Blower Patents (Class 353/57)
  • Patent number: 6935750
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a light source, plural reflecting type light valves having a light incidence/reflection surface which reflects incident light from the light source, and a partition wall which partitions a space in the display apparatus into a cooling air side and a light incidence/reflection surface side. Plural cooling fans which cause air flow to respective ones of the light valves, and a discharge fan which discharges a cooling air inside of the display apparatus through an outlet port are provided. A respective one of the cooling fans flows air to a side which is opposite to the incidence/reflection surface of a respective one of the light valves and a path of the air flow is formed from at least one of the cooling fans to the outlet port in an order of the opposite side of the light valve, the light source and the discharge fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Yasuo Ohtsuka, Kenji Fuse, Toru Numata
  • Patent number: 6906758
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling structure for a projection television, which keeps the inside of the projection television clean and effectively cools the heated projection television. The cooling structure for the projection television comprises a heat blocking unit for separating a lamp system generating superheat from the sealed inner space, a cooling fan for forcibly cooling the heat generated by the synthesis system within the sealed inner space, the cooling fan being formed adjacent to the synthesis system, and a radiating unit for exhausting the heat of the inner space to the outside, the radiating unit being formed on the upper part of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sangdon Park
  • Patent number: 6886942
    Abstract: A projector changes stepwise electric energy supplied to a light source based on temperature information which is detected by a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of components of an optical engine or an ambient air temperature. A lamp output control circuit changes stepwise the electric energy supplied to the light source based on the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: NEC ViewTechnology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Okada, Atsushi Matsudaira
  • Patent number: 6871959
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fan to generate airflow passing around a lamp reflector. A wake region is formed near a leeward surface of the lamp reflector, and a light cut is installed in the wake region. The light cut has a fixing end and is fixed on a side end surface of a lamp holder of the lamp by means of fastening bolts, the other end keeps a selected distance away from the lamp reflector and has a suitable distance along contours of the lamp reflector toward a rear end of the lamp reflector so as to prevent the light with high illumination going through the lamp reflector to the exhausting outlet for avoiding light leakage; hence, the exhausting outlet shall not be added inclined louvers and the windage is lowered down comparatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Nien-Hui Hsu, Sheng-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 6857749
    Abstract: An optical equipment having a discharge lamp for supplying light and a light valve device for projecting the light from the equipment having an air intake opening arranged on one side of the equipment. A ventilation device is associated with the air intake opening so as to draw in air from outside of the equipment through the air intake opening and a ventilation path arranged so as to extend from an outlet of the ventilation device continuously. The ventilation path includes a partition member proximate to an outlet of the ventilation device and air flow through the ventilation path is divided into a plurality of air flows by the partition member so as to cool different parts of the light valve device respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Fuse, Mikio Shiraishi, Yasuo Otsuka, Nobuyuki Kaku, Hidehiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6837583
    Abstract: A projector device adapted to project an image-forming beam using a lamp as a light source. The lamp is installed within a rectangular parallelepipedal housing, and an exhaust fan is disposed to the rear of the lamp. The top wall of the housing surrounding the lamp is given an opening pattern asymmetric about the optical axis of the lamp by forming an air inlet opening in a position deviated from the optical axis toward a direction orthogonal to the axis for producing a swirling air current within the housing by operating the exhaust fan. The lamp can be effectively cooled with reduced quantities of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Gishi, Fumihiko Hamada, Shoji Okazaki, Takaharu Adachi, Taichi Yoshimura, Naoyuki Uchiyama, Mitsuhiro Masuda, Michihiro Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20040263797
    Abstract: In one example, a method for controlling temperature in a projection device, comprises measuring a plurality of temperatures in the projection device; averaging said plurality of temperatures to determine an averaged temperature; determining an error between a set-point temperature and said averaged temperature; and automatically adjusting a blower in said projection device based on said determined error. In another example, a method for controlling temperature in a projection device having a lamp and a blower comprises measuring temperature in the projection device; and selectively adjusting both a first signal to the blower and a second signal to the lamp based on said measured temperature to control temperature in the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Brian Russell, Pamela Deshon-Stepp, Ken Edlow
