Anti-icing cold plate and liquid cooling power supply system

Abstract

The invention discloses an anti-icing cold plate which comprises a bottom plate, a cover plate and an ultrasonic sensor. The bottom plate and the cover plate are connected up and down to form a main flow channel inside, and the side part of the main flow channel is connected in parallel with at least one small branch; a probe of the ultrasonic sensor is arranged in the small branch; the cross section area of the small branch is 1 / 20-1 / 2 of the cross section area of the main runner; the width-to-height ratio of the small branches is larger than 2. The method has the beneficial effects that a cold plate freezing alarm can be given when the liquid cooling power supply system is not electrified, and the cold plate is prevented from freezing to damage the box body cold plate under the non-electrified working conditions such as low-temperature storage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a power supply system, and in particular to a liquid-cooled power supply system. Background Art

[0002] Since the power system generates a lot of heat during use, it is usually cooled down, such as CN201811522354.7-A new energy vehicle battery liquid cooling plate, CN210866419U-A liquid cooling plate. The liquid cooling plate is filled with coolant.

[0003] If the power supply system with liquid cooling is used improperly, such as adding the wrong coolant, it will freeze in a low-temperature environment, expand and squeeze the cold plate, causing the cold plate to deform or even leak. The current technical solution usually relies on the flow sensor of the liquid cooling system. When the cold plate freezes, the cold plate resistance increases and the flow decreases. Setting a low flow alarm will prompt the user to check the equipment, such as CN114725569A-A cooling control system and method, which detects the freezing point temperature of the coolant in the liquid cooling main pipeline through a freezing point sensor.

[0004] However, for non-working liquid-cooled power supply equipment, there is often coolant in its cold plate. Liquid-cooled power supply equipment often undergoes high and low temperature experiments when not working. At this time, the liquid cooling system is not connected to the liquid-cooled power supply equipment, and the flow sensor cannot work and cannot provide alarm protection. At present, the detection of whether there is ice is limited to judging by flow changes. For non-working liquid-cooled equipment, the flow sensor cannot work and does not change with the flow. Therefore, there is currently no feasible solution to implement ice alarm protection for non-working liquid-cooled equipment.

[0005] The information disclosed in this background technology section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the overall background of the invention and should not be regarded as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the information constitutes the prior art known to a person skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is: how to solve the problem that currently the liquid-cooled power supply system in a non-working state cannot be protected by an icing alarm.

[0007] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical means:

[0008] Anti-icing cold plate, including base plate, cover plate, and ultrasonic sensor;

[0009] The bottom plate and the cover plate are connected up and down to form a main flow channel inside, and at least one small branch is connected in parallel to the side of the main flow channel; the probe of the ultrasonic sensor is placed in the small branch;

[0010] The cross-sectional area of ​​the small tributary is 1 / 20-1 / 2 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the main flow channel;

[0011] The aspect ratio of the small tributary is greater than 2.

[0012] The present invention connects a small tributary to the side of the main channel, so that the coolant in the main channel can enter the small tributary. Since the cross-sectional area of ​​the small tributary is much smaller than that of the main channel and is flat, the water storage in the small tributary is much smaller than that of the main channel of the cold plate. The freezing of water is a transient process. During the process, the temperature first drops to the freezing point at the location where heat is most easily released. If the location of the small tributary freezes, the ultrasonic sensor detects it and issues a low temperature warning to the user. Compared with placing an ultrasonic sensor in the main channel of the water-cooled plate to detect freezing, the sensitivity is greatly improved, and the time between the freezing alarm and the cold plate being frozen is greatly improved, giving the user sufficient time to eliminate the risk. The present invention can give a cold plate freezing alarm when the liquid cooling power supply system is not powered on, to prevent the cold plate from freezing and damaging the box cold plate under non-powered conditions such as low-temperature storage.

[0013] Preferably, at least one exhaust valve is connected to the interior of the small branch stream.

[0014] The exhaust valve is designed inside the small branch to ensure that the coolant can enter the small branch smoothly.

[0015] Preferably, the anti-icing cold plates on both sides of the small tributary further include a plurality of hollowed-out areas.

[0016] The hollowed-out area of ​​the cold plate can further hinder the heat transfer of the coolant in the main channel and the cold plate metal to the small tributaries. The core idea is to allow less cold plate metal to be enclosed outside the small tributaries, so that if the wrong coolant is used, it will be easier to freeze. The unsuitable coolant can be frozen in a shorter time, allowing the ultrasonic sensor to transmit the freezing signal.

[0017] Preferably, the hollowed-out area is one or a combination of rectangular, square, circular, triangular, and irregular shapes.

[0018] Preferably, the thickness of the bottom plate and the cover plate at the small tributary is smaller than the thickness of the bottom plate and the cover plate at the main flow channel.

