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AssigneeGilbarco Inc.
InventorsJonathan A. Gromatzky, Joseph D. Long
Estimating the term…
The present invention relates to a thermal management system for a thin depth LCD display enclosure. The LCD display enclosure may be used in environmentally sensitive conditions and may be environmentally-sealed to protect the components of the LCD display from environmental conditions. The LCD display components may include a lens and a LCD module, and other heating producing components, such as backlights and electronic circuitry. The heat producing components and any external heat placed on the enclosure causes the ambient air temperature inside the enclosure to rise thereby possibly causing the LCD display to not operate properly. The ambient air temperature inside the enclosure is lowered by transferring heat in the ambient air through the enclosure to a heat sink that is attached on the outside rear portion of the enclosure, and to the atmosphere using forced convection, natural convention, or both.
] A LCD display, comprising:
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said heat sink transfers heat generated by said at least one backlight through said enclosure to said heat sink and to the atmosphere using natural convection.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said fan is an axial fan.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said fan produces a laminar airflow across said LCD module.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said fan rotates at a speed of around about 3400 rpm.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said fan is placed in said airflow path at an end of said enclosure.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said fan is placed in said airflow path in between the ends of said enclosure.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said enclosure is less than or equal to a depth of around about 40 millimeters.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said LCD module is spaced at a distance of around about 9.4 millimeters from said lens.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said enclosure is constructed out of materials comprised from the group consisting of sheet metal, aluminum, and copper.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said backlight assembly is physically connected to said rear portion of said enclosure.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said backlight assembly comprises a backlight reflector that is attached to said rear portion to place said at least one backlight bulb in close proximity to said rear portion.
] The LCD display of claim 1, further comprising a control system that controls information displayed on said LCD module.
] The LCD display of claim 13, wherein said control system is comprised of electronics having a microprocessor and software.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said LCD module is adapted to display an Internet browser.
] The LCD display of claim 1, wherein said enclosure is less than or equal to a depth of around about 40 millimeters.
] An energy dispenser that dispenses energy into a customer's vehicle, comprising:
] The energy dispenser of claim 1, wherein said heat sink transfers heat generated by said at least one backlight through said enclosure to said heat sink and to the atmosphere using natural convection.
] The energy dispenser of claim 17, wherein said information is comprised from the group consisting of text and graphical information.
] The energy dispenser of claim 17, wherein said information is comprised from the group consisting of weather, stock quotes, discounts, advertising, coupons, purchasing information, and special purchases.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said fan is an axial fan.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said fan produces a laminar airflow across said LCD module.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said fan rotates at a speed of around about 3400 rpm.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said fan is placed in said airflow path at an end of said enclosure.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said fan is placed in said airflow path in between the ends of said enclosure.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said enclosure is less than or equal to a depth of around about 40 millimeters.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said LCD module is spaced at a distance of around about 9.4 millimeters from said lens.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said enclosure is constructed out of materials comprised from the group consisting of sheet metal, aluminum, and copper.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said backlight assembly is physically connected to said rear portion of said enclosure.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said backlight assembly comprises a backlight reflector that is attached to said rear portion to place said at least one backlight bulb in close proximity to said rear portion.
] The LCD display of claim 17, further comprising a control system that controls information displayed on said LCD module.
] The LCD display of claim 31, wherein said control system is comprised of electronics having a microprocessor and software.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said LCD module is adapted to display an Internet browser.
] The LCD display of claim 17, wherein said energy dispenser is a fuel dispenser.
] A method of manufacturing a cooled LCD display in an environmentally-sealed disclosure, comprising the steps of:
] The method of claim 35, further comprising transferring heat generated by said at least one backlight through said enclosure to said heat sink and to the atmosphere using natural convection.
] The method of claim 35, further comprising mounting said enclosure in an energy dispenser.
] The method of claim 37, further comprising attaching a control system to said LCD module for controlling information displayed on said LCD module.
] A method of lowering the temperature of ambient air inside an environmentally-sealed enclosure for a LCD display, comprising the steps of:
] The method of claim 39, further comprising transferring heat generated by at least one backlight to the enclosure through said heat sink and to the atmosphere using natural convection.