Conduit System for Passive Cooling in Resource-Limited Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices in environments like space stations face overheating due to limited power and coolant resources, and existing cooling systems are inefficient under design constraints that restrict airflow and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A conduit system within a housing that guides airflow from inlet to outlet openings in a staggered arrangement, changing airflow direction and slowing it down to increase exposure time, providing uniform cooling without the need for fans or drivers, and utilizing heat exchangers to manage airflow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fans or cooling systems are used to cool electronic devices, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system uses the heat-generating electronic devices themselves to drive the cooling process. The devices' own heat output creates convection currents that move air through the cooling channels, eliminating the need for external power-consuming fans or cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical cooling systems (fans, pumps) with a passive thermal convection system. The natural convection currents generated by temperature differences replace the mechanical force that would otherwise be provided by fans, reducing power consumption while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Reliability
If cooling systems are used in space stations, then overheating is prevented, but available power and coolant resources are depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is self-powered by the thermal energy generated by the electronic devices themselves. The heat that would otherwise be waste product drives the convection currents, converting waste heat into useful cooling work and eliminating the need for external power and coolant resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat generated by electronic devices into a beneficial driving force for the cooling system. The heat creates natural convection currents that circulate air through the cooling channels, transforming a problem (overheating) into a solution (cooling drive).
3Loss of energy
If airflow is restricted to conserve resources, then resource consumption is reduced, but cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates localized cooling channels that are strategically positioned around heat-generating components. The cooling airflow is concentrated where it is most needed, ensuring efficient heat removal from critical areas while minimizing overall airflow requirements and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system utilizes three-dimensional convection currents that rise vertically from heated surfaces. By exploiting the vertical dimension of natural convection, the system achieves effective cooling with minimal horizontal airflow, reducing resource consumption while maintaining cooling efficiency.
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 conduit system effectively cools electronic devices by ensuring even temperature distribution across surfaces, maintaining operational parameters even in resource-limited environments like space stations, without the need for additional energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
The conduit system can be provided within the housing to guide the airflow received from each of the first and second outlet openings through an interior volume of the container
Implementation Method 2
utilizing heat exchangers to manage airflow effectively
Data Source
AI summary
Example containers are provided to retain and cool electronic devices in environments where power and/or coolant (e.g., airflow) is limited or finite. In examples, a container can include a housing and a conduit system. The housing can include a plurality of sides including a front side and a back side, and can be structured to retain at least a first computing device. In addition, the housing can provide for a first and second inlet opening and a first and second outlet opening on the back side of the container. The conduit system can be provided within the housing to guide the airflow received from each of the first and second outlet openings through an interior volume of the container to cause the airflow to exit from each of the first and second outlet openings. Further, the conduit system can include a plurality of structures that combine to guide at least a portion of the airflow received through the first and second inlet openings through a top region of the interior volume as the airflow is moved from the back side of the container to the front side of the container. Further still, the conduit system can guide at least a portion of the warmed airflow to a bottom region of the interior volume as the warmed airflow is moved from the front side to the back side of the container.