Tesla valve fan module and heat dissipation system thereof

Abstract

The present application provides a Tesla valve fan module and a heat dissipation system thereof, which comprises a housing and an impeller. The housing is arranged to form a main flow channel and is provided with an air inlet, an air outlet and a drainage outlet which are communicated with the main flow channel. A Tesla valve structure is arranged to extend outwardly from the drainage outlet and is communicated with the drainage outlet. The impeller is pivotally arranged in the housing to drive airflow from the air inlet into the main flow channel. Part of the airflow is discharged from the main flow channel through the air outlet, and the other part of the airflow is discharged from the main flow channel through the drainage outlet and the Tesla valve structure. By arranging the Tesla valve structure, unidirectional stable airflow is provided, backflow is inhibited, wind pressure is stably increased in a predetermined direction, and the problems of easy dissipation of airflow, insufficient wind pressure and flow rate of the existing fan are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fan module, and more particularly to a Tesla valve fan module and its heat dissipation system that can provide unidirectional stable airflow and effectively increase air pressure. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of laptops and high-performance computing devices, the energy consumption and heat generation of heat sources such as processor chips (e.g., CPU or GPU) are constantly increasing. How to effectively dissipate heat within a limited volume is a key issue affecting system stability and lifespan.

[0003] Existing cooling modules typically utilize fans to generate airflow, supplemented by heat pipes or heat sinks. Heat generated by heat sources such as processor chips is conducted through the heat pipes and heat sinks, then dissipated through the fan's exhaust vents onto the heat sinks. However, this approach is increasingly unable to meet the cooling demands of high-performance computing, leading to heat buildup and overheating. Therefore, some modern fan housings now incorporate additional openings to direct airflow directly to the chip.

[0004] However, due to the limited space inside the laptop casing and the various functional requirements, there is often a certain distance between the fan and the computing chip. This often causes airflow to escape before reaching the heat source after passing through the openings in the fan casing. Moreover, the airflow exiting through the openings not only fails to generate sufficient air pressure and velocity, but also limits the fan's original performance due to the dispersed airflow. As a result, the heat source cannot receive effective airflow heat exchange, creating a risk of localized heat buildup. This not only reduces the performance of the computing device but may even lead to thermal failure.

[0005] Therefore, in order to provide better heat dissipation efficiency for the heat source and meet the needs of technological development, how to use a fan to more efficiently dissipate heat from the heat source under limited space and the above-mentioned constraints is a problem that the inventors of this case and related manufacturers in the industry today are eager to solve. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, in order to effectively solve the above problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a Tesla valve fan module that can provide unidirectional stable airflow and effectively improve wind pressure.

[0007] Another objective of this invention is to provide a cooling system that can utilize the Tesla valve fan module.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a Tesla valve fan module, comprising: a housing surrounding a main channel, the housing having an air inlet, an air outlet and a drainage outlet communicating with the main channel, and a Tesla valve structure extending outward from the drainage outlet and communicating with the drainage outlet; and an impeller pivotally mounted within the housing to drive airflow from the air inlet into the main channel, wherein a portion of the airflow is discharged from the main channel through the air outlet, and another portion of the airflow is discharged from the main channel through the drainage outlet and the Tesla valve structure.

[0009] The Tesla valve structure and the housing are either integrally formed or two independent components that are detachably connected as one unit.

[0010] The air intake outlet and the air outlet are respectively located on opposite sides of the outer casing.

[0011] The drainage outlet and the Tesla valve structure are arranged along the tangential direction of the main flow channel.

[0012] The Tesla valve structure has a straight flow channel and multiple branch flow channels. The multiple branch flow channels are located on both sides of the straight flow channel, extending out of the straight flow channel in the opposite direction and reconnecting back to the straight flow channel in the same direction.

[0013] The Tesla valve structure has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the outlet, and the outlet faces a predetermined direction, thereby providing a unidirectional stable airflow in that predetermined direction.

