Rotor-Driven Cooling Channels for Processor Thermal Management

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aerial systems face challenges in efficiently cooling their processing systems, leading to increased size, weight, and power consumption due to the need for additional cooling elements, which limits their processing power and operational capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The aerial system integrates a lift mechanism with cooling channels that utilize airflow generated by rotor rotation to cool the processing system, reducing the need for additional cooling elements and enhancing cooling efficiency, allowing for increased processing power and lighter, more efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional cooling elements are added to cool the processing system, then the cooling capability is improved, but the weight and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing system temperatureVSAvoidaerial system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lift mechanism and cooling channels into a single integrated structure. The housing that encloses the processing system also incorporates cooling channels that guide airflow from the rotors to cool the processing system, eliminating the need for separate cooling elements and reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lift mechanism serves dual functions: generating lift for flight and providing cooling airflow for the processing system. The rotor-generated airflow is directed through cooling channels to cool the processing system, allowing one component to perform multiple functions without additional weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If conventional cooling elements are added to cool the processing system, then the cooling capability is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing system temperatureVSAvoidaerial system power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lift mechanism and cooling channels into a single integrated structure. The housing that encloses the processing system also incorporates cooling channels that guide airflow from the rotors to cool the processing system, eliminating the need for separate cooling elements and reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lift mechanism serves dual functions: generating lift for flight and providing cooling airflow for the processing system. The rotor-generated airflow is directed through cooling channels to cool the processing system, allowing one component to perform multiple functions without additional weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If additional cooling elements are added, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing system temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the lift mechanism and cooling channels into a single integrated structure. The housing that encloses the processing system also incorporates cooling channels that guide airflow from the rotors to cool the processing system, eliminating the need for separate cooling elements and reducing overall weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Power

If the processing power is increased, then the computational capability is improved, but the heat generation and cooling requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing powerVSAvoidprocessing system temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The lift mechanism serves dual functions: generating lift for flight and providing cooling airflow for the processing system. The rotor-generated airflow is directed through cooling channels to cool the processing system, allowing one component to perform multiple functions without additional weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the need for additional cooling elements, decreases weight and power consumption, and enables more powerful processing capabilities, allowing for resource-intensive tasks like image processing and automatic flight control, while minimizing latency and extending operation times.

Implementation Method 1

rotors arranged proximal the processing system, such that the airflow, generated by rotor rotation during flight, flows through the cooling channels to cool the processing system housed within the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10220954B2Aerial system thermal control system and method

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 HANGZHOU ZERO ZERO TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An aerial vehicle including a set of rotors, a processor configured to configured to control the set of rotors for aerial vehicle flight, and a housing defining a plurality of cooling channels, wherein, for each rotor of the set, a projection of the processor and the cooling channels onto the respective rotor plane does not intersect the swept area of the rotor, and a distance from the rotor axis of a first rotor of the set to a cooling channel is less than 75% of a rotor diameter of the first rotor. A method for aerial vehicle operation, including providing an aerial vehicle including a rotor, a processor, and a housing, flying the aerial vehicle, and, while flying the aerial vehicle, actively cooling the processor, including, at the rotor, forcing airflow toward the processor.