Cooling Box Unit Protective Layer for Power Electronics

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reliability of cooling systems for electrical components is reduced due to clogging of cooling channels caused by the release of metal ions from metallic heat sinks, which form deposits and impede coolant circulation, leading to reduced cooling effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A protective layer is applied to the cooling channel surface to prevent the release of reactive metal ions, ensuring that the heat sink material, such as aluminum, remains isolated from the coolant, thereby reducing clogging risks and enhancing thermal contact with the electrical component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a metallic heat sink is used for good heat conduction, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but metal ions are released into the coolant causing clogging and reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidcooling system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A protective layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metallic heat sink and the coolant. This layer prevents direct contact between metal ions and coolant, eliminating clogging while maintaining thermal conductivity. The protective layer acts as a mediator that allows heat transfer to continue effectively without the harmful chemical interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat sink is transformed from a pure metallic structure to a composite structure with a protective coating layer. This composite material combines the high thermal conductivity of metal with the corrosion-resistant and ion-release-preventing properties of the protective layer, achieving both good heat dissipation and system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If the cooling channel is deepened to improve cooling contact, then thermal contact is improved, but the channel becomes more prone to clogging from metal ion deposits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal contact efficiencyVSAvoidclogging risk
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective layer serves as a mediator within the deep cooling channel, preventing metal ions from detaching and forming deposits on the channel walls. This allows the channel to maintain its deep geometry for optimal thermal contact without suffering from clogging, as the protective layer blocks the harmful ion release process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If aluminum heat sink material is used for cost advantage, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but aluminum ions are released into the coolant causing deposits and channel narrowing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcooling channel畅通性
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A protective layer is applied to the aluminum heat sink surface as an intermediary that prevents aluminum ions from leaching into the coolant. This maintains the cost advantage of using aluminum while eliminating the reliability issue of ion release and channel clogging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The aluminum heat sink is enhanced with a protective coating to create a composite structure that retains the low cost and good thermal conductivity of aluminum while adding the corrosion-resistant properties needed to prevent ion release and maintain channel畅通性.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 protective layer effectively prevents metal ion release, reducing channel clogging, improving coolant circulation, and enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the cooling process, while also offering cost advantages and reduced downtime.

Implementation Method 1

the cooling body has a protective layer on the cooling channel side, which prevents metal ions from being released into the coolant flowing through the cooling channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier protection:

Implementation Method 2

the heat sink at least partially forming the at least one cooling channel... the heatsink is made of a metal for good heat conduction... The heat sink can be made of a material that conducts heat very well, such as aluminum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The coolant transports heat between the disc thyristors or disc diodes and a coolant reservoir or the external environment... the at least one cooling channel for conducting a coolant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3459110B1Cooling box unit and power electronics device having a cooling box unit
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3459110B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3459110B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3459110B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooling box unit (1) for removing heat from an electrical component (7, 8), having a metallic cooling body (3, 4) for producing a thermally conductive connection to the electrical component (7, 8), and having at least one cooling duct (12) for conducting a coolant, wherein the cooling body at least partially forms the at least one cooling duct. The invention is characterized in that the cooling body is provided, at the cooling duct side, with a protective layer (13) which prevents a release of metal ions into the coolant flowing through the cooling duct. The invention also relates to a power electronics device (20) having the cooling box unit.