[0014] Therefore, this invention provides a Tesla valve fan module that, in addition to discharging airflow through the outlet, can also provide a stable unidirectional airflow in a predetermined direction (such as the direction of the heat source). Combined with the Tesla valve structure, it suppresses backflow and promotes the formation of a stable flow stream, effectively preventing airflow divergence at the outlet and thereby increasing local airflow pressure to provide sufficient air pressure and velocity for cooling the heat source (such as a chip). Furthermore, this invention has a simple structure, making it suitable for installation in limited spaces such as laptops and tablets, facilitating its application in electronic products on the market.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat dissipation system.

[0016] This invention provides a heat dissipation system suitable for a heat source, comprising a heat sink assembly, a heat pipe, and a Tesla valve fan module, wherein the two ends of the heat pipe are in contact with the heat source and the heat sink assembly, respectively. The Tesla valve fan module includes a housing and an impeller, wherein the housing forms a main flow channel, and the housing has an air inlet, an air outlet, and a drainage outlet communicating with the main flow channel. The air outlet faces the heat sink assembly, and a Tesla valve structure extends outward from the drainage outlet and is connected to the drainage outlet. The impeller is pivotally mounted in the housing to drive airflow from the air inlet into the main flow channel, wherein part of the airflow is discharged through the air outlet and passes through the heat sink assembly, and another part of the airflow is discharged through the drainage outlet and the Tesla valve structure in the direction corresponding to the heat source, thereby providing a unidirectional stable airflow to the heat source.

[0017] The Tesla valve structure and the housing are either integrally formed or two independent components that are detachably connected as one unit.

[0018] The Tesla valve structure has an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being connected to the drain outlet and the outlet facing the heat source.

[0019] The Tesla valve structure has a straight flow channel and multiple branch flow channels. The multiple branch flow channels are located on both sides of the straight flow channel, extending out of the straight flow channel in the opposite direction and reconnecting back to the straight flow channel in the same direction.

[0020] Therefore, the present invention provides a heat dissipation system including the Tesla valve fan module, with the air outlet facing the heat sink fin assembly, providing airflow to the heat sink fin assembly to dissipate the heat energy transferred to the heat sink fin assembly via the heat pipe; at the same time, in conjunction with the Tesla valve structure, it provides a direct, stable, and sufficiently high-pressure and high-velocity unidirectional heat dissipation airflow towards the heat source, allowing the heat dissipation system of the present invention to effectively deheat the heat source through two paths simultaneously, thereby improving the overall heat dissipation efficiency of the heat source to meet the continuously increasing heat dissipation requirements of high-performance computing devices. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of the Tesla valve fan module of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the Tesla valve structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the main channel and Tesla valve structure of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a top view of the heat dissipation system of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5This is a partially exploded schematic diagram of the heat dissipation system of the present invention.

[0026] Figure labeling: 1-Tesla valve fan module; 11-Housing; 110-Main flow channel; 110A-Air inlet; 110B-Air outlet; 110C-Drain outlet; 111-Top surface; 112-Side; 113-Base plate; 12-Impeller; 13-Tesla valve structure; 130A-Inlet; 130B-Outlet; 131-Straight flow channel; 132-Branch flow channel; 132A-Downstream section; 132B-Bent section; 2-Cooling system; 21-Cooling fin assembly; 22-Heat pipe; 3-Heat source; D-Determined direction. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The above-mentioned objectives of the present invention and its structural and functional characteristics will be described with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this invention provides a Tesla valve fan module 1, including: a housing (fan frame) 11 and an impeller 12. This invention uses a centrifugal fan as an example. Figure 3 As shown, the inner side of the outer casing 11 forms a main flow channel 110, and has an air inlet 110A, an air outlet 110B, and a drainage outlet 110C. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the air inlet 110A can be opened on the top surface 111 of the housing 11. The centrifugal impeller 12 draws in air axially through the air inlet 110A and drives the airflow radially into the main flow channel 110. The air outlet 110B and the guide outlet 110C are respectively opened on one side 112 of the housing 11. In this embodiment, please refer to... Figure 3 As shown, the drain outlet 110C and the air outlet 110B are respectively located on opposite sides of the housing 11, that is, the drain outlet 110C is far away from the air outlet 110B, so as to avoid mutual interference between the two.

