Capillary Pulsating Heat Exchanger for Power Electronics Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Power electronic components generate significant heat and require a compact, reliable, and safe cooling system that functions effectively even at high cooling liquid temperatures, which existing technologies struggle to provide.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger with capillary-dimensioned channels that utilize a pulsating heat pipe mechanism, allowing the working fluid to oscillate between a heat input section and output sections, enabling efficient heat transfer and operation in any orientation without additional costs, using a cooling liquid that can handle higher temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used for power electronic components, then heat dissipation is achieved, but the system size becomes large and cannot operate at high cooling liquid temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pulsating heat pipe mechanism that utilizes phase transitions of the working fluid between liquid and vapor states to transfer heat from the heat input section to the heat output section. This allows the system to operate at high cooling liquid temperatures (above ambient temperature) while maintaining effective heat dissipation and reliability, as the phase change process is inherently efficient at elevated temperatures
2Volume of moving object
If compact cooling systems are designed to match small power electronic components, then space utilization improves, but heat dissipation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsating heat pipe utilizes phase transitions of the working fluid to achieve high heat transfer coefficients within a compact volume. The phase change process concentrates heat transfer in specific locations, allowing effective heat dissipation from power electronic components without requiring a large cooling system volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the working fluid by utilizing phase transitions (liquid to vapor and back), which dramatically alters the heat transfer properties. This allows compact dimensions while maintaining high heat dissipation efficiency, as the phase change process provides intense heat transfer in a small volume
3Reliability
If conventional heat pipes are used, then heat transfer is achieved, but the system cannot tolerate peak loading and is limited in orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsating heat pipe creates dynamic oscillating flow of the working fluid between liquid and vapor phases, which actively responds to varying heat loads. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to tolerate peak loading conditions better than conventional static heat pipes, while the self-regulating nature of the pulsation enables operation in any orientation without additional components
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
The heat exchanger provides a compact, reliable, and efficient cooling solution capable of operating at higher cooling liquid temperatures, effectively dissipating heat from power electronic components, and tolerating peak loading better than conventional heat pipes, with the ability to function in any orientation and without the need for extra coolant tanks or pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of channels 4 are capillary dimensioned for the working fluid 5
Implementation Method 2
provide a flow path for the working fluid 5 to move between the heat input section 2 and the heat output sections 3a-b
Implementation Method 3
heat exchanger provides a safe and reliable cooling system... effectively dissipating heat from power electronic components
Implementation Method 4
The plurality of channels 4 contain a working fluid 5 and provide a flow path for the working fluid 5 to move between the heat input section 2 and the heat output sections 3a-b
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat exchanger (1) comprising a heat input section (2) and a heat output section (3a-b). The heat input section (2) and the heat output section (3a-b) containing a working fluid (5) in a plurality of channels (4). The plurality of channels (4) providing a flow path for the working fluid (5) to move between the heat input section (2) and the heat output section (3a-b). The plurality of channels (4) being capillary dimensioned for the working fluid (5). The heat output section (3a-b) comprises a cooling liquid chamber (6) and an inlet (7) and an outlet (8) for cooling liquid (10). The heat exchanger (1) comprises two heat output sections (3a-b) arranged on the first end (9a) and the second end (9b) of the heat input section (2). The plurality of channels (4) extend from the first heat output section (3a) through the heat input section (2) to the second heat output section (3b).