Stacked Power Converter Layout to Prevent Hot Air Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of improving heat dissipation capability and power conversion efficiency in a centralized and integrated layout of multiple power converters is not adequately addressed in existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A power conversion system design featuring stacked layers of power converters with partition plates and baffle plates to prevent hot air recirculation, ensuring that air inlets receive cold air while discharging hot air away from adjacent converters, thereby enhancing heat dissipation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple power converters are arranged in a centralized and integrated layout to increase power density, then the power conversion capacity is improved, but the heat dissipation capability deteriorates due to hot air recirculation between adjacent converters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated power converter arrangement into distinct airflow zones using partition plates. Each power converter is assigned a dedicated airflow channel separated from others by these partition plates, preventing hot air from one converter from recirculating to adjacent converters. This segmentation allows high power density while maintaining effective heat dissipation for each unit.
2Device complexity
If air inlets are positioned at the bottom and air outlets at the top for natural convection, then the structure is simple, but hot air from upper converters can recirculate to lower converters reducing cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The partition plates serve as intermediary structures that interrupt the natural convection airflow paths between stacked power converters. These plates are positioned to block the direct recirculation of hot air from upper converters to lower converters, while still allowing the overall natural convection system to function without requiring additional active cooling components.
3Power
If power converters are stacked in multiple layers to increase power density, then the power capacity is improved, but the heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates due to limited airflow space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces partition plates that extend in horizontal directions (second and third directions) to create vertical airflow separation. This dimensional approach allows multiple power converter layers to be stacked vertically while maintaining independent airflow channels through the partition plates, thus preserving heat dissipation efficiency despite increased power density.
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
The system effectively prevents hot air recirculation, ensuring that each converter receives cold air for efficient cooling, thereby improving the overall heat dissipation capability and power conversion efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
One of the two partition plates is disposed between an air outlet of a power converter in the first column of power converters and an air inlet of a power converter in the third column of power converters, and the other of the two partition plates is disposed between an air outlet of a power converter in the second column of power converters and an air inlet of a power converter in the fourth column of power converters
Implementation Method 2
the air inlet is closer to the ground than the air outlet in the first direction... Because density of the hot air is smaller than that of the cold air, a moving direction of the hot air is opposite to a gravity direction in a natural state
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
This application provides a power conversion system, including a plurality of power converters and two partition plates. The plurality of power converters include a first layer of power converters and a second layer of power converters that are stacked and spaced apart in a first direction, and the first layer of power converters is closer to the ground than the second layer of power converters. The first layer of power converters includes a first column of power converters and a second column of power converters that are disposed opposite to each other and spaced apart in a second direction, and the second layer of power converters includes a third column of power converters and a fourth column of power converters that are disposed opposite to each other and spaced apart in the second direction. Each column of power converters includes at least two power converters that are spaced apart in a third direction. The power converter includes an air inlet and an air outlet, and the air inlet is closer to the ground than the air outlet. One of the two partition plates is located between the first column of power converters and the third column of power converters, the other partition plate is located between the second column of power converters and the fourth column of power converters, and the one partition plate and the other partition plate are symmetrically disposed.