KR20110055611A - Equipment cooling - Google Patents

Abstract

A channel for convective cooling by an at least partially sealed open foam metal structure to remove heat from the equipment is provided. In particular, there is provided an electronic equipment box having a wall comprising a portion of an open clad aluminum foam clad with aluminum, through which a coolant, such as air, is passed to remove heat from the heating component. Other types of equipment, such as electric motors, may be surrounded by custom parts of suitably clad, open-celled foam metal to which coolant can be delivered. The foam cell can be sized according to the desired coolant flow rate and weight. The convective cooling structure can be combined with a latent heat storage, which includes an open clad foam metal structure containing wax and can operate in cooperation with the convective cooling structure in a thermal management solution.

Description

Equipment Cooling {EQUIPMENT COOLING}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the cooling of equipment, and more particularly to the use of ducts filled with open cell foam for convection cooling of heating equipment such as electronic devices.

It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide an equipment cooling apparatus comprising a structure formed of an open cell foam comprising at least partly a thermally conductive material. This structure allows the coolant to pass through the blowing agent to remove heat from the equipment to be cooled to the blowing agent.

The use of an open-type foaming agent in such a cooled structure has advantages in that the surface area in contact with the coolant is large, and that the coolant passes through the structure relatively easily due to the open cell nature of the material. It is known to have.

The open foam structure can be formed or cut into any desired shape by the structural homogeneous properties of the open foam. For example, such a structure may be shaped to at least partially surround or closely fit the surface of a portion of the equipment to be cooled.

As a preferred example, the structure comprises a panel of open foams configured to provide a duct that serves as a passage for the coolant. In one example, such one or more panels may be used to form a wall or part of a wall of a cooled equipment box, or may be separated from the wall of the equipment to be cooled in the cooled equipment box. Auxiliary equipment cooling can be provided. Alternatively or in addition, the equipment to be cooled is separated from the walls of the equipment to be cooled, and the chimneys formed with the open-type foaming agent are provided to provide a supplementary passage of coolant and to remove heat from the thermally connected equipment. chimney).

As another preferred example, a panel comprising an open foam may be equipped with one or more fans to propel air through the panel to form a self-contained cooled panel for thermally coupled equipment. Can be.

In designing a heat management solution, there is a case where the cooling provided by the structure according to the first aspect of the invention is not sufficient at least for a short time. Thus, preferably, in the cooling device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the structure is provided with an open-type foaming agent to provide a heat storage body thermally connected to a portion configured to pass a coolant in the structure. And an enclosed section formed using and containing latent heat storage material. According to this, the short term requirement for removing a larger amount of heat is solved by the heat storage, and during the cooling operation, the cooled portion of the structure can be used to remove heat from the heat storage. The heat reservoir may contain a phase change material, such as wax, that may be determined during the cooling process. Within the heat storage, other types of latent heat storage materials may be used, including solids such as metal hydrides.

Foam foams can be made using metals such as aluminum, copper or other materials with good thermal conductivity. The choice of material can vary depending on the weight, required level of thermal conductivity, thermal expansion properties, mechanical strength, and the like. In addition, the size of the cell in the blowing agent can be adjusted to the same or similar base, taking into account the required flow amount of the coolant through the open foam and the properties of the coolant.

The coolant itself can take many different forms. Typically, it may be possible to pump or allow air to flow freely through the structure. Depending on the particular cooling application, different types of gas and different types of liquid may be used as the coolant.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a perspective view showing a part of a packaged electronic equipment box according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows two cross-sectional views of a box of a cooled electronic device according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view of a self cooling panel according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
4 shows a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a cooling structure which at least partially seals a heat source, such as an electric motor, according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the equipment box combining the cooled panel and the heat storage panel according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Preferred features according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 in relation to a cooled electronic equipment box.

