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: An illumination device 1701 is provided which includes a light emitting portion 1703; an LED 1715 disposed within said light emitting portion; a threaded connector module 1705 adapted to rotatingly engage said illumination device to a source of electricity; a heat sink 1759 disposed between said light emitting portion and said connector module; and a synthetic jet ejector 1709 disposed between said light emitting portion and said connector module.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (201) is provided which includes a chassis (203); first (205) and second (207) opposing synthetic jet actuators mounted in the chassis; and a controller (209) which controls the first and second synthetic jet actuators and which is in electrical contact with the first and second synthetic jet actuators by way of flexible circuitry (211, 213).

Abstract: A device is provided which includes (a) a thermally conductive base having first and second major surfaces; (b) a die attached to said first major surface of said base; (c) a heat pipe having a first end which is attached to said second major surface of said base; (d) a plurality of heat fins attached to a second end of said heat pipe; and (e) at least one synthetic jet ejector disposed between said base and said plurality of heat fins.

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 method for making a diaphragm is provided. The method includes providing a first ring (305) having a first diameter and a second ring (307) having a second diameter which is greater than said first diameter, wherein at least one of said first and second rings comprises a first elastomeric material; and overmolding the first and second rings with a second material (303) which is distinct from said first material, thereby forming a diaphragm (301).

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (501) is provided which includes a diaphragm (503) and a chassis (505). The chassis has first and second major surfaces which are equipped with a set of interlocking features (509) such that a first instance of the synthetic jet ejector releasably attaches to a second instance of the synthetic jet ejector by way of the interlocking features.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (201) is provided which includes a housing (203). A blade (205) is disposed in the housing which has a first fixed end (207) and a second movable end (209), and which is driven by an actuator to trace out a first volume as its free end moves between a first apex and a second apex. The housing has a first portion which is spaced apart from, and complimentary in shape to, at least a portion of the first volume. The spacing (217) between this volume and the first portion is sufficiently small to form a viscous seal around the periphery of the actuator.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (201) is provided which includes a housing assembly (239, 241) which is equipped with a first plurality of openings (203, 207) and a second plurality of openings (205, 209), and a diaphragm assembly disposed within the housing assembly. The diaphragm assembly includes first (229) and second (243) armatures, a coil (235) disposed between the first and second armatures, first (221) and second (255) end caps, a first diaphragm (223) disposed between the first end cap and the first armature, and a second diaphragm (249) disposed between the second end cap and the second armature. The first and second diaphragms contain a first set of keying features (273) which keys them to the housing assembly. The synthetic jet ejector emits a first plurality of synthetic jets out of the first plurality of openings, and emits a second plurality of synthetic jets out of the second plurality of openings.

Abstract: An illumination device (b1-01) is provided which comprises a housing (b1-03) equipped with an aperture (b1-37), first (b1-33) and second (b1-35) diaphragms disposed in said housing and in fluidic communication with said aperture, and an LED (b1-15) disposed between said first and second diaphragms.

Abstract: A thermal management device (401) is provided which comprises a synthetic jet actuator (403) and a heat sink (405) comprising a fin (407). The fin has at least one interior channel (409) defined therein which has first and second openings that are in fluidic communication with each other. The synthetic jet actuator is adapted to direct a synthetic jet into said channel.

Abstract: A synthetic jet ejector (101) is provided herein which comprises a diaphragm (119), a first voice coil (121) disposed on a first side of the diaphragm, and a second voice coil (123) disposed on a second side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: An illumination device 1701 is provided which includes a light emitting portion 1703; an LED 1715 disposed within said light emitting portion; a threaded connector module 1705 adapted to rotatingly engage said illumination device to a source of electricity; a heat sink 1759 disposed between said light emitting portion and said connector module; and a synthetic jet ejector 1709 disposed between said light emitting portion and said connector module.

Abstract: An illumination device (b1-01) is provided which comprises a housing (b1-03) equipped with an aperture (b1-37), first (b1-33) and second (b1-35) diaphragms disposed in said housing and in fluidic communication with said aperture, and an LED (b1-15) disposed between said first and second diaphragms.

Abstract: A computing device is provided which comprises (a) a chassis having an array of printed circuit boards (PCBs) disposed therein, wherein said chassis has a first wall with a first opening therein, and a second wall with a second opening therein, wherein each PCB is equipped with a microprocessor and a heat sink, and wherein each heat sink comprises a plurality of heat fins that define a plurality of longitudinal channels; (b) a fan which creates a fluidic flow that enters through said first opening and exits through said second opening, said fluidic flow being essentially parallel the longitudinal axes of said plurality of longitudinal channels; and (c) a synthetic jet ejector which directs at least one synthetic jet through at least one of said plurality of channels.

Abstract: A device (301) is provided which includes a Peltier device (303); a heat sink (305) in thermal contact with the Peltier device; and a synthetic jet ejector (307, 309) which directs a synthetic jet (319, 321) onto or adjacent to a surface of the heat sink.

Abstract: A method for constructing a thermal management system is provided herein. In accordance with the method, a fan (405) is provided which is adapted to provide a global flow of fluid through the device. A synthetic jet ejector (409) is also provided which is adapted to augment the global flow of fluid over the surfaces of a heat sink (403). The ratio of the flow per unit time of the synthetic jet ejector to the flow per unit time of the fan is selected so as to achieve a desired level of heat dissipation.

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 thermal management device (401) is provided which comprises a synthetic jet actuator (403) and a heat sink (405) comprising a fin (407). The fin has at least one interior channel (409) defined therein which has first and second openings that are in fluidic communication with each other. The synthetic jet actuator is adapted to direct a synthetic jet into said channel.