Cold Plate Lattice Structure for Uniform Coolant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-cooled cold plates for heat-generating devices suffer from non-uniform temperature distribution and inefficient heat transfer due to uniform flow channels, leading to suboptimal cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A cold plate design utilizing a triply periodic minimal surface with non-uniform lattice structures defined by geometric parameters varying flow resistance, optimized through a computational method to enhance coolant flow and temperature uniformity, featuring a gyroid surface and adjustable cell aspect ratios and wall thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform flow channels are used in cold plate, then manufacturing is simple, but temperature distribution becomes non-uniform and heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the geometric parameters (cell size, wall thickness, orientation) of the lattice structure at different locations within the cold plate. This creates spatially non-uniform flow resistance that directs coolant flow to regions with higher heat generation, achieving uniform temperature distribution while maintaining the manufacturability of the lattice structure through additive manufacturing or modular assembly.
2Reliability
If non-uniform lattice structure is implemented to improve temperature uniformity, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying the geometric parameters of the lattice cells (size, wall thickness, orientation) based on their position within the cold plate. This creates a gradient structure that optimizes coolant flow distribution and heat transfer efficiency while maintaining a regular lattice topology that can be manufactured using additive processes, thus managing complexity through parametric design rather than geometric complexity.
3Productivity
If geometric parameters are varied to direct coolant flow, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cold plate into discrete lattice cells with controllable geometric parameters. Each cell can be independently defined with specific dimensions and wall thicknesses, allowing systematic variation of flow resistance across the structure. This segmented approach enables precise control of coolant flow paths while maintaining manufacturability through additive manufacturing or modular assembly of standardized cell units.
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 optimized design achieves improved heat transfer efficiency and uniform temperature distribution across heat-generating devices, enhancing the cooling performance and reliability of electronic components.
Implementation Method 1
the non-uniform lattice structure is configured to spatially vary the flow resistance of the coolant flow channels, thereby directing coolant
Implementation Method 2
cold plates may be used to transfer heat to a liquid coolant pumped through the cold plate, the cold plate being arranged in thermal contact with the device
Implementation Method 3
heat may be removed by convection to ambient air by flowing air over a finned heatsink
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A cold plate (101) for transferring heat from a device to a liquid coolant is shown. The cold plate comprises a plurality of coolant flow channels extending from a common inlet (106) to a common outlet (107). The plurality of coolant flow channels is defined by a triply periodic minimal surface comprising a plurality of cells. Each one of the plurality of cells has an associated set of geometric parameters that are dependent upon the disposition of the cell in relation to the common inlet and the common outlet to produce a non-uniform lattice structure.