Synthetic Jet Ejector For The Thermal Management of PCI Cards

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.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An add-on card, comprising:
 a card substrate;   a heat sink mounted on a first surface of said card substrate; and   a synthetic jet ejector disposed on said card substrate and being adapted to direct a plurality of synthetic jets toward said heat sink.   
     
     
         11 . The add-on card of  claim 10 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector is disposed adjacent to said heat sink. 
     
     
         12 . The add-on card of  claim 10 , wherein said heat sink comprises a plurality of fins, wherein said synthetic jet ejector is equipped with a plurality of nozzles, and wherein each of said plurality of nozzles is adapted to direct a synthetic jet between a pair of said plurality of fins. 
     
     
         13 . The add-on card of  claim 10 , wherein most of the circuitry is disposed on a second surface of said card substrate. 
     
     
         14 . The add-on card of  claim 10 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector is mounted on a substrate by way of at least one flange. 
     
     
         15 . The add-on card of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one flange is secured to said substrate by way of a fastener which releasably engages a feature provided on said substrate, and wherein said flange, fastener and feature are adapted to orient the synthetic jet ejector on said substrate such that said actuator will direct a plurality of synthetic jets toward said heat sink. 
     
     
         16 . The add-on card of  claim 10 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector is adapted to direct a plurality of synthetic jets in a plurality of directions. 
     
     
         17 . The add-on card of  claim 10 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector is adapted to direct a plurality of synthetic jets radially. 
     
     
         18 . The add-on card of  claim 10 , wherein said synthetic jet ejector comprises first and second actuators. 
     
     
         19 . The add-on card of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second actuators are electromagnetic actuators. 
     
     
         20 . The add-on card of  claim 18 , wherein said first and second actuators comprise first and second diaphragms, and wherein said first and second diaphragms are canted with respect to each other. 
     
     
         21 . The add-on card of  claim 20 , wherein said first and second actuators are wired in series. 
     
     
         22 . The add-on card of  claim 20 , wherein said first and second actuators are wired in parallel. 
     
     
         23 . The add-on card of  claim 18 , wherein said actuator comprises a housing having a cylindrical portion which houses said first and second actuators. 
     
     
         24 . The add-on card of  claim 23 , wherein said housing is equipped with a vent that is in open communication with said cylindrical portion, and wherein said vent is equipped with a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         25 . The add-on card of  claim 24 , wherein said vent is partitioned into first, second and third channels that are in open communication, respectively, with first, second and third sets of apertures. 
     
     
         26 . The add-on card of  claim 25 , wherein the number of apertures in said vent is 4n, wherein n is an integer, and wherein n≧1. 
     
     
         27 - 47 . (canceled)