  • Publication number: 20040263796
    Abstract: In a projection device including a casing having an inlet vent and an outlet vent, and a plurality of components including a light source disposed within the casing, a blower system is provided, wherein the blower system includes a plurality of blower portions operable to draw air into the casing through an inlet vent, circulate air among the plurality of components, and eject circulated air from the casing through an outlet vent; and a blower motor configured to operate the plurality of blower portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Brian Russell, Pamela Deshon-Stepp
  • Patent number: 6832837
    Abstract: A projection display device comprises a light source, a display section configured to receive light from the light source and output image light modulated with an image signal, a projection device configured to project the image light output from the display section, a duct device having an air duct for conducting air from an air intake to an air discharge section and an air chamber which is formed downstream of the air discharge section in the air duct and configured to blow cooling air from the air discharge section toward the display section, and an air blower configured to blow cooling air into the air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shingo Suzuki, Hideo Kanai
  • Publication number: 20040239887
    Abstract: An image projector comprises a discharge lamp, image projecting means for displaying an image on a screen by emitting light from the discharge lamp, electric power regulating means for regulating the electric power supplied to the discharge lamp, a cooling fan for reducing the temperature of the discharge lamp or the image projecting means, a cooling fan controlling means for controlling the rotation of the cooling fan, and a sensor for detecting a temperature of the discharge lamp or the image projecting means, wherein the rotation of the cooling fan is stopped when the image projector is in a standby mode. In the standby mode, the cooling fan controlling means controls the rotation speed of the cooling fan based on the detected temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20040218151
    Abstract: An exhaust sirocco fan exhausts the air inside the projector outside. An inlet of the exhaust sirocco fan is disposed along the plane orthogonal to the optical path plane formed by the optical unit, i.e. along the thickness direction of the projector. In other words, the optical unit or the exhaust sirocco fan need not be disposed in the thickness direction of the projector in an overlapping manner. Therefore, by efficiently sucking the inside air, the exhaust efficiency can be enhanced and calmness can be ensured in the projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinsuke Ito, Toshio Matsumiya
  • Patent number: 6809780
    Abstract: A projector, which projects color images using the three liquid crystal panels (41-43) while cooling them by the fans (611-613) for G, R, and B panels, comprises the level calculation unit (711) for finding the intensity levels of the R, G, and B components of image signals, the level calculation unit (721) for finding the voice levels of voice signals, the fan control unit (73) for controlling the numbers of revolutions of the fans (611-613), and the memory (761) for storing the cumulative amount of lighting time of the lamp (21). As the intensity levels get higher, the numbers of revolutions of the fans are increased, and as the cumulative amount of lighting time becomes larger, the numbers of revolutions of the fans are decreased. As a result, unnecessary noises caused by the fans (611-613) can be reduced while the liquid crystal panels (41-43) are properly cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasumasa Sawai, Iwao Adachi, Satoshi Onishi, Kazuhiko Inoue, Hideki Nagata
  • Publication number: 20040196441
    Abstract: A liquid crystal projector comprises detection means for detecting whether a cooling fan is stopped or is being rotated, first control means for gradually raising a voltage to be applied to the cooling fan when the cooling fan is started, and second control means for setting the voltage to be applied to the cooling fan to a predetermined normal operating voltage when the detection means detects that the cooling fan is rotated in the process of gradually raising the voltage to be applied to the cooling fan by the first control means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Yano
  • Patent number: 6796660
    Abstract: A projective display apparatus having an illumination unit which includes a light source, an integrator lens and a collimator lens, a light splitter unit which splits light beams from the illumination unit into a plurality of color components, a plurality of light valves, a cooling fan, and a wind guiding unit. A respective one of the light valves corresponds to a respective one of the color components. The wind guiding unit guides the cooling wind from the cooling fan to the illumination unit and the light valves. The wind guiding unit splits and forms at least two branch wind guiding paths. One of the branch wind guiding paths guides cooling wind from the cooling fan to the illumination unit and another of the branch wind guiding paths guides the cooling wind to the light valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Nobuyuki Kaku, Fukuyasu Abe, Kenji Fuse, Nobuo Masuoka, Tatsuo Morita
  • Publication number: 20040184008
