Jet Impingement Cooling Structure for Power Module Hot Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling apparatuses for power modules in electronic devices, such as those in electric vehicle inverters, face limitations in cooling efficiency due to the parallel flow of cooling fluids, which restricts flow rate and creates severe temperature differences between the inlet and outlet, leading to reduced cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A jet impingement cooling apparatus is designed with a target having recesses and a jet member with orifices aligned to eject cooling fluid directly onto the recesses, forming hemispherical impingement regions that enhance heat transfer efficiency by creating wall jets and vortices, thereby improving cooling performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling fluid flows through cooling channels parallel to the power module, then the power module can be cooled, but the flow rate of cooling fluid is limited and severe temperature difference occurs between inlet and outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cooling channel into multiple parallel channels, allowing cooling fluid to flow through multiple paths simultaneously. This segmentation increases the overall flow rate while maintaining effective cooling contact with the power module surface, resolving the contradiction between limited flow rate and cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces vertical cooling channels that extend downward from the cooling plate into the power module, transitioning from purely horizontal cooling to a three-dimensional cooling structure. This dimensional change allows cooling fluid to access deeper heat-generating regions, improving cooling efficiency without being constrained by surface-level flow rate limitations.
2Temperature
If cooling fins are added to cooling channels, then cooling of power module may be improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a sintered metal plate as the cooling plate, which inherently possesses a porous structure with numerous micro-channels. This porous structure provides extensive cooling surface area and improved heat dissipation without requiring additional cooling fins, thereby maintaining cooling efficiency while avoiding increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses sintered metal composite material for the cooling plate, combining structural integrity with inherent porous cooling characteristics. This composite approach integrates cooling functionality directly into the structural component, eliminating the need for separate cooling fins and reducing overall device complexity.
3Temperature
If microchannels are used for cooling, then cooling efficiency may be improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sintered metal plate's porous structure is formed through a self-organizing sintering process where particles naturally bond to create interconnected voids. This self-service mechanism inherently generates the desired micro-channel structure without requiring precise external manufacturing control, achieving efficient cooling while avoiding stringent manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach from precision-machined microchannels to sintered porous structures by altering the material processing parameters. The sintering temperature, pressure, and particle size parameters are controlled to naturally produce optimal pore distributions, achieving effective cooling channels without the need for high-precision machining.
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 jet impingement cooling apparatus significantly enhances the cooling efficiency of power modules by minimizing temperature differences and increasing the continuous power output time of electric vehicles, improving power density and driving range while preventing cracks and delamination.
Implementation Method 1
A jet impingement cooling apparatus may include a target having a flat surface and a plurality of recesses recessed from the flat surface, and a jet member having a plurality of orifices aligned with the plurality of recesses, respectively. A cooling fluid may be ejected from each orifice to the plurality of recesses.
Implementation Method 2
Each recess may have a hemispherical shape... A cooling fluid may be ejected from each orifice to the plurality of recesses... The apparatus improves cooling efficiency by minimizing fluid resistance and temperature differences
Data Source
AI summary
A jet impingement cooling apparatus includes a target having a flat surface and a plurality of recesses recessed from the flat surface, and a jet member having a plurality of orifices aligned with the plurality of recesses, respectively, wherein a cooling fluid is ejected from each orifice to the plurality of recesses.