Pulsed Coolant Flow for Computer Heat Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems, particularly those relying on fans, often fail to effectively remove heat from computer components due to laminar flow patterns that create dead spots and limit heat absorption, and alternative liquid heat exchange solutions are costly.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a pulsed coolant flow system where coolant flow speed alternates between low and high speeds, using a combination of barn-door valves or airflow controllers to create alternating calm and turbulent sub-periods, ensuring consistent heat absorption and removal by managing fan speeds and valve positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fans provide consistent laminar flow of coolant, then the system structure is simple and easy to control, but dead spots are created and heat absorption is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by pulsing the coolant flow at specific frequencies (e.g., 1-100 Hz) to alternately create calm periods for heat absorption and windy periods for turbulent exhaust. This periodic modulation of laminar flow into pulsed flow eliminates dead spots and enhances heat removal efficiency without significantly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration principles by introducing oscillatory motion to the coolant flow through pulsing mechanisms. The vibrating/pulsing flow pattern disrupts stagnant regions and promotes uniform heat distribution across heat-generating components, thereby improving cooling effectiveness
2Productivity
If liquid heat exchange is used to supplement or replace airflow, then heat removal effectiveness is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of air cooling by introducing pulsed flow characteristics (frequency, amplitude, duty cycle) to achieve liquid-cooling-level effectiveness while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of air cooling systems. The parameter modification transforms conventional air cooling into an enhanced pulsed air cooling system
3Productivity
If fan speed is increased to improve cooling, then heat removal increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by operating fans at variable speeds in a pulsed manner rather than maintaining constant high speed. During calm periods, fans operate at lower speeds for heat absorption; during windy periods, fans increase speed for turbulent exhaust. This periodic speed variation achieves effective cooling while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-speed operation
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 enhances heat removal efficiency by allowing heat absorption during calm periods and turbulent exhaust during windy periods, reducing dead spots and maintaining constant total coolant flow, thus improving cooling effectiveness while being economical.
Implementation Method 1
the laminar flow produced by cooling fans can leave dead spots and limit heat absorption
Implementation Method 2
The relatively 'windy' sub-periods help reduce dead spots. In the latter case, the high speed, more turbulent, coolant flow can entrain heated fluid
Implementation Method 3
During the calm sub-periods, there is sufficient opportunity for heat to be absorbed by the coolant
Implementation Method 4
the coolant flow speed alternates between relatively low (or no) speed and relatively high speed. The relatively 'calm' sub-periods facilitate heat absorption by the air
Implementation Method 5
the high speed, more turbulent, coolant flow can entrain heated fluid that would (in a laminar flow system) be less likely to be exhausted
Implementation Method 6
heat is expelled with the coolant that absorbed it
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention provides for repeatedly pulsing coolant through a first channel exposed to heat-generating computer components. The pulsing involves a relatively low baseline coolant flow rate with repeated excursions to a relatively high expulsion coolant flow rate.