Composite Cold Plate for Heat Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold plates used for heat extraction are inefficient due to their high weight, lack of structural strength, and limited ability to effectively transfer heat in weight-sensitive applications, such as aerospace and computing equipment, where excessive heat can damage components and lead to erroneous results or equipment failure.
Innovation Solution
A cold plate made of composite materials with a face sheet and attached cooling tubes, capable of transmitting a cooling fluid, and incorporating a structural member for additional strength, allowing for enhanced heat transfer and structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cold plates made of high thermal conductivity metals (copper or aluminum) are used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but weight increases and structural strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate face sheet is constructed from composite materials that combine thermal conductivity with weight reduction and structural strength enhancement, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and weight/structural requirements
2Temperature
If conventional cold plates made of high thermal conductivity metals (copper or aluminum) are used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but structural strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate face sheet is constructed from composite materials that combine thermal conductivity with weight reduction and structural strength enhancement, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and weight/structural requirements
3Temperature
If fans are used to force air over components, then cooling capability is provided, but heat transfer efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical fan-based air forcing system with a cold plate system that uses thermal conduction and fluid circulation to achieve more efficient heat transfer, eliminating the energy losses associated with mechanical cooling
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 composite cold plate effectively transfers heat from equipment to a cooling fluid, providing efficient heat extraction while offering structural support, thus preventing damage from excessive heat and improving the reliability of heat-sensitive devices.
Implementation Method 1
transferring heat from the equipment via a composite face sheet within the cold plate, and transferring heat from the plurality of fibers to a cooling fluid flowing through the cold plate
Data Source
AI summary
A cold plate includes a face sheet comprising a composite material and having a lower surface and at least one cooling tube attached to the lower surface and being capable of transmitting a cooling fluid therethrough. A heat extraction system includes a cold plate comprising a face sheet comprising a composite material and having a lower surface and at least one cooling tube attached to the lower surface and being capable of transmitting a cooling fluid therethrough. The heat extraction system further includes a pump in fluid communication with the cold plate and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the pump and the cold plate. A method for fabricating a cold plate includes providing a face sheet comprising a composite material and attaching at least one cooling tube to a lower surface of the face sheet.