Fin Structure Layout for Turbulent Cooling Without Particle Blockage

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid-cooled cooling systems with fins in computer systems face inefficiencies in heat exchange due to reduced coolant velocity and turbulence, and are susceptible to blockages from particles, which compromises heat transfer efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A heat dissipation device with a fin structure featuring a main body and minor structures that protrude from the main body, creating a turbulent flow without overlapping with adjacent main bodies, allowing for increased heat exchange efficiency while preventing particle blockages by maintaining a sufficient gap size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If internal fins are added to increase heat exchange efficiency, then heat transfer improves, but the device becomes susceptible to blockage from particles in the coolant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidblockage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different gap sizes in different locations of the fin structure. The second gaps (between adjacent fins) are made larger than the first gaps (within fin groups), providing localized resistance to particle blockage in the most critical areas while maintaining tight spacing elsewhere to maximize heat transfer surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetry by deliberately creating unequal gap sizes within the fin structure. The first gaps are smaller and the second gaps are larger, breaking the symmetric pattern of uniform spacing. This asymmetric design allows the structure to simultaneously achieve high surface area density and particle resistance by placing different gap sizes in strategically different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If fewer fins are used to prevent blockage, then particle flow is improved, but total surface area decreases reducing heat transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockage resistanceVSAvoidheat exchange efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fin structure into multiple groups with different gap characteristics. By dividing the fins into first fins forming first gaps and second fins forming second gaps, the structure achieves segmentation that allows different regions to serve different functions: some areas optimized for heat transfer with tighter spacing, other areas optimized for particle resistance with larger spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating different gap sizes in different locations of the fin structure. The second gaps (between adjacent fins) are made larger than the first gaps (within fin groups), providing localized resistance to particle blockage in the most critical areas while maintaining tight spacing elsewhere to maximize heat transfer surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If fins are arranged side by side to form flow channels, then manufacturing is simplified, but coolant velocity decreases and turbulence is reduced lowering heat transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefin arrangement simplicityVSAvoidheat exchange efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fin structure into multiple groups with different gap characteristics. By dividing the fins into first fins forming first gaps and second fins forming second gaps, the structure achieves segmentation that allows different regions to serve different functions: some areas optimized for heat transfer with tighter spacing, other areas optimized for particle resistance with larger spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration enhances heat exchange efficiency by promoting turbulent fluid flow and prevents blockages, maintaining a high surface area for heat transfer without compromising fluid flow, thus improving the overall cooling performance.

Implementation Method 1

the minor structure causes the fluid to become a turbulent flow so as to increase the heat exchange efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

the water block is in thermal contact with the heat source to absorb the heat, and then the heat will be dissipated by the water radiator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12163745B2Heat dissipation device and fin structure

Publication Date: 2024.12.10 COOLER MASTER CO LTD

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a fin structure including a main body and at least one minor structure. The main body includes a main plate and two side plates. The main plate has at least one through hole. The two side plates are respectively connected to two opposite sides of the main plate and protrude from the main plate. The at least one minor structure protrudes from the main plate and is located at a side of the main plate. The at least one minor structure is spaced apart from the two side plates. The at least one minor structure partially covers the at least one through hole. The at least one minor structure has a length, in a longitudinal direction of the main plate, less than a length of the at least one through hole of the main plate.