Monolithic Cold Plate With Toothed Trough for Direct Drill Wander Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current inspection techniques for cold plates, such as ultrasonic and x-ray methods, are time-consuming and subjective when measuring drill wander in high-speed electronic components, which hinders efficient heat removal and component reliability.

Innovation Solution

A cold plate assembly with a monolithic design featuring a toothed trough configuration and cap with orifices that provide fluid communication between gun-drilled passages, allowing for direct inspection of drill wander and eliminating potential mismatches, thereby simplifying the inspection process and reducing parts count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ultrasonic and x-ray inspection techniques are used to measure drill wander, then measurement capability is provided, but inspection time increases and subjectivity remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrill wander measurementVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the measurement function from complex inspection equipment (ultrasonic/x-ray devices) and implements it through a simple visual inspection method using the toothed trough structure. The trough teeth serve as reference markers that allow direct visual measurement of drill wander, eliminating the need for time-consuming specialized inspection equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cold plate structure itself provides the measurement reference system through the toothed trough configuration. The trough teeth are integrated into the cold plate body, serving dual purposes: structural support and measurement reference markers. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external inspection equipment and procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used to create fluid passages, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity and parts count increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate components (individual passage elements, connectors, and closures) into a single monolithic cold plate structure. The toothed trough configuration allows multiple parallel passages to be created within one integrated body, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enables efficient heat transfer and direct inspection of drill wander, reducing the complexity and cost of assembly while ensuring reliable fluid communication and improved component reliability.

Implementation Method 1

said cap defining a multiple of cap teeth, each of which fits within one of said respective multiple of open areas and each of which defines an orifice which provides fluid communication between said first gun drilled passage and said second gun drilled passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid communication through orifices:

Implementation Method 2

Cold plates are liquid cooled structures with numerous closely spaced fluid passages which provide a heat transfer function for components mounted thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid cooling:

Implementation Method 3

provide a heat transfer function for components mounted thereto

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer:

Data Source

PatentEP2439477B1Monolithic cold plate configuration
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND SPACE SYST INT INC
  • EP2439477B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2439477B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2439477B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A cold plate assembly includes a monolithic cold plate (20) which defines a trough (34-1) located to intersect a fluid path.