1, a hollow base plenum chamber 105 having a coolant inlet 110 and a coolant outlet 115 and a plenum chamber 105 A perspective view showing a portion of a cooled electronic equipment box 100 having four walls 120, 125, 130, 135 fixed to a mounting surface. Walls 120, 125, 130 and 135 are open cell aluminum foam clad with aluminum on these sides forming the inner and outer sides of the box to be cooled. Each one or more panels. The open cell nature of the aluminum foam panel allows other types of coolant, such as air or water, to flow through selected portions of the walls 120, 125, 130, 135. The coolant flows from the plenum chamber 105 to the selected panel through holes or slots (not shown in FIG. 1) formed in the mounting surface of the plenum chamber 105 and after flowing through the selected panel, whereby the coolant corresponds to the corresponding panel. It is capable of exiting a lid (not shown in FIG. 1) that includes a similar plenum chamber capable of flowing through a hole or slot. The cladding of each panel surface allows the panel to act as a foam-filled duct through which coolant can flow without entering the cooled electronic equipment box 100.

In order to allow the coolant to flow to or increase the flow of the selected panel, in particular those having heating elements installed in or otherwise thermally connected to the panel, the walls 120, 125, 130, 135) cladding or other types of dividers may be provided between or between panels thereof. The relative position of the divider between the panels and the holes or slots on the mounting surface of the base 105 may be arranged to provide any desired path through which the coolant can flow. The coolant may enter one panel from the plenum chamber 105, pass through the panel adjacent to the panel, and then exit the cover from the adjacent panel.

The heat source of the electronic circuit, such as the power transistor 140, is fixed directly to the inner walls of the panels 145, 150 of the cooled electronic equipment box 100, as shown in FIG. These panels 145, 150 are particularly adapted to permit the flow of coolant from the plenum chamber 105. In another configuration, a high thermal conductivity thermal path, made using a metal encapsulated anisotropic graphite or other high conductivity material, is adapted to remove heat transferred to the inner walls of panels 145 and 150. Can be attached.

The plenum chamber cover, omitted from the figure shown in FIG. 1, is adapted to receive and release coolant from selected panels of the wall panels 120, 125, 130, 135. In the cooled electronic equipment box 100 shown in FIG. 1, the open structure of the panels of the walls 130, 135 is the plenum chamber when coolant comes out of these panels and is installed on the cooled electronic equipment box 100. It is exposed 155 to flow to the lid.

As an example of the cooled electronic equipment box 100 of FIG. 1, the walls 120, 125, 130, 135 are made of aluminum foam panels having substantially the same thickness and volume. However, according to heat management requirments for electronics to be installed in the cooled electronic equipment box 100, one or more panels can be thicker than other panels, with some panels having convection cooling ducts. It is also possible to include only aluminum sheets of appropriate thickness without installing cooling ducts. An example of this is shown in Fig. 2 as another electronic equipment box according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B, a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the electronic equipment box 200 are shown. 2A shows a cross section of a plane parallel to the plenum chamber 260 that is the base of the electronic equipment box 200. FIG. 2B shows a cross section in the plane represented by A-A of FIG. 2A, perpendicular to the plenum chamber 260 of the electronic equipment box 200.

The electronic equipment box 200 includes a wall 205 having two open aluminum foam panels 210, 215 having different thicknesses. Panel 215 is thicker than panel 210 and has a greater volume of open cell foam. The wall 220 of the electronic equipment box 200 includes an open clad aluminum foam panel 225 that is similar in thickness to the panel 210, with the remainder of the wall 220 being the other two walls of the electronic equipment box 200. Like 235 and 240, it includes a portion 230 of aluminum sheet. Four power transistors 245 are installed on the inner wall of the panel 215, and three circuit boards 250 are mounted within the electronic equipment box 200 with their mounting edges on the panels 210, 225. ) Is in thermal contact with

The open aluminum foam panel is intended to provide a wall and a coolant channel within the electronic equipment box 200, and as shown in cross section in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a suitably clad open aluminum foam chimney ( Additional cooling may be provided by inserting 275 through electronic equipment box 200. According to panels 210, 215, and 225, coolant may flow through the open foam of chimney 275. The sides of the chimney 275 are tapered to improve the delivery of coolant through the chimney, as with conventional chimneys. The heat source 280 may be installed or otherwise thermally connected to the chimney 275 in the same manner as the wall panels 210, 215, 225.

2B, a cross-sectional view of AA of electronic equipment box 200, with plenum chamber base 260 and lid 265 positioned on electronic equipment box 200, with panel 215 and aluminum wall portion ( 230 is located between the plenum chamber base 260 and the cover 265. The mounting surface of the plenum chamber base 260 and the cover 265 is provided with holes or slots 270 such that coolant flows between the panel 215 and the chimney 275 between the plenum chamber base 260 and the cover 265. The heat from the power transistor 245 and the heat source 280 is removed by flowing in either direction through the open aluminum foam.

