Thin flat ‘solid-state’ chip cooler pumps air with no fan
Author: EIS Release Date: Aug 23, 2023
Frore Systems is developing a thin flat device cooler that pumps an airflow without using a fan.
FroreSystems AirJet chip cooler
Called AirJet, it comes in two versions:
Mini
27.5 x 41.5 x 2.8mm
Removes 5.25W from IC with 85°C die
Consumes 1W
1750 Pascals pressure
0.21 CFM flow
21dBA sound output
FroreSystems AirJet chip coolerPro
31.5 x 71.5 x 2.8mm
Removes 10.5W from IC with 85°C die
Consumes 1.75W
1750 Pascals pressure
0.42CFM flow
24dBA sound output
FroreSystems AirJet chip cooler
Heat shifted by an AirJet Mini vs sound output
Describing the coolers as “solid-state”, the company said: “Inside are tiny membranes that vibrate at ultrasonic frequency. These membranes generate a flow of air that enters through inlet vents in the top. Inside, air flow is transformed into high velocity pulsating jets [that] remove heat from the heat spreader at the bottom. The flowing air reaches the same temperature as the heat spreader which is in contact with the processor. Hot air exits to the side via an integrated spout.”
The membranes are piezoelectric, and in the base is a copper heat spreader, the company told Electronics Weekly, adding that power is required at 3.3 to 15Vdc, and “there is also a small driver which can either be added to the main board or can be integrated into the main system depending on the host product’s preference”.
It claims several example situations which the coolers could improve:
11mm thick 13in fanless notebook computer can dissipate 10W, it said, but 20W if redesigned with 4x Minis at the cost of 27dBA noise level
12mm thick 15in fanned notebook can dissipate 18W at 42dBA,or 28W at 29dBA with 3x Pros
20 x 120 x 75mm passively-cooled enclosure can dissipate 7W, or 15W with 2x Minis
Zotac pc with Frore airjet coolers
Zotac pc with Frore airjet coolers
PC maker Zotac is an early adopter, using two Mini’s in the 115 x 76 x 22mm ZBOX PI430AJ (left and right) that was shown at Computex – this is not available yet. Frore told Electronics Weekly that this is likely to be the first end-product available containing one of its coolers.
And how do companies get hold of the coolers?
“AirJet is in mass production.” it said. “We sell AirJet directly to manufacturers to integrate into devices.”
Frore Systems is headquartered in San Jose, and has offices in Taiwan and South Korea. Investors include Mayfield, Addition, Clear Ventures and Qualcomm Ventures.