Modular Electrical System Cooling via Oblique Heat Transfer Flanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modular electrical systems, such as telecommunication equipment, the cooling air becomes warmed after passing through one module, reducing its effectiveness for subsequent modules, leading to inefficient heat dissipation due to the vertical arrangement of plug-in units with co-planar circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
The cooling elements are designed with heat transfer portions that have oblique flanks and are arranged to divert warmed air, allowing fresh air to bypass subsequent modules, with angles between the flanks and the air flow direction optimized to ensure effective heat transfer and air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If modules are arranged vertically with co-planar circuit boards to save space, then device density is improved, but cooling effectiveness deteriorates because warmed air from upstream modules flows over downstream modules
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling air flow is redirected from a vertical path (along the first direction of module arrangement) to a horizontal path (along the second direction parallel to circuit boards) by the oblique flanks of heat transfer portions. This dimensional change in flow direction allows downstream modules to receive fresh cooling air while maintaining vertical compact arrangement, thus resolving the contradiction between device density and cooling effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If cooling air flows vertically through successively arranged modules, then structural simplicity is improved, but heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates due to warmed air recirculation
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer portions are designed with asymmetric oblique flanks that selectively redirect cooling air flow. The asymmetric geometry creates a preferred flow path that diverts warmed air away from downstream modules while maintaining simple vertical module stacking, thus improving heat dissipation efficiency without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If modules are closely spaced to reduce footprint, then area utilization is improved, but cooling performance deteriorates due to insufficient air flow separation
Solution Approach 1:
The oblique flanks of heat transfer portions act as intermediary flow guides that actively direct cooling air between closely spaced modules. These intermediaries create effective air flow separation and prevent thermal interference between adjacent modules, enabling close spacing without sacrificing cooling performance.
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 configuration enhances heat dissipation efficiency by directing warmed air away from subsequent modules and ensuring they receive fresh, unheated air, thereby improving the overall cooling performance of the electrical system.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling element in heat conductive relation with one or more of the electrical components
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer portions for transferring heat to cooling air
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electrical system comprises modules (101, 102) and a frame structure (103) for mechanically supporting the modules successively in an arrival direction of cooling air. Each module comprises a cooling element (106, 107) in heat conductive rela- tion with one or more electrical components. The frame structure mechanically supports the modules so that the cooling elements are substantially in the same attitude and successively in the arrival direction of the cooling air. The cooling el- ements are shaped so that, when the modules are mechanically supported by the frame structure, the cooling elements conduct cooling air in a direction deviating from the arrival direction of the cooling air. Furthermore, at least a part of a flank (108) of the heat transfer portion of each cooling element is oblique with respect to the arrival direction of the cooling air. Thus, each of the cooling elements receives a fresh portion of the cooling air.