Passive Cooling Apparatus Using Thermosyphon and Three Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for electric equipment require mechanical inputs like compressors or pumps, increasing noise, costs, and reducing reliability, and often need an extra energy source for driving the cooling cycle.
Innovation Solution
A cooling apparatus utilizing a single pressure absorption refrigeration system with three fluids of different properties, where heat from high-temperature electric components is transferred to a fluid channel, causing evaporation without the need for pumps, and using a thermosyphon effect and capillary channels to circulate fluids, with energy derived from the electric components themselves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a compressor or pump is used to drive the cooling cycle, then the required pressure change is achieved, but the noise level increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compressor or pump with a thermosyphon-based passive circulation system. The cooling medium circulates through the system driven by natural convection and phase change, eliminating mechanical moving parts that reduce reliability and increase noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the cooling medium (evaporation and condensation) to achieve pressure changes and drive the cooling cycle. The medium evaporates at the evaporator to absorb heat and condenses at the condenser to release heat, creating natural pressure differentials that eliminate the need for mechanical compression.
2Stress or pressure
If a compressor or pump is used to drive the cooling cycle, then the required pressure change is achieved, but the costs of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates expensive mechanical components (compressors or pumps) by using a passive thermosyphon system. This substitution significantly reduces system cost and complexity while maintaining the required pressure changes through natural convection and phase change mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the costly mechanical compression components from the system, replacing them with a simpler passive circulation mechanism that achieves the same pressure differential function through thermodynamic principles rather than mechanical work.
3Duration of action of moving object
If an extra energy source is used to drive the cooling cycle, then the cooling cycle is sustained, but the energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service cooling system where the cooling medium's own phase changes and temperature differences drive the circulation. The system uses the heat to be removed to drive the cooling cycle itself, eliminating the need for external energy input and reducing energy costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the phase transitions (evaporation and condensation) of the cooling medium to sustain the cooling cycle. The latent heat absorbed during evaporation and released during condensation creates the driving force for continuous circulation without requiring additional energy input.
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 solution provides efficient, reliable, and cost-effective cooling without mechanical inputs, ensuring adequate cooling for both high and low-temperature components, while reducing noise and energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid channel (7) of the generator (1) is arranged to receive a first fluid (F1) and a second fluid (F2) in liquid state and to be heated with heat received from the first electric components (5). Due to this, the second fluid (F2) is evaporated
Implementation Method 2
heat from high-temperature electric components is transferred to a fluid channel, causing evaporation
Implementation Method 3
using a thermosyphon effect and capillary channels to circulate fluids
Implementation Method 4
using a thermosyphon effect and capillary channels to circulate fluids
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling apparatus comprising: a generator (1) receiving a heat load from first electric components (5), a evaporator (2) for receiving a heat load from second electric components (6), a closed compartment (9) enclosing the generator and evaporator and a third cooling element (3) arranged outside of the closed compartment for receiving heated fluid from at least one of the generator and evaporator (1, 2) and for transferring heat from the heated fluid to the outside of the closed compartment (9). In order to obtain an efficient and reliable cooling apparatus, a flow channel (8) of the evaporator (2) is arranged to receive a fluid (F3) in a liquid state and a fluid (F2) in a gas state, whereby the fluid (F2) in the gas state reduces a partial pressure of the fluid in a liquid state and the temperature required for evaporating the fluid in the liquid state, such that the fluid (F3) in the liquid state is evaporated.