[0029] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, the outer casing 11 may also include a base plate 113. However, to effectively utilize space, the base plate 113 may be a common component, such as a fixing element inside a laptop casing, or a fixing plate that separates different functional spaces, working together to seal the main flow channel 110 without additional configuration. This invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, a Tesla valve structure 13 is provided extending outward from the drainage outlet 110C on the outside of the outer casing 11, that is, from the side 112, and the Tesla valve structure 13 communicates with the drainage outlet 110C. In some embodiments, the Tesla valve structure 13 may be integrally formed with the outer casing 11 (e.g., injection molded), but it is not limited to this. The Tesla valve structure 13 and the outer casing 11 may also be two independent components manufactured separately and then detachably connected as one unit.

[0030] It is worth mentioning that this Tesla valve structure 13 has a localized pressurization effect. Please refer to... Figure 2 As shown, the Tesla valve structure 13 has a straight flow channel 131 and a plurality of branch flow channels 132. The plurality of branch flow channels 132 (e.g., side-by-side or staggered) are arranged on both sides of the straight flow channel 131. They extend countercurrently from an inlet 130A (i.e., upstream) to an outlet 130B (i.e., downstream) of the Tesla valve structure 13, and then converge back into the straight flow channel 131 in the downstream direction. Specifically, each of the plurality of branch flow channels 132 can be arranged from upstream to downstream (away from the outlet 110C). Along this direction, the flow axis at both ends of the branch and convergence is generally oriented downstream, and the interior angles where they intersect the straight flow channel 131 are acute angles. For example, the plurality of branch channels 132 may be formed by a curved section 132B that directs and redirects airflow, connected to a downstream section 132A that is close to the outlet 130B (i.e., downstream).

[0031] In some embodiments, the straight flow channel 131 and the plurality of branch flow channels 132 can be formed by machining methods such as milling, injection, casting, stamping, or CNC machining. Furthermore, the straight flow channel 131 and the plurality of branch flow channels 132 can be formed by recessing a workpiece into the Tesla valve structure 13, and then sealed with a cover, or, when assembled with a laptop casing, can be covered and sealed by the bottom plate of the casing. The present invention is not limited to these limitations.

[0032] At this time, please refer to Figure 3 As shown, the airflow in the main channel 110 passes through the inlet outlet 110C and enters the Tesla valve structure 13 from the inlet 130A. At this time, the airflow is allowed to flow along the flow direction through the straight channel 131 to the outlet 130B, so that it is undisturbed.

[0033] However, if the reverse airflow flows in the straight channel 131 in a countercurrent manner, some of the airflow will be diverted into the plurality of branch channels 132 when it passes through the downstream section 132A of the branch channel 132. After passing through the curved section 132B, it will be turned and then turned back to enter the straight channel 131 in the downstream direction. At this time, the reverse airflow in the straight channel 131 will merge with the downstream airflow discharged from the curved section 132B. The air pressure of the two airflows will cancel each other out due to their countercurrent collision, thereby achieving the effect of preventing backflow.

[0034] In summary, please refer to the above. Figure 3 As shown, in this invention, in addition to a portion of the airflow in the main flow channel 110 being driven by the impeller 12 and discharged through the outlet 110B, another portion of the airflow is guided by the Tesla valve structure 13, causing it to flow through the guide outlet 110C and be guided by the Tesla valve structure 13 to form an airflow with the same direction, and then discharged in a predetermined direction D. For example, the predetermined direction D can be a heat source (not shown) or the direction corresponding to a location where heat easily accumulates.

