Method and system for synthetic jet cooling

Abstract

A method and system for cooling a component are provided. The synthetic jet cooling system includes a plurality of synthetic jet assemblies configured to be positioned adjacent to a component that generates excess heat. Each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies includes a driver configured to excite a respective one of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a varying frequency.

1 . A synthetic jet cooling system comprising a plurality of synthetic jet assemblies configured to be positioned adjacent a component that generates excess heat, each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies comprising a driver configured to excite a respective one of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a varying frequency. 
     
     
         2 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies includes at least one synthetic jet ejector comprising a piezoelectric actuator, said actuator configured to vibrate such that a flow of fluid is generated. 
     
     
         3 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said driver is configured to excite a respective one of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies randomly. 
     
     
         4 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said driver is configured to excite a respective one of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies pseudo-randomly. 
     
     
         5 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said driver is configured to excite a respective one of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies linearly 
     
     
         6 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said driver is configured to excite a respective one of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies between a first limit and second limit, the first limit being greater than the second limit. 
     
     
         7 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies includes at least one synthetic jet ejector comprising a jet port, said jet port aligned at least one of perpendicularly, parallelly, and obliquely with a surface of the component. 
     
     
         8 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said component comprises a synthetic jet assembly housing formed integrally with the surface of the component. 
     
     
         9 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic jet assembly comprises a plurality of synthetic jet ejectors enclosed in a single housing. 
     
     
         10 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said synthetic jet assembly comprises a single housing couplable to the surface of the component. 
     
     
         11 . A method of cooling a component, said method comprising:
 positioning a plurality of synthetic jet assemblies adjacent a component that generates excess heat; and   separately driving each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies between a first frequency limit and a second frequency limit.   
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein separately driving each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies comprises separately driving each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies over time. 
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein separately driving each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies comprises separately driving each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies randomly. 
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein separately driving each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies comprises separately driving each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies pseudo-randomly such that a first audio noise generated by each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies is combined to a second audio noise, the second audio noise being perceived by a user as less annoying then the first audio noise. 
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein separately driving each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies comprises:
 communicatively coupling a piezoelectric driver to a respective one of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies; 
 generating an electrical signal in each of the piezoelectric drivers that is different from the electrical signals generated in the other piezoelectric drivers; and 
 transmitting the generated electrical signals to the respective synthetic jet assemblies such that each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies is excited at a different frequency. 
 
     
     
         16 . An electronic component system comprising:
 a component enclosure comprising a plurality of sidewalls defining a volume;   a heat generating component positioned within the volume; and   a synthetic jet cooling system positioned adjacent the component enclosure, the synthetic jet cooling system comprising a plurality of synthetic jet assemblies communicatively coupled to a respective driver configured to excite the synthetic jet assembly at a varying frequency.   
     
     
         17 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies includes at least one synthetic jet ejector comprising a piezoelectric actuator, said actuator configured to vibrate such that a flow of fluid is generated. 
     
     
         18 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said driver is configured to excite a respective one of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies randomly. 
     
     
         19 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said driver is configured to excite a respective one of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies pseudo-randomly. 
     
     
         20 . A synthetic jet cooling system in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said driver is configured to excite a respective one of the plurality of synthetic jet assemblies at a frequency that varies between a first limit and second limit, the first limit being greater than the second limit.