Variable-Fin Radiator Layout for Fan Airflow and Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiators for liquid cooling systems in computing systems face challenges in balancing thermal performance and noise levels, requiring consumers to choose between powerful but noisy, silent but large, or small but power-constrained options, as traditional designs either sacrifice performance in high-flow or low-flow areas.
Innovation Solution
A radiator design with adaptable fin densities that match airflow patterns, using higher densities in high-pressure zones and lower densities in low-pressure zones, optimized for specific fan configurations, enhancing thermal performance and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high fin density is used throughout the radiator, then thermal performance in high-flow areas is improved, but noise increases and airflow is hampered in low-flow areas
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator employs different fin densities in different zones: high fin density in high-flow areas (outer regions) to maximize heat dissipation where airflow is strong, and low fin density in low-flow areas (central region) to reduce airflow resistance and noise where airflow is weak. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each zone according to its specific airflow characteristics.
2Productivity
If high fin density is used throughout the radiator, then thermal performance is improved, but the radiator size must be increased to maintain acceptable noise levels
Solution Approach 1:
By concentrating high fin density only in the high-flow outer regions where it is most effective, and using low fin density in the central low-flow region, the radiator achieves high thermal performance without requiring an overall increase in size. Each zone contributes optimally to heat dissipation without unnecessary material or space consumption.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If low fin density is used throughout the radiator, then noise is reduced, but thermal performance in high-flow areas is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator optimizes noise reduction in low-flow central areas with low fin density while simultaneously maximizing thermal performance in high-flow outer areas with high fin density. This local differentiation ensures that noise is reduced where it would be problematic while thermal performance is maintained where airflow can support it.
4Ease of manufacture
If uniform fin density is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but thermal efficiency is reduced due to mismatched airflow patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The radiator incorporates variable fin density to match the natural airflow distribution pattern, with higher density in high-flow outer regions and lower density in low-flow central regions. This optimization of thermal efficiency through airflow-matched fin distribution is achieved while maintaining compatibility with conventional manufacturing processes.
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 radiator achieves improved thermal efficiency by optimizing fin densities to match airflow patterns, increasing performance in high-flow areas and reducing noise in low-flow areas, thus providing a balanced solution for computing systems.
Implementation Method 1
heat is dissipated from the water to the air by using fans
Implementation Method 2
heat is dissipated from the water to the air
Data Source
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AI summary
There is a need for better cooling solutions for the ever-increasing thermal density of computing systems. This is solved by providing a radiator (100) for a liquid cooling system for cooling a computing unit, the radiator comprising: - a first manifold (101) and a second manifold (102) having among them two liquid openings (103, 104) for connecting the radiator in a liquid loop, - channels (110) extending between the first manifold (101) and the second manifold (102) and providing parallel liquid paths between the manifolds (101, 102), - fin layers (130) sandwiched between sets of neighbouring channels (110) and extending between the first manifold (101) and the second manifold (102), - fastening means (120) for attaching a fan (10) to the radiator (100) in a predetermined position, determining a ring-shaped high-pressure zone (142) corresponding to an outer area of a fan radius (122) of an attached fan, where - at least one fin layer has a low-density section placed away from the high-pressure zone, and a high-density section being located in the high-pressure zone and having a higher fin density than the low-density section, - the density of the group of fin layers thereby varies both along the channels but also transverse of each channel, resulting in two-dimensional density variations across the radiator surface, sections of fins to be positioned in front of the ring-shaped high-pressure zone has a higher density than the section of fins away from the ring-shaped high-pressure zone.