Oscillating Heat Pipe Venting for Closed-Loop Electronics Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for electronic components like laser circuitry in LiDAR devices are inadequate in efficiently managing heat generation, leading to performance limitations.
Innovation Solution
An oscillating heat pipe system comprising a channel with condenser and evaporator regions, wick structures, and vents, which enables the flow of working fluid between these regions to effectively transfer heat through evaporation and condensation, using a serpentine configuration and wick structures to enhance heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cooling systems are used for laser circuitry, then the system structure is simple, but heat transfer efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating heat pipe utilizes phase transitions of the working fluid (liquid to vapor in evaporator, vapor to liquid in condenser) to achieve high-efficiency heat transfer. The phase change process absorbs and releases large amounts of latent heat, dramatically improving heat transfer efficiency compared to conventional conduction-based cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic oscillation of the working fluid between evaporator and condenser regions. This periodic motion creates continuous circulation that enhances heat transfer efficiency, with the fluid repeatedly undergoing evaporation and condensation cycles to maintain optimal thermal management.
2Reliability
If working fluid is lost from the system, then the system structure remains simple, but cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vent structure is designed to allow vapor-phase working fluid to be returned from the wick structure to the channel, effectively recovering what would otherwise be lost fluid. This ensures the closed-loop system maintains its working fluid inventory and continues operating reliably without external replenishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent acts as an intermediary pathway that enables vapor-phase working fluid to transition from the wick structure back to the channel. This intermediate structure facilitates fluid recovery and maintains the closed-loop nature of the system, preventing fluid loss while managing vapor pressure.
3Productivity
If wick structure is added to enhance heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wick structure utilizes porous materials to capillary-driven flow of the working fluid. The porous structure provides large surface area for evaporation and enables automatic fluid distribution through capillary forces, significantly enhancing heat transfer efficiency from the laser circuitry to the working fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick structure enables self-service heat transfer by utilizing capillary action to automatically draw working fluid to the evaporation interface without requiring external pumps or complex control systems. The porous wick material self-regulates fluid flow based on thermal demand, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high efficiency.
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 oscillating heat pipe system effectively transfers heat away from heat sources, improving the performance and reliability of electronic components by maintaining a closed loop and utilizing wick structures to enhance heat transfer efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer through evaporation and condensation
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer through evaporation and condensation
Implementation Method 3
working fluid in an, at least partial, vapour phase to be returned
Implementation Method 4
at least one wick structure in fluidic connection with the channel so as to enable working fluid to flow from the channel into the wick structure
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the disclosure relate to an oscillating heat pipe. The oscillating heat pipe includes a channel, a wick structure and a vent. The channel is configured to enable flow of working fluid between at least one condenser region and at least one evaporator region. The wick structure is in fluidic connection with the channel so as to enable working fluid to flow from the channel into the wick structure. The vent is configured to enable working fluid in an, at least partial, vapour phase to be returned from the wick structure to the channel.