Multilayered Ceramic Capacitor Thermal Dissipation Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayered ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) face thermal runaway and failure due to internal heating from AC ripple current, especially at high voltages, as ceramic dielectrics are poor thermal conductors, making it difficult to efficiently dissipate heat from the interior, leading to unreliable surface temperature measurements and potential hotspots.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating thermal dissipation channels within the MLCC body filled with a thermal transfer medium, such as gas or fluid, to facilitate heat transfer away from the interior, which can be static or flowing, enhancing heat dissipation without modifying existing manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the number of internal electrodes is increased to reduce ESR and self-heating, then heat conduction capability is improved, but voltage handling capability is reduced due to thinner ceramic actives
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the capacitor body into multiple segments by introducing internal cavities that extend through the ceramic structure. These cavities segment the heat conduction path and allow independent optimization of different regions, enabling better heat dissipation without compromising the overall voltage handling capability of the capacitor
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces gas-filled cavities as intermediary structures within the ceramic body. These cavities act as thermal management intermediaries, providing dedicated pathways for heat removal while the ceramic material surrounding them maintains the electrical insulation and voltage handling properties
2Ease of operation
If surface temperature monitoring is used to assess internal temperature, then measurement simplicity is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to poor thermal conduction in ceramic
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-filled cavities serve as thermal intermediaries that conduct heat from the interior electrodes to the external surface more efficiently than the surrounding ceramic material. This creates a thermal pathway that makes surface temperature measurements more representative of internal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the reliance on ceramic thermal conduction (which is poor) with a gas-filled cavity system that provides dedicated thermal pathways. This substitution allows heat to travel through the gas cavities to the surface, improving the correlation between surface and internal temperatures
3Power
If AC voltage is increased to meet power demands, then power capability is improved, but internal heat generation increases leading to thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor body is segmented into multiple regions by the internal cavities, creating distributed heat dissipation zones. This segmentation allows heat generated at different locations to be independently managed and transported to the surface, preventing localized thermal runaway even at high AC voltages
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimensional aspect to heat management by introducing cavities that extend through the thickness of the capacitor body. This creates three-dimensional thermal pathways that complement the traditional two-dimensional heat dissipation through the terminations, providing more efficient heat removal at high power levels
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 introduction of thermal dissipation channels effectively reduces the core temperature of MLCCs, improving heat removal and mitigating self-heating issues, thereby enhancing their ability to withstand higher AC voltages without damage.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal transfer medium is in the thermal dissipation channel
Implementation Method 2
The thermal transfer medium may be static, have limited flow, or may flow into and through the thermal dissipation channel to increase the transfer of heat
Implementation Method 3
The internal metal electrodes are effective heat conductors
Implementation Method 4
the ceramic dielectrics are typically very good thermal insulators
Implementation Method 5
the ripple current produced in the capacitor causes internal heating
Data Source
AI summary
An improved multilayered ceramic capacitor is provided wherein the capacitor has improved heat dissipation properties. The capacitor comprises first internal electrodes and second internal electrodes wherein the first internal electrodes are parallel with, and of opposite polarity, to the second internal electrodes. Dielectric layers are between the first internal electrodes and second internal electrodes and a thermal dissipation channel is in at least one dielectric layer. A thermal transfer medium is in the thermal dissipation channel.