Cold Plate Streamlined Tubes for Lower Coolant Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid cooling systems for servers face inefficiencies due to pressure drops in coolant flow, which hinder effective heat removal from high-performance electronic components.
Innovation Solution
The design of a cold plate with streamlined inlet and outlet tubes that eliminate sharp bends, featuring a gradual change in cross-sectional area to minimize pressure loss and enhance coolant flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional coolant tubes with sharp bends are used in cold plate, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but pressure drops occur in coolant flow reducing cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature principle by replacing sharp bends with curved transitions in the coolant tubes. The tubes feature gradual curved sections instead of abrupt angular changes, which smooths fluid flow and reduces turbulence-induced pressure drops, thereby improving cooling efficiency while maintaining structural feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes geometric parameters of the coolant tubes by varying cross-sectional area gradually along the flow path. The tube dimensions are optimized to transition smoothly between different sections, preventing flow separation and reducing pressure losses, thus enhancing overall cooling performance.
2Loss of energy
If streamlined tubes with gradual cross-sectional change are used, then pressure loss is minimized and coolant flow efficiency is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the streamlined tube into multiple discrete segments or sections, each with specific geometric characteristics. This segmentation allows the complex curved geometry to be manufactured using standard fabrication techniques for each segment, which are then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while preserving the pressure-loss-reducing streamlined design.
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 streamlined design reduces pressure drops, optimizing coolant flow and enhancing the cooling capability of the cold plate, thereby improving the thermal performance of heat-generating components.
Implementation Method 1
pressure drops in coolant flow, which hinder effective heat removal from high-performance electronic components
Implementation Method 2
streamlined inlet and outlet tubes that eliminate sharp bends, featuring a gradual change in cross-sectional area to minimize pressure loss and enhance coolant flow efficiency
Implementation Method 3
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 4
liquid cooling is more effective in transporting heat away from a heat source to a radiator
Data Source
AI summary
A cold plate for cooling a heat-generating component in a computer system is disclosed. The cold plate includes a base member having an exterior surface for contact with the heat-generating component. The cold plate has a supply chamber defined by a supply end, and an opposite collection chamber defined by a collection end. A supply tube includes an inlet having a cross section area that is smaller than the cross section area of an outlet. The outlet is in communication with the supply chamber. A collection tube includes an inlet having a cross section area that is larger than the cross section area of an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the collection chamber.