Pulsating Heat Pipe Cooling for Power Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling devices face limitations in achieving high power densities and compact configurations for cooling multiple power electronic devices, particularly at high heat fluxes, due to their form factor and operational constraints.
Innovation Solution
A Pulsating Heat Pipe (PHP) circuit system with capillary dimension tubes and a unique geometry that allows for passive cooling of multiple power electronic devices by creating a chaotic liquid-vapor plug and slug movement, eliminating the need for external power sources and maintaining high heat load performance in compact designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heat pipes are used for cooling power electronic devices, then cooling effectiveness is achieved, but the form factor and operational limits restrict functionality at very high heat fluxes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by transitioning from conventional heat pipe operation to pulsating heat pipe operation, where the working fluid undergoes periodic phase changes and flow reversals. This allows the system to handle very high heat fluxes that exceed conventional heat pipe limits, while maintaining effective cooling through the pulsating liquid-vapor flow mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic operation by using pulsating heat pipes where the working fluid flow is not steady but periodically reverses direction. The liquid-vapor plugs oscillate back and forth through the capillary tubes, creating a dynamic cooling system that adapts to high heat flux conditions and overcomes the static limitations of conventional heat pipes
2Temperature
If multiple cooling devices are used to cool multiple power electronic devices, then each device is cooled effectively, but the configuration becomes less compact and cooling power density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cooling functions into a single integrated cooling device by using a common Pulsating Heat Pipe circuit system that serves multiple power electronic devices. The PHP circuit cools at least two power electronic devices simultaneously through shared capillary tubes and working fluid circulation, achieving compact configuration while maintaining effective cooling for each device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal cooling system where the Pulsating Heat Pipe circuit system performs multiple cooling functions simultaneously. The same PHP circuit with its capillary tubes and working fluid serves different power electronic devices with potentially different thermal requirements, making the cooling device multi-functional and highly compact
3Volume of moving object
If Pulsating Heat Pipe circuit system is used, then compact configuration and high cooling power density are achieved, but temperature inhomogeneities may occur in multiple power electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into multiple thermo-conducting walls that are in thermal contact with the common Pulsating Heat Pipe circuit system. Each thermo-conducting wall is dedicated to specific power electronic devices, allowing localized heat dissipation while the shared PHP circuit provides overall thermal management. This segmentation helps maintain temperature uniformity across different devices by providing dedicated thermal pathways
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 PHP system achieves increased cooling power density and compact configurations while efficiently leveling out temperature inhomogeneities, reducing the need for multiple cooling devices and maintaining high thermal transport performance, suitable for series-connected power electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a Pulsating Heat Pipe (PHP) circuit system with a different tube geometry than a conventional heat pipe, reflecting the fundamentally different transport principle for the working fluid... creating a chaotic liquid-vapor plug and slug movement
Implementation Method 2
The pulsating heat pipe has, as a basic structure, a Pulsating Heat Pipe circuit system with a different tube geometry than a conventional heat pipe, reflecting the fundamentally different transport principle for the working fluid
Implementation Method 3
a heat receiver arrangement (20) comprising a pair of thermo-conducting walls (20a, 20b) on opposite sides, which are adapted for receiving at least one power electronic device each
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A cooling device for cooling at least two power electronic devices (4) by a working fluid (61). The cooling device has a heat receiver portion of the Pulsating Heat Pipe circuit system (60) and a pair of thermo-conducting walls provided on mutually opposite sides of the heat receiver arrangement (20) and sandwiching the heat receiver portion between them. These walls are adapted for being thermally connected to a respective one of the power electronic devices. The cooling device further has a heat dissipator arrangement (40) with a heat dissipator portion of the Pulsating Heat Pipe circuit system (60) and a plurality of fins (42) thermally coupled to the heat dissipator portion for transferring heat from the heat dissipator portion to an external cooling fluid for cooling the working fluid in the heat dissipator portion. The Pulsating Heat Pipe circuit system (60) connects the heat receiver portion with the heat dissipator portion for transferring heat from the heat receiver portion to the heat dissipator portion by the Pulsating Heat Pipe action of the working fluid.