US20090044928A1 - Method and apparatus for preventing cracking in a liquid cooling system - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for preventing cracking in a liquid cooling system Download PDFInfo
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- US20090044928A1 US20090044928A1 US11/977,797 US97779707A US2009044928A1 US 20090044928 A1 US20090044928 A1 US 20090044928A1 US 97779707 A US97779707 A US 97779707A US 2009044928 A1 US2009044928 A1 US 2009044928A1
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- freeze
- zone
- fluid
- surface area
- susceptibility
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F19/00—Preventing the formation of deposits or corrosion, e.g. by using filters or scrapers
- F28F19/006—Preventing deposits of ice
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D15/00—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F3/00—Plate-like or laminated elements; Assemblies of plate-like or laminated elements
- F28F3/12—Elements constructed in the shape of a hollow panel, e.g. with channels
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/20—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
- H05K7/20218—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating using a liquid coolant without phase change in electronic enclosures
- H05K7/20272—Accessories for moving fluid, for expanding fluid, for connecting fluid conduits, for distributing fluid, for removing gas or for preventing leakage, e.g. pumps, tanks or manifolds
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F2265/00—Safety or protection arrangements; Arrangements for preventing malfunction
- F28F2265/14—Safety or protection arrangements; Arrangements for preventing malfunction for preventing damage by freezing, e.g. for accommodating volume expansion
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L23/00—Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices
- H01L23/34—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements
- H01L23/46—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements involving the transfer of heat by flowing fluids
- H01L23/473—Arrangements for cooling, heating, ventilating or temperature compensation ; Temperature sensing arrangements involving the transfer of heat by flowing fluids by flowing liquids
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
- H01L2924/0001—Technical content checked by a classifier
- H01L2924/0002—Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an apparatus and method of preventing cracking of a liquid system, such as may be useful for transferring heat from electronic devices and components thereof.
- the invention protects against expansion of fluid during freezing by including a variety of means and objects to protect against expansion of water-based solutions when frozen and by initiating the expansion of frozen fluid in the direction of zones having generally decreasing surface area to volume ratios.
- Ice forming in a pipe does not always cause cracking where ice blockage occurs. Rather, following a complete ice blockage in a pipe, continued freezing and expansion inside the pipe can cause water pressure to increase downstream. The increase in water pressure leads to pipe failure and/or cracking. Upstream from the ice blockage the water can retreat back towards its inlet source, and there is little pressure buildup to cause cracking.
- Liquid cooling systems for electronic devices are occasionally subjected to sub-freezing environments during shipping, storage, or in use. Since these systems are going to be frozen on occasion, they must be designed to tolerate the expansion of water when frozen. Additives, such as antifreeze, are potentially poisonous and flammable and can damage mechanical components, sensitive sensors, and electronics, which is why pure or substantially pure water is typically the coolant of choice.
- the present invention protects components and pipes of a liquid cooling system from cracking related to an expansion of volume due to freezing of the fluid within the system.
- one aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for and method of controlling freezing nucleation and propagation in a liquid system having one or more components coupled and characterized by a plurality of surface area to volume ratios so that when freezing occurs, the fluid expands from an initial zone having a highest surface area to volume ratio in the direction of one or more zones having progressively decreasing surface area to volume ratios.
- one aspect of the present invention manages and designs surface area to volume ratios of one or more components as well as regions within the components, including heat exchangers, inlet and outlet ports and tubular members, so that when freezing occurs, the volume expands in the direction that can accept the expanded volume.
- another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for forming a liquid cooling system that utilizes size and volume reducing means, air pockets, compressible objects, and flexible objects to protect against expansion of water-based solutions when frozen.
- pipes, pumps, and heat exchangers are designed to prevent cracking of their enclosures and chambers.
- an apparatus for preventing cracking of a liquid system includes an enclosure and a compressible object.
- the enclosure is configured to have multiple zones of different freeze susceptibilities and to cause freezing to begin in a high freeze susceptibility zone and for a freeze front to advance from the high freeze susceptibility zone toward a low freeze susceptibility zone through one or more zones of progressively decreasing freeze susceptibility.
- the compressible object is immersed in a zone of lower freeze susceptibility than the high freeze susceptibility zone.
- the apparatus includes an enclosure and a pressure relief area.
- the enclosure is configured to have multiple zones of different surface area to volume ratios and to cause freezing to begin in a high surface area to volume ratio zone and for a freeze front to advance from the high surface area to volume ratio zone toward a low surface area to volume ratio zone.
