Method for adjusting rotation speed of water pump of liquid cooling system

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of water pump rotating speed adjustment method of liquid cooling system, to solve the problem of noise caused by pump in existing liquid cooling system vaporization of coolant. Including: a water pump of liquid cooling system transports a coolant sequentially through a heat source and a heat dissipation unit, the coolant absorbs heat at the heat source and partially converts into gas phase, and returns to the water pump after condensing and recovering into liquid phase in the heat dissipation unit;And determine whether the coolant transported by the water pump is not condensed, if the result is yes, then reduce the rotating speed of the water pump, if the result is no, then the motor of the water pump maintains rotating speed to transport the coolant, and repeat the determination step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optimized control method for a heat dissipation device, and more particularly to a method for adjusting the speed of a water pump in a liquid cooling system by detecting the status of the water pump and adjusting its speed. Background Technology

[0002] Please refer to Figure 1 The present invention is an existing liquid cooling system 9, which has a pump 91, a heating element 92 and a heat exchanger 93. The pump 91 pressurizes the working fluid, causing the working fluid to flow sequentially through the heating element 92 and the heat exchanger 93, and then return to the pump 91 to form a circulation. During the circulation, the heat energy of the heating element 92 is absorbed by the working fluid and cooled down. The working fluid absorbs heat energy, causing its temperature to rise and part of the working fluid to turn into a gas phase. The heat exchanger 93 then condenses and cools the working fluid, restoring it to its initial low-temperature liquid phase state. The circulation is continued by the pump 91, which can maintain the heating element 92 within a suitable operating temperature range to ensure the working efficiency of the element and prevent overheating damage.

[0003] However, in the existing liquid cooling system 9, when the heating element 92 is overloaded or under other abnormal operating conditions, causing its temperature to be too high, a large amount of working fluid will be converted into a gas phase to absorb more heat energy. However, the heat energy that the heat exchanger 93 can dissipate within a fixed time is limited. If the heat energy obtained by the working fluid from the heating element 92 is much greater than the heat energy released by the heat exchanger 93, the gas phase working fluid cannot be completely condensed and a large number of bubbles will be formed in the liquid phase working fluid. This causes the driving force of the pump 91 to be dispersed onto the bubbles, thereby disrupting the output efficiency of the pump 91 and generating noise during operation.

[0004] In view of this, existing liquid cooling systems do indeed need to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a method for adjusting the speed of a water pump in a liquid cooling system, which can prevent the water pump from running dry and generating noise.

[0006] A further objective of this invention is to provide a method for adjusting the water pump speed of a liquid cooling system, which can stabilize the circulation flow rate of the system coolant.

[0007] The term "a" is used to describe components and parts throughout this invention for convenience and to provide the general meaning of the scope of the invention; it should be interpreted in this invention as including one or at least one, and the concept of a single one also includes plural cases, unless it clearly means otherwise.

[0008] The method for adjusting the pump speed of the liquid cooling system of the present invention includes the following steps: a water pump of the liquid cooling system delivers a coolant sequentially through a heat source and a heat dissipation unit, the coolant absorbs heat at the heat source and partially converts into a gas phase, and returns to the water pump after condensing and restoring to a liquid phase at the heat dissipation unit; and it is determined whether the coolant delivered by the water pump has not condensed, if the determination result is yes, the speed of the water pump is reduced, if the determination result is no, the motor of the water pump maintains the speed to deliver the coolant, and the determination step is repeated.

[0009] The method for adjusting the pump speed of the liquid cooling system of the present invention includes the following steps: the liquid cooling system has two pumps located at opposite ends of the liquid cooling system, the two pumps deliver a coolant circulating between the two pumps, the coolant absorbs heat and partially converts into a gas phase, the gas phase coolant concentrates at a relatively higher position in the liquid cooling system; and it is determined whether the liquid cooling system is tilted, if the determination result is yes, then the relatively higher position and the relatively lower position of the two pumps are distinguished, and the motor speed of the pump at the higher position is reduced, and the motor speed of the pump at the lower position is increased, if the determination result is no, then the motor of the pump maintains its speed to deliver the coolant, and the determination step is repeated.

[0010] Therefore, the water pump speed adjustment method of the liquid cooling system of the present invention can control the power of the water pump to push the coolant by determining whether the coolant delivered by the water pump has not condensed and formed bubbles, thereby avoiding the water pump running dry and generating noise, and stabilizing the coolant circulation speed.

[0011] The water pump includes at least one detection element for measuring the rotational speed of its motor. If an increase in the motor's rotational speed is detected when the motor's operating voltage is constant, it indicates that the coolant being pumped by the pump has not condensed. This allows for the determination of changes in the pump's load and thus helps in assessing the pump's operational status.

