Stacked Water Block Assembly for Clog-Resilient Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water blocks in computer systems are susceptible to clogging due to lime scale deposits, which reduces their heat dissipation performance and can lead to overheating and component failure.
Innovation Solution
A water block assembly with stacked units, where each unit has its own fluid conduit, allowing for independent or parallel operation, providing redundancy and improved cooling capacity by ensuring continued heat dissipation even if one unit becomes clogged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single water block unit is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The water block is divided into multiple independent water block units (first water block unit, second water block unit, etc.), each with its own fluid conduit that operates independently. This segmentation allows one unit to continue functioning even if another becomes clogged, thereby improving reliability without requiring a complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
Each water block unit is configured with locally optimized properties, including base portions with thermal transfer surfaces tailored to specific heat generation zones of the target component, and fluid conduits positioned to maximize heat dissipation efficiency in their respective areas. This local optimization enhances overall heat dissipation reliability.
2Power
If multiple water block units are stacked, then the heat dissipation capacity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple water block units are merged into a single stacked assembly that functions as one integrated cooling system. The units are arranged in sequence along the heat generation direction, with each unit's thermal transfer surface facing the previous unit, creating a unified structure that dissipates heat across multiple stages while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The water block units are arranged in a stacked configuration along the vertical dimension rather than spreading horizontally. This dimensional arrangement increases heat dissipation capacity by adding thermal transfer stages in the height direction, allowing better utilization of vertical space and improved heat dissipation performance without proportionally increasing footprint complexity.
3Productivity
If water flows through a single conduit, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates due to flow restriction from clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid cooling system is segmented into multiple independent fluid conduits, each serving a separate water block unit. This segmentation ensures that clogging in one conduit does not restrict flow in others, maintaining overall heat dissipation productivity. Each conduit can be independently monitored and maintained, reducing downtime and preserving system efficiency.
4Power
If a compact water block design is used, then the device complexity is low, but the heat dissipation capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water block units are arranged in a compact stacked configuration along the vertical dimension, maximizing heat dissipation capacity within a limited volume. By stacking units sequentially along the heat generation direction and utilizing vertical space, the design achieves high heat dissipation power without proportionally increasing overall volume, maintaining space efficiency while enhancing cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The water block units are nested in a sequential arrangement where each unit builds upon the previous one, with thermal transfer surfaces facing inward toward the heat source. This nested configuration allows multiple heat dissipation stages to be packed into a compact form factor, increasing heat dissipation capacity without linearly increasing volume.
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 stacked design enhances the cooling capacity and redundancy of the water block assembly, preventing overheating and maintaining performance even if one unit experiences decreased performance due to clogging.
Implementation Method 1
a first base portion having an external thermal transfer surface configured to be in contact with the target component
Implementation Method 2
water is made to flow through a conduit in the water block to absorb heat from the component
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A water block assembly includes first and second water block units having respective first and second fluid conduits. The second water block unit is stacked on the first water block unit. The second fluid conduit operates either in parallel with the first fluid conduit or fluidly independent therefrom, such that cooled fluid is fed to the first and second fluid conduits. The first water block unit includes a first base portion and a first cover portion disposed on and affixed to the first base portion. The first cover portion defines a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet of the first fluid conduit. The second water block unit includes a second base portion and a second cover portion disposed on and affixed to the second base portion. The second cover portion defines a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet of the second fluid conduit.