Pluggable Module Cooling Interface With Protected Gap Pad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for pluggable modules in liquid-cooled computer systems face challenges in achieving high heat transfer rates while maintaining easy insertability and removability, as conventional thermal interfaces can be damaged or require excessive insertion/removal forces.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle design with integrated cooling interface modules featuring a thermal gap pad and protective cover, which compresses to conform to the pluggable module, ensuring high thermal conductivity without damaging the interface and requiring moderate insertion/removal forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional thermal interface is used between the receptacle and pluggable module, then heat transfer rate is improved, but the insertion/removal forces become excessive and the thermal interface can be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
A compliant thermal interface material is introduced as an intermediary layer between the receptacle and pluggable module. This material provides the necessary thermal conductivity for efficient heat transfer while its compliant nature allows it to deform during insertion and removal, significantly reducing the forces required compared to rigid thermal interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal interface material's physical parameters are optimized to balance thermal conductivity and compliance. By selecting materials with appropriate hardness, elasticity, and thermal conductivity values, the system achieves high heat transfer rates while maintaining ease of insertion and removal through controlled deformation during assembly and disassembly.
2Loss of energy
If a rigid thermal interface is used to ensure high thermal conductivity, then heat transfer rate is improved, but the ease of operation for insertion and removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal interface material's physical parameters are optimized to balance thermal conductivity and compliance. By selecting materials with appropriate hardness, elasticity, and thermal conductivity values, the system achieves high heat transfer rates while maintaining ease of insertion and removal through controlled deformation during assembly and disassembly.
3Loss of energy
If high contact pressure is applied to improve thermal interface stability, then heat transfer rate is improved, but the risk of damaging the thermal interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal interface material's physical parameters are optimized to balance thermal conductivity and compliance. By selecting materials with appropriate hardness, elasticity, and thermal conductivity values, the system achieves high heat transfer rates while maintaining ease of insertion and removal through controlled deformation during assembly and disassembly.
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 design achieves both high heat transfer rates and easy insertion/removal of pluggable modules by using a thermally conductive, robust protective cover that conforms to the module, protecting the thermal gap pad and maintaining a stable thermal interface.
Implementation Method 1
each cooling interface module of the one or more cooling interface modules comprises: a gap pad; and a protective cover... thermally coupling the removably pluggable module to the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
compressing a gap pad of the cooling interface module between the protective cover and a plate of the cage... the gap pad to push the protective cover against the removably pluggable module
Data Source
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AI summary
A cage for receiving a pluggable module comprises a plurality of plates including a lower plate, an upper plate, a left side plate disposed between the lower plate and the upper plate, and a right side plate disposed between the lower plate and the upper plate opposite the left side plate. A bay is defined by the plurality of plate and is sized to receive a pluggable module. The cage further includes one or more cooling interface modules. Each cooling interface module of the one or more cooling interface modules comprises a gap pad and a protective cover and is disposed such that the gap pad is adjacent to a given plate of the plurality of plates and the protective cover is adjacent to the bay.