[0035] It is understood that the airflow discharged through the Tesla valve structure 13 has a highly consistent direction and a concentrated airflow effect, thereby effectively increasing the wind pressure and flow velocity of the airflow discharged locally from the outlet 110C, achieving the purpose of deheating the heat source and its surrounding areas prone to heat accumulation within a certain distance in the predetermined direction D. Furthermore, through the guidance of the Tesla valve structure 13, the present invention can not only effectively increase the wind pressure and flow velocity towards the predetermined direction D, but also suppress the loss of additional airflow from the main flow channel 110.

[0036] Because, please see Figure 3 As shown, due to the channel limitation of the Tesla valve structure 13, airflows with inconsistent directions that are prone to turbulence or scattering are difficult to be introduced into the Tesla valve structure 13 through the inlet outlet 110C from the beginning. Therefore, the present invention can not only effectively prevent the airflow from escaping and losing wind pressure after leaving the inlet outlet 110C, but also effectively prevent the fluid in the main channel 110 from causing unnecessary loss from the inlet outlet 110C in conjunction with the setting of the Tesla valve structure 13. These fluids can remain in the main channel 110 and continue to be pressurized by the impeller 12, and finally be discharged together from the outlet 110B, effectively improving the wind pressure and flow rate of the airflow discharged from the inlet outlet 110C and the outlet 110B, and improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet outlet 110C and the Tesla valve structure 13 are arranged tangentially to the main flow channel 110, so that the airflow in the main flow channel 110 can enter the inlet outlet 110C in the direction of the airflow along the air pressure direction of the main flow channel 110. This significantly reduces air pressure loss caused by collisions during the diversion process and effectively utilizes the impeller 12 to boost airflow from the main flow channel 110 into the inlet outlet 110C, thereby increasing the intake air pressure of the Tesla valve structure 13.

[0038] Furthermore, please refer to Figure 2 As shown, in the Tesla valve structure 13, the width of the straight flow channel 131 connecting to the outlet 110C is relatively wide; that is, from the inlet 130A to the outlet 130B, the width of the straight flow channel 131 can also be gradually reduced to increase the air pressure and flow velocity when the airflow passes through the straight flow channel 131 and enhance the flow guiding efficiency.

[0039] Therefore, the Tesla valve fan module 1 of the present invention, in addition to discharging airflow through the air outlet 110B, can also provide a stable airflow with sufficient air pressure and velocity in the predetermined direction D (e.g., the heat source and its surrounding area). Combined with the Tesla valve structure 13, it effectively suppresses backflow and promotes the formation of a stable flow stream, preventing the airflow from diverging at the outlet 110C, thereby increasing the local airflow pressure to directly provide airflow in the predetermined direction D and dissipate heat from the heat source (e.g., the chip) and the area surrounding the heat source within a certain distance. Furthermore, the present invention has a simple structure, making it easy to configure in limited spaces such as a laptop casing; for example, it can be used in conjunction with the casing's mounting plate and base plate, effectively saving volume and weight.

[0040] In addition, such as Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the present invention provides a heat dissipation system 2 suitable for a heat source 3, comprising a heat dissipation fin assembly 21, a heat pipe 22, and a Tesla valve fan module 1. The two ends of the heat pipe 22 contact the heat source 3 and the heat dissipation fin assembly 21, respectively. The Tesla valve fan module 1 is configured to cooperate with the heat pipe 22 and the heat dissipation fin assembly 21, such that the air outlet 110B faces the heat dissipation fin assembly 21, and the predetermined direction D aligns with the heat source 3, in this example, around the mounting bracket for mounting the heat source 3. Thus, when the centrifugal impeller 12 operates, it drives and guides airflow into the main flow channel 110. A portion of the airflow discharged from the air outlet 110B passes between the fins of the heat dissipation fin assembly 21, exchanging heat with it and carrying away heat.

[0041] Please also see Figure 4As shown, another portion of the airflow is discharged through the outlet 110C and the Tesla valve structure 13 toward the predetermined direction D corresponding to the heat source 3. The Tesla valve structure 13 guides and suppresses backflow. By means of the airflow from the main channel 110, airflow with sufficient wind pressure and velocity can be provided to the heat source 3 and its surrounding area within a certain distance (in particular, the location where heat accumulation is likely to occur corresponding to the heat source 3).

