Passive Two-Phase Cooling Pipe for Automotive Heat Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for automotive components, such as exhaust-gas turbochargers and electric drive system batteries, are inefficient and costly, particularly due to the use of water cores and the need for external pumps to force fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A two-phase, passive heat transfer system using a cooling pipe filled with a working fluid, such as an alcohol-water mixture, that evaporates at the heat source and condenses at the heat sink, utilizing capillary effects and thermal flow mechanisms without the need for external pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water cores are used for cooling automotive components, then cooling capability is provided, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex water core structure and external pump system from the cooling system. Instead, it uses a simple cooling pipe filled with working fluid that utilizes natural phase change and capillary effects to achieve cooling, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining cooling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed to be self-service by eliminating the need for external pumps. The working fluid automatically circulates through phase change (evaporation at heat source, condensation at heat sink) and capillary effects within the cooling pipe, creating a passive, self-sustaining cooling system
2Productivity
If external pumps are used to force fluid flow, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical pump system with a passive thermal system. Heat transfer is driven by natural phase change mechanisms and capillary effects rather than mechanical forcing, eliminating the need for pumps while maintaining effective heat transfer from the heat source to the heat sink
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transitions of the working fluid (evaporation at the heat source end, condensation at the heat sink end) to drive the heat transfer process. This phase change mechanism provides efficient heat transfer without requiring external mechanical energy input from pumps
3Temperature
If cooling systems are designed for high heat flux, then temperature control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves high heat flux capability by optimizing parameters such as the filling ratio of working fluid in the cooling pipe and the diameter of the pipe. These parameter optimizations enable effective temperature control through passive phase change mechanisms without increasing system complexity
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
Achieves high heat flux values with low temperature differences, reduces component temperatures, and lowers costs by eliminating the need for water cores and external pumps, while effectively managing heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the working fluid is selected according to the amount of heat produced by the heat source... the working fluid evaporates at the heat source and condenses at the heat sink
Implementation Method 2
two-phase, passive heat transfer system... working fluid undergoes phase change between the heat source and the heat sink
Implementation Method 3
the working fluid evaporates at the heat source and condenses at the heat sink
Implementation Method 4
the cooling pipe acts as a capillary tube... utilizing capillary effects and thermal flow mechanisms without the need for external pumps
Implementation Method 5
passive heat transfer system... high heat flux values due to circulation of the two-phase mixture (liquid and vapour) and use of highly efficient thermal flow mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling system (30) for cooling an automotive component as a heat source (50), the cooling system (30) comprising a cooling pipe (45) filled with a working fluid, wherein the cooling pipe (45) is circumferentially connected between the heat source (50) serving as a evaporator for the working fluid and a heat sink (35) serving as a condenser for the working fluid, wherein the working fluid is selected according to the amount of heat produced by the heat source (50), wherein the filling ratio of the working fluid within the cooling pipe (45) is optimised and wherein the diameter (70) of the cooling pipe (45) is adapted to the working fluid.