Abstract:
A method and apparatus for cooling modules in a radio system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an adaptor module with side walls and integrated heat exchanging elements. The adaptor module adapts the air flow from a chassis in the radio system such that the exiting ducting on the chassis efficiently mate with the air conduits in the modules. The adaptor allows the use of new high power density modules in the existing chassis without changing the module design. The use of adaptor module in chassis provides efficient cooling and use less volume in the chassis.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application claims rights under 35 USC §119(e) from U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/483,968 filed May 9, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments are generally related to modular electronic systems. Embodiments are also related to method and apparatus for cooling modules in modular electronic systems, for example, radio systems. Embodiments are additionally related to a module cooling method and plenum adaptor that mates ducts on existing chassis of modular electronic system with air conduits in new modules. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Radio systems have many modular electronics systems for providing radio communications to and from vehicles for example military vehicles and the like. Such modular electronics systems are electrically operated and the power loss from modules and components through which the current flows causes heating of the modular electronics systems. Since such electronic modules and components have only a limited permissible operating temperature range, they are cooled by cooling devices. 
         [0004]    The existing Ground Mobile Radio (GMR) Ground Vehicle Aerodynamics (GVA) is designed to accommodate a particular module format which is designed for a free convectional cooling environment. Present modular electronic system designs utilize forced air for cooling. Cooling devices, for example, fans are utilized for circulating air through the electrical components and modules and which thereby dissipate the generated thermal output. 
         [0005]    The modular electronics systems are usually mounted on a chassis which have standard conventional ducting arrangements for cooling. Modules which are specifically designed to fit such chassis can only be used in the modular electronic systems. This limits the uses of other module designs, as such modules do not fit into the existing chassis. 
         [0006]    The conventional radio systems utilize a standard module that fits only with the existing chassis whereas present radio systems require a new family of modules with higher power densities. Such high density modules do not fit into the existing chassis, for example GVA chassis and occupies more chassis space. Also, the exiting ducting on chassis does not mate with the conduit on the new modules. A need therefore exists for an adapter module that adapts the air flow from the GVA chassis to efficiently mate with the air conduits in the new modules. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiment and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. 
         [0008]    It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved radio systems. 
         [0009]    It is another aspect of the disclosed embodiment to provide for methods and apparatus for cooling modules in a radio system. 
         [0010]    It is a further aspect of the: disclosed embodiment to provide a method for cooling high power density electronic modules mounted on a existing chassis. 
         [0011]    It is a yet another aspect of the disclosed embodiment to provide a plenum adaptor that mates air flow from the modular electronic system with air conduits in the modules. 
         [0012]    It is a yet another aspect of the disclosed embodiment to provide an apparatus comprising an adaptor module with side walls and integrated heat exchanging elements. 
         [0013]    The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. The modular electronic system for example a radio system is disclosed. The system includes a chassis which supports a plurality of modular electronic components. A modular electronic component includes an electronic module with air conduits and an adaptor. The chassis for example GVA chassis has ducts for circulating the forced air. The forced air can be utilized to cool the plurality of modular electronic components. 
         [0014]    As high power density modules do not fit into the existing chassis, the adaptor can be utilized with each of the electronic modules. Also, as air conduits in high power density modules do not mate with the ducts in the existing chassis, the adaptor provides efficient cooling of new electronic modules. The adaptor allows air flow from the chassis to efficiently mate with the air conduits in the modules. The present invention incorporates side walls and integrated heat exchanging elements in new modules rather than using fins. The new approach is more efficient and also more compact and uses less volume. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the disclosed embodiments and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a modular electronic system including a plurality of modular electronic components, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a modular electronic component including a transceiver module and an adaptor, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a partial perspective, view of an, electronic module chassis, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a modular electronic system including the modular electronic component depicted in  FIG. 2  mounted on the electronic module chassis of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a modular electronic component including a power amplifier module and an adaptor, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a modular electronic system including the modular electronic component depicted in  FIG. 5  and the transceiver module depicted in  FIG. 2 , mounted on the radio chassis of chassis of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with the disclosed embodiments; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a modular electronic component including a network interface module and adaptor, in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of an electronics system, for example, a modular electronic radio system  100 , is depicted. The modular radio system  100  includes a chassis  300  which supports a plurality of modular electronic components  102 . The chassis  300  also includes a power source  316  having a plurality of cooling fins  312  extending from a power source housing  310 . Power source  316  provides power to the plurality of modular electronic components  102 . The chassis  300  may be coupled to a mount  314  via any of a plurality of means including, but not limited to, pins  318  and further secured by screws and/or other fasteners through apertures for securing the mount  314  and the chassis  300 . 
         [0025]    The chassis  300  may be formed of any of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, aluminum. The chassis  300  may alternatively be formed of other adequately rigid materials, such as, but not limited to, metals, metal alloys, polymers, ceramics, and composite materials. The chassis  300  include but not limited to GVA chassis. The chassis  300  include air ducts for cooling the plurality of modular electronic components  102 . The side portions  304  of the chassis  300  encase the entire electronics package and also may provide rigidity and strength to chassis  300 . 
