Refrigerant Flow Velocity Control for Semiconductor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for semiconductor modules face challenges in downsizing, simplification, and efficient control, particularly in managing the flow velocity of refrigerants to prevent excessive cooling performance during steady outputs and ensure effective heat transfer without the need for a condenser.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a flow velocity control unit that divides the output area of a power converter into two regions, controlling refrigerant flow velocity to maintain a non-boiling state in the first region and a non-boiling or nucleate boiling state in the second region, allowing for efficient liquid phase cooling and boiling cooling without a condenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flow velocity of refrigerant is increased to improve cooling efficiency during high output, then cooling performance is improved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the flow velocity of the refrigerant based on the output level of the power converter. The flow velocity control unit changes the flow velocity parameter according to output conditions, maintaining it within a first range for output ≤ threshold and a second range (higher) for output > threshold. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high cooling efficiency when needed while keeping the control system relatively simple through threshold-based parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the flow velocity adaptive rather than fixed. The flow velocity control unit dynamically adjusts the refrigerant flow velocity based on real-time output conditions, transitioning between different flow velocity ranges. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize cooling efficiency under varying load conditions without requiring complex control mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If a condenser is added to maintain refrigerant in non-boiling state, then cooling control precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by removing the condenser from the cooling device. Instead of using a condenser to maintain the refrigerant in a non-boiling state, the invention extracts this function and achieves it through flow velocity control alone. The flow velocity control unit maintains the refrigerant in a non-boiling state by controlling flow velocity within appropriate ranges, eliminating the need for additional condensing equipment and simplifying the device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the refrigerant to self-regulate its phase state through controlled flow velocity. By maintaining the flow velocity within a first range during low output and a second range during high output, the system allows the refrigerant to remain in a non-boiling state without external condensing intervention. This self-regulating mechanism achieves precise cooling control without adding device complexity.
3Productivity
If flow velocity is maintained high to prevent boiling, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flow velocity adaptive rather than continuously high. The flow velocity control unit adjusts the refrigerant flow velocity based on output conditions: maintaining it within a first range when output ≤ threshold and a second (higher) range when output > threshold. This dynamic adjustment ensures high heat transfer efficiency is achieved only when necessary during high output conditions, reducing energy consumption during low output periods while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
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 downsizing and simplification of the cooling device while achieving easy control and improved cooling efficiency by optimizing refrigerant flow velocity based on detected temperatures and output levels, ensuring effective heat transfer without excessive cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler 3 in which a liquid refrigerant for cooling a power semiconductor element 21 of a power converter (2) is circulatable, the cooler including a heat receiving portion (31) that receives heat from the power semiconductor element
Implementation Method 2
control, in the second output area, the flow velocity of the refrigerant to be maintained within a range where the refrigerant in the heat receiving portion is in the non-boiling state or a nucleate boiling state
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device has a cooler, a circulator, a semiconductor temperature detection unit, a refrigerant temperature detection unit, an output acquisition unit, and a flow velocity control unit. An output area of a power converter is divided into a first output area equal to and smaller than a threshold and a second output area exceeding the threshold. The flow velocity control unit controls, in the first output area, the flow velocity of the refrigerant to be maintained within a range where the refrigerant in the heat receiving portion is kept in a non-boiling state; and controls, in the second output area, the flow velocity to be maintained within a range where the refrigerant is in the non-boiling state or a nucleate boiling state. The flow velocity in the second output area is equal to or greater than an upper limit value of the flow velocity in the first output area.