Heat Pipe Cooling for Pluggable Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for pluggable modules, such as SFP transceivers, rely on fans for thermal management, which limits system reliability and durability due to the active nature of fans and their ability to manage heat within the operating temperature limits.

Innovation Solution

A cooling apparatus utilizing a heat pipe with a hot interface attached to the pluggable module and a cold interface, coupled with a mobility-enabled attachment mechanism, allowing for efficient thermal coupling and heat transfer without the need for fans, using the principles of thermal conductivity and phase transition to manage heat transfer between the interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If fans are used for cooling pluggable modules, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to active moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation capabilityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical fan-based cooling system with a heat pipe-based passive thermal management system. The heat pipe utilizes phase change (evaporation and condensation) and thermal conduction to transfer heat from the pluggable module to the heat sink, eliminating moving parts and improving reliability while maintaining effective heat dissipation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat pipe employs phase transition of the working fluid (evaporation at the hot end and condensation at the cold end) to achieve efficient heat transfer. This phase change mechanism provides high heat dissipation capability without requiring active mechanical components, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature control and system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Temperature

If heat pipe is rigidly attached to pluggable module, then thermal coupling is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to insertion and removal difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal coupling efficiencyVSAvoidinsertion and removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a dynamic spring-loaded connection. The spring-loaded clips can be easily compressed to release the pluggable module for removal, and automatically apply sufficient force to maintain good thermal coupling during operation, thus improving both ease of operation and thermal coupling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system is segmented into multiple independent spring-loaded clips that can be individually actuated. This segmentation allows the heat pipe to be easily attached or detached by applying force to individual clips, improving ease of operation while each clip maintains independent thermal contact pressure for efficient heat transfer.

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

This solution effectively cools SFP transceivers without fans, enhancing the reliability and durability of the system by leveraging high heat transfer coefficients through the heat pipe's boiling and condensation processes, thereby maintaining the modules within safe operating temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a heat pipe coupled with a hot interface at one end and a cold interface at another end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat pipe: Heat Pipe

Implementation Method 2

leveraging high heat transfer coefficients through the heat pipe's boiling and condensation processes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

using the principles of thermal conductivity and phase transition to manage heat transfer between the interfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

an attachment mechanism for attaching the hot interface and the heat pipe to the pluggable module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11333838B2Cooling apparatus for pluggable modules

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 ACCEDIAN NETWORKS

AI summary

A cooling apparatus for a pluggable module comprises a pluggable module cage to house the pluggable module and a heat pipe coupled with a hot interface at one end and a cold interface at another end. The cooling apparatus further comprises an attachment mechanism for attaching the hot interface and the heat pipe to the pluggable module. The attachment mechanism permits mobility required to insert and secure the pluggable module in place inside the pluggable module cage to allow a good thermal coupling between the hot interface and the pluggable module.