Stacked Cold Plate Vanes for Propulsion Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propulsion systems, including gas turbine engines and electric propulsion components, face challenges in effectively cooling electrical components during operation, which can lead to reduced efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A cold plate assembly comprising a manifold, a comb insert, and vaned plates is used to enhance heat transfer by directing a cooling fluid through channels at angled vanes, increasing the fluid's velocity and thereby improving heat transfer between the fluid and the electrical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling plates are used without flow guiding vanes, then the cooling system structure is simple, but the heat transfer efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is segmented into multiple functional layers: a manifold layer with cooling passages, a comb insert layer with channels, and vaned plate layers with flow guiding vanes. This segmentation allows each layer to perform a specific function (fluid distribution, heat transfer, flow direction control) independently, improving overall heat transfer efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Flow guiding vanes are introduced as intermediary elements between the cooling fluid and the heat-generating electrical components. These vanes act as mediators that redirect and accelerate the fluid flow, enhancing convective heat transfer without requiring direct modification of the electrical components or complex integration of active cooling mechanisms
2Temperature
If cooling systems are enlarged to improve heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency increases, but the size and weight of the cooling system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the flow parameters (velocity, direction, distribution) of the cooling fluid through the integrated vanes and channels, rather than increasing the physical size of the cooling system. By optimizing fluid dynamics parameters, the system achieves enhanced heat transfer efficiency within a compact form factor, avoiding additional weight from enlarged cooling components
3Temperature
If flow guiding vanes are added to channels, then heat transfer increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vanes are merged with the cooling plate structure itself, forming an integrated assembly where the vaned plates are positioned within the comb insert channels. This merging eliminates the need for separate, complex mounting mechanisms and allows the vanes to be manufactured as extensions or attachments to the existing cooling plate components, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving enhanced heat transfer
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 solution achieves increased heat transfer efficiency, allowing for more effective cooling of electrical components, reducing the size and weight of cooling systems, and improving the reliability of propulsion systems.
Implementation Method 1
each first channel vane of the plurality of first channel vanes extend from a first wall of the plurality of comb walls toward a second wall of the plurality of comb walls neighboring the first wall at a first angle to direct the fluid to impinge upon the second wall with increased velocity so as to increase the heat transfer between the second wall and the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A cold plate assembly for cooling an electronic device includes a manifold, a comb insert, and a first vaned plate. The manifold is formed to define a cavity therein. The comb insert is located in the cavity includes channels defined by walls for receiving a fluid from passages in the manifold and transferring heat to the fluid. The first vaned plate includes a first panel and first channel vanes extending away from the first panel. The first vaned plate is removably coupled with the comb insert such that first channel vanes are located within the channels to guide the fluid. Each first channel vane extends from a wall toward a neighboring wall at an angle to direct the fluid to impinge upon the neighboring wall with increased velocity so as to increase the heat transfer between the neighboring wall and the fluid.