Spiral Fluid Pathways for Cold Plate Heat Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal transfer devices, such as cold plates, face limitations in maximizing heat transfer efficiency due to the interference of fins with fluid flow, and there is a need for a more efficient and cost-effective solution that can cool multiple objects simultaneously without direct fluid contact.
Innovation Solution
A thermal transfer device with spiral fluid pathways is designed, featuring a central layer with inlet and outlet for a thermally conducting fluid, and grooved rods with helical grooves that form a contiguous passageway for fluid flow, increasing the surface area and length of the flow path for enhanced heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If fins are added to increase heat transfer surface area, then the surface area for heat transfer is improved, but the fluid flow is interfered with and thermal transfer rate is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional fin structures with a spiral curved pathway configuration. The spiral shape provides increased surface area for heat transfer while maintaining smooth fluid flow without the interference problems of fins. The curved spiral geometry allows the heat transfer fluid to follow a lengthened path through the cold plate, maximizing thermal contact area while avoiding flow disruption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single cold plate is designed to cool multiple objects, then the versatility and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates multiple separate spiral pathways within a single cold plate structure, allowing different regions of the plate to cool different objects simultaneously. The segmented spiral channels can be independently configured to match the thermal requirements of multiple heat-generating components, enabling one cold plate to replace multiple separate cooling devices.
3Area of stationary object
If the heat transfer fluid path is lengthened to increase surface area, then the heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral pathway is configured to wind through the cold plate in a compact nested pattern, allowing the fluid path to be lengthened without proportionally increasing the overall device volume. The spiral geometry enables the heat transfer fluid to traverse a long distance through the cold plate while maintaining a compact footprint, effectively nesting the extended flow path within the existing plate boundaries.
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 design significantly enhances heat transfer efficiency by providing a longer flow path and increased surface area for the fluid, improving the cooling capacity of the device while maintaining fluid containment and preventing direct contact with the object, making it suitable for cooling multiple high-power devices like computer chips.
Implementation Method 1
heat may be transferred between the fluid and the object, without the fluid ever coming into direct contact with the object
Implementation Method 2
pass a cooling liquid over a surface which separates the liquid from the actual object to be cooled
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A thermal transfer device comprising a thermal transfer surface and a passageway for conducting a thermal transfer fluid from an inlet to an outlet while passing in thermal contact with the thermal transfer surface. The passageway has at least two spiral passages and a connection channel connecting the at least two spiral passages to permit flow of the heat transfer fluid from a first spiral passage to a second spiral passage; thereby forming a path for the flow of the thermal fluid from the inlet, through the passageway, along the first spiral passage to the connection channel, then along the connection channel to the second spiral passage, and then to the outlet.