Flow Distribution Module With Patterned Cover Plate

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow distribution modules for cooling surfaces are inefficient in heat transfer, prone to clogging, and experience significant pressure drops, limiting their cooling performance.

Innovation Solution

The flow distribution module incorporates a housing with flow cells that change the direction of fluid flow, creating swirl and forcing it over a surface with a pattern of raised and depressed areas, enhancing heat transfer without reducing flow path dimensions, thus minimizing clogging and pressure drop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the flow path dimensions are reduced to increase surface area contact, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the risk of clogging increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidclogging risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by introducing a third dimension through the patterned cover plate with raised and depressed surface portions. Instead of simply reducing flow path dimensions in 2D, the invention creates a 3D surface pattern that increases contact area while maintaining adequate flow path clearance, thus improving heat transfer without increasing clogging risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies this principle by creating localized variations in the cover plate surface with specific patterns of raised and depressed portions. These local quality changes optimize the contact between the cooling surface and fluid in specific areas while maintaining overall flow path integrity, achieving enhanced heat transfer without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If the flow path dimensions are reduced to increase surface area contact, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but pressure drop increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by introducing a third dimension through the patterned cover plate with raised and depressed surface portions. Instead of simply reducing flow path dimensions in 2D, the invention creates a 3D surface pattern that increases contact area while maintaining adequate flow path clearance, thus improving heat transfer without increasing pressure drop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Temperature

If the surface area is increased through patterning, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the complexity of manufacture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by creating localized variations in the cover plate surface with specific patterns of raised and depressed portions. These local quality changes optimize the contact between the cooling surface and fluid in specific areas while maintaining overall flow path integrity, achieving enhanced heat transfer without compromising manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design improves heat transfer efficiency, maintains large flow path dimensions to prevent clogging, and ensures uniform cooling across surfaces while minimizing pressure drop, thereby enhancing the overall cooling performance.

Implementation Method 1

Each flow cell is formed to cause at least one change in the direction of flow of the fluid flowing through the flow cell. When the direction of flow of the fluid flowing through a flow cell is changed, the fluid is swirled.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwirl flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

heat is transferred from the surface to the fluid flowing in the flow distribution module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Implementation Method 3

At least a part of the surface to be cooled is provided with a surface pattern of raised and depressed surface portions. Thereby the surface area of the surface to be cooled is enlarged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface area enlargement:

Data Source

PatentEP2719985B1A flow distribution module with a patterned cover plate

Publication Date: 2015.08.26 DANFOSS SILICON POWER GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

A flow distribution module (1) for distributing a flow of fluid over a surface to be cooled is disclosed. The flow distribution module (1) comprises a housing (2) and a cover plate (3). The housing (2) defines at least one flow cell (5), the flow cell(s) (5) being positioned in such a way that a flow of fluid flowing through a flow cell (5) from an inlet opening (6) to an outlet opening (7) is conveyed over the surface to be cooled, each flow cell (5) being formed to cause at least one change in the direction of flow of the fluid flowing through the flow cell (5). The cover plate (3) is arranged adjacent to the flow cell(s) (5) and defines the surface to be cooled. At least a part of the surface to be cooled defined by the cover plate (3) is provided with a surface pattern (8) of raised and depressed surface portions.