Optical/electrical transducer using semiconductor nanowire wicking structure in a thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism

摘要

An optical/electrical transducer device has housing, formed of a thermally conductive section and an optically transmissive member. The section and member are connected together to form a seal for a vapor tight chamber. Pressure within the chamber configures a working fluid to absorb heat during operation of the device, to vaporize at a relatively hot location as it absorbs heat, to transfer heat to and condense at a relatively cold location, and to return as a liquid to the relatively hot location. The transducer device also includes a wicking structure mounted within the chamber to facilitate flow of condensed liquid of the working fluid from the cold location to the hot location. At least a portion of the wicking structure comprises semiconductor nanowires, configured as part of an optical/electrical transducer within the chamber for emitting light through and/or driven by light received via the transmissive member.

主权项

1. An optical/electrical transducer apparatus, comprising:
a housing having a section that is thermally conductive and a member that is at least partially optically transmissive, the optically transmissive member being connected to the thermally conductive section of the housing to form a seal for a vapor tight chamber; a working fluid within the chamber, wherein pressure within the chamber configures the working fluid to absorb heat during operation of the apparatus, to vaporize at a relatively hot location as the working fluid absorbs heat, to transfer heat to and condense at a relatively cold location, and to return as a liquid to the relatively hot location; and a wicking structure mounted within the chamber to facilitate flow of condensed liquid of the working fluid from the cold location to the hot location, at least a portion of the wicking structure in contact with the working fluid comprising semiconductor nanowires configured as an active driven part of an optical/electrical transducer within the chamber and configured to be driven to emit light from within the chamber through and/or to be driven by light received in the chamber via the optically transmissive member.