Pulse Loop Heat Exchanger Channels for Stronger Oscillation Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulse loop heat exchangers face challenges in achieving consistent thermal performance due to manufacturing complexities, leak tightness issues, and fluid flow inefficiencies, which can lead to poor heat dissipation and fluid loss.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pulse loop heat exchanger with a heat exchanger body and continuity plates featuring channels and grooves on different elevated plane levels, enhancing pressure gain and oscillation driving forces through an aluminum extrusion and stamping process, and a vacuum-sealed structure to promote efficient fluid flow and prevent dry-out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional manufacturing methods are used for pulse loop heat exchangers, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but thermal performance consistency deteriorates due to manufacturing complexities and leak tightness issues
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple plates (evaporator plate, condenser plate, manifold plates) that are assembled together. Each plate can be manufactured separately with standardized processes, then joined using leak-tight sealing methods. This segmentation allows for consistent thermal performance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces elevated plane levels for channels and grooves, creating a three-dimensional flow path structure. This dimensional approach allows fluid channels to be positioned at different heights, improving thermal performance consistency by optimizing flow distribution while maintaining manufacturability through standardized plate geometries.
2Reliability
If sealing measures are enhanced to prevent fluid loss, then reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates pre-formed gasket channels and sealing grooves that are integrated into the plate structures before assembly. This beforehand preparation ensures leak-tight seals without requiring complex post-assembly sealing operations, maintaining reliability while avoiding manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged with the structural plates themselves through integrated gasket channels and groove features. Rather than adding separate sealing components, the plates are designed to inherently provide leak-tight connections when assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If channel and groove structures are optimized for fluid flow, then thermal performance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex channel and groove structures are segmented across multiple plates rather than being formed in a single monolithic component. Each plate contains specific channels and grooves that can be manufactured using standardized processes, then assembled to create the complete three-dimensional flow path network, achieving optimized thermal performance without excessive manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes elevated plane levels to create three-dimensional channel and groove structures. By positioning channels and grooves at different heights on different plates, the design achieves optimized fluid flow and thermal performance while maintaining manufacturability through repeated standard plate geometries that can be produced consistently.
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 configuration improves thermal performance by boosting thermo-fluidic transport and reducing the risk of fluid loss, while maintaining a simplified manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
carry heat from a heat source by evaporation of a working fluid which is spread by a vapor flow filling the vacuum
Implementation Method 2
the thermal performance of pulse loop heat exchangers is dependent on the effectiveness of the heat exchangers to dissipate heat via the phase change (liquid-vapor-liquid) mechanism
Implementation Method 3
The vapor flow eventually condenses over cooler surfaces, and, as a result, the heat is distributed from an evaporation surface (heat source interface) to a condensation surface (larger cooling surface area)
Implementation Method 4
a pulse loop heat exchanger is a system comprising a multitude of channels, at least some of which are of capillary dimension
Data Source
AI summary
A pulse loop heat exchanger, under vacuum, having a working fluid therein, comprising a heat exchanger body, a first continuity plate, and a second continuity plate is provided. The heat exchanger body, first continuity plate comprises a plurality of channels and grooves on different elevated plane levels, respectfully. The different elevated plane levels result in increased output pressure gain in downward working fluid flow portions of the grooves, boosting thermo-fluidic transport oscillation driving forces throughout the heat exchanger. In addition to providing for fluid transport and boosting oscillation driving forces, the third elevated continuity channel also provides an internal reservoir. The heat exchanger is formed by an aluminum extrusion and stamping process and comprises three main steps, a providing step, a closing and welding step, and an insertion, vacuuming and closing step.