Heat Sink Membrane Oscillation for Stagnant Air Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic components, such as integrated circuits and solid state storage modules, generate heat that needs to be efficiently removed to prevent damage, but conventional convection methods can lead to stagnant air zones resulting in poor heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of air jets directed perpendicular to the surface of thermally conductive materials, generated by nozzles in the top and bottom covers of solid state storage modules, disrupts laminar airflow profiles, creating turbulence and enhancing convective heat transfer by ensuring continuous airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional convection methods are used for heat removal, then the system structure remains simple, but stagnant air zones form resulting in poor heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by oscillating the membrane at specific frequencies (e.g., 50-200 Hz) to generate air jets that disrupt stagnant thermal boundary layers. This vibration-based approach actively mixes the air near heated surfaces, enhancing convective heat transfer without requiring complex mechanical airflow control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by generating air jets through pressure differential across the oscillating membrane. The membrane oscillation creates periodic pressure changes that eject air through nozzles, forming coherent jets that penetrate stagnant zones and improve heat transfer. This pneumatic mechanism achieves effective heat removal while maintaining relatively simple device structure
2Temperature
If airflow velocity is increased to improve heat transfer, then convective heat transfer improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by oscillating the membrane at specific frequencies to generate pulsed air jets rather than continuous high-velocity flow. This periodic ejection of air creates intermittent turbulence that effectively disrupts thermal boundary layers and enhances heat transfer, while the lower average airflow velocity significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous high-speed airflow
Solution Approach 2:
By using mechanical vibration of the membrane to generate air jets, the system achieves effective heat transfer enhancement with lower energy input. The vibration frequency and amplitude can be optimized to maximize heat transfer while minimizing the energy required to drive the membrane oscillator, providing an energy-efficient alternative to high-velocity continuous airflow
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 effectively disrupts stagnant air zones, improving convective heat transfer and preventing overheating of electronic components, thereby ensuring efficient heat removal without the need for increased airflow.
Implementation Method 1
the thermally conductive materials include one or more surfaces suitable for the emission of the thermal energy into a surrounding medium, e.g., via convection
Implementation Method 2
Convection may be a mechanism to transport the heat away from the electronic components
Implementation Method 3
Fluid dynamics may govern the behavior of the medium moving over the surface of the thermally conductive material, e.g. the velocity of the medium in the vicinity of the surface, and whether the movement of the flow of the medium along the surface is laminar or turbulent
Data Source
AI summary
A system for thermal management of a heat sink via active surfaces. The heat sink includes a cavity within the heat sink, and a nozzle. The nozzle provides a pathway from the cavity to a surface of the heat sink. The heat sink also includes a membrane attached to the cavity and an actuator of the membrane, causing the membrane to oscillate. The oscillation of the membrane causes inflow and outflow of a medium through the nozzle.