Spring Heat Pipe Cooling for Pluggable Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling solutions for pluggable modules in telecommunication equipment, such as SFPs and QSFPs, face thermal bottlenecks due to inherent thermal resistances and challenges with SFP insertion/extraction forces, necessitating an improved thermal/mechanical design.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device incorporating a heat pipe with mechanical spring properties, made of a highly thermally conductive material, that provides thermal contact with both the heat generating component and the heat sink, allowing for flexible heat transfer and biasing force during insertion and extraction, thereby maintaining good thermal contact without the need for deteriorating thermal interface materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a common chassis heatsink with TIM is used for cooling, then the cooling structure is simple, but thermal resistance increases and heat transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is integrated directly into the cage structure, merging the cooling function with the mechanical housing. This eliminates the need for separate TIM layers and complex heatsink assemblies, achieving both simplified structure and improved heat transfer by creating direct thermal contact between the SFP and cage through the embedded heat pipe.
2Reliability
If TIM is used to fill gaps between component and heatsink, then mechanical tolerances are addressed, but thermal resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The TIM layer is completely removed from the thermal path. Instead of using TIM to bridge gaps, the heat pipe is embedded directly into the cage structure, eliminating the thermal interface material and its associated thermal resistance while maintaining reliable thermal contact through direct metal-to-metal contact.
3Force
If rigid cooling structure is used, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but insertion/extraction forces increase due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is configured with a biased, flexible position within the cage rather than being rigidly fixed. This dynamic configuration allows the heat pipe to move slightly and accommodate manufacturing tolerances while maintaining consistent thermal contact, reducing friction forces during SFP insertion and extraction.
4Adaptability or versatility
If heat pipe is made flexible to absorb distance changes, then mechanical spring properties are achieved, but thermal conductivity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe exhibits different properties in different locations: the portion in contact with the SFP and the portion in contact with the cage are made of highly thermally conductive material for efficient heat transfer, while intermediate sections can be more flexible to accommodate mechanical movements and absorb distance changes without compromising overall thermal performance.
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 solution enhances heat transfer efficiency, reduces thermal resistance, and maintains mechanical integrity by absorbing distance changes between components, improving robustness and reducing power consumption, weight, and acoustic noise.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pipe that is in thermal contact with the heat sink... the at least one heat pipe comprises a thermal contact area that is configured for thermal contact with a heat generating component... Heat pipes are made of a highly thermally conductive material. It contains a liquid that vaporises when heated and condenses when cooled.
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat pipe that is in thermal contact with the heat sink, wherein the at least one heat pipe comprises a thermal contact area that is configured for thermal contact with a heat generating component
Implementation Method 3
Heat pipes are made of a highly thermally conductive material... combines the principles of both thermal conductivity and phase transition to effectively transfer heat between two solid interfaces
Implementation Method 4
the at least one heat pipe is configured in a shape that provides mechanical spring properties... the mechanical spring property of the heat pipe may be used to obtain a biasing force that will exert a pressure force against the heat generating component during insertion into a frame
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device for cooling a heat generating component, wherein the cooling device comprises a heat sink and at least one heat pipe that is in thermal contact with the heat sink, wherein the at least one heat pipe comprises a thermal contact area that is configured for thermal contact with a heat generating component, and the at least one heat pipe is configured in a shape that provides mechanical spring properties. Such a heat generating component may comprise a pluggable module. Also disclosed is a receptacle assembly comprising a frame having an interior cavity configured for accommodating a heat generating component and having an opening for receiving the heat generating component, characterized in that it comprises a cooling device. Disclosed is also a system comprising a receptacle assembly, and a printed board assembly (PBA) comprising a receptacle assembly.