JP2001050624A - Cooling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove the moisture in a cooling liquid by bringing the periphery of a moisture removal filter provided so as to close a delivery port of a cooling liquid storage tank into contact with the inner periphery of the storage tank. SOLUTION: In the cooling device, a moisture removal filter 24 is disposed so as to be brought into contact with a delivery port 22A for cooling liquid formed on the bottom of a cooling liquid storage tank 22, while a moisture detection sensor 25 is set near the liquid level in the tank 22. The filter 24 is disposed vertically on the bottom of the tank 22 so as to be approximately aligned with the center of the port 22A. Cooling liquid is drawn by a pump 23 from the port 22A of the tank 22 and sent to an object 10 to be cooled. Since the filter 24 is disposed in contact with the port 22A of the tank 22, the cooling liquid delivered is always passed through the filter 24. Thus, the moisture mixed into the cooling liquid can be adsorbed on the filter 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooling device for cooling a heat generating element in, for example, an electronic device, and more particularly to a cooling device for improving the adsorption rate of water and reducing the size of the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a cooling device which can be considered from the prior art. The cooling target 10 may be, for example, a configuration in which a heat-generating semiconductor integrated circuit element mounted on a printed circuit board is covered with a water jacket cover, and a cooling liquid J is flowed in the water jacket cover to cool the heating element. The object to be cooled 10 is cooled by supplying a cooling liquid from the cooling liquid circulating device 20. In the coolant circulation device 20, the coolant J from the coolant storage tank 22 is
The cooling liquid supplied to the moisture removing filter 24 by the filter 3 and from which the moisture has been removed is supplied to the inside of a jacket cover (not shown) of the cooled object 10 through a pipe 27 to which the moisture detecting sensor 25 is attached. . The coolant that has passed through the jacket cover is returned to the coolant circulation device 20 through the pipe 26, cooled by the heat exchanger 21, and cooled by the coolant storage tank 22.
Will be returned within. The moisture detection sensor 25 has a pair of electrodes disposed in a pipe 27, and transmits a contact signal when moisture adheres between the pair of electrodes. These heat exchanger 21, coolant storage tank 22, pump 23, moisture removal filter 24, moisture detection sensor 2
5 are sequentially connected by pipes 26 and 27 to form a circulation path. An insulating coolant such as perfluorocarbon is circulated through this circulation path, and the heat generated in the object to be cooled 10 is released to the atmosphere, for example, by the heat exchanger 21 to suppress a rise in the temperature of the object to be cooled 10. .

When the object to be cooled 10 is a semiconductor integrated circuit device or the like as described above, the coolant flows in direct contact with the semiconductor integrated circuit device. Therefore, the coolant must be a highly insulating coolant. If water is mixed in the coolant, there is a possibility that the water may cause a short circuit between terminals of the semiconductor integrated circuit element. Therefore, for example, a water removal filter 24 made of a zeolite-based adsorbent is provided in the circulation path, and the water removal filter 24 absorbs water mixed in the cooling liquid,
It is conceivable to adopt a configuration in which moisture is prevented from entering the cooled object 10. Also, the cooling liquid in the circulation path is
A moisture detection sensor 25 is arranged near the inlet for supplying water
It is preferable to add a function of immediately giving an alarm when moisture is mixed in the cooling liquid flowing into the object to be cooled 10.

[0004]

As described above, since the water removing filter 24 is provided for removing the water contained in the cooling liquid, the water removing filter 2 is provided.
All the cooling liquid supplied to the object to be cooled 10 must pass through 4. Generally, the water removing filter 24
Is housed in the filter housing 24A having a relatively small shape, so that the shape of the moisture removing filter 24 is also small. In the figure, the volume of the filter housing 24 </ b> A is, for example, about 1/10 of the volume of the cooling liquid storage tank 22. Further, the water removing filter 24 has a cylindrical shape, and when a cooling liquid is supplied into one end thereof, the cooling liquid is supplied to the water removing filter 24.
The water in the coolant is adsorbed while oozing out of the filter housing 24A. In order to flow a large amount of the cooling liquid through the water removing filter 24 having a small shape, the flow rate must be increased. Further, when the flow velocity is increased, the pressure loss in the moisture removing filter 24 increases, so that a large pump is required for the pump 23.

