel, and contracts the expandable reservoir upon exiting the fluid channel. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the operating fluid is a liquid. 15. The device of claim 10, wherein the self-activating active perforation layer is a polymer material. 16. The device of claim 10, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller comprises a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the controller to activate the thermal regulation system, by performing an operation comprising: receiving a real-time temperature reading from the temperature sensor;comparing the real-time temperature reading to a predetermined acceptable temperature of the electronic component;determining whether the real-time temperature reading is outside of the predetermined acceptable temperature;issuing a signal to the thermoelectric device when the real-time temperature reading is outside of the predetermined acceptable temperature;responsive to the signal, outputting a voltage signal by the thermoelectric device, wherein a magnitude and a polarity of the voltage signal are dependent on a magnitude and a polarity of the difference in the real-time temperature reading and the predetermined acceptable temperature; andin proportion to the voltage signal, controlling the plurality of individual active perforations by adjusting the respective controllable apertures of each of the plurality of individual active perforations. 17. A device for providing thermal regulation of an electronic component, comprising: a thermoelectric device;a microfluidic pump operatively connected with the thermoelectric device;a temperature sensor in operative communication with the electronic component and the thermoelectric device; anda self-activating active perforation layer coupled to the electronic component, the self-activating active perforation layer comprising at least two active perforations thereon, wherein the at least two active perforations each have a controllable aperture of an adjustable diameter for controlling an amount of fluid flow therethrough to the electronic component, wherein the controllable aperture of the first active perforation is individually controllable from the controllable aperture of the second active perforation, and wherein when a positive change in temperature above a normal operating temperature of the electronic component is received by the temperature sensor a first voltage and a second voltage are generated by the thermoelectric device which powers the microfluidic pump to control a reservoir to affect the controllable diameter of the first active perforation in proportion to the first voltage and to control to the second active perforation in proportion to the second voltage. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein controlling the first active perforation in proportion to the first voltage comprises opening or closing the first active perforation, and wherein controlling the second active perforation in proportion to the second voltage comprises opening or closing the second active perforation. 19. The device of claim 17, wherein a magnitude and a polarity of the first voltage and the second voltage is dependent upon a magnitude and a polarity of the change in temperature of the electronic component. 20. The device of claim 17, wherein the self-activating active perforation layer is a polymer material.