Thermoelectric Heat Pump Layout With Diffuser-Guided Air Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat rejection systems for electronic technologies face challenges due to increased power consumption, leading to larger, heavier, and more complex designs, with conventional air-cooled heat sinks becoming inadequate, and introducing risks of fluid or vapor leakage with exotic liquid-cooled manifolds and vapor-compression refrigeration.
Innovation Solution
A compact heat exchange system incorporating a centrifugal blower directing air flow downward and outward, a heat sink base with a diffuser, and a thermoelectric device with a low and high temperature side, optimized for efficient heat exchange with reduced mechanical parts and fluid usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional air-cooled heat sinks are used, then the system is simple, but the heat rejection capability becomes inadequate with increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat sink base with a diffuser structure and integrates a centrifugal blower to create a unified heat rejection assembly. This merging of components allows the system to achieve higher heat rejection capability through optimized airflow patterns while avoiding the complexity of separate, exotic cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser acts as an intermediary component between the heat sink base and the ambient air. It mediates the airflow by converting the centrifugal blower's rotational flow into a controlled outward flow pattern, enhancing heat transfer efficiency without requiring complex liquid cooling manifolds or vapor compression systems.
2Power
If exotic liquid-cooled manifolds or vapor-compression refrigeration are used, then heat rejection capability improves, but the risk of fluid or vapor leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical cooling systems (liquid-cooled manifolds, vapor-compression refrigeration) with a solid-state thermoelectric device combined with a centrifugal blower system. This substitution eliminates fluid leakage risks entirely while maintaining effective heat rejection capability through direct air cooling over the heat sink base.
3Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling performance is adequate, but the system weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into distinct functional zones: a heat sink base for heat absorption, a diffuser for airflow control, and a centrifugal blower for air movement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight and size while maintaining effective cooling performance through efficient heat transfer pathways.
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 provides a lightweight, compact, and efficient heat exchange solution with optimized heat transfer rates, minimizing mechanical complexity and fluid-related issues, while maintaining effective cooling performance across various ambient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric device having a low temperature side and a high temperature side, where the thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with the heat sink base on the low temperature side and the high temperature side
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser on the heat sink base and in the path of the air flow from the centrifugal blower, the diffuser having vanes that are in thermal communication with the heat sink base that direct the air flow from the blower outward over the heat sink base
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange system for exchanging heat with an object may include a centrifugal blower for directing air flow in a downward and an outward direction, a heat sink base positioned to receive the air flow from the centrifugal blower, a diffuser on the heat sink base and in the path of the air flow from the centrifugal blower, the diffuser having vanes that are in thermal communication with the heat sink base that direct the air flow from the blower outward over the heat sink base, and a thermoelectric device having a low temperature side and a high temperature side, where the thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with the heat sink base on the low temperature side and the high temperature side.