    Abstract: A projection display device includes a casing, lamp installed in the casing, optical engine and lamp cooling apparatus, in which the lamp apparatus includes a fan, recess and lamp cover. The fan is installed at the bottom part of the lamp, and the recess is opened on the casing and located below the fan. The lamp cover is installed outside of the lamp so as to allow a convection space to be formed between the outside of the lamp and the lamp cover. The air with low thermal load at the lower side of the display device is drawn in through the fan to enter the convection space to cool the lamp so as to enhance the cooling effect for the projection display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Chun-Yao CHEN, Yung-Chuan TSENG
  • Patent number: 6793343
    Abstract: A light source is disposed at an end of an optical unit (4) formed approximately in planarly-viewed L-shape and an axial-flow fan (6A) is disposed so that suction surface thereof opposes the light source, where an exhaust duct (6B) connected with the axial-flow fan (6A) and extending toward a front side of a projector (1) along a side of a lower case is disposed on the exhaust side of the axial-flow fan (6A), so that the axial-flow fan (6A) is spaced apart from an exhaust hole formed on the front side of the projector (1) and the exhaust flow from the axial-flow fan (6A) becomes parallel to an image projecting direction of a projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohisa Nakano, Masayuki Okoshi
  • Publication number: 20040179171
    Abstract: A light source, a device, a fan, a board part, and the like are arranged at their respective predetermined positions within a housing of a data projector apparatus. The light source and the device are arranged closer to the front panel. The board part is arranged on the rear side that is opposite to the front panel. The fan is arranged between the light source and the board part. An air intake port is formed on the side of housing for taking air into the housing. An air exhaust port is formed at the front panel for exhausting the air within housing. An aluminum tape member is attached on the backside of the front panel. The aluminum tape member is provided with a plurality of openings. A data projector device can thus be obtained in which an excessive temperature rise at the front panel is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Yuya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6783248
    Abstract: A cabinet accommodates therein a discharge lamp 13, an ignitor module 7 applying a high voltage to the discharge lamp 13 for igniting the same, a lighting device 8A which is connected to the ignitor module and applies a discharging voltage to the discharge lamp so as to keep the discharge lamp turned on, a signal processing unit 9 providing an image signal in accordance with an input signal, an image display which, in response to the image signal from the signal processing unit, produces an image to be projected by use of a light of the discharge lamp 13, and a power supply supplying electric power to the above parts. At least a high voltage generating unit of the ignitor module 7 is arranged to be separated from the lighting device 8A and is disposed away from the signal processing unit 9 and close to the discharge lamp 13 for restraining malfunction of the signal processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd., Plus Vision Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuo Miyata
  • Patent number: 6783244
    Abstract: A display apparatus of the type which forms a color image by modulating a plurality of lights different from each other in color by one or more display elements, includes a device for changing the color purity of at least one light by inserting or extracting a wavelength selection element into or out of the optical path of at least one of the plurality of lights, or changing the attitude of the wavelength selection element, and a device for supplying information as to whether the wavelength selection element is in the optical path of the at least one color light or information on the attitude of the wavelength selection element in the optical path of the at least one color light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Okuyama, Hiroyuki Kodama
  • Patent number: 6779894
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a light source, a reflecting type light valve having a light incidence/reflection surface which reflects incident light from the light source, a first cooling fan which cools the reflecting type light valve, and a second cooling fan which cools the light source. A part of the display apparatus which is opposite to the light incidence/reflection surface of the reflecting type light valve is cooled by a cooling fluid generated by the first cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Yasuo Ohtsuka, Kenji Fuse, Toru Numata
  • Publication number: 20040156023
    Abstract: An exhausting structure used in a rear projection TV has a ventilating chamber inside a casing of the TV to separate an optical engine from the casing. A fan is mounted in the ventilating chamber near the optical engine to ventilate the heat from the inside of the TV via a conduit and an outlet. The fan is isolated from outside of the TV to reduce any noise generated from the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Yung-Chuan Tseng, Bor-Bin Chou, Yi-Cheng Yuan
  • Publication number: 20040125343
