Heat transfer devices and methods of cooling heat sources
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat transfer devices face challenges in efficiently managing waste heat in electronic devices and components that experience transient heat dissipation bursts, particularly in varying environmental conditions, and require reliable thermal control systems that can handle long periods of inactivity.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer device with a storage chamber, coolant, cooling chamber, and a barrier element that transitions from a closed to an open configuration in response to temperature or pressure triggers, allowing coolant to flow and facilitate heat transfer from a heat source to the cooling chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier element restricts coolant flow during storage, then the device can be stored in various environmental conditions, but the device cannot respond quickly to transient heat dissipation bursts
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant is pre-positioned in the storage chamber and the barrier element is pre-configured to seal the fluid passage during storage. When heat dissipation is needed, the barrier element automatically opens to allow immediate coolant flow, eliminating the need for pump activation or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the pressure differential created by heating to automatically open the barrier element and drive coolant flow through the heat transfer components, eliminating the need for external power sources or control mechanisms.
2Productivity
If the device is designed for transient heat dissipation bursts, then it can handle short-term thermal loads, but it cannot maintain stable operation during long periods of inactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier element transitions between two stable states: closed during storage to maintain thermal stability, and open during operation to enable heat dissipation. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements without compromising either storage stability or heat dissipation performance.
3Productivity
If the barrier element opens to allow coolant flow, then heat transfer efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier element is integrated directly into the fluid passage wall, eliminating the need for separate valves, pumps, or control mechanisms. This integrated approach enables effective heat transfer while minimizing additional components and device complexity.
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 device effectively manages waste heat by allowing coolant to flow and absorb heat, maintaining stability over long periods and adapting to changing conditions, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and preventing premature failures.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heat transfer components positioned and configured to facilitate heat transfer from a heat source outside of the cooling chamber to the cooling chamber
Implementation Method 2
allowing the coolant to flow from the storage chamber through the fluid passage and into the cooling chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer device includes a storage chamber, a coolant housed within the storage chamber, a cooling chamber, one or more heat transfer components, a fluid passage between the storage chamber and the cooling chamber, and a barrier element. The one or more heat transfer components facilitate heat transfer from a heat source outside of the cooling chamber to the cooling chamber. The barrier element may have (i) a closed configuration, and (ii) an open configuration in which the barrier element is configured to allow the coolant in the storage chamber to flow from the storage chamber into the cooling chamber. The barrier element may reconfigure from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a trigger condition, such as the coolant housed within the storage chamber reaching a trigger temperature and/or the initial pressure of the coolant housed within the storage chamber reaching a trigger pressure.