[0042] Please refer to this. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the heat dissipation system 2 of the present invention continuously provides cooling airflow to the heat source 3 and the heat dissipation fin assembly 21 by means of the Tesla valve fan module 1 facing the predetermined direction D and the air outlet 110B facing the heat dissipation fin assembly 21, so as to remove the heat energy from the surface of the heat source 3 and the heat energy transferred from the heat source 3 to the heat dissipation fin assembly 21 through the heat pipe 22.

[0043] Simultaneously, the Tesla valve structure 13 provides a direct, stable, and sufficiently high-pressure and high-velocity airflow to the heat source 3, allowing the heat dissipation system 2 of this invention to effectively deheat the heat source 3 through two paths simultaneously. In this way, the heat source 3 is actively cooled via multiple heat dissipation paths through the heat dissipation system 2 and the Tesla valve fan module 1, fully utilizing the pressurization performance of the impeller 12 to improve the overall heat dissipation efficiency of the heat source 3, meeting the ever-increasing heat dissipation requirements of today's high-performance computing devices.

[0044] The present invention has been described in detail above, but the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made based on the present invention should still fall within the patent coverage of the present invention.

Claims

1. A Tesla valve fan module, characterized in that, Include: An outer casing is provided to enclose a main airflow channel. The casing has an air inlet, an air outlet, and a drainage outlet communicating with the main airflow channel. A Tesla valve structure extends outward from the drainage outlet and is connected to the drainage outlet. An impeller is pivotally mounted inside the housing to drive airflow from the air inlet into the main channel. Part of the airflow is discharged from the main channel through the air outlet, and another part of the airflow is discharged from the main channel through the drainage outlet and the Tesla valve structure.

2. The Tesla valve fan module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Tesla valve structure is either integrally formed with the housing, or it consists of two separate components that are detachably connected as one unit.

3. The Tesla valve fan module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The air intake outlet and the air outlet are respectively located on opposite sides of the outer casing.

4. The Tesla valve fan module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drainage outlet and the Tesla valve structure are arranged along the tangential direction of the main flow channel.

5. The Tesla valve fan module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Tesla valve structure has a straight flow channel and multiple branch flow channels. The multiple branch flow channels are located on both sides of the straight flow channel, extending out of the straight flow channel in the opposite direction and reconnecting back to the straight flow channel in the forward direction.

6. The Tesla valve fan module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The Tesla valve structure has an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being connected to the outlet and the outlet facing a predetermined direction, thereby providing a unidirectional stable airflow in that predetermined direction.

7. A heat dissipation system suitable for a heat source, characterized in that, Include: One heat dissipation fin assembly; A heat pipe, the two ends of which are in contact with the heat source and the heat dissipation fin assembly, respectively; and A Tesla valve fan module, comprising a housing and an impeller; The outer casing forms a main channel. The outer casing is provided with an air inlet, an air outlet and a drainage outlet that are connected to the main channel. The air outlet is directly opposite the heat dissipation fin assembly. A Tesla valve structure is provided extending outward from the drainage outlet and is connected to the drainage outlet. The impeller is pivotally mounted inside the housing to drive airflow from the air inlet into the main flow channel. Part of the airflow is discharged through the air outlet and passes through the heat dissipation fin assembly, while another part of the airflow is discharged through the drainage outlet and through the Tesla valve structure in the direction corresponding to the heat source, thereby providing a unidirectional stable airflow to the heat source.

8. The heat dissipation system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The Tesla valve structure is either integrally formed with the housing, or it consists of two separate components that are detachably connected as one unit.

9. The heat dissipation system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The Tesla valve structure has an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being connected to the outlet and the outlet facing the heat source.

10. The heat dissipation system as described in claim 7, characterized in that... The Tesla valve structure has a straight flow channel and multiple branch flow channels. The multiple branch flow channels are located on both sides of the straight flow channel, extending out of the straight flow channel in the opposite direction and reconnecting back to the straight flow channel in the forward direction.

Images