Increasing the area of the open thermally conductive foam compared to other heat transfer elements such as fins or fins that are placed in the flow path of the coolant results in high structural rigidity in lightweight electronic equipment boxes. While providing a more effective heat transfer device can be made. Open foams are suitable for use with air coolers or liquid coolers (if liquid coolants should be used), as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

If no self-contained cooling device is required, for example in the form of a panel, without the need for an equipment box, the arrangement according to the third embodiment of the invention can be used. This configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of a self cooling panel 300 in which a heating element 305 is installed. The panel 300 comprises an open clad aluminum foam panel clad on two of the four edges and on two major surfaces. One of the four edges, 310, is open and the opposite edge is open for installation of three low voltage motorized fans 315, exposing the edge 310 through the panel. By blowing air from the air, heat can be exhausted from the installed parts 305. The panel 300 may all vary in size and shape in three dimensions, and the number of fans may also be changed according to its use as needed. The scope of the present invention may be changed in relation to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. Changes can be made without departing. In addition, when using a liquid coolant, the fan may be replaced by one or more pumps.

Another application of an open cell thermally conductive foam for removing heat from equipment is described with reference to FIG. 4 according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4A and 4B show a perspective and cross-sectional view of an enclosing structure comprising a body 400 of an open aluminum foam with a hole formed to receive an electric motor 405. . The blowing agent is clad with aluminum on all exposed surfaces. The coolant inlet 410 and coolant outlet 415 allow the coolant to flow through the hermetic foam of the open foam to remove heat generated by the electric motor 405. The volume of the hermetic structure can be adjusted according to, for example, the amount of heat generated by the electric motor, the amount of coolant flow through the structure and the available space. The outer shape of the sealing structure 400 need not match the shape of the equipment to be sealed and cooled.

Any type of enclosure may be enclosed that may completely or partially surround the heat source by a structure that is functionally equivalent to that shown in FIG. 4, which structure may be passed through an openable foam enclosure from one or more inlets to one or more outlets. It is cladding as necessary to include a flowing coolant. The main body 400 may change its size and shape according to an object to be cooled. If the coolant is air, the blowing agent may not be clad in place, thereby allowing air to enter and exit the blowing agent without the inlet 410 and outlet 415 having to be manufactured as a physical entity. Can be.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention discloses the use of open cell foam, other metals or materials with particularly good thermal conductivity can be used in the blowing agent and cladding. In all embodiments, the choice of material (foaming agent or cladding) may vary to achieve various mechanical or thermo-mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness, coefficient of thermal expansion, etc., depending on the specific requirements of the application. Can be. For example, copper may be used if weight is not important. In addition, the cell structure can be made larger or smaller in size depending on the available surface area, type required for heat conduction to the coolant, the type and amount of flow of coolant through the cell structure, and the weight of the structure.

In providing a thermal management solution, in addition to providing convective cooling enhanced by the aforementioned techniques, it has the advantage of providing one or more heat storage bodies in the cooling configuration. The heat storage is based on a phase change material, such as wax, and is capable of exceeding the performance of convective cooling to enable handling without undesirably increasing the temperature of the equipment to be cooled. It can be used to receive positive heat.

Improved heat storage has been developed by the Applicant and uses an open cell foam structure similar to that used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention to more effectively diffuse heat through the phase change material.

Desirably, the structure comprising the thermally connected portions of the open foam may be made without having to first determine which portion will deliver the coolant for convective cooling and which portion will be filled with wax for heat storage. . Once the location of the heat source to be cooled has been established, the corresponding arrangement of the convective cooling and heat storage portions of the cooling structure can be designed and easily implemented. For example, an equipment box with a wall of discrete panels of open aluminum foam can be easily configured for a particular application by using one or more panels as heat storage and others as convection cooling ducts. One example of such an equipment box is described with reference to FIG. 5, according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a cross section of an equipment box 500 similar in configuration to that shown in FIG. 1, wherein the wall of the equipment box 500 has eight separate panels 505, 510, 515, 520, 525, 530, 535 and 540, each of which is formed using an open clad aluminum foam clad with aluminum on the widest side of the equipment box and upright inner and outer edges, similar to the configuration shown in FIG. Optional panels 505-540 may be connected to the plenum chamber or equipment box 500 (not shown) of the base and cover, which serve as a passage for coolant by holes or slots as needed. Likewise, any panel includes a phase change material such as wax and can be used as heat storage. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the two panels 510, 530 comprise wax and the remaining panels 505, 515, 520, 525, 535, 540 remain open so that they can be used as a passage for coolant. do. The waxed panels 510, 530 are in contact with, preferably thermally bonded to, two panels 505, 515, 525, 535 comprising a coolant, so that during cooling, the panels 510, 530 filled with wax Heat from) is transferred and released by the coolant.

