Flexible Cold Plate Radiating Protrusions for Uniform Fluid Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for high-bandwidth communication devices in data centers, such as servers, are inefficient in heat removal due to non-uniform fluid flow and thermal contact issues, leading to accelerated aging and premature failure of components.
Innovation Solution
A cold plate design with a fluid intake region, a fluid outtake region, and a fin region, featuring protrusions that radiate outward to create evenly spaced flow paths and a flexible thermal conductive base for uniform fluid distribution and enhanced thermal contact with electronic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional cooling systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but heat removal efficiency is insufficient due to non-uniform fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system divides the fluid flow into multiple discrete flow paths using protrusions that extend into the flow channel. This segmentation creates numerous smaller channels that distribute coolant more uniformly across the heat-generating component surface, preventing localized hot spots and improving overall heat removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are strategically positioned to create regions of enhanced cooling where heat generation is highest. By locally modifying the flow channel geometry with these protrusions, the system optimizes coolant distribution to match the thermal profile of the component, ensuring uniform heat removal across different regions.
2Reliability
If rigid cold plate structure is used, then structural stability is maintained, but thermal contact with electronic components is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate incorporates a flexible base portion that can dynamically adapt its shape to conform to the surface of the electronic component being cooled. This flexibility allows the cold plate to maintain optimal thermal contact even when the component surface is not perfectly flat, while the overall structural integrity is preserved through the rigid portions of the cold plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible base portion acts as a compliant interface between the rigid cooling structure and the electronic component. This thin, flexible element can deform to match surface irregularities, ensuring continuous thermal contact across the entire interface area, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency without compromising the structural stability of the main cold plate body.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple flow channel design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but fluid distribution uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are integrated into the cold plate manufacturing process itself, rather than being added as separate components. By forming these flow-distributing protrusions directly during cold plate fabrication (such as through injection molding or extrusion), the design achieves complex fluid distribution patterns without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity or cost.
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 design improves heat removal efficiency by ensuring uniform fluid flow and enhanced thermal contact, reducing the risk of component failure and extending the lifespan of high-heat generating devices.
Implementation Method 1
protrusions that radiate outward to create evenly spaced flow paths
Implementation Method 2
flexible thermal conductive base for uniform fluid distribution and enhanced thermal contact with electronic components
Implementation Method 3
fin region positioned between the fluid intake region and the fluid outtake region
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cold plate base is provided. The cold plate includes a fluid intake region located at a distal end of the cold plate, and a fluid outtake region located at a proximal end of the cold plate that is opposite the distal end. The cold plate also includes a fin region positioned between the fluid intake region and the fluid outtake region. The fin region extends from a base surface of the cold plate base. The cold plate also includes a plurality of protrusions at the fluid intake region. Each of the plurality of protrusions radiates from the fluid intake region to create flow paths across the fin region.