[0012] The water pump includes at least one detection element for measuring the operating current of the pump motor. If a decrease in the operating current of the pump motor is detected when the operating voltage of the pump motor is constant, it is determined that the coolant being pumped by the pump has not condensed. This allows for the determination of changes in the pump's power, thus enabling the assessment of the pump's operating status.

[0013] The method for adjusting the water pump speed in the liquid cooling system of the present invention further includes a control unit coupled to the at least one detection device and the water pump motor. The control unit receives and determines the operating status of the water pump based on the measurement results of each detection device and controls the speed of the water pump motor. Thus, the control unit can process the measurement results of each detection device, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination.

[0014] The water pump includes a temperature sensor to detect the circulating temperature of the coolant. When the circulating temperature exceeds a certain upper limit, the pump motor speed is increased; when the circulating temperature falls below a certain lower limit, the pump motor speed is decreased. The upper limit is greater than the lower limit. This allows adjustment of the pump's output power to modify the cooling efficiency, preventing component overheating and saving energy.

[0015] A sensing unit detects the tilt direction of the liquid cooling system to determine the height difference between the two water pumps. This allows for the determination of the relative height of the coolant circulation pipes, effectively identifying the location of air bubble accumulation.

[0016] The method for adjusting the water pump speed in the liquid cooling system of the present invention further includes a control unit coupled to the sensing unit and the water pump motor. The control unit receives and determines the relative position of the two water pumps based on the measurement results of the sensing unit and controls the speed of the motors of the two water pumps. In this way, the control unit can adjust the two water pumps separately according to the overall operating status of the liquid cooling system, thus achieving the effect of precisely controlling the circulation flow rate of the system.

[0017] Each of the two water pumps has at least one detection element to determine whether the coolant being pumped by each pump is not condensed, thus distinguishing the pump where the coolant in the gaseous phase is concentrated and at a relatively high position. This allows confirmation of whether each water pump is located at a relatively high position and is pushing air bubbles, improving the accuracy of the judgment.

[0018] The detection devices of the two water pumps are coupled together. If one detection device determines that the coolant being pumped by that pump is not condensing, it reduces the motor speed of that pump and instructs the detection device of the other pump to increase its motor speed. In this way, each water pump can determine the coolant circulation status and make adjustments based on the detection results of the other pump, thus achieving the effect of precisely controlling the system's circulation flow rate.

[0019] The method for adjusting the water pump speed in the liquid cooling system of the present invention further includes a control unit coupled to the at least one detection device and the motors of the two water pumps. The control unit receives and adjusts the speed of the motor of one of the water pumps individually based on the detection result of the detection device of the at least one water pump, or the control unit receives and determines the operating status of the two water pumps based on the detection result of the at least one detection device and controls the speed of the motors of the two water pumps. Thus, the control unit can adjust according to the overall operating status of the system, or it can adjust the speed of a single water pump, achieving the effect of precisely controlling the system's circulating flow rate.

[0020] Each of the two water pumps has a temperature sensor to detect the temperature of the coolant circulating through each pump. When the circulating temperature exceeds a certain upper limit, the motor speed of each pump is increased; when the circulating temperature falls below a certain lower limit, the motor speed of each pump is decreased. The upper limit is greater than the lower limit. This allows adjustment of the pump output power to change the cooling efficiency, preventing component overheating and saving energy. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the circulation pattern of an existing liquid cooling system;

[0022] Figure 2 : Block diagram of the liquid cooling system of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 : Block diagram of the steps of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 : A diagram illustrating the use of the liquid cooling system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 : Block diagram of the steps of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0027] [This Invention]

[0028] 1: Water pump

[0029] 2: Heat source

[0030] 3: Heat dissipation unit

[0031] 4: Sensing Unit

[0032] M: Electronic devices

[0033] [Existing Technology]

[0034] 9: Liquid cooling system

[0035] 91: Pump

[0036] 92: Heating Component

[0037] 93: Heat exchanger. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in addition, those symbols that are used in different drawings are considered to be the same and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 2As shown, this is the first embodiment of the water pump speed adjustment method for the liquid cooling system of the present invention, which includes a coolant circulating in a liquid cooling system, determining whether the coolant delivered by a water pump 1 has air bubbles, and adjusting the speed of the water pump 1 according to the determination result.

[0040] The liquid cooling system allows the water pump 1 to push the coolant sequentially through a heat source 2 and a heat dissipation unit 3 before returning to the water pump 1, thus forming a circulating flow of the coolant. The heat source 2 can be an electronic component, computing module, or other device that consumes electrical energy and generates waste heat. Furthermore, the coolant can be a non-conductive and thermally stable electronic engineering fluid, allowing the heat source 2 to be immersed in the coolant, directly transferring the waste heat generated by the heat source 2 to the coolant. Alternatively, the heat source 2 can have a heat-conducting element, through which the coolant delivery pipe passes and contacts the heat-conducting element, allowing the heat source 2 to indirectly transfer waste heat to the coolant via the heat-conducting element. This invention is not limited to direct or indirect heat conduction.