Further, since the water removing filter 24 and the water detecting sensor 25 are independently disposed in the circulation path, there is a disadvantage that the shape of the cooling liquid circulating device 20 becomes large. An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device that can reduce the size of the device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling device capable of improving the water adsorption rate.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a filter for removing moisture is stored in a coolant storage tank. The water removal filter is provided so as to close the discharge port of the cooling liquid storage tank. The moisture removing filter is provided such that its peripheral surface is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the coolant storage tank. With this configuration, the external filter housing is omitted, and the size of the device can be reduced. In addition, since the capacity of the coolant storage tank is large and the flow rate of the coolant is relatively slow, the capacity of the filter for removing moisture can be increased, and the efficiency of removing moisture increases. An advantage is obtained that a highly safe cooling device that does not move can be provided.

Further, when the moisture detecting sensor is also housed in the coolant storage tank, the size of the device can be further reduced.

[0008]

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and portions corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the coolant detection tank 2
5 and the water removal filter 24 are stored, and the cooling liquid from which water has been removed by the water removal filter 24 is discharged from the cooling liquid storage tank 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the cooling liquid discharge port 2 formed on the bottom of the cooling liquid storage tank 22 is formed.
2A, a moisture removal filter 24 is arranged,
This is the case where the moisture detection sensor 25 is installed near the liquid level in the coolant storage tank 22. The water removing filter 24 has, for example, a cylindrical shape, and its center line is defined by the discharge port 22A.
And vertically arranged on the bottom surface of the cooling liquid storage tank 22 so as to substantially coincide with the center of the cooling liquid storage tank 22. The coolant is sucked from the coolant storage tank 22 by the pump 23, and the coolant is sent to the cooled object 10 from the discharge port 22 </ b> A. At this time, since the water removing filter 24 is arranged in contact with the discharge port 22A of the cooling liquid storage tank 22, the cooling liquid J discharged from the cooling liquid discharge port 22A always passes through the water removing filter 24. . As described in the background section of the invention, for example, a zeolite-based adsorbent is used for the water removal filter 24,
Even if water is mixed in the cooling liquid J, the water is adsorbed by the water removing filter 24.

Since the water removal filter 24 is arranged inside the cooling liquid storage tank 22, the shape of the water removal filter 24 can be made large. In other words, a large surface area in contact with the cooling liquid J can be taken.
The flow rate at which the cooling liquid J is sucked can be reduced. As a result, the flow rate of the cooling liquid passing through the water removing filter 24 can be reduced, so that the water adsorption rate can be increased. In addition, the passage length of the coolant passing through the water removing filter 24, that is, the passage thereof can be increased, and the water adsorption rate can be increased from this point as well.

Further, since the moisture detection sensor 25 is arranged near the liquid level of the cooling liquid J, even if dew condensation occurs on the exposed surface of the inner wall of the cooling liquid storage tank 22, it is possible to detect this situation immediately. it can. That is, when the lid of the coolant storage tank 22 is not well sealed, the outside air is
When entering the inside of the tank, moisture also enters the tank at the same time. As a result, dew condensation may occur on the inner wall of the coolant storage tank 22.

Since the cooling liquid is heavier than the water, the approximate water has a high probability of floating on the liquid surface of the cooling liquid J. Therefore, by disposing the moisture detection sensor 25 near the liquid level of the cooling liquid, there is an advantage that the water floating on the liquid level of the cooling liquid storage tank 22 can be immediately detected, and an alarm can be issued and notified. In the above description, the water removing filter 24 is disposed in contact with the discharge port 22A in order to dispose the water removing filter 24 so as to close the discharge port 22A. However, as shown in FIG. Thus, a water removing filter 24 is disposed, a space 29 is formed which is surrounded by the bottom surface of the tank 22, the spacer 28 and the water removing filter 24, and the space 29 communicates with the discharge port 22A.
The space 29 is filled with only the coolant that has passed through the moisture removing filter 24, and the contact surfaces between the spacer 28, the bottom surface of the tank 22, and the moisture removing filter 24 do not allow the coolant to enter from between them. Sealed. According to this configuration, the coolant that has passed through the moisture removal filter 24 is sucked by the pump 23 through a large area that is not in contact with the spacer 28 on the bottom surface of the moisture removal filter 24. The cooling liquid can be sucked more efficiently than the case shown.

