Method and apparatus for controlling heat in power conversion systems

Abstract

A power conversion module, such as a power adapter, includes a heat removal system such as an active heat removal system, a passive heat removal system or a hybrid heat removal system. A small-size power conversion module having a heat removal system is described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power adapter, comprising:
 a housing;   an AC/DC converter in the housing, the AC/DC converter being configured to convert an AC input signal into a DC output signal; and   at least one compartment in the housing, the at least one compartment comprising a phase change material having a transition temperature between 25° C. and 85° C.   
     
     
         2 . The power adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material has a transition temperature between 30° C. and 50° C. 
     
     
         3 . The power adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second material having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the phase change material, the second material being between first and second regions of the phase change material.   
     
     
         4 . The power adapter of  claim 3 , wherein the second material comprises a metal. 
     
     
         5 . The power adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the power adapter has a volume no greater than  3  cubic inches. 
     
     
         6 . The power adapter of  claim 5 , wherein the phase change material is of a volume and configuration such that a temperature of an exterior surface of the housing remains below a temperature of 40° C. when the power adapter delivers an average power of at least 45 W for a period of 30 minutes. 
     
     
         7 . The power adapter of  claim 6 , wherein the phase change material is of a volume and configuration such that a temperature of the exterior surface of the housing remains below a temperature of 40° C. when the power adapter delivers an average power of at least 45 W for a period of 2 hours. 
     
     
         8 . A power adapter, comprising:
 a housing;   an AC/DC converter in the housing, the AC/DC converter being configured to convert an AC input signal into a DC output signal; and   a heat removal system comprising an opening in the housing and/or a heat absorbing material;   wherein the power adapter has a volume no greater than 4 cubic inches,   wherein the power adapter is configured to deliver an output power of at least 40 watts.   
     
     
         9 . The power adapter of  claim 8 , wherein the heat removal system comprises a heat absorbing material and the heat absorbing material comprises a phase change material having a transition temperature such that the phase change material changes phase during operation of the power adapter. 
     
     
         10 . The power adapter of  claim 9 , wherein the transition temperature is between 25° C. and 85° C. 
     
     
         11 . The power adapter of  claim 8 , wherein the housing comprises an outer enclosure and an inner enclosure, wherein a plenum separates the outer enclosure from the inner enclosure, the outer enclosure having the opening to allow airflow between the plenum and an exterior of the power adapter. 
     
     
         12 . The power adapter of  claim 8 , further comprising an actuated heat removal device within the housing.