Cold Plate Plenum Layout for Uniform Coolant Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cold plates often have plenums that are not sufficiently large to establish uniform pressure conditions, leading to non-uniform coolant flow through the active volume, which affects heat transfer efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a blocker and deflector configuration within the cold plate to redirect and distribute coolant flow more uniformly across the active volume, using computational fluid dynamics to optimize the placement and shape of these features to achieve flow homogeneity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the plenum size is increased to establish uniform pressure conditions, then flow uniformity through the active area is improved, but the cold plate cannot be made compact enough for typical component spacing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow uniformityVSAvoidplenum size

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the plenum into multiple discrete outlets instead of using a single large plenum space. By segmenting the flow distribution into multiple smaller outlet openings arranged in a pattern, the design achieves uniform flow distribution without requiring a large plenum volume. Each outlet acts as a separate flow source, collectively providing isobaric conditions across the active area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates different outlet opening sizes at different locations within the plenum. Larger outlets are positioned closer to the inlet where pressure is higher, while smaller outlets are positioned farther away where pressure is lower. This local variation in outlet quality compensates for pressure gradients and achieves uniform flow distribution across the active area without increasing overall plenum size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If the plenum is made compact to fit component spacing, then the cold plate is more suitable for typical applications, but uniform pressure conditions cannot be established

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplenum sizeVSAvoidflow uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the flow distribution into multiple smaller outlet openings arranged in a pattern, the design achieves uniform flow distribution without requiring a large plenum volume. Each outlet acts as a separate flow source, collectively providing isobaric conditions across the active area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of outlet opening size based on location. Larger outlets are positioned closer to the inlet where pressure is higher, while smaller outlets are positioned farther away where pressure is lower. This parameter variation compensates for pressure gradients and achieves uniform flow distribution in a compact plenum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If non-uniform flow occurs through the active volume, then the cold plate is simpler to manufacture, but heat transfer efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecold plate simplicityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration enhances flow profile and heat transfer within the active volume by ensuring more uniform coolant distribution, improving flow homogeneity and heat transfer efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a blocker that partially separates the inlet plenum from the active volume. The blocker blocks the full or a portion of the full height of the plenum opening adjacent the inlet opening and blocks a diminishing portion of the height of the plenum opening proceeding away from the inlet opening along the plenum opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow redirection through blocking:

Implementation Method 2

a deflector that protrudes from an outer wall of the inlet plenum toward the active volume. The deflector near the bottom plate protrudes further toward the active volume than does the deflector near the top plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow deflection:

Implementation Method 3

A cold plate can be a solid block of metal, often with fins for enhanced air cooling; or it can be a hollow structure through which a coolant (e.g., water) flows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

a hollow structure through which a coolant (e.g., water) flows from an inlet to an outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20240298423A1Cold plate with uniform plenum flow

Publication Date: 2024.09.05 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A cold plate apparatus includes walls that surround an active volume adjacent to an inlet plenum; the walls include an inlet opening at one end of a top side of the inlet plenum and a plenum opening between the inlet plenum and the active volume. Also included is a blocker that partially separates the inlet plenum from the active volume. The blocker is structurally configured to preferentially redirect flow from the inlet plenum into the active volume.