Cold Plate Anti-Clogging Dual Manifold Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cold plate designs in liquid cooling systems are susceptible to clogging from debris and fail to evenly distribute coolant, especially for components with varying surface areas, leading to inadequate heat removal and potential system shutdown.
Innovation Solution
A dual manifold cold plate design with upper and lower manifolds that include inlet and outlet connectors, where the upper manifolds adjust coolant flow and the lower manifolds trap debris, ensuring even coolant distribution and preventing clogging, using materials like copper, copper alloy, or stainless steel for the lid and base members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional single-manifold cold plate design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but coolant distribution becomes uneven and debris clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate is divided into multiple manifolds (first manifold, second manifold, third manifold, fourth manifold) with each serving specific functions. The first and second manifolds handle coolant distribution while the third and fourth manifolds handle debris collection, separating functions to improve reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical stacking of manifolds (upper and lower levels) to distribute coolant more evenly across the heat-generating component surface. This multi-dimensional arrangement ensures all areas receive adequate coolant flow while providing separate pathways for debris collection
2Productivity
If coolant flow rate is increased to improve heat removal, then cooling efficiency increases, but debris clogging risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high-velocity debris-laden coolant into a beneficial sorting mechanism. The third and fourth manifolds act as separators that trap debris while allowing coolant to pass, transforming the high-flow debris mixture into separated streams where coolant continues circulation and debris is collected
Solution Approach 2:
The third and fourth manifolds serve as intermediary components between the coolant source and the heat-generating component. They mediate the interaction by filtering debris from the coolant flow, protecting the internal channels while maintaining high coolant flow rates for effective heat removal
3Manufacturing precision
If manifold inlet is positioned at single location, then device complexity is reduced, but coolant distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant distribution function is segmented across multiple manifolds positioned at different locations and orientations. The first manifold provides initial distribution while the second, third, and fourth manifolds provide additional distribution points, ensuring uniform coolant coverage across the entire heat-generating component surface
Solution Approach 2:
The manifolds are configured with asymmetric positioning and orientations to match the thermal profile of the heat-generating component. Each manifold is strategically placed to target specific high-heat areas, creating an asymmetric but optimized coolant distribution pattern that improves manufacturing precision
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 dual manifold design effectively prevents debris from impeding coolant flow and ensures even heat transfer across varying surface areas, enhancing cooling efficiency and reliability of heat-generating components.
Implementation Method 1
Heat generated by the processor is transferred to the cold plate and is in turn transferred to the coolant liquid circulating through the cold plate
Implementation Method 2
Liquid cooling is more effective in transporting heat away from a heat source to a radiator
Implementation Method 3
The upper manifolds adjust coolant flow and the lower manifolds trap debris, ensuring even coolant distribution
Implementation Method 4
the lower manifolds trap debris, ensuring even coolant distribution and preventing clogging
Data Source
AI summary
A cold plate for cooling a heat-generating component in a computer system is disclosed. The cold plate includes a lid member with a lower supply manifold housing and a lower collection manifold housing. The cold plate includes a base member having coolant channels defined by fins. Each of the fins have a top section and a bottom section attached to the base member. An interior cavity is defined by an arc-shaped section of the fins, the interior surface of the base, and the lower supply manifold housing. An interior corner is formed by the lower supply manifold housing of the lower manifold housing at the top of the fins to trap debris. An upper inlet manifold has a connector to receive coolant. An upper outlet manifold has a connector to circulate coolant. The upper manifolds are in fluid communication with the collection manifold housings.