[0019] Reduce the heat transfer from the cold plate metal in the main channel to the small tributaries.

[0020] Preferably, the probe of the ultrasonic sensor is placed in the small tributary at a position away from the main flow channel.

[0021] The probe of the ultrasonic sensor is located away from the main flow channel of the cold plate because this is the most likely place for ice to form first, which improves the sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor.

[0022] Preferably, the ultrasonic sensor has a built-in buzzer and a battery.

[0023] Built-in battery, no power supply system is required. When the coolant is mistakenly installed with water or the coolant antifreeze temperature point is not low enough, in an extremely low temperature environment, the small tributaries are designed to be narrower and thinner, with the least water, and will freeze first. Once frozen, the ultrasonic sensor will give a judgment signal to the internal integrated buzzer, and the buzzer will sound to remind the user. Of course, if the power system is turned on, it can also send an electrical signal to the host computer to send a signal warning to the user, realizing long-distance transmission warning. Remind the user to move the device out of the low temperature area in time and replace the correct coolant to protect the device from being frozen.

[0024] Preferably, the small tributary and the main channel form a rectangle, square, circle, or irregular shape or a combination thereof.

[0025] The present invention also provides a power supply system, comprising a power supply body and the anti-icing cold plate, wherein the exterior of the power supply body is in contact with or tightly connected to the anti-icing cold plate.

[0026] The advantages of the present invention are:

[0027] The present invention connects a small tributary to the side of the main channel, so that the coolant in the main channel can enter the small tributary. Since the cross-sectional area of ​​the small tributary is much smaller than that of the main channel and is flat, the water storage in the small tributary is much smaller than that of the main channel of the cold plate. The freezing of water is a transient process. During the process, the temperature first drops to the freezing point at the location where heat is most easily released. If the location of the small tributary freezes, the ultrasonic sensor detects it and issues a low temperature warning to the user. Compared with placing an ultrasonic sensor in the main channel of the water-cooled plate to detect freezing, the sensitivity is greatly improved, and the time between the freezing alarm and the cold plate being frozen is greatly improved, giving the user sufficient time to eliminate the risk. The present invention can give a cold plate freezing alarm when the liquid cooling power supply system is not powered on, to prevent the cold plate from freezing and damaging the box cold plate under non-powered conditions such as low-temperature storage.

[0028] The exhaust valve is designed inside the small branch to ensure that the coolant can enter the small branch smoothly.

[0029] The hollowed-out area of ​​the cold plate can further hinder the heat transfer of the coolant in the main channel and the cold plate metal to the small tributaries. The core idea is to allow less cold plate metal to be enclosed outside the small tributaries, so that if the wrong coolant is used, it will be easier to freeze. The unsuitable coolant can be frozen in a shorter time, allowing the ultrasonic sensor to transmit the freezing signal.

[0030] The thickness of the bottom plate and the cover plate at the small tributary is smaller than that of the bottom plate and the cover plate at the main channel, thereby reducing the heat transfer from the cold plate metal of the main channel to the small tributary.

[0031] The probe of the ultrasonic sensor is located away from the main flow channel of the cold plate because this is the most likely place for ice to form first, which improves the sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor.

[0032] Built-in battery, no power supply system is required. When the coolant is mistakenly installed with water or the coolant antifreeze temperature point is not low enough, in an extremely low temperature environment, the small tributaries are designed to be narrower and thinner, with the least water, and will freeze first. Once frozen, the ultrasonic sensor will give a judgment signal to the internal integrated buzzer, and the buzzer will sound to remind the user. Of course, if the power system is turned on, it can also send an electrical signal to the host computer to send a signal warning to the user, realizing long-distance transmission warning. Remind the user to move the device out of the low temperature area in time and replace the correct coolant to protect the device from being frozen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an anti-icing cold plate in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an anti-icing cold plate in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an anti-icing cold plate in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an anti-icing cold plate in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an anti-icing cold plate (back) in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0038] Numbers in the figure:

[0039] 1. Bottom plate; 11. Fluid inlet; 12. Fluid outlet;

[0040] 2. Cover plate;

[0041] 3. Ultrasonic sensor; 31. Second mounting hole; 32. Buzzer;

[0042] 4. Main flow channel;

[0043] 5. Small tributaries;

[0044] 6. Exhaust valve; 61. First mounting hole;

[0045] 7. Hollow out the area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0047] Embodiment 1:

[0048] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the anti-icing cold plate includes a base plate 1, a cover plate 2, and an ultrasonic sensor 3; the base plate and the cover plate are connected up and down to form a main channel 4 inside, and at least one small tributary 5 is connected in parallel to the side of the main channel 4; the probe of the ultrasonic sensor 3 is placed in the small tributary 5; the cross-sectional area of ​​the small tributary 5 is 1 / 20-1 / 2 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the main channel 4; the width-to-height ratio of the small tributary 5 is greater than 2.