- the pressure relief area is positioned within the enclosure and in a zone other than the high surface area to volume ratio zone.
- the pressure relief area can be a compressible object.
- a freeze-tolerant heat exchanger in yet another aspect, includes a micro-structured heat exchange region having a first freeze susceptibility, a manifold region configured to have a second freeze susceptibility so that fluid within the manifold region freezes later than fluid within the micro-structured heat exchange region, and a fluid input region including a compressible object and configured to have a third freeze susceptibility so that fluid within the fluid input region freezes later than fluid within the manifold region, wherein the heat exchanger is configured so that a freeze front advances from the micro-structured heat exchange region towards the compressible object.
- the micro-structured region can include one or more of microchannels, microporous foam, and pseudo-foam.
- a method of preventing cracking of a liquid system includes a pump and a heat exchanger.
- the method includes configuring the system to have multiple zones of different surface area to volume ratios and to cause freezing to begin in a high surface area to volume ratio zone and to advance towards a low surface area to volume ratio zone.
- the method also includes providing an enclosure fluidly coupled to the system at a zone other than the high surface area to volume ratio zone, and placing a compressible object in the enclosure.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a conventional closed-loop cooling system, which includes a pump and a heat exchanger.
- FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a heat exchanger divided into logical zones characterized by surface area to volume ratios, in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having inlet and outlet chambers reduced in size and volume in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an air pocket disposed in an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber of a housing in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a compressible object disposed in an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber of a housing in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 7A illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having inlet and outlet chambers and a plurality of spaced apart flexible objects coupled to the chambers.
- FIG. 7B illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having inlet and outlet chambers and a plurality of spaced flexible objects coupled to the chambers, the flexible objects being displaced during fluid expansion to prevent cracking.
- FIG. 8A illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects coupled to inlet and outlet ports within a heat exchanger.
- FIG. 8B illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects disposed along a bottom surface of a heat exchanger within adjacent microchannels.
- FIG. 9A illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects coupled to walls of fluid filled tubing within a heat rejector.
- FIG. 9B illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects disposed along a length of fluid filled tubing within a heat rejector.
- FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects disposed within fluid filled channels of a plate within a heat rejector.
- FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects disposed in fluid segments of a cooling loop.
- FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber and a plurality of spaced apart flexible objects coupled to the chambers.
- FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having inlet and outlet chambers and a plurality of spaced apart flexible objects coupled to the chambers, the flexible objects being displaced during fluid expansion to prevent cracking.
- FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart illustrating steps of a preferred method of one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having inlet and outlet chambers having a relatively narrowed central portion and substantially identical expanded end portions.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a closed-loop cooling system 100 , which includes heat exchanger 20 attached to a heat producing device 55 (shown as an integrated circuit attached to a circuit board, but which could also be a circuit board or other heat producing device), a pump 30 for circulating fluid, a heat rejector 40 , which can include a plurality of fins 46 for further assisting in conducting heat away from the system 100 , and a controller 50 for a pump input voltage based on a temperature measured at the heat exchanger 20 . Fluid flows from an inlet 32 , is pulled through a porous structure (not shown) with the pump 30 , and exits through the outlet 34 . While the preferred embodiment uses an electroosmotic pump, it will be understood that the present invention can be implemented in a system using other types of pumps.
- the controller 50 is understood to be an electronic circuit that takes input signals from temperature sensors in the heat exchanger 20 , or from temperature sensors in the device 55 being cooled, which signals are transmitted along signal lines 120 .
- the controller 50 based upon the input signals regulates flow through the pump 30 by applying signals to a power supply (not shown) associated with the pump 30 along signal lines 122 to achieve the desired thermal performance. While this embodiment specifies a flow direction, it will be understood that the present invention can be implemented with the reverse flow direction.
- ice forms into a blockage As fluid temperature drops below freezing, ice forms into a blockage. The rate at which ice forms depends on the rate at which the fluid cools, which depends at least in part on a surface area to volume ratio. Continued growth of ice in areas of the system 100 can lead to excessive fluid pressure. The resulting pressure can rupture or damage individual elements, such as the lengths 110 , 112 , 114 of tubing, channels in the heat exchangers 20 and 40 , and/or chambers inside the pump 30 . As will be explained and understood in further detail below, the individual elements must be designed in a way that tolerates expansion of the fluid or water when frozen.
- FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a heat exchanger 200 divided into zones 1 , 2 , 3 A and 3 B and characterized by surface area to volume ratios.
- the heat exchanger 200 is coupled to tubular members 210 and 260 disposed in zone 4 A and 4 B, respectively, and also characterized by surface area to volume ratios.
- zone 1 is the initial zone and the tubular members represent a final zone or zones.
- Zone 1 is preferably one or more microchannels (not shown) or a porous structure (not shown), such as microporous foam or pseudo-foam.
- zone 1 can be one or more micropins (not shown). Surface areas are calculated for each zone, preferably based directly on model geometry.
- a zone can be constructed of one or more structures, such as copper foam, to have a desired surface area to volume ratio throughout the heat exchanger 200 .
- Volumes are calculated for each zone, preferably based directly on model geometry.
- the surface area to volume ratio of each zone is calculated by dividing the surface area of each zone by the volume of each zone.
- the resulting surface area to volume ratio values of adjacent zones are compared. Freeze progression is deemed favorable when the surface area to volume ratio of the heat exchanger 200 progressively decreases outward from zone 1 to the tubular members at the onset of freezing.
- the surface area to volume ratio of zone 1 is relatively high and the surface area to volume ratios of the tubular members (zones 4 A, 4 B) are relatively low.
- the fluid expands from a zone having the highest surface area to volume ratio in the direction of one or more zones having progressively decreasing surface area to volume ratios.
- the heat exchanger 200 including the tubular members 210 and 260 , can include many zones each with a different surface area to volume ratio.
- the zone surface area to volume ratio of adjacent zones progressively decreases from the heat exchanger 200 in the direction of the tubular members 210 and 260 ; the zone surface area to volume ratio decreases in the following order of zones: 1 > 2 > 3 B> 4 B and 1 > 2 > 3 A> 4 A.
- the tubular members 210 and 260 are designed to accommodate the necessary volume expansion.
- the tubular members 210 and 260 preferably include compliant materials to accommodate an expanded volume equivalent to at least the cumulative change in volume of the freezing liquid in the system.
- the tubular members 210 and 260 have elasticity sufficient to expand outwardly to accommodate the volume expansion caused by the freezing of the fluid.
- the one or more compressible objects can be coupled to the tubular member 210 and 260 wherein pressure exerted on the compressible object by the freezing fluid increases a volume of the tubular members 210 and 260 .
- the compressible objects (not shown) are confined within the tubular member and can be made of closed cell sponge, closed cell foam, air-filled bubbles, sealed tubes, balloons and/or encapsulated in a hermetically sealed package.
- the package can be made of metallic material, metallized plastic sheet material, or plastic material.
- the plastic materials can be selected from teflon, mylar, nylon, a laminate of CTFE and PE, PET, PVC, PEN or any other suitable package. Other types of compressible objects can be used.
- the sponge and foam can be hydrophobic.
- At least one air pocket can be disposed in the tubular members 210 and 260 wherein the air pocket (not shown) accommodates the expansion by the freezing fluid.
- at least one flexible object is coupled to the tubular members 210 and 260 wherein pressure exerted on the flexible object (not shown) by the freezing fluid increases a volume of the tubular members 210 and 260 .
- the flexible object is preferably secured within the tubular member and made of one of the following: rubber, plastic, and foam. It will be appreciated that additional compliant materials may also be employed to withstand the expansion of freezing fluid.
- an apparatus or pump 60 includes a housing 68 having an inlet chamber 62 and an outlet chamber 64 .
- a pumping mechanism or structure 69 separates the inlet and outlet chambers 62 and 64 from a bottom surface of the housing 68 to an upper surface of the housing 68 .
- the pumping structure 69 channels liquid from a pump inlet 61 to a pump outlet 66 .
- the chambers 62 and 64 are filled with fluid.
- the liquid used in the pump 60 is water. It is contemplated that any other suitable liquid is contemplated in accordance with the present invention.
- the pump 60 can be designed so that there are no large pockets of water in any of the chambers 62 and 64 . Since water expands as it freezes, ice takes up more room than liquid. When freezing occurs in confined spaces, such as chambers 62 and 64 , displacement caused by the expansion of fluids is proportional to an amount of fluid volume in the chambers 62 and 64 . Minimizing the size and volume occupied by the chambers 62 and 64 reduces the displacement, and thereby minimizes the amount of liquid displaced within the chambers 62 and 64 by freezing.