         [0026]    The plurality of modular electronic components  102  are coupled to the chassis  300 . A modular electronic component includes an electronic module with air conduits and an adaptor. The electronic modules include but are not limited to, power amplifiers, transceivers, and a Platform Interface Module (PIM). Such modular electronic components  102  adapt the air flow from the chassis  300  to efficiently mate with the air conduits in the modules. 
         [0027]    The, system  100  may be configured to meet environmental conditions, for example, those required for military applications. The modules can perform radio system functions; however, the concepts disclosed are not limited to radio systems alone, but may be applied to any of a variety of electronics systems. Varying types of electronic modules with adaptor may be installed in different combinations on chassis  300  to create various end-item configurations. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , chassis  300  includes a plurality of modular electronic components  102  such as  200 ,  400  and  500 . The modular electronic components  102  such as  200 ,  400  and  500  depicted in  FIG. 1  include transceivers, power amplifiers and a PIM respectively. Each module has an adaptor to adapt the air flow from the chassis  300  and to efficiently mate with the air conduits in the modules. However, chassis  300  may be configured with more or less modular component sites and, further, may include any of a variety of electronic modules. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2  a modular electronic component  200  is depicted. The modular electronic component  200  includes an adaptor  104  and an electronic module for example a transceiver  102 . The transceiver  102  may include high power density transceivers, such as, but not limited to, Dual Integrated Core Engine Transceiver (DICE-T). Cooling of such transceivers would be difficult as the transceivers do not fit with the existing chassis. An adaptor  104  is utilized to efficiently mate the air flow from the chassis  300  with the air conduits in the transceiver  102 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates a partial perspective view of the electronic module chassis  300  depicted in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the disclosed embodiments. The chassis  300  includes the power source  316  having a plurality of fins  312  for disposing of thermal energy from chassis  300  and generated by power source  316 . Chassis  300  also includes a platform  350  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) for supporting the electronic modules  102 . Chassis  300  may also include the side portions  304  which may partially encase the entire electronics package and also may provide rigidity and strength to chassis  300 . Side portions  304  may be a solid panel as depicted, or further may be a panel including a plurality of apertures and/or openings. Chassis  300  may be an open frame chassis that is designed or configured for installation on existing end platform mounts. 
         [0030]    Further, chassis  300  includes a plurality of connectors and/or interfaces  340 ,  342 ,  344 ,  346 ,  348  and  306  that are utilized to interface a variety of electronic modules. Each connector  340  and  342  supports the modular electronic component  200  which includes the transceiver  102 . Similarly, each connector  344  and  346  supports the modular electronic component  400  which includes the power amplifier  402 . The connector  348  supports a modular electronic component  500  which includes a PIM. However, any of a variety of connector configurations may be used depending on the end use. Guide pins  308  of the modular electronic component  200  and float connector  306  are shown in  FIG. 3 . The guide pins in each connector can be utilized to connect the modular electronic components  102  with the chassis  300 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a system  100  is depicted. System  100  includes two modular electronic components  200 , each including a transceiver  102  and an adaptor  104  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The modular electronic components  200  are mounted on the platform  350  such that the air conduits in the transceiver  102  efficiently mates with the ducting on the chassis  300 . This allows efficient cooling of the transceiver  102 . The use of adaptor  104  with transceiver  102  easily fits the transceiver  102  in the existing chassis  300 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a modular electronic component  400  is depicted. The modular electronic component  400  includes an adaptor  404  and an electronic module for example a power amplifier  402 . The power amplifier  402  may include high power density power amplifiers, such as, but not limited to, Universal Power Amplifiers (UPAs). Cooling of such power amplifiers would be difficult as the power amplifiers do not fit with the existing chassis. An adaptor  404  is utilized to efficiently mate the air flow from the chassis with the air conduits in the power amplifier  402 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a system  100  is depicted. The system  100  includes the modular electronic components  200  and  400 . The modular electronic components  400  include a power amplifier  402  and an adaptor  404  as depicted in  FIG. 4 . The modular electronic components  400  are mounted on the platform  350  such that the air conduits in the power amplifier  402  efficiently mates with the ducting on the chassis  300 . This allows efficient cooling of the power amplifier  402 . The use of adaptor  404  with power amplifier  402  easily fits the power amplifier  402  in the existing chassis  300 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a modular electronic component  500  is depicted. The modular electronic component  500  includes an adaptor  504  and an electronic module for example a PIM  502 . The PIM  502  may include a high power density interfacing modules, such as, but not limited to, a Network Interface Unit (MU). Cooling of such PIM  502  would be difficult as the PIM  502  do not fit with the existing chassis. An adaptor  504  is utilized to efficiently mate the air flow from the chassis  300  with the air conduits in the PIM  502 . 
         [0035]    Thus, it is clear that the electronics system  100  depicted may be configured in any of a variety of manners and may further be reconfigured using a different combination of modular electronic components. Finally, after mounting the electronic components  200 ,  300  and  500  on the chassis  300  to form the system  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 . The system  100  described above form radio systems, however, the modular electronics systems may be used to form other types of electronics systems. 
         [0036]    It will be appreciated that variations of the above disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.