Vacuum Pump Cooling Structure for Crossflow Heat Dissipation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum pumps face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat generated during operation, particularly when airflow is oriented perpendicular to cooling fins, leading to reduced heat dissipation and potential operational issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of rod-shaped cooling elements on the vacuum pump's housing, combined with supply and exhaust air ducts, allows for isotropic heat dissipation by directing airflow in various directions, optimizing cooling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If straight cooling fins are used for heat dissipation, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the heat dissipation efficiency deteriorates when airflow is oriented perpendicular to the cooling fins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling surface is segmented into multiple rod-shaped cooling elements arranged in a grid pattern, creating numerous independent heat dissipation units that can effectively transfer heat in multiple directions simultaneously, resolving the limitation of straight fins that only work effectively in one airflow direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling structure transitions from a two-dimensional fin surface to a three-dimensional rod-shaped element arrangement, creating vertical and lateral heat dissipation pathways that enable effective cooling regardless of airflow orientation, thereby maintaining high heat dissipation efficiency across different installation scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of energy

If cooling fins are designed to maximize surface area, then heat dissipation capacity increases, but the device complexity increases due to special design requirements for airflow alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling surface is segmented into multiple rod-shaped cooling elements arranged in a grid pattern, creating numerous independent heat dissipation units that can effectively transfer heat in multiple directions simultaneously, resolving the limitation of straight fins that only work effectively in one airflow direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling elements change their geometric parameters from flat fin surfaces to three-dimensional rod shapes with specific diameter and length ratios, creating a structure that inherently provides large surface area while maintaining simplicity in design and installation without requiring complex airflow alignment measures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If airflow is directed perpendicular to cooling fins, then the mounting position is flexible, but the airflow is blocked or weakened reducing overall heat dissipation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting position flexibilityVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling surface is segmented into multiple rod-shaped cooling elements arranged in a grid pattern, creating numerous independent heat dissipation units that can effectively transfer heat in multiple directions simultaneously, resolving the limitation of straight fins that only work effectively in one airflow direction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling structure transitions from a two-dimensional fin surface to a three-dimensional rod-shaped element arrangement, creating vertical and lateral heat dissipation pathways that enable effective cooling regardless of airflow orientation, thereby maintaining high heat dissipation efficiency across different installation scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 rod-shaped cooling elements enhance heat dissipation by increasing the surface area and ensuring uniform airflow distribution, improving the vacuum pump's operational capability and reducing thermal stress.

Implementation Method 1

The heat can be dissipated passively through convection or radiative cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The heat can be dissipated passively through convection or radiative cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiative cooling: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

actively by using a fan to generate an airflow from the cooling fins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4206474B1Vacuum pump

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 PFEIFFER VACUUM TECH AG

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

Vacuum pump, in particular turbomolecular vacuum pump, with a housing in which a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation and a drive motor for driving the rotor are arranged and which has an outer surface forming at least part of the pump exterior, wherein at least one cooling arrangement is provided on the outer surface of the housing, comprising a plurality of rod-shaped, outwardly projecting cooling elements and/or comprising a plurality of curved, outwardly projecting cooling fins.