TEMPERATURE CONTROLLING SYSTEM ADAPTED FOR A PROJECTION APPARATUS
A temperature controlling system adapted for a projection apparatus is provided. The projection apparatus comprises at least a heat generating element, while the temperature controlling system comprises a liquid flow system, a heat generating device, and a heat transferring device. The liquid flow system is disposed along the heat generating element. The heat generating device produces heat with a positive value (endothermic) or a negative value (exothermic) in response to an environment dependent on the location of the projection apparatus. The heat transferring device transfers the heat generated by the heat generating device along the liquid flow system. The present invention maintains the operation of the projection apparatus under the desired working temperature and enables a thermal equilibrium of the projection apparatus without being influenced by the over-temperature or under-temperature of the external environment.
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This application benefits from the priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 095113158 filed on Apr. 13, 2006.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONSNot applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a temperature controlling system adapted for a projection apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a technology for generating or radiating heat in response to different ambient temperatures to maintain the operation of a projection apparatus under the desired working temperature.
2. Descriptions of the Related Art
In designing most projection systems, a cooling system is important in maintaining the operation of interior elements under a certain temperature and extending service life of the interior elements, especially for large scale, heavy duty, or high heat producing projection systems. More specifically, the interior elements can be categorized into a lower temperature group and a higher temperature group when the projection system operates. A proper design allows the cooling liquid to first flow through the low temperature group of elements and then through the high temperature group of elements, thereby reducing the temperature of the projection system and maintaining the system at operation under a mean temperature. Thus, to maximize cooling efficiency, the cooling system needs to be adjusted and improved according to the inner optical arrangement of the projection system.
Liquid cooling and air cooling are the two common ways for cooling projection systems. Either method of liquid or air cooling adopts the circulation of fluid to reduce the interior temperature of the projection system. However, the liquid cooling method is more effective in equalizing temperature of interior components and generating less noise. At the same time, the liquid cooling method requires more space and is usually applied to a projection system that is operated in a larger place, such as a public place, mass transition station, or an airport. It is understandable that, in general, the characteristics of the air cooling method are just as adverse as those of the liquid cooling method. As a result, a common cooling medium used for liquid cooling is water because of its high specific heat and capability of absorbing a large amount of heat without obvious temperature fluctuations. In conjunction with the use of a fin and/or a fan to expand the heat dissipation area, the efficiency of heat dissipation of liquid cooling can also be improved.
Limited by the working temperature of the interior components, the present projection system could only operate between 5° C. to 35° C. to ensure stability at normal operation and fulfill the expected service life of the projection system. When the ambient temperature ascends above the upper temperature limit, the cooling capability of the projection system requires reinforcement to prevent internal components from continuously generating heat with a positive value, thereby reducing the efficiency and service life of the apparatus. On the contrary, when the ambient temperature descends below the lower temperature limit, the projection system requires heat to raise the temperature of the internal components to a working temperature so that the projection system may operate normally.
There are many improved liquid or air cooling technologies for projection systems in the market. Even so, there is neither a competitive technology for raising the temperature of the system from a very low ambient temperature to a normal working temperature, nor a technology that efficiently cools the system at a very high ambient temperature and heats the system at a very low ambient temperature.
Therefore, the research and development of a liquid cooling technology for use in adjusting the interior temperature of the projection apparatus is needed. In other words, an advanced temperature controlling system is required in the market. The system should be able to: (1) raise the temperature of the components from an extremely low ambient temperature to a working temperature to start up the system, (2) reduce the temperature of the components to function under high ambient temperatures (3) stop the cooling process when the temperature is normal, (4) reduce the generation of noise and (5) consume less power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe primary object of this invention is to provide a temperature controlling system adapted for a projection apparatus. The projection apparatus comprises at least one heat generating element. The temperature controlling system comprises a liquid flow system, a heat generating device, and a heat transferring device. The liquid flow system is disposed along the heat generating element. The heat generating device selectively generates heat with a positive value when the temperature is lower than the ambient temperature. Likewise, the heat generating device selectively generates heat with a negative value when the temperature is higher than the ambient temperature. The heat transferring device transfers the heat generated by the heat generating device along the liquid flow system, thereby maintaining the operation of the projection apparatus under the desired working temperature.
Another object of this invention is to provide a temperature controlling system adapted for a projection apparatus. The projection apparatus comprises at least one heat generating element. The temperature controlling system comprises a liquid flow system, a heat generating device, and a heat transferring device. The liquid flow system is disposed along the heat generating element. The heat generating device generates heat with a positive value in response to a temperature lower than the ambient temperature. The heat transferring device transfers the heat generated by the heat generating device along the liquid flow system, thereby maintaining the operation of the projection apparatus under the desired working temperature.
Yet a farther object of this invention is to provide a projection apparatus. The projection apparatus comprises the temperature controlling system as mentioned above. With the temperature controlling system, the projection apparatus radiates heat that is generated during the operation of the projection apparatus, thus, protecting the apparatus from overheating. Furthermore, the temperature controlling system assists the interior of the projection apparatus, which is located in a below-temperature environment, in warming up to the desired working temperature.
The detailed technology and preferred embodiments implemented for the subject invention are described in the following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention.
