Phase-Change Material Thermal Control for Test Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal control systems require over-capacity heating and cooling systems to achieve high rates of temperature change, leading to increased size and cost, as they need to accommodate peak demands during transient conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a phase-change material (PCM) within the thermal control system, which absorbs or releases heat during phase changes to assist in temperature control, allowing for reduced system capacity during transient conditions and spreading thermal energy demand over a longer period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional thermal control systems are designed to achieve high rates of temperature change during transient conditions, then the temperature control capability is improved, but the system size and cost increase due to over-capacity heating and cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase-change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition (solid-liquid) during transient conditions to absorb or release heat rapidly, enabling high rates of temperature change without requiring oversized heating and cooling systems. The PCM melts or solidifies at specific temperatures, providing thermal energy storage and release that supplements the steady-state thermal control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-cools or pre-heats the PCM during steady-state conditions so that the PCM is ready to absorb or release heat during transient conditions. This preliminary preparation allows the thermal control system to respond quickly to temperature change requirements without needing excessive system capacity.
2Speed
If conventional thermal control systems are designed to achieve high rates of temperature change during transient conditions, then the temperature control capability is improved, but the system cost increases due to over-capacity heating and cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase-change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition (solid-liquid) during transient conditions to absorb or release heat rapidly, enabling high rates of temperature change without requiring oversized heating and cooling systems. The PCM melts or solidifies at specific temperatures, providing thermal energy storage and release that supplements the steady-state thermal control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-cools or pre-heats the PCM during steady-state conditions so that the PCM is ready to absorb or release heat during transient conditions. This preliminary preparation allows the thermal control system to respond quickly to temperature change requirements without needing excessive system capacity.
3Speed
If high-capacity heating and cooling systems are used to achieve quick temperature changes, then the transient temperature control is improved, but the peak power demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase-change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition (solid-liquid) during transient conditions to absorb or release heat rapidly, enabling high rates of temperature change without requiring oversized heating and cooling systems. The PCM melts or solidifies at specific temperatures, providing thermal energy storage and release that supplements the steady-state thermal control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted during steady-state conditions into useful stored energy in the PCM. By pre-cooling or pre-heating the PCM during steady-state, the system stores thermal energy that can be rapidly released during transient conditions, reducing peak power demand.
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 approach enables quicker temperature changes during transient conditions while reducing peak power demand and system size, as the PCM manages thermal energy storage and release, allowing for lower-capacity heating and cooling systems to be used.
Implementation Method 1
a phase-change material, with the temperature control system for maintaining a temperature of the phase-change material in a steady-state condition, with the phase-change material changing phase during a transient condition
Implementation Method 2
heat is absorbed by a PCM when the PCM changes from solid to liquid. The heat melts the PCM, turning it into a liquid
Implementation Method 3
with the phase-change material changing phase during a transient condition
Implementation Method 4
heat is released by a PCM when the PCM changes from liquid to solid. The heat leaves the PCM, allowing the PCM to cool and to solidify
Implementation Method 5
a thermally-conductive structure, with the steady-state condition being longer in duration than the transient condition
Implementation Method 6
an air mover to direct air over the thermally-conductive structure and towards the DUT in the test slot in order to affect a temperature of the DUT
Data Source
AI summary
An example test system includes: a test slot to hold a device under test (DUT); a temperature control system comprising a phase-change material, with the temperature control system for maintaining a temperature of the phase-change material in a steady-state condition, with the phase-change material changing phase during a transient condition to affect a temperature of a thermally-conductive structure, and with the steady-state condition being longer in duration than the transient condition; and an air mover to direct air over the thermally-conductive structure and towards the DUT in the test slot in order to affect a temperature of the DUT.