    Abstract: A projection type display device, in which efficient cooling is performed is operated so that the display device is operated in a remarkably silent manner, is provided. The projection type display device includes: a light source unit 66; an optical unit 50 for modulating illumination light output from a light source based on input image information; power source sections 81 and 82; a box 4 for housing the optical unit 50, the light source unit 66 and the power source sections 81 and 82; and a cover member 5 for entirely covering at least an upper surface of the box, wherein an outlet for externally exhausting air in the box by using axial fans 70 and 71 is provided only on a bottom side of the box 4. Liquid crystal panels 63R, 63G and 63B, which are held by the optical unit frame 50a, absorb the illumination light from the light source 66 and thus have different increased temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Hara, Kazuhisa Hamada, Naoya Matsuda, Akihito Yajima
  • Patent number: 6746125
    Abstract: A centrifugal fan (50) is provided around the light source of the projector and an exhaust duct (51) is connected to the centrifugal fan with at least one of bent portion (52) for bending exhaust stream from the centrifugal fan being formed on the exhaust duct. Since the centrifugal fan for exhausting air can be disposed at a position remote from the exhaust hole, the noise generated from the projector can be reduced even when the size of the cooling fan is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohisa Nakano, Nobuo Watanabe, Haruyoshi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20040100621
    Abstract: In order to prevent dust from sticking to the LCD panel, to prevent the LCD panel from being heated and to suitably adjust the position of the LCD panel, a duct is provided between cooling means for a light source and cooling means for a LCD panel to send cooling air from the LCD panel side to the light source side. Therefore, a light incidence/reflection plane of the LCD panel is disposed in an almost hermetically closed space and an optical path from an integrator lens to the LCD panel is formed in the almost hermetically closed space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Yasuo Otsuka, Toru Numata
  • Publication number: 20040095559
    Abstract: A panel cooling system A has a pair of Sirocco fans 51A, 51B arranged at both sides of the radial direction of a projection lens 46, a suction duct portion 52A and an exhaust duct portion 52B. The suction duct portion 52A communicates a suction port of the undersurface of an armored case 2 with a suction side of each of the Sirocco fan 51A, 51B, and the exhaust duct portion 52B communicates an exhaust side of each of the Sirocco fans 51A, 51B and color lights R, G B of an optical part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Jun Arai, Toshio Matsumiya, Mutsuya Furuhata
  • Patent number: 6733157
    Abstract: A radiating apparatus for U-shape projector system includes a ventiduct structure with a ventiduct space, an air input end-and an air output end arranged at two ends of the ventiduct structure, and a projecting tens arranged outside the ventiduct structure. A light source has a lamp center and is arranged in the ventiduct space. A lamp radiating fan inhales an air to flow toward the lamp center of the lamp, and a radiating fan drain the air out of the ventiduct space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Lité-on Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Fang-Yuan Shyu, Yin-Fa Tu
  • Publication number: 20040057020
    Abstract: A display apparatus of the type which forms a color image by modulating a plurality of lights different from each other in color by one or a plurality of display elements, includes a device for changing the color purity of at least one of the plurality of lights by inserting or extracting a wavelength selection element into or out of the optical path of at least one of the plurality of lights or changing the attitude of the wavelength selection element, and a device for supplying information as to whether the wavelength selection element is in the optical path of the at least one color light or information on the attitude of the wavelength selection element in the optical path of the at least one color light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Okuyama, Hiroyuki Kodama
  • Patent number: 6709111
    Abstract: A cooling fan controller controls a voltage for driving a cooling fan on the basis of a temperature detected by a temperature sensor. A first controller controls voltage for driving the cooling fan to a minimum voltage for starting the cooling fan. A second controller controls the voltage for driving the cooling fan to a driving voltage value corresponding to the detected temperature after the cooling fan is started. A relationship between the detected temperature in the voltage for driving the cooling fan is such that the higher the detected temperature becomes the larger the voltage for driving the cooling fan becomes. A predetermined minimum voltage for cooling fan control is lower than the minimum voltage for starting the cooling fan and a predetermined maximum voltage for cooling fan control is higher than the minimum voltage for starting the cooling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshichika Hirao, Naoki Kaise
  • Patent number: 6709115
    Abstract: A projector 1 has a first casing 1A (including a first part 2 and a second part 3) and a second casing 1B (including a third part 4). The second casing 1B is moved between an enlarging position where the second casing 1B is protruded from the first casing 1A and a reducing position where the second casing 1B is retracted into the first casing 1A. As the second casing 1B moves to the enlarging position, the distance between the exhaust ports 45 and the exhaust fan 9 increases, so that the wind noise is restricted. As the second casing 1B moves to the reducing position, the exhaust ports 45 are concealed in the first casing 1A, so that the entry of the dust or the like into the projector 1 is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushi Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Chimura, Toshihiro Oishi
