Lockheed Martin Corporation

James A Korn

Bruce M Cepas

J Michael Elias

An integrated thermal apparatus for improved electronic device performance has an energy storage device coupled with a thermoelectric management device for managing thermal energy generated by the electronic device. The thermoelectric management device can include a semiconductor thermoelectric device and phase change material, which can be integrated into a foam aluminum structure. The energy storage device can be a nanometallic device. The electrical load electrical efficiency is improved by co-locating it with thermoelectric management device directly on a composite substrate foundation to provide enhanced waste heat conversion to electrical energy. The apparatus manages the thermal and power issues at the substrate level in close proximity to the electrical load and incorporates the needed thermal mass into the support structure by way of a phase change material.

Integrated power and cooling architecture

A capacitive electrical energy storage structure is fabricated as a thin-film device comprising electrodes on opposite sides of a dielectric layer. In one approach, a high surface area metallic sponge can be incorporated into the structure. The energy storage structure can comprise either single or multiple layers of capacitors connected in series, parallel, or a combination of such arrangements. The multi-layer capacitor structure can be either applied directly to supporting structures of portable or transportable devices or can be fabricated as a film which is applied as a laminate to such structures. Further, a conformal energy storage structure can be produced which is shaped to fit in voids within devices, which voids would otherwise be little used or unused. A high capacity storage thin-film structure can be fabricated on one surface of a substrate with an immediately adjacent, overlapping power consuming electronic circuit such that power is available at very short distance to support operational circuits which cannot tolerate long conductive power supply lines. Portable consumer devices can be fabricated with the interiors of the housings conformally coated with the capacitive structure for providing energy storage as a replacement to rechargeable or disposable batteries. A flexible film of the capacitive structure can be manufactured by a continuous process and this film can be utilized in many different configurations to provide energy storage which is lightweight, configurable to available space, and capable of providing both high energy and high power density.

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Orlando, FL, United States of America

James A Korn