Immersion Cooling Fluid With Low Conductivity and Freeze Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional heat transfer fluids used in electrical systems, such as those in electric vehicles and computer electronics, often exhibit high electrical conductivity, leading to corrosion and short-circuiting issues, and are prone to freezing, which can result in runaway thermal conditions and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer fluid comprising a mixture of hydrocarbon oil and oxygenate, with a low electrical conductivity and low freeze point, is used to immerse electrical componentry, providing effective heat transfer while minimizing the risk of electrical hazards and thermal instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional aqueous heat transfer fluids are used, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but electrical conductivity increases leading to short circuiting and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the heat transfer fluid from aqueous-based to hydrocarbon-based, thereby fundamentally altering its electrical conductivity properties. This parameter change allows the system to maintain effective heat transfer while eliminating the harmful electrical conductivity that causes short circuiting and corrosion in traditional aqueous systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite heat transfer fluid formulation consisting of hydrocarbon base stock combined with specific additives including corrosion inhibitors and extreme pressure agents. This composite approach enables the fluid to simultaneously achieve low electrical conductivity, effective heat transfer, and enhanced protection against corrosion and electrical hazards.
2Temperature
If traditional heat transfer fluids are used, then cooling capability is improved, but freeze point resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the heat transfer fluid from water-glycol based to hydrocarbon based, which fundamentally alters the freeze point characteristics. This parameter change enables the system to maintain reliable operation at low temperatures by eliminating the freezing issue inherent in aqueous-based fluids while preserving cooling capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrocarbon-oxygenate mixture is used, then electrical conductivity is reduced, but heat transfer efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite formulation combining hydrocarbon base stock with specific oxygenate additives and performance-enhancing additives. This composite approach allows the system to achieve low electrical conductivity from the hydrocarbon base while maintaining heat transfer efficiency through the synergistic effects of the oxygenate and additive components, thereby resolving the trade-off between electrical safety and thermal performance.
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 hydrocarbon-oxygenate mixture effectively absorbs and dissipates heat, reducing the risk of electrical hazards and thermal runaway, enabling safer and more efficient cooling of electrical systems, including rapid battery charging and improved computing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer fluid with low electrical conductivity, low flammability, and low freeze point that provides excellent peak temperature reduction
Implementation Method 2
The heat transfer system generally comprises a heat transfer fluid that facilitates absorbing and dissipating the heat from the power source
Implementation Method 3
Traditional heat transfer fluids can also exhibit extremely high conductivities, often in the range of 3000 micro-siemens per centimeter (μS/cm) or more. This high conductivity produces adverse effects on the heat transfer system by promoting corrosion of metal parts, and also in the case of power sources where the heat transfer system is exposed to an electrical current
Implementation Method 4
Traditional aqueous heat transfer fluids, which generally consist of water and a glycol, are prone to freezing
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology relates to a heat transfer fluid and a heat transfer system and heat transfer method employing the heat transfer fluid. In particular, the technology relates to a heat transfer fluid with low electrical conductivity, low flammability, and low freeze point that provides excellent peak temperature reduction in a heat transfer system, such as that for cooling a power system of an electric vehicle or computer electronics.