Immersion Cooling Vapor Diffusers to Prevent Dryout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid cooling systems for computing devices face inefficiencies due to vaporization of the cooling fluid, leading to dryout conditions that reduce thermal conductivity and increase component temperatures undesirably.
Innovation Solution
The system employs vapor diffusers and micro-condensers to manage vapor within the cooling fluid, maintaining a controlled vapor-to-liquid ratio by directing vapor away from heat-generating components and condensing it back into liquid phase, using angled diffusers and micro-condensers to prevent dryout and enhance thermal management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid cooling fluid is used to cool heat-generating components, then cooling efficiency is improved, but vaporization of the cooling fluid occurs leading to dryout conditions and reduced thermal conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of vaporization into a beneficial process by introducing nucleation sources that promote controlled bubble formation. The vapor bubbles that would normally cause dryout are now directed away from heat-generating components through the nucleation sources and vapor diffusers, while the phase change process itself continues to provide effective cooling through latent heat absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces nucleation sources and vapor diffusers as intermediary elements between the cooling fluid and heat-generating components. These intermediaries control the vaporization process by providing designated sites for bubble formation and directing vapor flow away from critical components, thereby mediating between the cooling fluid and the components to prevent dryout while maintaining cooling efficiency.
2Temperature
If vapor is allowed to rise out of the liquid cooling fluid, then the cooling fluid can be maintained at lower temperature, but vapor in the cooling liquid adversely affects cooling performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into distinct functional zones by positioning nucleation sources and vapor diffusers at specific locations. This segmentation creates separate regions for controlled vaporization (away from heat-generating components) and effective cooling (at component surfaces), allowing the system to maintain low temperatures while preserving cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different conditions in different regions of the cooling system. Near heat-generating components, the cooling fluid maintains high liquid density for effective heat transfer. Away from components, nucleation sources promote localized vaporization to maintain fluid temperature. This spatial variation in properties optimizes both temperature control and cooling efficiency.
3Temperature
If conventional liquid cooling systems are used, then components can be cooled effectively, but dryout conditions reduce thermal conductivity and increase component temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning nucleation sources and vapor diffusers in advance before vaporization occurs. These pre-positioned elements prepare the system to handle vapor formation proactively, creating designated pathways for bubble formation and vapor escape before dryout conditions can develop around heat-generating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The nucleation sources and vapor diffusers serve as intermediary elements that protect heat-generating components from the harmful effects of uncontrolled vaporization. These intermediaries absorb the impact of vapor formation by providing alternative sites for bubble nucleation and directing vapor flow away from components, thereby preventing thermal conductivity reduction and maintaining effective heat transfer.
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 maintains efficient thermal management by limiting vaporization, ensuring the cooling fluid remains below critical temperatures, thereby preventing component damage and enhancing cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid cooling fluid can be maintained at a lower temperature by allowing vaporized fluid to rise out of the liquid
Implementation Method 2
The liquid cooling fluid can be maintained at a lower temperature by allowing vaporized fluid to rise out of the liquid
Implementation Method 3
The vapor in the cooling liquid can adversely affect the cooling performance of the cooling fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for thermal management of a computing device includes an immersion chamber, a cooling fluid, a plurality of heat-generating components, and a means for removing vapor from a cooling volume of the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is positioned in the immersion chamber and fills at least a portion of the immersion chamber. The plurality of heat-generating components is positioned in the cooling fluid and arranged in a series. The series defines the cooling volume of the cooling fluid contacting the plurality of heat-generating components to cool the plurality of heat-generating components.