  • Patent number: 6709112
    Abstract: It is an object to obtain a light source device and a projection type display device in which a fragment can be completely enclosed therein even if a discharge lamp bursts during lighting. During normal lighting of a discharge lamp (1), an internal space of a light source device (10) and an external space are spatially connected to each other through a vent hole (43) formed on a cutoff valve mechanism (45) and a vent hole (100) formed on a concave reflecting mirror (4). Cooling air is introduced and discharged between the internal space and the external space so that the discharge lamp (1) is cooled down. When the discharge lamp (1) bursts during lighting for some reason, a very strong impulsive pressure wave is generated in a moment of the burst. The pressure wave presses a movable valve (41) provided in the cutoff valve mechanism (45) through the vent hole (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruo Miyamoto, Hideharu Tanaka, Mitsuhiro Kawaguchi, Tatsuro Hirose, Toshimitsu Iwai, Tomohiro Bessho
  • Patent number: 6710762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection type projector using a liquid crystal light valve, and its object is to provide a projector type display improved in image quality, which a user side can easily maintain and analyze the causes at the time of trouble occurrence. The projection type projector comprises a liquid crystal light valve section 4 to modulate and emit an incident light from a lamp 2, and a projection lens 6 which modulates the incident light from the liquid crystal section 4. In addition, a control circuit 8 is structured to control a power supply 26 or on/off of the lamp 2, based on a measurement results of a temperature detecting devices 30 and 32, where the temperature detecting device 30 measures a temperature in the vicinity of the liquid crystal valve section 4 and the temperature detecting device 32 measures an external temperature of a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Kenzo Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6702444
    Abstract: This invention concerns reducing fan noise and preventing a light source, an optical element, and the like from deteriorating in a projector display device. The projection display device includes a light-source lamp unit, an optical system unit having a modulation device, a projection lens for enlarging and projecting an image formed by the optical system, a power supply unit for supplying electric power for driving the device, power supply intake fans, a modulation device intake fan, and exhaust fans. Fan noise can be reduced by driving only the power supply intake fans for a predetermined period after the device is powered on. Furthermore, the light-source lamp, the optical elements, and the like can be prevented from deteriorating by controlling the rotation speeds of the other fans based on detected temperatures detected by temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Takizawa, Hideoki Miyake
  • Patent number: 6682197
    Abstract: In order to prevent dust from sticking to the LCD panel, to prevent the LCD panel from being heated and to suitably adjust the position of the LCD panel, a duct is provided between cooling means for a light source and cooling means for a LCD panel to send cooling air from the LCD panel side to the light source side. Therefore, a light incidence/reflection plane of the LCD panel is disposed in an almost hermetically closed space and an optical path from an integrator lens to the LCD panel is formed in the almost hermetically closed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Yasuo Otsuka, Toru Numata
  • Patent number: 6679607
    Abstract: A device for cooling a projector includes a plurality of air intakes positioned upstream from a suction fan having an integrated motor. A light source of the projector is disposed between a first air intake and the suction fan so that a first air flow, drawn by the fan through the first air intake, flows around and pulls heat away from the light source. A second air intake is positioned to admit a second air flow, also drawn by the fan, that passes through a duct positioned adjacent an upstream side of the suction fan to direct the second air flow against the fan motor. The second air flow, which has a temperature that is not substantially affected by the light source, cools the fan motor and forms an insulating air layer that protects the fan motor from being damaged by the high temperatures of the first air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Morten Gulliksen
  • Publication number: 20040008325
    Abstract: A projective display apparatus having an illumination unit which includes a light source, an integrator lens and a collimator lens, a light splitter unit which splits light beams from the illumination unit into a plurality of color components, a plurality of light valves, a cooling fan, and a wind guiding unit. A respective one of the light valves corresponds to a respective one of the color components. The wind guiding unit guides the cooling wind from the cooling fan to the illumination unit and the light valves. The wind guiding unit splits and forms at least two branch wind guiding paths. One of the branch wind guiding paths guides cooling wind from the cooling fan to the illumination unit and another of the branch wind guiding paths guides the cooling wind to the light valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Nobuyuki Kaku, Fukuyasu Abe, Kenji Fuse, Nobuo Masuoka, Tatsuo Morita
