Convection Enhancing Heat Element for Passive Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional natural convection cooling systems in information handling systems are insufficient due to their limited ability to move air, which does not provide sufficient cooling for many applications, leading to the need for improved cooling solutions that reduce the reliance on power-consuming cooling fans.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced convective cooling system that includes a chassis with airflow inlets and outlets, a cooled device, and a convection enhancing heat element strategically positioned above the device to increase airflow through the chassis by activating a heat element that produces heat, enhancing natural convection airflow and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If natural convection cooling is used, then power consumption is reduced, but cooling effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameter of the system by introducing a heat element that actively generates heat to increase the temperature differential. This enhances the natural convection current strength without requiring mechanical fans, thus maintaining low power consumption while improving cooling effectiveness through parameter modification rather than system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The heat element acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the cooled device and the ambient air. By strategically positioning the heat element to create additional thermal buoyancy, it enhances the convective airflow pathway without direct mechanical intervention, resolving the contradiction between passive cooling and adequate heat dissipation
2Reliability
If cooling fans are used, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but power consumption and reliability issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fan-based forced convection system with a thermally-driven natural convection system enhanced by a heat element. This substitution eliminates moving parts and mechanical energy consumption while achieving comparable or superior cooling effectiveness through thermal field manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system becomes self-service by utilizing the heat element to automatically generate the buoyancy forces needed for airflow. The system self-regulates the convection current based on the thermal differential created, eliminating the need for externally-powered fans while maintaining reliable cooling performance
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 solution increases airflow velocity and heat transfer, allowing for effective cooling of high-power devices without the need for fans, reducing power consumption, noise, and maintenance, while maintaining a compact form factor suitable for various information handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
the density of a cooling fluid (e.g., air) may be decreased through an increase in temperature that is a result of heat transferred from a heat producing component of an information handling system to that fluid. That increased temperature, lower density fluid (i.e., heated, lower density air) will then rise against gravity due to buoyancy forces
Implementation Method 2
In natural convection or free convection cooling system, the density of a cooling fluid (e.g., air) may be decreased through an increase in temperature that is a result of heat transferred from a heat producing component of an information handling system to that fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An airflow control system includes a chassis defining a chassis housing that includes at least one airflow inlet and an airflow outlet. A cooled device is located in the chassis housing between the at least one airflow inlet and the airflow outlet. A convection enhancing heat element is located in the chassis housing between the cooled device and the airflow outlet. A controller is coupled to the convection enhancing heat element and configured to activate the convection enhancing heat element such that a convective airflow through the chassis housing is increased.