In addition to the walls of the equipment box 500, additional structures are installed in the equipment box 500 to supplement the cooling provided by the walls 505-540. In particular, an additional panel 545 for passage of the coolant is provided and a rectangular cross section heat storage 550 having an enclosure comprising two portions 555 of open aluminum foam containing wax. Is provided. The heat storage unit 550 is thermally bonded to the inner surface of the panel 540, so that heat may be removed by the cooled panel 540 during the cooling process of the heat storage unit 550.

In principle and as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the box to be cooled may comprise any desired combination of heat storage panels and coolant panels, and the various panels may vary in size as needed. Any combination of structure and additional heat storage including additional coolant may be provided in a box, such as those shown in FIG. 5 (545, 550). Such a structure is not limited to a panel-like structure, and may have a shape depending on the type of equipment to be cooled or the available space.

The use of a combination of a cooled structure and a heat reservoir, formed using an open foam of thermally conductive material, has been described in connection with the equipment box of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the overall thermal management requirements and the physical requirements of the equipment to be cooled are described. Thus, appropriately sealed foam materials can be used to form any other type or shape of structure. Structures such as those described above with reference to FIG. 4 may have one or more portions to be made of a heat reservoir comprising a suitable but latent heat storage material that is distinct but thermally coupled. Since the heat storage of such structures is closely similar to coolant delivery, such as what is considered their physical structure, the fabrication of such structures can be simplified. Preferably, a structure can be provided which does not require selection of a portion containing a coolant and a heat storage portion at the time of manufacture. Such structures can be constructed to suit particular applications by filling selected portions with a phase change material such as wax. The porous nature of the structure makes it easy to achieve this at any time before use.

Claims (17)

Equipment cooling apparatus,
A structure formed at least in part by an open cell foam made using a thermally conducting material,
The structure is adapted to remove heat from the equipment to be cooled to the blowing agent by passing a coolant through the blowing agent. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the structure comprises a panel comprising the open foam that is configured to provide a duct that serves as a passage of the coolant. The method of claim 2,
The apparatus for cooling equipment is a cooled equipment box, and the panel is a structural component of the cooled equipment box. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the panel forms at least a portion of a wall of the equipment to be cooled box. The method of claim 3,
The equipment to be cooled further comprises a panel comprising the openable foaming agent which is separated from the wall of the equipment to be cooled and which cools the equipment in the equipment to be cooled. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
The equipment to be cooled is separated from the walls of the equipment to be cooled, and the chimney formed with the open foam is provided to provide a supplementary passage of the coolant and to remove heat from the thermally connected equipment. Further comprising, the apparatus for cooling equipment. The method of claim 2,
And the panel is provided with propelling means for driving the coolant through the panel. The method of claim 1,
And the structure has a shape corresponding to that of the equipment to be cooled. The method of claim 8,
And the structure is in the form of at least partially enclosing the equipment to be cooled. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The structure is formed using the open cell foam and contains a latent heat storage material to provide a heat storage body thermally connected to a portion of the structure configured to pass the coolant. And an enclosed section. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
Wherein the coolant comprises a gas or a gas mixture. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
And the coolant comprises a liquid. 1 and 2 and the apparatus for cooling equipment disclosed herein with reference to these figures. An apparatus for cooling equipment shown in FIG. 3 and disclosed herein with reference to this figure. 1 and 2 and the apparatus for cooling equipment disclosed herein with reference to these figures. An apparatus for cooling equipment shown in FIG. 4 and disclosed herein with reference to this figure. The apparatus for cooling equipment shown in FIG. 5 and disclosed herein with reference to this figure.

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