Optical Cooling System With Coolant Between Coupling Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed communication networks face thermal management challenges due to increased heat generation in server systems, which hinders the efficient transfer of heat away from heat-dissipating components, particularly in optical systems with high bandwidth requirements.
Innovation Solution
An optical system design where first and second optical elements are optically coupled with their coupling surfaces aligned and surrounded by a coolant, either liquid or vapor, to enhance heat dissipation and maintain signal integrity, with the coolant being thermally conductive and having specific properties to minimize signal loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical components are used in high-speed communication networks, then bandwidth and data transmission capability are improved, but heat generation increases and thermal management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coolant as an intermediary substance between the optical components and the environment. The coolant fills the region between coupling surfaces and surrounds optical elements, serving as a thermal mediator that facilitates heat transfer from the optical components to the surrounding environment, thereby resolving the thermal management issue while maintaining high bandwidth operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs liquid or vapor coolant systems to manage thermal conditions. The coolant circulates through and around optical components, using fluid dynamics principles to absorb and remove heat generated during high-speed data transmission, thus enabling sustained high bandwidth operation without overheating
2Temperature
If optical elements are spaced apart to allow coolant circulation, then heat dissipation is improved, but coupling efficiency between optical elements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the spacing parameter between optical elements, maintaining it within an optimal range that allows sufficient coolant circulation for heat dissipation while preserving adequate optical coupling efficiency. The coupling surfaces remain aligned and spaced at distances that balance thermal management requirements with optical performance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant is strategically positioned to fill the region between coupling surfaces and selectively surround optical elements that generate heat, while maintaining clear optical pathways for light transmission. This localized coolant placement ensures effective heat dissipation from critical components without compromising the optical coupling between elements
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 system achieves improved coupling efficiency and effective heat transfer, maintaining the optical system at a cool temperature while allowing efficient heat dissipation, thus addressing thermal management challenges in high-speed communication networks.
Implementation Method 1
The region is at least partially filled with a coolant, and the coolant substantially surrounds at least one of the first and second optical elements
Implementation Method 2
a first optical system substantially entirely immersed in a circulating liquid coolant
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system including first and second optical elements for guiding light therein. For each optical element, the propagating light enters or exits the optical element through a coupling surface of the optical element. The coupling surfaces of the optical elements face, and align with, each other so that light propagating in one of the optical elements exits the optical element through the coupling surface of the optical element and enters the other optical element through the coupling surface of the other optical element. The coupling surfaces are separated from each other and define a region therebetween. The region is filled with a coolant, the coolant substantially surrounding at least one of the first and second optical elements.