- the volume of inlet and outlet chambers 72 and 74 is substantially reduced compared to the chambers 62 and 64 in FIG. 3 . As such, the amount of water present in the pump 70 is greatly reduced. Detailed mechanical analysis of the chambers 72 and 74 is required, but the chambers 72 and 74 can be designed to withstand force exerted by frozen water.
- the inlet and outlet chambers 72 and 74 can be capable of contracting and expanding between a minimum size and volume condition and a maximum size and volume condition. It should be understood that the tubing lengths 110 , 112 , and 114 in FIG. 1 can be reduced in size and volume to reduce displacement caused by fluid expansion in areas of the system 100 ( FIG. 1 ).
- an apparatus or pump 80 in another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , includes a housing 88 having an inlet chamber 82 and an outlet chamber 84 .
- a pumping structure 89 separates the inlet and outlet chambers 82 and 84 from a bottom surface of the housing 88 to an upper surface of the housing 88 .
- the pumping structure 89 channels liquid from a pump inlet 81 to a pump outlet 86 .
- the chambers 82 and 84 are filled with fluid to a large extent.
- the liquid used in the pump 80 is water. It is contemplated that any other suitable liquid is contemplated in accordance with the present invention.
- air pockets 85 and 87 are disposed in the inlet and outlet chambers 82 and 84 .
- the air pockets 85 and 87 are preferably positioned farthest away from a location where fluid begins to freeze in the chambers 82 and 84 . Expansion of the ice upon freezing in the chambers 82 and 84 will take up some space occupied by the air pockets 85 and 87 , and cause a slight increase of pressure in the chambers 82 and 84 . However, air is compressible enough that it can be significantly compressed with relatively small forces, such that the expansion of the ice is easily accommodated.
- the air pockets 85 and 87 have a volume proportional to an amount of fluid in the chambers 82 and 84 .
- the air pockets 85 and 87 can preferably accommodate a predetermined level of fluid expansion between five to twenty five percent.
- ice forming in a confined space does not typically cause a break where initial ice blockage occurs. Rather, following a complete ice blockage in a confined space, continued freezing and expansion inside the confined space cause fluid pressure to increase downstream.
- the fluid pressure will reach a maximum at a last location to freeze in a hermetically sealed system. The pressure can be very large, unless there is a trapped air pocket in that region.
- Thermal design of the chambers 82 and 84 can be altered to select a location where the fluid begins to freeze, and to arrange for freezing to start from one location and advance continuously towards an air pocket at another location. For example, if there is an air pocket at the top surface of a chamber, the fluid should be nucleated at the bottom surface of the chamber. As the fluid begins to freeze at the bottom surface of the chamber, ice expansion displaces water and compresses the air pocket. Since air is easily compressible, the chamber can freeze completely without generating large forces at any location in the chamber.
- the thermal path serves to efficiently reject thermal energy stored in the location.
- an optional metallic insert 288 is mounted from the location of initial freezing in the chamber to the top surface of the chamber would serve.
- the metallic insert 288 is formed of a material that will not contaminate the fluid, such as copper.
- locally increasing the surface to volume ratio of the chamber or reducing package insulation in the chamber could also work as a replacement for the metallic insert 288 .
- a critical factor is use of any material or structure that assists a particular location become cold fastest, and so that progression of freezing is continuous from that location to the air pockets 85 and 87 of FIG. 5 .
- the pump 90 includes a housing 98 having an inlet chamber 92 and an outlet chamber 94 .
- a pumping structure 99 separates the inlet and outlet chambers 92 and 94 from a bottom surface of the housing 98 to an upper surface of the housing 98 .
- the pumping structure 99 channels liquid from a pump inlet 91 to a pump outlet 96 .
- the chambers 92 and 94 are filled with fluid to a large extent.
- the liquid used in the pump 90 is water. It is contemplated that any other suitable liquid is contemplated in accordance with the present invention.
- the one or more compressible objects 95 and 97 are immersed and coupled to inlet and outlet chambers 92 and 94 .
- the objects 95 and 97 can be a closed cell hydrophobic foam or sponge.
- the objects 95 and 97 accommodate a predetermined level of fluid expansion between five to twenty-five percent.
- the objects 95 and 97 can preferably have a size and volume proportional to an amount of fluid in the chambers 92 and 94 .
