Abstract: A method is provided for operating a thermal management system which includes providing a set of synthetic jet actuators A={a1, . . . , an} (309, 311, 313), wherein n?3, and wherein each member of A has a diaphragm which oscillates along a principle axis. The members of set A are arranged and operated such that they have corresponding forces F1, . . . , Fn at any given time during their operation, wherein any force Fk ? {F1, . . . , Fn} has vector components along mutually orthogonal axes x, y and z of Fkx, Fky, and Fkz, wherein at least one of the sets Sx={|F1x|, . . . , |Fnx|}, Sy={|F1y|, . . . , |Fny|} and Sz={|F1z|, . . . , |Fnz|} has more than one member, and wherein the sum TF=?i=1n Fi is essentially zero.

Abstract: A light source (101) is provided which comprises (a) a housing element (107); (b) a heat sink (109); (c) a first flow channel element (111) which, alone or in combination with said housing element, creates (i) a first set of flow paths (221) for the flow of fluid in a first direction through the light source, and (ii) a second set of flow paths (223) for the flow of fluid in a second direction through the light source; (d) a set of synthetic jet actuators (143, 145) having at least one member and being in fluidic communication with said first set of flow paths; and (e) a set of LEDs (113) containing at least one member and being in thermal contact with said heat sink.

Abstract: A device (201) is provided which includes a host device (203) having a heat source (205) therein. A synthetic jet ejector (207) is embedded in the host device and is equipped with a temperature sensor (205) and a controller (211) which controls the operation of the synthetic jet ejector. The controller starts the synthetic jet ejector only when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor exceeds a minimum threshold value Tv.

Abstract: A light source (101) is provided which comprises (a) a housing element (107); (b) a heat sink (109); (c) a first flow channel element (111) which, alone or in combination with said housing element, creates (i) a first set of flow paths (221) for the flow of fluid in a first direction through the light source, and (ii) a second set of flow paths (223) for the flow of fluid in a second direction through the light source; (d) a set of synthetic jet actuators (143, 145) having at least one member and being in fluidic communication with said first set of flow paths; and (e) a set of LEDs (113) containing at least one member and being in thermal contact with said heat sink.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided which comprises (a) a synthetic jet actuator; and (b) a frame having at least one element therein which pressingly engages said synthetic jet actuator.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector is provided which includes (a) a first actuator comprising a first diaphragm driven by a first actuator coil, wherein said first actuator coil is disposed on a first side of said first diaphragm; (b) a second actuator comprising a second diaphragm driven by a second actuator coil, wherein said second actuator coil is disposed on a first side of said second diaphragm; and (c) an airtight enclosure which encloses said first and second actuator coils; wherein at least one of said first and second diaphragms is in fluidic communication with the environment external to said enclosure.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming tinsel on a synthetic jet actuator. The method comprises (a) providing a synthetic jet actuator assembly (201) comprising a bobbin (203), a voice coil (213), driver electronics (215), and a surround (205); and (b) printing polymer thick film (PTF) conductive ink (209) across the surround, thus connecting the voice coil to the driver electronics.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a synthetic jet ejector is provided. The method includes (a) taking a first measurement DCR0 of the DC resistance of the coil; (b) adjusting the actuator drive voltage Vd to achieve a desired maximum displacement dmax1 at a frequency f1; (c) measuring the input current Iin and input voltage Vin; (d) calculating the back electromagnetic frequency BEMF, wherein BEMF=Vin?Iin*DCR; and (e) storing the calculated value of BEMF in a memory device associated with the synthetic jet actuator.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (201) is provided which includes a housing (205) having an orifice (207) defined in a wall thereof from which a synthetic jet (209) is emitted, and a barrier (211) disposed about the orifice. The barrier has a first end which is disposed proximal to the orifice and which has a first perimeter. The barrier also has a second end which is disposed distal to the orifice and which has a second perimeter. The second parameter has a larger area than the first perimeter.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (201) is provided which includes a housing (205) having an orifice (207) defined in a wall thereof from which a synthetic jet (209) is emitted, and a barrier (211) disposed about the orifice. The barrier has a first end which is disposed proximal to the orifice and which has a first perimeter. The barrier also has a second end which is disposed distal to the orifice and which has a second perimeter. The second parameter has a larger area than the first perimeter.

Abstract: A light source (101) is provided which comprises (a) a housing element (107); (b) a heat sink (109); (c) a first flow channel element (111) which, alone or in combination with said housing element, creates (i) a first set of flow paths (221) for the flow of fluid in a first direction through the light source, and (ii) a second set of flow paths (223) for the flow of fluid in a second direction through the light source; (d) a set of synthetic jet actuators (143, 145) having at least one member and being in fluidic communication with said first set of flow paths; and (e) a set of LEDs (113) containing at least one member and being in thermal contact with said heat sink.

Abstract: A thermal management system (101), comprising (a) a synthetic jet actuator (103), and (b) a processor (107) in communication with the synthetic jet actuator, the processor being adapted to receive programming instructions, and being further adapted to modify the operation of the synthetic jet actuator in response to the programming instructions.

Abstract: A system is provided herein which comprises (a) a plurality of circuit boards (207); (b) a plurality of slots (205), wherein each of said slots is adapted to provide power to a circuit board coupled thereto, and wherein each of said circuit boards is coupled to one of said slots; and (c) a thermal management card (209) disposed in one of said slots, said thermal management card containing at least one synthetic jet ejector.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a synthetic jet ejector is provided which comprises (a) taking a first measurement DCR0 of the DC resistance of the coil; (b) adjusting the actuator drive voltage Vd to achieve a desired maximum displacement dmax1 at a frequency f1; (c) measuring the input current Iin and input voltage Vin; (d) calculating the back electromagnetic frequency BEMF, wherein BEMF=Vin?Iin*DCR; and (e) storing the calculated value of BEMF in a memory device associated with the synthetic jet actuator.

Abstract: A light source (101) is provided which comprises (a) a housing element (107); (b) a heat sink (109); (c) a first flow channel element (111) which, alone or in combination with said housing element, creates (i) a first set of flow paths (221) for the flow of fluid in a first direction through the light source, and (ii) a second set of flow paths (223) for the flow of fluid in a second direction through the light source; (d) a set of synthetic jet actuators (143, 145) having at least one member and being in fluidic communication with said first set of flow paths; and (e) a set of LEDs (113) containing at least one member and being in thermal contact with said heat sink.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector is provided which comprises (a) an LED (119), (b) a heat sink (121), (c) a first synthetic jet actuator (111) equipped with a first diaphragm (162) which is adapted to vibrate such that it undergoes displacements along a first axis, and (d) a second synthetic jet actuator (113) equipped with a second diaphragm (163) which is adapted to vibrate such that it undergoes displacements in an opposite direction along said first axis from said first diaphragm.

Abstract: A method for forming a spatial light modulator (SLM) comprises forming a substrate (10) underneath a layer of Ferro-Electric crystal material (14) with a plurality of mirrored elements (12) disposed on the surface thereof. The process involves forming a layer of low stress oxide on the surface of the substrate over control pads or conductive strips (24) which are connected to underlying control elements. Openings (30) are formed in the oxide, followed by a formation of a conformal layer of aluminum (32). This is etched to form plugs (36) and then the substrate is subjected to a chemical/mechanical planarization step. This involves polishing the substrate to provide an optically flat surface. Thereafter, a layer of aluminum is then disposed on the surface of the substrate, patterned and etched to form the mirrored elements (12).