Localized Immersion Cooling for Heat-Generation Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional immersion cooling systems are inefficient and costly due to the large percentage of boiler tank volume required for cooling fluid that does not effectively remove heat from high heat-generation components, and they struggle with cooling components with complex topographies or close proximity, which limits their ability to maintain components within a safe operating temperature range.

Innovation Solution

A localized liquid immersion cooling system where a boiler tank with a condenser is applied directly to heat-generating components on a substrate, allowing the cooling fluid to transition between liquid and vapor phases to efficiently remove heat, with the condenser cooling the vapor back into a liquid phase and reintroducing it into the immersion bath, thus reducing the need for extensive cooling fluid volumes and accommodating components with varying geometries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a large volume of cooling fluid is used in conventional immersion cooling systems, then the heat sink capacity is improved, but the cost of obtaining, containing, and maintaining the cooling fluid increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat sink capacityVSAvoidcooling fluid volume
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing localized immersion cooling tanks positioned directly over specific high heat-generation components rather than using a large volume of cooling fluid throughout the entire system. This allows concentrated cooling capacity where needed while reducing overall cooling fluid requirements and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system is segmented into multiple localized immersion cooling tanks, each targeting specific heat-generating components. This segmentation divides the cooling function into discrete units, reducing the total cooling fluid volume needed while maintaining effective heat removal capacity at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If conventional immersion cooling systems are used, then cooling capacity is provided, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into modular localized cooling tanks that can be independently implemented for different components. This segmentation reduces overall infrastructure complexity by allowing incremental deployment and simplifying maintenance, as each tank operates semi-independently with its own cooling fluid cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Temperature

If conventional immersion cooling is used, then cooling is provided, but the system cannot effectively cool components with complex topographies or close proximity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent temperature controlVSAvoidadaptation to component geometries
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Localized cooling tanks are positioned directly over specific components with complex topographies or close proximity, providing tailored cooling solutions for each component's unique geometry. The tanks can be customized in size and shape to match the specific component requirements, improving adaptability while maintaining effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides targeted and efficient cooling of high heat-generation components, reducing costs and infrastructure complexity by allowing for flexible adaptation to heat loads and component geometries, while maintaining components within a safe operating temperature range without the need for extensive immersion cooling systems.

Implementation Method 1

a first cooling fluid in a first liquid phase surrounds a heat-generating component... the first cooling fluid receives heat from the heat-generating component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the first cooling fluid transitions from the liquid phase to a vapor phase... the vapor phase of the first cooling fluid surrounds the heat-generating component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change (evaporation): Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

A condenser is positioned at the top of the cooling fluid above the liquid cooling fluid and in a vapor of the cooling fluid. The condenser cools part of the vapor of the cooling fluid back into a liquid phase, removing thermal energy from the system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

The liquid phase more efficiently receives heat from the components and, upon transition to the vapor phase, the cooling fluid can be cooled and condensed to extract the heat from the cooling fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4173454B1Systems and methods of improving thermal management of heat-generation components
Publication Date: 2025.03.19 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP4173454B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4173454B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4173454B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A computer system with thermal management includes a boiler tank and a first computer component on a substrate in the boiler tank. A cooling fluid is positioned in the boiler tank and covering the first computer component. The boiler tank has a length, width, and height where the length and width of the boiler tank define a tank area that is no more than 50% larger than the substrate area.