Door-Mounted Heat Exchanger for Liquid-Cooled Enclosure Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
High power electronics devices with liquid-cooled components generate heat dissipation in non-cooled parts, warming the enclosure air and posing risks to components, especially in environments requiring high protection from dust and dirt, where traditional air cooling methods may be inadequate.
Innovation Solution
An air-to-liquid heat exchanger is attached to the enclosure door, allowing closed air circulation through the heat exchanger, which includes a cooler with internal liquid circulation connected to the main liquid circulation, enabling effective cooling without compromising the enclosure's protection class.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional air cooling methods are used to cool the enclosure air, then the air cooling effectiveness is improved, but the enclosure protection class against dust and dirt is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
An air-to-liquid heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary device mounted on the enclosure door. The heat exchanger allows thermal energy to be transferred from the enclosure air to the liquid cooling circuit without requiring direct openings in the enclosure, thus maintaining the protection class while achieving effective air cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes a liquid cooling circuit as a hydraulic system to remove heat from the enclosure air. The liquid circulates through channels in the heat exchanger, absorbing heat from the air side and transporting it away, enabling effective cooling without compromising the enclosure's sealed structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the enclosure door is made airtight to maintain protection class, then the protection against dust and dirt is improved, but the air circulation for cooling is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger acts as a mediator that enables thermal exchange between the enclosed air and the external cooling system without requiring the door to be non-airtight. Air channels are integrated into the door structure, allowing controlled air flow through the heat exchanger while maintaining the door's sealed configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure door is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the protection class by being airtight, provides structural support, and incorporates integrated air channels that enable thermal exchange. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between sealing and 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 solution effectively cools the inside air of the enclosure by circulating warm air through the heat exchanger, reducing the risk of overheating to components and maintaining the enclosure's protection class, even in dirty environments.
Implementation Method 1
an air to liquid heat exchanger which is attached to the door of an enclosure
Implementation Method 2
the cooling air circulation works by gravity, i.e. such that the warm air enters the air channel through the aperture(s) on top, cools in the air channel thus becoming heavier and sinking down out of the channel through the aperture(s) on bottom
Implementation Method 3
the heat exchanger comprises a cooler with internal liquid circulation, assembled inside the air channel
Implementation Method 4
a cooler with internal liquid circulation, assembled inside the air channel and connected to the main liquid circulation of the enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for cooling the inside air of an enclosure of a liquid cooled power electronic device, the arrangement comprising an air to liquid heat exchanger attached to the door of an enclosure, and means for circulating the inside air of the enclosure through an air channel of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a cooler with internal liquid circulation, assembled inside the air channel and connected to the main liquid circulation of the enclosure, for example by flexible connection pipes, which allow the enclosure door to be opened without disturbing the liquid circulation.