  • Patent number: 6672723
    Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal projector which can blast an increased amount of cooling air to raise the cooling efficiency without increasing the size of an optical prism unit. The liquid crystal projector includes a dichroic prism, a base for securing the dichroic prism with a lower plate interposed therebetween, a plurality of liquid crystal panel units disposed on side faces of the dichroic prism, and a cooling fan disposed below the base. The base has air holes formed therein such that air current generated by the cooling fan is introduced to the liquid crystal panel units through the air holes to cool the liquid crystal panel units. The lower plate has inclined faces at portions thereof which oppose to the air holes of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventors: Hideki Sugimoto, Shinya Watanabe, Yoshifumi Akaike
  • Publication number: 20030214636
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a light source, a reflecting type light valve having a light incidence/reflection surface which reflects incident light from the light source, a first cooling fan which cools the reflecting type light valve, and a second cooling fan which cools the light source. A part of the display apparatus which is opposite to the light incidence/reflection surface of the reflecting type light valve is cooled by a cooling fluid generated by the first cooling fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Yasuo Ohtsuka, Kenji Fuse, Toru Numata
  • Patent number: 6637895
    Abstract: In a projection display provided with an optical unit, a power source unit, an external case to store the optical unit and the power source unit, a suction opening (75) is formed in one end part of the power source unit, a discharge opening (77) is formed in the other end part, and the suction opening (75) is arranged in the vicinity of an air inlet in the external case. Because the suction opening (75) and the discharge opening (77) are provided, the inside of the power source unit can be independently and efficiently cooled, and the optical unit and the power source unit can be arranged closely to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyuki Fujimori, Akitoshi Kuroda, Shinji Haba, Kiyoshi Miyashita, Takeshi Takizawa, Mutsuya Furuhata
  • Patent number: 6623129
    Abstract: A technique for reducing surface soiling of optical components used in projectors and other devices is provided. An optical component 310G comprises: a light transmissive member 301; and a light transmissive film TF formed on the light transmissive member. The light transmissive film comprises: a semiconductor photocatalyst film PCF constituting the outside surface of the optical component; and an antistatic film ASF formed between the semiconductor photocatalyst film PCF and the light transmissive member 301.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Motoyuki Fujimori
  • Publication number: 20030156263
    Abstract: The present invention provide a fan to generate airflow to pass around a lamp reflector with an organized figure of column and cone. A wake region is formed on a leeward surface of the lamp reflector, and a light cut is installed on the wake region. The light cut has a fixing end and is fixed on a side end surface of a lamp holder of the lamp by means of fastening bolts, the other end keeps a selected distance away from the lamp reflector and has a suitable distance along contours of the lamp reflector toward a rear end of the lamp reflector so as to that to prevent the light with high illumination going through the lamp reflector to the exhausting outlet for avoiding light leakage; hence, the exhausting outlet shall not be added inclined louvers and the windage is lowered down comparatively. Therefore, the heat-dissipating efficiency is raised to effectively reduce the heat loading of the projector, promote products life and decrease noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Nien-Hui Hsu, Sheng-Yi Chen
  • Publication number: 20030137640
    Abstract: A light source is disposed at an end of an optical unit (4) formed approximately in planarly-viewed L-shape and an axial-flow fan (6A) is disposed so that suction surface thereof opposes the light source, where an exhaust duct (6B) connected with the axial-flow fan (6A) and extending toward a front side of a projector (1) along a side of a lower case is disposed on the exhaust side of the axial-flow fan (6A), so that the axial-flow fan (6A) is spaced apart from an exhaust hole formed on the front side of the projector (1) and the exhaust flow from the axial-flow fan (6A) becomes parallel to an image projecting direction of a projection lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirohisa Nakano, Masayuki Okoshi
  • Patent number: 6595645
    Abstract: A display optical unit includes a light valve which modulates light to form picture information, a light splitter which splits light into a plurality of color components and for directing each of the color components to the light valve, an illumination unit which directs light emanated from a light source to the light splitter, and a projection lens which magnifies and projects the modulated light having the picture information for displaying a picture. An optical axis of the projection lens is shifted from an optical axis of the illumination unit and the light splitter, and a projection lens unit including the light valve and the projection lens has a positioning mechanism which determines a position thereof when attached and is attachable and detachable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the projection lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Nobuyuki Kaku, Fukuyasu Abe, Kenji Fuse, Nobuo Masuoka, Tatsuo Morita