In FIG. 3A, for example, the upper plate 22C of the coolant storage tank 22 is detachably used as an upper cover. In this case, the coolant can be supplied at the same open location.
The case where the upper lid 22C is fixed to the tank main body via the packing with bolts, but the upper lid 22C may be detachably fixed by other means.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a water removing filter 24 is arranged near the liquid surface 31 of the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid storage tank 22 so as to cover the entire surface of the liquid surface 31. Peripheral surface of water removal filter 24 and tank 2
2 is made liquid-tight so that the coolant does not pass between the contact surfaces with the inner peripheral surface. Also in this case, even if moisture flows into the coolant, the coolant is adsorbed by the moisture removing filter 24 and the coolant from which the moisture has been removed is discharged from the discharge port 22A. As shown in FIG. 4, below the liquid surface 31 and the inlet 22B, a moisture removing filter 24 is provided so that the entire peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tank 22. It may be arranged nearby.

As shown by a broken line in FIG. 2, a filter 32 for removing moisture is brought into contact with the inlet 22B and is provided so as to close the inlet 22B. Alternatively, the moisture may be removed. In the above description, the moisture detection sensor 25 is also stored in the coolant storage tank 22. However, as in the case shown in FIG.
2 may be provided near the cooling liquid supply port to the cooled object 10.

[0015]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the water removing filter 24 is stored in the cooling liquid storage tank 22, the cooling liquid circulating device 20 can be made compact as a whole. When the moisture detection sensor 25 is also stored in the coolant storage tank 22, the size of the apparatus can be further reduced as a whole. Coolant storage tank 2
Even if moisture invades into the liquid 2 and floats on the liquid surface of the cooling liquid J, the moisture detection sensor 25 immediately detects the state,
It can be notified by an alarm or the like.

Further, even if water is mixed in the cooling liquid J, the water removing filter 2 in the cooling liquid storage tank 22 may be used.
In step 4, the coolant water discharged from the discharge port 22A is removed. The capacity of the cooling liquid storage tank 22 is, for example, ten times larger than the capacity of the filter housing 24A. Since the water removal filter is disposed in the cooling liquid storage tank 22, the surface area of the water removal filter 24 can be increased. Therefore, the flow rate of the cooling liquid J passing through the moisture removing filter 24 can be reduced. As a result, the water adsorption rate of the water removing filter 24 is improved, and the mixed water can be reliably removed.

Further, since the cooling liquid discharged from the cooling liquid storage tank 22 always passes through the water removing filter 24, the water removing rate is also improved in this respect, and the water can be reliably removed. Therefore, there is obtained an advantage that a cooling device that operates stably for a long time and has high reliability can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooling device that can be considered from the related art.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a cooling device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the coolant storage tank in the apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing still another example.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing still another example.

Claims (9)

[Claims] A cooling liquid storage tank storing a cooling liquid, a supply pipe connected to a discharge port of the cooling liquid storage tank and supplying the cooling liquid to a cooled object, and a supply pipe provided in the supply pipe. A pump for sending the cooling liquid to the object to be cooled, a collecting pipe for returning the cooling liquid discharged from the object to the cooling liquid storage tank, and a cooling pipe inserted into the collecting pipe to lower the temperature of the cooling liquid. A heat exchanger for removing water contained in the coolant before the coolant is discharged from the coolant storage tank. apparatus. 2. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the moisture adsorption filter is disposed so as to close the discharge port. 3. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the moisture adsorption filter is arranged in contact with the bottom surface of the cooling liquid storage tank such that the center of the bottom surface faces the discharge port. A cooling device, wherein the discharge port is closed. 4. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein a ring-shaped spacer is disposed on the bottom surface of the cooling liquid storage tank such that the discharge port is located inside, and the moisture adsorption filter is disposed on the spacer. A cooling device, wherein the discharge port is closed by the spacer and the moisture adsorption filter. 5. A cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising a moisture detection sensor for detecting moisture in the cooling liquid in the vicinity of the surface of the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid storage tank. A cooling device. 6. The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cooling liquid storage tank is filled with an inlet thereof.
A cooling device comprising a second moisture adsorption filter. 7. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral surface of the moisture adsorption filter is provided in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the cooling liquid storage tank. 8. The cooling device according to claim 7, wherein a water detecting sensor for detecting water in the cooling liquid is provided near the liquid surface of the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid storage tank. Characterized cooling device. 9. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein an upper lid of the cooling liquid storage tank is detachable so that the water removing filter can be replaced. Cooling system.