Capacitive Electrostatic Fluid Pump for Electronic Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling methods for electronic components, such as forced coolant circulation and Peltier elements, are inefficient, costly, and unsuitable for widespread use due to high power consumption, thermal inefficiency, and durability issues, while passive heat transfer methods like heat pipes are limited by small heat flow cross-sections.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a capacitive arrangement with fluids of different permittivities, where an electric field induces feed forces to drive a heat exchange medium through a flow channel, allowing for efficient convection and heat transfer without mixing the fluids, and using a capacitive measuring device to control and maintain the electric field at dielectric interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If forced coolant circulation using pumps or fans is used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic electric field excitation to the capacitive arrangement, where the electric field is alternately activated and deactivated. This periodic action creates oscillating electrostatic forces that drive fluid circulation without requiring continuous mechanical pumping, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pumping system (pumps or fans) with an electrostatic field-based fluid drive mechanism. By using a capacitive arrangement with dielectric fluids of different permittivities and applying electric fields, the system eliminates mechanical moving parts while achieving effective coolant circulation and heat transfer.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat pipes with capillary wicking are used, then passive heat transfer is achieved, but the pipe diameter is limited and heat flow cross-section is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dielectric fluids with different permittivities as the working medium in the capacitive arrangement. By utilizing the electrical properties (permittivity differences) of these fluids rather than relying on capillary wicking structures, the system achieves passive fluid circulation without mechanical or capillary constraints, enabling larger heat flow cross-sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter used for fluid circulation from capillary pressure (in heat pipes) to electrostatic forces based on dielectric permittivity differences. This parameter change allows the system to overcome the geometric constraints of capillary structures and achieve effective heat transfer in larger cross-sections.
3Temperature
If Peltier elements are used for electrical cooling, then active cooling is achieved, but thermal efficiency is low and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermoelectric Peltier element mechanism with an electrostatic field-based fluid circulation system. Instead of using electrical current through semiconductors to create heat transfer, the system uses electric fields to drive dielectric fluid circulation, achieving cooling with potentially higher thermal efficiency and without the ohmic losses inherent in Peltier elements.
4Temperature
If fuel circulation is used for cooling electronic control devices, then heat transfer is achieved, but durability decreases and reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dielectric fluids (such as electric oils or fluorinated hydrocarbons) as the cooling medium instead of fuel. These dielectric fluids are chemically inert and non-flammable, creating a safe cooling environment that eliminates the durability and reliability issues associated with fuel leakage and combustion risks in electronic control devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient electrostatic convection of dielectric and ferroelectric fluids, reducing power consumption and increasing durability, suitable for high-reliability applications in electronic assemblies and vehicles, while minimizing electromagnetic interference.
Implementation Method 1
an electric field induces feed forces to drive a heat exchange medium through a flow channel, allowing for efficient convection and heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
fluids of different permittivities, where an electric field induces feed forces to drive a heat exchange medium
Implementation Method 3
A device and method utilizing a capacitive arrangement with fluids of different permittivities, where an electric field induces feed forces
Implementation Method 4
The circulated fluid absorbs the heat on the hot, small surface of the component to be cooled by means of thermal diffusion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and to a device for conveying at least one heat-exchange medium (2,66) which has at least one first fluid (3,4,5), which has a first permittivity, and at least one second fluid (3,4,5), which does not mix with the first fluid (3,4,5) and has a second permittivity which differs from the first permittivity, wherein at least one dielectric interface (16) is formed between the first and second fluids (3,4,5), which dielectric interface (16) is subjected to an electrical thrust field (19) which is excited in a progressing fashion and which exerts a thrust (27') on the at least one dielectric interface (16).