Cooler Protrusion Row Spacing for Uniform Downstream Heat Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coolers for semiconductor devices experience uneven cooling performance due to the temperature rise of refrigerant downstream, leading to higher temperatures on the cooled body downstream, which affects the efficiency of heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A cooler design with staggered protrusion rows and optional baffles that adjust the distance between rows to maintain uniform refrigerant flow velocity, reducing uneven cooling by increasing flow velocity near the outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If protrusions are evenly distributed throughout the region to increase refrigerant flow velocity, then the flow remains uniform, but the cooling performance becomes uneven due to temperature rise on the downstream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the spacing between protrusion rows along the refrigerant flow direction. The spacing is larger in the upstream region and smaller in the downstream region, creating non-uniform local characteristics that compensate for the temperature rise of the refrigerant. This ensures that the cooling effect is distributed more uniformly across the entire heat dissipation surface, addressing the contradiction between maintaining uniform flow velocity and achieving uniform cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the arrangement of protrusion rows by deliberately making the distances between adjacent rows unequal. Specifically, the distance between rows decreases in the downstream direction, creating an asymmetric pattern that counteracts the natural temperature gradient of the refrigerant flow. This asymmetric arrangement allows the cooler to achieve more uniform temperature distribution on the heat dissipation surface.
2Temperature
If the distance between protrusion rows is reduced downstream to increase flow velocity, then cooling performance improves downstream, but the overall flow distribution becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the spacing between protrusion rows position-dependent. In the upstream region where refrigerant temperature is lower, larger spacing is provided. In the downstream region where temperature is higher, smaller spacing is provided. This local variation in spacing creates appropriate flow velocity distribution at each location, achieving overall uniform cooling performance while maintaining reasonable flow velocity distribution throughout the system.
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 staggered protrusion rows and optional baffles enhance cooling performance by maintaining uniform refrigerant flow, reducing thermal resistance and temperature variations across the cooled body, thereby improving overall cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A flowing refrigerant absorbs heat from a body being cooled by the refrigerant. Consequently, the temperature of the refrigerant is higher near the outlet than at the inlet.
Implementation Method 2
protrusions designed to increase a flow velocity of the refrigerant
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler includes: an inlet for a refrigerant; an outlet for the refrigerant; a first member with a first surface that absorbs heat from a cooled body and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a second member with a third surface facing the second surface; and columnar protrusions extending from the third surface toward the second surface. The protrusions are grouped into two or more protrusion rows that are arranged at intervals along a first direction of flow of the refrigerant. A distance between a first protrusion row closest to the inlet and a second protrusion row next closest to the inlet after the first protrusion row is greater than a distance between a third protrusion row closest to the outlet and a fourth protrusion row next closest to the outlet after the third protrusion row.