[0049] Specifically, the bottom plate 1 and the cover plate 2 are convex to one side to form a groove. When the bottom plate 1 and the cover plate 2 are connected, the grooves are connected to form the main flow channel 4. Of course, the bottom plate 1 or the cover plate 2 can also be convex to one side to form a groove, and the cover plate 2 or the bottom plate 1 can also seal the groove to form the main flow channel 4; a fluid inlet 11 and a fluid outlet 12 are formed at the end of the entire cold plate. The present application is not limited to the shape and position of the fluid inlet 11 and the fluid outlet 12. Of course, as Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, a form is shown, the fluid inlet 11 is located at the right end, and the fluid outlet 12 is located at the bottom. The main flow channel 4 can be a whole flow channel, or some partitions, branches, etc. can be built into the main flow channel 4 to divide the main flow channel 4. This embodiment is not limited to the specific form of the main flow channel 4, and can be based on the need for cooling.

[0050] Similarly, the small branch 5 is also formed by the bottom plate 1 and / or the cover plate 2 protruding to one side to form a groove, and then connected. An annular structure is formed between the main channel 4 and the small branch 5, that is, the coolant in the main channel 4 can flow into the small branch 5, and the coolant in the small branch 5 can also flow back to the main channel 4.

[0051] The key point in this embodiment is that the small branch 5 can flow into very little coolant, which requires the design of the cross-sectional area, aspect ratio, etc. of the small branch 5. For example, in this embodiment, the width of the main channel 4 is 30 mm and the height is 5 mm, and the width of the small branch 5 is 5 mm and the height is 2 mm. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the small branch 5 is only 1 / 15 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the main channel 4. In this embodiment, the small branch is flat, and the ratio of width to height is 2.5.

[0052] Through the design of the above dimensions, the amount of coolant in the small tributary 5 is much smaller than that in the main channel 4, which means that when ice forms, the small tributary 5 will freeze first. The probe of the ultrasonic sensor 3 is placed in the small tributary 5, which can detect the low temperature signal in time to prevent the further occurrence of low temperature, thereby freezing the cold plate and even the power system.

[0053] The small tributary 5 and the main channel 4 form a rectangle, square, circle, or a special shape or a combination thereof.

[0054] The present invention connects a small tributary to the side of the main channel, so that the coolant in the main channel can enter the small tributary. Since the cross-sectional area of ​​the small tributary is much smaller than that of the main channel and is flat, the water storage in the small tributary is much smaller than that of the main channel of the cold plate. The freezing of water is a transient process. During the process, the temperature first drops to the freezing point at the location where heat is most easily released. If the location of the small tributary freezes, the ultrasonic sensor detects it and issues a low temperature warning to the user. Compared with placing an ultrasonic sensor in the main channel of the water-cooled plate to detect freezing, the sensitivity is greatly improved, and the time between the freezing alarm and the cold plate being frozen is greatly improved, giving the user sufficient time to eliminate the risk. The present invention can give a cold plate freezing alarm when the liquid cooling power supply system is not powered on, to prevent the cold plate from freezing and damaging the box cold plate under non-powered conditions such as low-temperature storage.

[0055] Embodiment 2:

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment adds an exhaust valve 6 and a plurality of hollow areas 7 on the basis of the first embodiment.

[0057] Since the cross section of the small branch 5 is small, in this embodiment, at least one exhaust valve 6 is connected inside the small branch 5. The exhaust valve 6 is designed inside the small branch 5 to ensure that the coolant can smoothly enter the small branch 5. Figure 4 As shown, the first mounting hole 61 starts on the side of the small branch 5.

[0058] Preferably, the anti-icing cold plate on both sides of the small branch 5 further includes a plurality of hollow areas 7. The hollow areas 7 of the cold plate can further hinder the heat transfer of the coolant in the main channel 4 and the cold plate metal to the small branch 5. The core idea is to allow less cold plate metal to be enclosed outside the small branch 5, so that if the wrong coolant is used, it will be easier to freeze, and the unsuitable coolant can be frozen in a shorter time to prevent the ultrasonic sensor from transmitting an ice signal.

[0059] The hollowed-out area 7 is one or a combination of rectangular, square, circular, triangular, and irregular shapes.

[0060] The thickness of the bottom plate 1 and the cover plate 2 at the small tributary 5 is less than that of the bottom plate 1 and the cover plate 2 at the main channel 4. Specifically, for example, the bottom plate 1 and the cover plate 2 at the main channel 4 are 10 mm thick, and the bottom plate 1 and the cover plate 2 at the small tributary 5 are 5 mm thick, so as to reduce the heat transfer from the cold plate metal of the main channel 4 to the small tributary 5.