- the objects 95 and 97 can be comprised of a compressible material, such as an open-cell or closed-cell foam, rubber, sponge, air-filled bubbles, elastomer, or any related material, and a protective layer covering all surfaces of the compressible material.
- a purpose of having the protective layer is to prevent contact between the compressible material and a surrounding fluid.
- the protective layer can be formed by many means, including wrapping and sealing, dip-coating, spray-coating, or other similar means.
- the protective layer can be a vacuum laminated cover, such as a spray-on layer, a deposited layer, or a layer formed by reacting or heating surfaces of the compressible material.
- a protective layer on the surface of the compressible material by thermally fusing, melting, or chemically modifying the surface.
- the protective layer can be flexible enough so that a volume of the compressible material can be reduced by pressure. In order to achieve this degree of flexibility, the protective layer can be much thinner than the compressible material.
- the protective layer can be formed from a material that is not chemically attacked by the fluid used in the cooling system, or degraded by temperature cycles above and below freezing.
- the protective layer can be hermetically sealed so that gas cannot enter or leave the volume within the protective layer.
- the protective layer can be formed from a variety of materials, including teflon, mylar, polyethylene, nylon, PET, PVC, PEN or any other suitable plastic, and can additionally include metal films on interior or exterior surfaces to improve hermeticity.
- the protective layer can be a metallized plastic sheet material, as used in potato chip packaging, and can serve as an impervious layer, blocking all gas and liquid diffusion.
- the protective layer can be hydrophilic to help reduce the possibility that the bubbles will attach to the surfaces.
- an apparatus or pump 103 includes a housing 108 having an inlet chamber 102 and an outlet chamber 104 .
- a pumping structure 109 separates the inlet and outlet chambers 102 and 104 from a bottom surface of the housing 108 to an upper surface of the housing 108 .
- the pumping structure 109 channels liquid from a pump inlet 101 to a pump outlet 106 .
- the chambers 102 and 104 are filled with fluid to a large extent.
- the liquid used in the pump 103 is water. It is contemplated that any other suitable liquid is contemplated in accordance with the present invention.
- a plurality of spaced apart flexible objects 105 and 107 are coupled to the inlet and outlet chambers 102 and 104 .
- the flexible objects 105 and 107 are preferably constructed from a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic.
- the flexible material is preferably designed and arranged such that it can be partially displaced, such as shown in FIG. 7B , to accommodate expansion of ice without cracking itself or other rigid elements of the inlet and outlet chambers 102 and 104 .
- the flexible objects 105 and 107 accommodate a predetermined level of fluid expansion between five to twenty five percent.
- the flexible objects can be spaced apart from one another a predetermined distance.
- the flexible objects 105 and 107 are capable of contracting and expanding between a minimum volume condition and a maximum volume condition.
- FIG. 8A illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects 132 and 134 coupled to inlet and outlet ports 131 and 135 within a heat exchanger 130 .
- Fluid generally flows from one or more inlet ports 131 and flows along a bottom surface 137 in microchannels 138 of any configuration and exits through one or more outlet ports 135 , as shown by arrows.
- the compressible objects 132 and 134 are preferably designed and arranged such that they can be partially displaced to accommodate expansion of ice without cracking themselves or other rigid elements of the inlet and outlet ports 131 and 135 in FIG. 8A .
- FIG. 8B illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects 145 disposed along a bottom surface 147 of a heat exchanger 140 within microchannels 148 .
- the compressible objects 145 can be arranged within the microchannels 148 such that the compressible objects 145 form part of a seal from a top surface 149 to the bottom surface 147 .
- compressible objects act as freeze protection within a heat exchanger.
- the positioning of the compressible objects 145 is intended to minimize flow resistance, and to avoid degrading heat transfer from the bottom surface 147 to the fluid. Placement of the compressible objects 145 on sides of the microchannels is also possible, although less advantageous than the positioning as shown in FIG. 8B . Positioning on the bottom surface 148 would severely degrade performance of the heat exchanger 140 because of a high thermal resistance of the compressible objects 145 .
- FIG. 9A illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects 152 and 154 coupled to walls 151 and 155 of fluid filled tubing 150 within a heat rejector.
- the tubing 150 can be substantially longer than other portions of the system, for example centimeters in length in certain parts of the system 100 ( FIG. 1 ), and as much as a meters in length in other parts. Placement of a length of the compressible objects 152 and 154 to the walls 151 and 155 of the tubing 150 will act as freeze protection within a heat rejector.
