Multi-Domain Cold Plate With Thermal Breaks for Targeted Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices face inefficiencies in thermal management due to varying heat generation among components, leading to excess cooling and increased operating costs when using a single cooling system designed for the highest heat-generating component.
Innovation Solution
A cold plate with multiple domains, each tailored to the specific heat generation and operating temperature of individual components, using separate cooling fluids and insulated by a thermal break to maintain customized cooling capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cooling system is used for all components, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to excess cooling of low heat-generation components
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate is divided into multiple thermally independent domains separated by thermal breaks. Each domain can be independently configured to match the heat generation characteristics of specific components, allowing optimized cooling without requiring a completely separate cooling system for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different domains of the cold plate are designed with different thermal properties and cooling capacities to match the local heat generation requirements of individual components. High heat-generation components receive domains with higher cooling capacity, while low heat-generation components receive domains with lower cooling capacity, eliminating excess cooling.
2Loss of energy
If multiple domains with separate cooling fluids are used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional thermal breaks and fluid management
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple domains with separate cooling fluid circuits. Each domain has its own fluid inlet and outlet, allowing independent temperature control and optimization of cooling fluid usage for each heat-generating component group.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal breaks act as intermediary elements that physically separate the cooling fluid circuits of adjacent domains while maintaining structural integrity of the cold plate. These thermal breaks prevent thermal interference between domains, allowing each domain to operate independently with its own cooling fluid.
3Loss of energy
If thermal breaks are used to insulate domains, then heat transfer between domains is minimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cold plate is segmented into multiple domains with thermal breaks positioned between them. These thermal breaks create distinct thermal zones that prevent heat transfer between adjacent domains, ensuring that cooling optimization in one domain does not compromise other domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plate utilizes composite construction with different materials for the cooling domains and thermal break regions. The thermal breaks are made from materials with low thermal conductivity to effectively insulate adjacent domains while the cooling domains use materials with high thermal conductivity for efficient heat transfer from components.
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
Reduces cooling operating costs by optimizing cooling fluid usage and minimizing heat transfer between domains, achieving cost savings greater than the increase in capital expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
A thermal break is located between the first domain and the second domain. The thermal break includes an insulating material.
Implementation Method 2
Each domain is associated with a heat-generating component of the plurality of heat-generating components. The cooling system provides a first cooling fluid to a first domain of the cold plate. The first domain is thermally connected to a first heat-generating component.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system may include a first domain having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet. A cooling system may include a second domain having a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet. A cooling system may include a thermal break between the first domain and the second domain. The thermal break includes a thermal gap separating the first domain and the second domain by 1 mm or less.