Floating Liquid-Cooled Cold Plate for Pluggable Module Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a cooling system for multiple pluggable modules within component cages in equipment chassis that balances space savings with maximum surface contact between modules and liquid-cooled cold plates is challenging, especially as the speed and power consumption of these modules increase.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system using floating liquid-cooled cold plates that can move from an inclined to a parallel orientation relative to the mounting surface as modules are installed, utilizing a mounting mechanism with posts and spring mechanisms to reduce friction during installation and maximize heat extraction once fully installed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fixed cold plates are used to maximize surface contact with pluggable modules, then heat extraction efficiency is improved, but installation friction increases and module insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning from an inclined position during insertion to a parallel position during operation. This dynamic adjustment allows the cold plate to adapt to module insertion while maintaining maximum contact area for heat extraction when the module is in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plate is pre-positioned at an inclined angle to facilitate easy module insertion. As the module is inserted, the cold plate automatically transitions to a parallel position, preparing the system for optimal thermal contact before the module becomes operational.
2Loss of energy
If cold plates are positioned parallel to mounting surface for maximum contact, then heat extraction is maximized, but system profile increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate transitions from an inclined position (reducing profile) to a parallel position (maximizing heat extraction) based on operational needs. This dynamic repositioning allows the system to minimize profile when modules are not installed while achieving maximum thermal contact when modules are in place.
3Productivity
If multiple component cages are placed within equipment chassis to increase capacity, then productivity is improved, but heat removal challenge increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cold plate units, each capable of moving and adjusting independently to contact its respective pluggable module. This segmentation allows each cold plate to optimize its thermal contact locally while contributing to the overall cooling capacity of multiple component cages.
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
This approach minimizes the system's profile while enhancing heat extraction efficiency, reducing friction during module installation, and allowing for effective cooling of high-power pluggable modules in a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a mounting mechanism with posts and spring mechanisms to reduce friction during installation
Implementation Method 2
liquid-cooled cold plates that can move from an inclined to a parallel orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a component cage to house a heat-generating component, a cold plate assembly, and a mounting mechanism. The cold plate assembly may include a cold plate having a mating surface and a non-mating surface, the mating surface to contact a thermal transfer device of a heat-generating component installed in the component cage. The mounting mechanism movably mounts the cold plate to the component cage with the non-mating surface facing a surface of the component cage located in a first plane. The mounting mechanism allows the cold plate to move from a first orientation to a second orientation as the heat-generating component is being installed in the component cage. In the first orientation, the mating surface is inclined relative to the first plane. In the second orientation, the mating surface is parallel to the first plane when the heat-generating component is installed in the component cage.