[0041] The heat dissipation unit 3 can be a good heat-conducting medium so that the coolant can quickly transfer heat energy to the heat dissipation unit 3. The heat dissipation unit 3 should maximize the contact area with external substances such as air to increase heat dissipation efficiency. The heat dissipation unit 3 can also be cooled by a fan or even a compressor. However, using the above-mentioned devices to improve cooling efficiency will increase the volume of the liquid cooling system and the additional energy consumption. The present invention is not limited to the heat dissipation mechanism of the heat dissipation unit 3.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the water pump 1 may have at least one detection element to determine whether the coolant entering the water pump 1 includes air bubbles formed by the gaseous phase of the coolant or residual air in the circulation pipeline. When the water pump 1 pushes air bubbles, the load on the motor of the water pump 1 becomes lighter and the resistance decreases, resulting in an increase in the motor speed and a decrease in the motor's operating current. For example, the at least one detection element may be an ammeter used to measure the operating current of the motor of the water pump 1. When the operating voltage of the motor is fixed, a decrease in the operating current of the motor can be detected, indicating that air bubbles formed by the gaseous phase of the coolant have entered the water pump 1. Alternatively, the at least one detection element may be a Hall sensor used to measure the speed of the motor of the water pump 1. When the operating voltage of the motor is fixed, an increase in the motor speed can be detected, indicating that air bubbles formed by the gaseous phase of the coolant have entered the water pump 1.

[0043] In addition, the water pump 1 may also have a temperature sensor, which can be located at the inlet or outlet of the water pump 1, to detect a circulating temperature of the coolant. When the circulating temperature is greater than an upper temperature limit, the speed of the motor of the water pump 1 is increased; when the circulating temperature is less than a lower temperature limit, the speed of the motor of the water pump 1 is decreased. The upper temperature limit is greater than the lower temperature limit. The cooling efficiency of the liquid cooling system can be determined by the upper temperature limit and the lower temperature limit. When the circulating temperature is too high, it means that the cooling efficiency is insufficient, and the output of the water pump 1 should be increased to accelerate the circulation of the coolant, which can prevent the components to be cooled from overheating and failing. When the circulating temperature is too low, it means that the cooling efficiency is excessive, and the output of the water pump 1 should be reduced to slow down the circulation of the coolant, which can save the energy consumption of the water pump 1.

[0044] If the water pump 1 confirms through the various detection devices that air bubbles have entered the water pump 1, the water pump 1 reduces the speed of its motor to avoid consuming excessive propulsion power to push the air bubbles. This reduces noise generated by the water pump 1 running idle and stabilizes the coolant flow rate. The water pump 1 can reduce the motor speed by lowering the motor's operating voltage or reducing the motor's duty cycle. If it is determined that there is no coolant in the water pump 1 in the gas phase, the motor of the water pump 1 maintains its speed to deliver the coolant, and the detection and judgment steps are repeated. In addition, the liquid cooling system may also have a control unit coupled to the detection devices and the motor of the water pump 1. The control unit receives and judges the operating status of the water pump 1 and controls the speed of the water pump 1 motor based on the measurement results of each detection device (motor operating current and / or motor speed).

[0045] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, this is the second embodiment of the water pump speed adjustment method of the liquid cooling system of the present invention. This embodiment is largely the same as the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, the liquid cooling system has two water pumps 1 located at opposite ends of the liquid cooling system. The liquid cooling system can be used for an electronic device M, which can be a portable and non-fixed electronic product such as a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. When the electronic device M is tilted, the two water pumps 1 at both ends of the liquid cooling system generate a height difference, and the bubbles formed by the gas phase coolant concentrate at the relatively higher position. The one of the two water pumps 1 with the higher relative height will push the bubbles and generate noise.