With reference to
The temperature controlling system comprises a liquid flow system 103, a heat generating device, and a heat transferring device. The liquid flow system 103 is preferably a closed system which comprises at least a pump 103(a), a reservoir 103(b), and a liquid pipe 103(c). The liquid flow system 103 is disposed along the heat generating element 101. The liquid flow system 103 and the heat generating element 101 are substantially connected to each other. Heat generated by the heat generating element 101 is transferred through the liquid pipe 103(c) by a circulating liquid that has high specific heat to control the temperature. The circulating liquid is preferably but not limited to, water. After the temperature of the circulating liquid gradually reaches equilibrium, the circulating liquid flows into the reservoir 103(b). Thereafter, the circulating liquid in the reservoir 103(b) is pressurized by a pump 103(a), and pushed to flow towards the heat generating element 101 along the liquid pipe 103(c). A further cycle subsequently starts to control the temperature of the interior of the projection apparatus.
The following descriptions are provided for further illustrating the features of the present invention. The heat generating device, disposed behind the pump 103(a), selectively generates heat with a positive value or a negative value in response to a temperature lower than or a temperature higher than the ambient temperature, respectively. In this embodiment, the heat generating device 105 can be a thermoelectric device (TE device). The TE device can be either a TE heater or a TE cooler for generating heat with a positive value or a negative value, respectively. The heat generating device can also be a traditional heater for generating heat with the positive value. The heat generating device changes the initial temperature of the circulating liquid to heat up or cool down the circulating liquid to the desired working temperature.
The heat transferring device 107 then transfers the heat selectively generated by the heat generating device 105 along the liquid flow system 103, thereby maintaining the operation of the projection apparatus 1 under the desired working temperature. The heat transferring device 107 can include a radiator 107(a), at least one fin 107(b), and/or at least a fan 107(c), which follow(s) the heat generating device 105 or heat generating element 101 for heat transfer in the liquid flow system 103.
Furthermore, when the projection apparatus needs to operate under a relatively low temperature environment, like an environment with a temperature lower than one required for the apparatus to start up at 5° C., an embodiment of the present invention, shown in
When the projection apparatus needs to operate under a relatively low temperature environment, which is lower than the start-up temperature of the interior elements, another embodiment of the present invention, shown in
If the projection apparatus needs to operate under a relatively high temperature environment, like an environment with a temperature higher than that required to start up the apparatus at 35° C., an embodiment of the present invention, shown in
When the projection apparatus needs to operate in a relatively high temperature environment which is higher than the start-up temperature of the interior elements, another embodiment of the present invention, shown in
In the above-mentioned embodiments, the TE heater and the TE cooler can be included in the TE device. By applying different current directions, as shown in
The aforementioned liquid heat transferring technology of cooling and/or heating may be utilized in assisting the projection apparatus in reaching a normal start-up temperature after evaluating the abnormal ambient temperature of the projection apparatus. People skilled in this field may apply the technology on a normally operating projection apparatus for maintaining its interior working temperature under a normal condition, thereby improving the efficiency of the projection apparatus, and extending the service life of the interior elements, especially the heat generating elements.
The above disclosure is related to the detailed technical contents and inventive features thereof. People skilled in this field may proceed with a variety of modifications and replacements based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as described without departing from the characteristics thereof. Nevertheless, although such modifications and replacements are not fully disclosed in the above descriptions, they have substantially been covered in the following claims as appended.
Claims
1. A temperature controlling system adapted for a projection apparatus, the projection apparatus comprising at least one heat generating element, the temperature controlling system comprising:
- a liquid flow system, disposed along the at least one heat generating element;
- a heat generating device for selectively generating heat with a positive value or a negative value in response to a temperature lower than or a temperature higher than an ambient temperature, respectively where the projection apparatus is located; and
- a heat transferring device for transferring the heat generated by the heat generating device along the liquid flow system, thereby maintaining the projection apparatus at operation under a desired working temperature.
2. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid flow system is substantially connected with the at least one heat generating element of the projection apparatus.
3. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid flow system contains a liquid having high specific heat.
4. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat transferring device is at least one fin.
5. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat transferring device is at least one fan.
6. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat generating device is a thermal electric (TE) device.
7. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermal electric device is a TE cooler.
8. A temperature controlling system adapted for a projection apparatus, the projection apparatus comprising at least one heat generating element, the temperature controlling system comprising:
- a liquid flow system, disposed along the at least one heat generating element;
- a heat generating device for generating a heat with a positive value in response to a temperature lower than an ambient temperature where the projection apparatus is located; and
- a heat transferring device for transferring the heat generated by the heat generating device along the liquid flow system, thereby maintaining the projection apparatus at operation under a desired working temperature.
9. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the liquid flow system is substantially connected with the at least one heat generating element of the projection apparatus.
10. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the liquid flow system contains a liquid having high specific heat.
11. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat transferring device is at least one fin.
12. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat transferring device is at least one fan.
13. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat generating device is a thermal electric (TE) device.
14. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the thermal electric device is a TE heater.
15. The temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat generating device is a heating device.
16. A projection apparatus comprising the temperature controlling system as claimed in claim 1.
17. The projection apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the liquid flow system is substantially connected with the at least one heat generating element.
18. The projection apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the heat transferring device is at least one fin.
19. The projection apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the heat transferring device is at least one fan.
20. The projection apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the heat generating device is a thermal electric (TE) device.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 13, 2006
Publication Date: Oct 18, 2007
Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC. (Taoyuan County)
Inventors: Chia-Jui Lin (Taoyuan County), Hsiu-Ming Chang (Taoyuan County), Kuo-Ching Chang (Taoyuan County), Hui-Chih Lin (Taoyuan County), Yu-Ho Tsao (Taoyuan County)
Application Number: 11/531,520
International Classification: F25B 21/02 (20060101); F25D 23/12 (20060101);