Variable-Flow Liquid Cooling Module with Bypass Flow Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with multiple circuit assemblies and modules experience unequal coolant distribution, leading to inefficient heat removal and potential damage or degradation of chips due to flow imbalances in cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a bypass screw mechanism in cooling modules to regulate coolant flow, creating additional paths and balancing the distribution between sets of cooling modules with varying flow restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If coolant is distributed to multiple cooling modules with varying flow restrictions, then heat removal capability is improved, but flow balance and distribution uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing individual flow control mechanisms (bypass screws) at each cooling module, allowing each module to have customized flow regulation based on its specific heat generation and flow restriction characteristics. This enables optimized coolant distribution while maintaining overall flow balance across heterogeneous cooling modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass screws provide dynamic flow control capability, allowing the system to adapt coolant distribution in real-time based on varying thermal loads and flow conditions. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the system to maintain optimal flow balance while maximizing heat removal capability under different operating conditions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If bypass screws are added to regulate coolant flow, then flow balance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass screws are designed to be manually adjustable, allowing operators to self-regulate flow balance without requiring complex automated control systems. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining precise flow control capability through straightforward mechanical adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control function is extracted as a separate, dedicated component (bypass screw) rather than being integrated into the main coolant distribution system. This extraction allows for simple, modular flow regulation mechanisms that can be independently adjusted without affecting the overall system complexity.
3Temperature
If coolant flow is increased to improve heat removal, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but flow distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By providing local flow control at each cooling module through bypass screws, the system can independently optimize coolant flow to each module based on its specific thermal requirements. This enables uniform flow distribution across all modules while maintaining high overall cooling effectiveness through targeted flow allocation.
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
Ensures balanced coolant flow across all cooling modules, effectively removing waste heat from chips, preventing damage and enhancing performance and reliability of circuit assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling component including a fluid channel... configured to receive a flow of coolant and remove heat from the circuit module
Implementation Method 2
remove heat from the circuit module through the flow of coolant
Implementation Method 3
a bypass screw configured to regulate a flow of the coolant to bypass the first and second body sections
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to a cooling module, and a method of cooling an electronic circuit module. The cooling module includes first and second cooling components fluidically connected to each other. The first cooling component includes a first fluid channel having supply, return, and body sections, and a second fluid channel. The second cooling component includes an intermediate fluid channel. The body section is bifurcated into first and second body sections, and the first and second body sections are further merged into a third body section. The supply section is connected to the first and second body sections. The return section is connected to the third body section and the intermediate fluid channel via an inlet fluid-flow path established between the first and second cooling components. The second fluid channel is connected to the intermediate fluid channel via an outlet fluid-flow path established between the first and second cooling components.