  • Patent number: 6588907
    Abstract: A cool-down system for portable projectors including a battery configured to power a cooling fan, if power to the cooling fan is cut off before the device has cooled down sufficiently to prevent degradation of one or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Corey Billington, Chris Bradley
  • Patent number: 6582083
    Abstract: A display apparatus having a reflecting type light valve which has a light incidence/reflection surface, a drive circuit which drives the reflecting type light valve by supplying an image signal, a cooling system which cools at least the reflecting type light valve with cooling fluid, and a partition wall which partitions a space in the display apparatus into a cooling fluid side and a light incidence/reflection side. The reflecting type light valve forms a part of the partition wall, and the light incidence/reflection surface faces the light incidence/reflection side and a part opposite to the light incidence/reflection surface of the reflecting type light valve is cooled by the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Yasuo Ohtsuka, Kenji Fuse, Toru Numata
  • Patent number: 6582082
    Abstract: In an optical engine for a projection system, a fan unit is mounted on an upper surface of a housing, and has an inlet port facing toward light modulators within the housing for drawing air upwardly so as to dissipate heat generated by the light modulators, and an outlet port that is transverse to the inlet port for discharging the air drawn into the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Prokia Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kuo-Tung Tiao, Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 6568813
    Abstract: The invention provides an air intake on the upper plane of an exterior case which is opened upwards, and a cooling fan for introducing cooling air into the apparatus from the air intake is provided above an electro-optical device. There is no limit on the amount of air introduced, and sufficient cooling air for cooling the electro-optical device can be blown onto the electro-optical device. Accordingly, the electro-optical device can be cooled efficiently, and a cooling structure capable of dealing with high luminance of the light source lamp and reduction in size of the apparatus can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Haba, Akitoshi Kuroda, Motoyuki Fujimori
  • Publication number: 20030095237
    Abstract: In a display device comprising a suction fan for cooling and an air filter arranged on the suction side of the suction fan for cooling, there are provided means for calculating, in a case where the suction fan for cooling is driven, the integrated value of time periods during which the suction fan for cooling is driven, and means for displaying a warning message for causing a user to clean the air filter when the integrated value of the time periods during which the suction fan for cooling is driven is not less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Kouji Terami, Toshiyuki Okino, Hisashi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20030090634
    Abstract: In an optical engine for a projection system, a fan unit is mounted on an upper surface of a housing, and has an inlet port facing toward light modulators within the housing for drawing air upwardly so as to dissipate heat generated by the light modulators, and an outlet port that is transverse to the inlet port for discharging the air drawn into the inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Prokia Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Tung Tiao, Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 6561655
    Abstract: A projector includes a duct having a connecting end for connection to an air inlet provided in a housing, and an air intake end for drawing in outside air for cooling the interior of the projector. The duct is made of a soft or flexible material and is capable of altering its shape. Thus, the duct can change the position of the air intake end in space, for example, to different positions. Further, the duct is pivotable on a pivot axis, and thus can change the opening direction of the air intake end circumferentially about the pivot axis. Therefore, selection of the position and/or opening direction of the air intake end so as to draw in the outside air suitable for cooling the interior depending on the usage forms of the projector achieves efficient cooling of the interior of the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Onishi, Kazuhiko Inoue, Iwao Adachi, Yasumasa Sawai, Hideki Nagata
  • Patent number: 6558004
    Abstract: The invention provides a projector capable of cooling a light-source lamp efficiently and suppressing noises as well. In a first cooling system, the base side of a light-source lamp, which reaches a high temperature, is intensively cooled by a first sirocco fan. An axial-flow exhaust fan is provided close to the light-source lamp so that cooling air is allowed to quickly flow while cooling the light-source lamp. Therefore, even when the first sirocco fan, in which the air pressure of cooling air is liable to be reduced, is used, heat generated in the light-source lamp can be smoothly radiated, thereby efficiently cooling the light-source lamp. Since the first sirocco fan is remarkably quiet as compared to an axial-flow fan, noises are suppressed to a low level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Ito, Takeshi Takizawa