Offset Cooling Fins for Power Electronics Thermal Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling methods for power-electronic components, such as pin fin arrangements, fail to fully utilize the heat transfer potential of coolants due to inefficient coolant flow, resulting in a large 'lee zone' and reduced heat transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Cylindrical and conical cooling fins are arranged offset relative to each other, ensuring that the coolant impinges on the fins over their full area, reducing the 'lee zone' and enhancing heat transfer by creating turbulence and mixed streamlines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cooling fins are arranged in straight diagonal milling lines at 45 degrees to the flow direction, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the coolant does not impinge upon the cooling fins effectively and heat transfer potential is not fully exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting adjacent rows of cooling fins relative to each other, creating an asymmetric pattern that disrupts diagonal flow paths. This asymmetric arrangement forces the coolant to impinge upon the cooling fins more effectively, converting the symmetric diagonal flow pattern into a more effective heat transfer configuration while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through regular offset patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional aspect by adding the offset parameter between adjacent rows, transforming the simple linear arrangement into a two-dimensional offset grid pattern. This dimensional change creates a more complex flow interaction that improves coolant impingement on cooling fins without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
2Device complexity
If cooling fins are arranged in parallel rows with straight diagonal milling lines, then the device complexity is low, but a large lee zone forms behind the cooling fins reducing cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric offset arrangement of cooling fins between adjacent rows disrupts the formation of large lee zones by creating staggered flow paths. This prevents the coolant from creating large low-velocity zones behind the fins, thereby improving cooling effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple device structure through regular offset patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies hydraulic principles by optimizing the coolant flow path through the offset fin arrangement. The staggered configuration creates a more uniform distribution of coolant velocity and pressure across the cooling surface, preventing stagnation zones and improving overall hydraulic efficiency of the cooling system.
3Loss of energy
If cooling fins are arranged to maximize coolant contact area, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling fin structure into multiple offset rows, where each row can be manufactured and positioned independently. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing processes that can achieve the required precision through standardized components and assembly procedures, rather than requiring high precision in a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by specifying the offset distance as a design parameter that can be optimized for manufacturing capabilities. By adjusting the offset parameter within certain ranges, the system achieves effective coolant impingement while accommodating variations in manufacturing precision, making the design robust to manufacturing tolerances.
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 increases heat transfer efficiency by ensuring full contact of the coolant with the cooling fins and reduces the 'lee zone', leading to improved thermal management in power-electronic systems.
Implementation Method 1
coolant flowing past is 'swirled' more effectively, thus providing that the coolant impinges upon the cooling fins over the full area thereof
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer from the heatsink to the coolant is increased
Implementation Method 3
heat transfer from the heatsink to the coolant is increased over known solutions
Implementation Method 4
cylindrical and/or conical cooling fins are formed in a main body, around which a coolant can flow
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a device for cooling components. The device includes a main body and cylindrical and/or conical cooling fins which are formed in the main body and around which a coolant may flow, wherein the cooling fins are formed in parallel first rows and equally spaced apart from one another. Neighboring first rows are arranged offset from one another in the row direction in such a way that the axes of neighboring cooling fins of the neighboring first rows are offset by at least 25% of the hydraulic diameter of the cooling fins. The disclosure also relates to a converter and an aircraft including a device of this type.