Patent ID: 7800898
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: F21K,F21V,F21Y,F28D,H01L,H05K

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: transferring thermal energy from a plurality of heat generators to multiple locations of an interior heat exchange surface of a heat exchange structure, the interior heat exchange surface being in an air duct of the heat exchange structure, the heat generators being coupled to an exterior heat exchange surface of the heat exchange structure and disposed along an elongated direction of the air duct; and heating air in the air duct successively by transferring thermal energy from the multiple locations of the interior heat exchange surface to the air as the air flows through the air duct, enhancing air flow in the air duct by buoyancy of heated air; wherein heating the air in the air duct further comprises: transferring thermal energy from the multiple locations of the interior heat exchange surface to an air-impermeable first surface of a thin layer of ceramic material formed on the heat exchange structure; transferring thermal energy through the thin layer of ceramic material from the air-impermeable first surface of the thin layer of ceramic material to a porous second surface of the thin layer of ceramic material; heating air molecules trapped in pores of the porous second surface of the thin layer of ceramic material; and transferring thermal energy from the thin layer of ceramic material to air in the air duct by moving the air molecules from the pores of the porous second surface of the thin layer of ceramic material to the air flowing in the air duct.