[0061] This embodiment considers the ice detection method from the perspective of energy transfer, innovatively designs a small tributary on one side of the water channel and installs an ultrasonic ice sensor, while excavating the cold plate metal, creatively hindering heat transfer and reducing the heat capacity at the small tributary, greatly improving the sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor.

[0062] Embodiment three:

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, based on the above-mentioned embodiment 2, the probe of the ultrasonic sensor 3 is placed in the small tributary 5 at a position far away from the main flow channel 4. The probe of the ultrasonic sensor 3 is located far away from the main flow channel 4 because it is the most likely position for ice to form first, thereby improving the sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, a second mounting hole 31 is formed on the side of the small tributary 5. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor 3 has a built-in buzzer 32 and a battery.

[0065] The ultrasonic sensor 3 has a built-in battery and does not require power from a power system. When the coolant is mistakenly installed as water or the coolant antifreeze temperature point is not low enough, in an extremely low temperature environment, the small tributary 5 is designed to be narrower and thinner, with the least water, and will freeze first. Once frozen, the ultrasonic sensor gives a judgment signal to the internal integrated buzzer, and the buzzer beeps to remind the user. Of course, if the power system is turned on, it can also send an electrical signal to the host computer to send a signal warning to the user, realizing long-distance transmission of warnings. Remind the user to move the device out of the low temperature area in time and replace the correct coolant to protect the device from being frozen.

[0066] This embodiment protects the liquid-cooled power supply system from extrusion and deformation of the liquid-cooled cold plate due to freezing of the coolant in a low-temperature environment. The power supply system can be in operation or not. Compared with placing an ultrasonic sensor in the main channel of the water-cooled plate to detect icing, the sensitivity is greatly improved. The time between the icing alarm and the cold plate being frozen is greatly improved, giving users enough time to eliminate the risk.

[0067] Embodiment 4:

[0068] This embodiment provides a power supply system, including a power supply body and the anti-icing cold plate, wherein the exterior of the power supply body is in contact with or tightly connected to the anti-icing cold plate.

[0069] This embodiment can give a cold plate freezing alarm when the liquid cooling power system is not powered on, to prevent the cold plate from freezing and damaging the box cold plate in unpowered conditions such as low-temperature storage. Since the designed small tributary has much less water than the main channel of the cold plate, the freezing process of water is a transient process, and the temperature of the location where heat is most easily released drops to the freezing point first during the process. The time difference between the freezing of the small tributary and the freezing of the main channel can be designed as needed to ensure sufficient advance time to protect the liquid cooling power system.

[0070] The theory that small tributaries are more likely to freeze:

[0071] According to the heat formula Q = cρVΔT, ΔT = Q / (cρV),

[0072] Where Q is the heat transfer of the coolant in the cold plate and tributaries, c is the specific heat capacity of the object, ρ is the density of the object, and V is the volume of the object;

[0073] Under the same heat transfer condition, the smaller the part of the cold plate metal material V is dug out, the greater the temperature difference ΔT can be obtained, and the coolant in the small branch is more likely to freeze. At the same time, the dug out metal material hinders the heat transfer from the main channel 4 fluid on the cold plate and the cold plate bottom plate 1 or / and the cover plate 2 to the small branch 5 to a certain extent, thereby enhancing the sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor 3.

[0074] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments may still be modified, or some of the technical features may be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. Anti-icing cold plate, characterized in that: Including base plate, cover plate, ultrasonic sensor; The bottom plate and the cover plate are connected up and down to form a main flow channel inside, and at least one small branch is connected in parallel to the side of the main flow channel; the probe of the ultrasonic sensor is placed in the small branch; The cross-sectional area of ​​the small tributary is 1 / 20-1 / 2 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the main flow channel; The aspect ratio of the small tributary is greater than 2.

2. The anti-icing cold plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inside of the small branch stream is connected to at least one exhaust valve.

3. The anti-icing cold plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anti-icing cold plates on both sides of the small tributary also include multiple hollowed-out areas.

4. The anti-icing cold plate according to claim 3, characterized in that: The hollowed-out area is one or a combination of rectangular, square, circular, triangular, and irregular shapes.

5. The anti-icing cold plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thickness of the bottom plate and the cover plate at the small tributary is smaller than the thickness of the bottom plate and the cover plate at the main flow channel.

6. The anti-icing cold plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The probe of the ultrasonic sensor is placed in the small tributary at a position far away from the main flow channel.

7. The anti-icing cold plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic sensor has a built-in buzzer and a battery.

8. The anti-icing cold plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The small tributary and the main flow channel form one or a combination of rectangle, square, circle, and special shape.

9. A power supply system, characterized in that It comprises a power supply body and the anti-icing cold plate as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the outside of the power supply body is in contact with or firmly connected to the anti-icing cold plate.

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