Circular Pipe Cooler With Narrow Channels for High Heat Density Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cooling performance of conventional coolers is limited in addressing the increasing heat density of miniaturized power modules, as the reduction in contact thermal resistance does not sufficiently enhance cooling efficiency to cope with further miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
A cooler design featuring a circular pipe member with a radially narrow channel formed by a channel formation member, which increases the heat transfer coefficient by reducing the channel width, and includes partitioning walls and a turbulent flow accelerator to enhance heat transfer and flow uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the channel width for heating medium flow is reduced to increase the heat transfer coefficient, then the cooling performance is enhanced, but the pressure loss of the heating medium increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circular pipe is segmented into multiple radial channels by partition walls, dividing the single wide channel into several narrower channels. This segmentation increases the heat transfer coefficient while managing pressure loss through distributed flow paths
Solution Approach 2:
The channel width parameter is changed by reducing it radially, which directly increases the heat transfer coefficient. The partition walls create narrow channels that optimize the balance between heat transfer efficiency and pressure loss
2Volume of moving object
If power modules are miniaturized to reduce size, then the device compactness is improved, but the heat density increases making cooling more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system provides enhanced local heat transfer capability through radially narrow channels with high heat transfer coefficients, specifically targeting the high heat density regions of miniaturized power modules
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer is enhanced by utilizing the radial dimension more effectively. Instead of only axial heat transfer, the radial narrow channels create intense heat transfer surfaces that address the heat density problem in miniaturized 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 design significantly enhances cooling performance by increasing the heat transfer coefficient and reducing pressure loss, effectively cooling high heat density power modules with improved heat transfer efficiency and flow uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
The heat generating component (80) is cooled by dissipating heat to the heating medium flowing through the narrow channel (C0) in the circular pipe member (53) of the cooler
Implementation Method 2
a circular pipe member (53) through which a heating medium circulates, and being in thermal contact with a heat generating component (80) to cool the heat generating component (80) with the heating medium flowing through the circular pipe member (53)
Implementation Method 3
a turbulent flow accelerator member (56) axially extending through the interior of the circular pipe member (53) and configured to accelerate a laminar-to-turbulent flow transition of a heating medium flowing through the narrow channel (C0)
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of partitioning walls (55) axially extending through the interior of the circular pipe member (53) and circumferentially dividing the narrow channel (C0) formed by the channel formation member (54)
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler includes a circular pipe member through which a heating medium circulates, and being in thermal contact with a power module to cool the power module with the heating medium flowing through an interior of the circular pipe member. An axially extending channel formation member between which and an inner circumferential surface of the circular pipe member a narrow channel for the heating medium is formed is provided in the circular pipe member.