[0046] The liquid cooling system of the second embodiment has at least one sensing unit 4, which can be a position sensor used to determine whether the electronic device M is tilted and to distinguish the relatively higher and lower positions of the two water pumps 1. If it is determined that the two water pumps 1 are indeed located at the higher and lower ends of the electronic device M respectively, the motor speed of the higher water pump 1 is reduced and the motor speed of the lower water pump 1 is increased. This reduces the output power of the higher water pump 1 in pushing air bubbles and reduces noise, while the lower water pump 1 can provide greater output power to overcome the potential energy difference and transport the coolant from the lower to the higher position. The at least one sensing unit 4 in the second embodiment of the present invention can be a position sensor such as a gyroscope or displacement meter, and can also be used in conjunction with the ammeter and Hall sensor of the first embodiment. By simultaneously monitoring the relative height of the two water pumps 1 and the changes in their respective output power, the accuracy of judging the operating status of the two water pumps 1 can be improved and the motor speed of the two water pumps 1 can be precisely controlled. For example, each of the two water pumps 1 has at least one detection element for determining whether the coolant delivered by each water pump 1 is not condensed, thereby distinguishing the water pump 1 where the gaseous coolant is concentrated, and determining that the water pump 1 is located at a relatively high position in the liquid cooling system. The detection elements of the two water pumps 1 can also be coupled to each other. When the detection element of one of the water pumps 1 determines that the delivered coolant is not condensed, in addition to reducing the motor speed of the water pump 1, it can also notify the detection element of the other water pump 1 to increase the motor speed of the other water pump 1.

[0047] In addition, the liquid cooling system of the second embodiment may also have the control unit coupled to each detection element, each sensing unit 4 and the motors of the two water pumps 1. The control unit can adjust the speed of the motor of one of the water pumps 1 individually based on the detection result of one of the water pumps 1, or it can combine the detection results of the two water pumps 1 to further determine the operating status and relative position of the two water pumps 1, so as to accurately control the speed of the motors of the two water pumps 1.

[0048] In addition, each of the two water pumps can have a temperature sensor to detect the circulation temperature of the coolant through each water pump. When the circulation temperature is greater than an upper temperature limit, the speed of the motor of each water pump is increased. When the circulation temperature is less than a lower temperature limit, the speed of the motor of each water pump is decreased. The upper temperature limit is greater than the lower temperature limit.

[0049] In summary, the water pump speed adjustment method of the liquid cooling system of the present invention, by determining whether the coolant delivered by the water pump has not condensed and formed bubbles, controls the power of the water pump to push the coolant, thereby avoiding the water pump running dry and generating noise, and stabilizing the coolant circulation speed.

[0050] While the present invention has been disclosed using the preferred embodiments described above, it is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and alterations made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, are still within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the claims. Furthermore, when the above-described embodiments can be combined, the present invention includes any combination of embodiments.

Claims

1. A method of adjusting the rotation speed of a water pump of a liquid cooling system, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: The liquid cooling system has two water pumps respectively located at opposite ends of the liquid cooling system, the two water pumps deliver a cooling liquid circulating between the two water pumps, the cooling liquid absorbs heat and partially converts into a gas phase, the cooling liquid in the gas phase concentrates at a relatively high position of the liquid cooling system; And If the result of the judgment is yes, the relatively high position and the relatively low position of the two water pumps are distinguished, the motor rotation speed of the water pump at the high position is reduced, and the motor rotation speed of the water pump at the low position is increased, if the result of the judgment is no, the motor rotation speed of the water pump is maintained to deliver the cooling liquid, and the judgment step is repeated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein The inclination direction of the liquid cooling system is detected by a sensing unit to distinguish the height difference between the two water pumps.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the water pump rotation speed is adjusted based on the temperature of the coolant in the radiator. In addition, a control unit is coupled to the sensing unit and the motors of the water pumps, the control unit receives and judges the relative positions of the two water pumps and controls the rotation speeds of the motors of the two water pumps according to the measurement results of the sensing unit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein The two water pumps respectively have at least one detection member for judging whether the cooling liquid delivered by each water pump is not condensed to distinguish the water pump at the relatively high position where the cooling liquid in the gas phase concentrates.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the water pump rotation speed is adjusted based on the temperature of the coolant in the radiator. The detection members of the two water pumps are coupled to each other, if the detection member of one of the water pumps determines that the cooling liquid delivered by the water pump is not condensed, the motor rotation speed of the water pump is reduced, and the detection member of the water pump at the other end is informed to increase the motor rotation speed.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the water pump rotation speed is adjusted based on the temperature of the coolant. In addition, a control unit is coupled to the at least one detection member and the motors of the two water pumps, the control unit receives and individually adjusts the rotation speeds of the motors of the two water pumps according to the detection results of the detection member of one of the water pumps, or the control unit receives and judges the operation conditions of the two water pumps and controls the rotation speeds of the motors of the two water pumps according to the detection results of the at least one detection member.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein The two water pumps respectively have a temperature sensor for detecting a circulating temperature of the cooling liquid passing through each water pump, when the circulating temperature is greater than an upper temperature limit, the motor rotation speed of each water pump is increased, when the circulating temperature is less than a lower temperature limit, the motor rotation speed of each water pump is reduced, and the upper temperature limit is greater than the lower temperature limit.

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