Temperature Responsive Thermal Bridge for Adaptive Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal bridges lack self-regulating capabilities to control heat transfer effectively between electrical components, making it difficult to manage temperature variations in electronic systems.
Innovation Solution
A thermal bridge system comprising a first and second plate stack with a temperature responsive actuator that changes shape based on temperature changes, altering the relative positions and thermal resistance between the electrical components to regulate heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional thermal bridges are used to transfer heat between electrical components, then heat transfer occurs, but control of heat transfer is difficult and self-regulating capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the temperature-dependent resistance characteristics of PTC (positive temperature coefficient) materials. As the temperature changes, the electrical resistance of the PTC material changes, which directly modulates the amount of heat generated and transferred. This allows the thermal bridge to automatically adjust its heat transfer parameter based on temperature conditions, providing self-regulating capability without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transitions through the use of phase change materials (PCMs) that absorb or release latent heat during phase transitions (e.g., solid-liquid transitions). This enables the thermal bridge to store thermal energy when temperatures rise and release it when temperatures fall, creating self-regulating thermal control that smooths temperature fluctuations without external intervention.
2Reliability
If dedicated heaters are used to control temperature of electrical components, then temperature control is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing a thermal bridge that uses the waste heat naturally generated by electrical components through resistive heating in PTC materials. The system automatically regulates temperature by adjusting heat transfer based on temperature differences, eliminating the need for external power sources or dedicated heaters. The thermal bridge serves itself by utilizing the thermal energy already present in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of waste heat generation (which normally requires active cooling or heating to manage) into a beneficial self-regulating thermal control mechanism. By using PTC materials and phase change materials, the system transforms excess heat into a controlled thermal regulation mechanism that maintains component temperatures without additional power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If thermal bridge maintains constant thermal resistance, then simple structure is maintained, but adaptive heat transfer is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by incorporating materials whose thermal resistance naturally varies with temperature. The PTC materials exhibit changing electrical and thermal resistance properties as temperature changes, and phase change materials alter their thermal conductivity during phase transitions. These inherent material property changes provide adaptive heat transfer without requiring active control mechanisms or complex variable resistance structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining PTC materials with phase change materials and thermally conductive substrates to create a multi-functional thermal bridge. This composite structure integrates temperature-dependent resistance control, phase change thermal storage, and heat conduction pathways into a single unified component that adaptively regulates heat transfer while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 allows for adaptive heat transfer, reducing power consumption by eliminating the need for dedicated heaters and optimizing component performance by varying thermal resistance based on ambient temperature, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature responsive actuator changes shape based on changes in temperature
Implementation Method 2
thermal bridge transfers heat away from one electrical component, such as a processor, to another electrical component, such as a heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal bridge includes a first plate stack, a second plate stack and a temperature responsive actuator. The first plate stack is placed in thermal communication with a first electrical component and has a plurality of first plates. The second plate stack is placed in thermal communication with a second electrical component and has a plurality of second plates interleaved with the first plates. The temperature responsive actuator is coupled to at least one of the first and second plate stacks. The temperature responsive actuator changes shape based on changes in temperature to change the relative positions of the first and second plates. The temperature responsive actuator causes the first and second plates to vary thermal resistance between the first and second electrical components based on the change in relative positions of the first and second plates.