Integral Cold Plate Structural Member Braze Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold plate assemblies for cooling electronics or avionics face inefficiencies in structural support and fluid flow management, particularly in preventing cooling fluid from entering structural cavities and ensuring effective heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A cold plate assembly with a structural member featuring a frame with cavities and reinforcing layers, secured to the cold plate using braze material, where the structural member includes tabs with holes for attachment and fluid ports that prevent cooling fluid from flowing into the cavities, allowing for efficient structural support and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling fluid flows through the structural member cavity, then heat dissipation capacity is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates due to fluid pressure and potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The structural member is divided into distinct functional zones: a cooling fluid passage region and a protected cavity region. The partition wall segments the fluid flow path, confining cooling fluid to specific channels while preventing it from entering the cavity, thus maintaining structural integrity while enabling heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall acts as an intermediary structure between the cooling fluid passage and the cavity. This partition wall allows thermal energy to be dissipated through the structural member while physically blocking the cooling fluid from entering the cavity, resolving the contradiction between heat dissipation and structural integrity.
2Temperature
If cooling fluid volume in structural member is increased, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to fluid management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling fluid passages are integrated directly into the structural member's frame, merging the cooling system with the structural support system. This eliminates the need for separate cooling channels and complex fluid management components, achieving efficient heat dissipation while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural member serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support and simultaneously acts as a heat dissipation structure with integrated cooling fluid passages. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional cooling components and simplifies the overall fluid management system.
3Ease of manufacture
If cold plate is separately assembled from structural member, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but structural strength deteriorates due to joint weaknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate and structural member are merged into a single integrated component with unified material composition. This monolithic structure eliminates weak joints and interfaces, maximizing structural strength while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through appropriate material selection and forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cold plate and structural member are constructed from composite materials that simultaneously provide the required mechanical strength for structural support and thermal conductivity for heat dissipation. This allows a single component to fulfill both structural and thermal functions without compromising either property.
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 solution provides a robust and efficient cooling system by minimizing fluid volume within the structural member, maintaining structural integrity while ensuring effective heat dissipation, with less than 1% of the structural member's volume containing cooling fluid during operation.
Implementation Method 1
the cold plate being secured to the structural member by a braze material
Implementation Method 2
Cooling fluid flows through the cold plate to provide cooling to the heat generating device
Implementation Method 3
Cooling fluid flows through the cold plate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
A cold plate assembly (10) is provided having a cold plate (12) with a generally planar member that provides a support surface (44). The support surface (44) is configured to support a heat generating device (22). A structural member provides attaching features (18) that are configured to secure the cold plate assembly to a support (20). The cold plate is secured to the structural member by a braze material. In one example, the cold plate assembly is manufactured by arranging multiple sheets with a first braze material provided between the sheets. The multiple sheets comprise a cold plate. The braze material is heated to mechanically join the multiple sheets to one another and the cold plate to the structural member.