MEMS Jet Microchannel Cooling for Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid cooling systems for high-power computing devices suffer from inefficiencies such as large pressure drops and inadequate cooling capabilities, particularly for future devices with increased heat generation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid cooling system with jet channels proximate to heat-generating structures, configured to minimize boundary layer development and compensate for heating, using materials and geometries that enhance heat transfer and mitigate hot spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional liquid cooling systems use long microchannels to cool high-power devices, then cooling coverage is improved, but pressure drops increase and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is divided into multiple segments with individual microchannels for each segment. This segmentation allows independent flow control and reduces the overall pressure drop by distributing the flow through multiple parallel paths rather than requiring liquid to traverse long single channels across the entire cooling plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by forming microchannels that extend through the thickness of the cooling plate segments rather than only across the surface. This three-dimensional channel configuration reduces the effective flow path length and pressure drop while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional liquid cooling systems use single long microchannels, then manufacturing is simpler, but cooling performance for future high-power devices becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling plate is segmented into multiple independent sections, each with its own microchannel. This segmentation enables better thermal management for future high-power devices by allowing localized cooling optimization while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction and independent channel formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic flow control capabilities by providing independent flow control mechanisms for each microchannel segment. This allows the system to adapt flow rates dynamically based on local heat generation patterns, optimizing cooling performance for evolving high-power device requirements.
3Loss of energy
If liquid flows through long microchannels, then heat is carried away effectively, but boundary layer development reduces heat transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cooling plate into multiple sections with independent microchannels, the patent prevents extensive boundary layer development along single long channels. Each segment's shorter channel length maintains more effective heat transfer by limiting the distance over which the boundary layer can develop and reduce thermal resistance.
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 system provides superior cooling performance at lower flow rates with improved thermal management and reduced hot spots, enhancing the performance of heat-generating devices.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid undergoes laminar flow through the microchannels and carries heat away with it
Implementation Method 2
a pump to drive liquid (e.g., water) some distance to a cooling plate thermally coupled to the computing device and through the long microchannels of the cooling plate
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cooling system is described. The liquid cooling system includes inlet(s), outlet(s), a manifold, and jet channels. The manifold is coupled to the inlet(s) and outlet(s). The jet channels are coupled to the manifold. The jet channels are microchannels. A portion of each of the jet channels is proximate to a heat-generating structure. The jet channels are configured such that a boundary layer in a liquid at a surface of a jet channel is not substantially developed within at least the portion of the jet channel proximate to the heat-generating structure. The jet channels are configured to receive fluid from the inlet(s) through the manifold and to provide the fluid through the manifold to the outlet(s). The jet channels and/or the manifold are configured to compensate for heating of the liquid in the cooling system.