- compressible element 165 such as compressible foam structures, can be threaded along a length of the tubing 160 .
- the compressible element 165 can float freely within the tubing 160 . Because the compressible element 165 is thinner than the tubing 160 , it can simply be threaded without concern for forming a blockage in the tubing 160 .
- a length of the compressible elements 165 will vary according to the lengths of the tubing 160 .
- FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of various possible configurations for compressible objects 171 , 173 , 175 and 177 disposed within fluid filled channels 170 of a plate 180 within a heat rejector.
- fluid can be routed through the channels 170 disposed within the plate 180 that allows fluid flow between a fluid inlet 172 and a fluid outlet 174 .
- a heat rejector can include fins 190 mounted to and in thermal contact with the plate 180 .
- the compressible objects 171 , 173 , 175 and 177 disposed within the channels 170 provide freeze protection, thereby improving performance of the entire system.
- compressible elements 182 can partly fill all fluid segments of a cooling loop.
- routine mechanical design analysis is useful to compute stress throughout the cooling system including but not limited to the chambers, lengths of tubing, and other enclosures that contain either the air pockets or compressible objects to design a system for which stresses do not accumulate in any location in sizes large enough to cause the enclosures to fail.
- an apparatus or pump 200 in another embodiment, shown in FIG. 12 , includes a housing 208 having an inlet chamber 202 and an outlet chamber 204 .
- a pumping structure 209 separates the inlet and outlet chambers 202 and 204 from a bottom surface of the housing 208 to an upper surface of the housing 208 .
- the pumping structure 209 channels liquid from a pump inlet 201 to a pump outlet 206 .
- the chambers 202 and 204 are filled with fluid.
- the liquid used in the pump 200 is water. It is contemplated that any other suitable liquid is contemplated in accordance with the present invention.
- the housing 208 can be designed to withstand expansion of the fluid when freezing occurs.
- a plurality of flexible objects 207 are coupled to at least one wall of the housing 208 .
- the housing 208 consists of rigid plates and support the chambers 202 and 204 .
- the plates make up a plurality of sides of the chambers 202 and 204 and are joined by the flexible objects 207 .
- the flexible objects 207 can be fastened to the plates.
- the flexible objects 207 can be formed on any or each of the plurality of sides of the chambers 202 and 204 , which includes corner edges, and allow the plates to be displaced outward when acted upon by force, as shown in FIG. 13 .
- the flexible objects can be elastomer hinges or any suitable polymer hinge, so long as it can alter its shape when met by force.
- a method of preventing cracking in a pump is disclosed beginning in the Step 300 .
- a housing is provided having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber separated by a pumping structure.
- a plurality of spaced apart flexible objects are disposed to form at least one wall of the housing such that pressure exerted on the plurality of spaced apart flexible objects increases a volume of the housing.
- the flexible objects can accommodate a predetermined level of fluid expansion.
- the predetermined level of fluid expansion can be between five to twenty-five percent.
- the flexible objects are preferably spaced apart a predetermined distance. Additionally, the flexible objects are preferably capable of contracting and expanding between a minimum volume condition and a maximum volume condition.
- the pump can be electro-osmotic.
- the housing can include rigid plates. Furthermore, the flexible objects can be fastened to the rigid plates.
- the flexible objects can be made of rubber, plastic or foam.
- an apparatus or pump 400 in another embodiment, shown in FIG. 15 , includes a housing 410 having hourglass-shaped inlet and outlet chambers.
- the hourglass-shaped chambers can have a relatively narrowed middle or central portion 405 and substantially identical expanded end portions 407 .
- a pumping structure 420 separates the inlet and outlet chambers from a bottom surface of the housing 410 to an upper surface of the housing 410 .
- the apparatus can include a thermal path from a location of initial freezing to its surroundings.
- the thermal path serves to efficiently reject heat stored in the location.
- an optional metallic insert 430 is mounted from the location of initial freezing in the chamber to the top surface of the chamber would serve.
- the metallic insert 430 is formed of a material that will not contaminate the fluid such as copper.
- a critical factor is use of any material or structure that assists a particular location become cold fastest, and so that progression of freezing is continuous from that location to the expanded end portions 407 of the chambers.
- the combination of having hourglass-shaped chambers and the metallic insert 430 allows for freezing to initiate at the narrowed middle or central portion 405 of the hourglass-shaped chambers and expand outward to the expanded end portions 407 , where liquid can be further displaced at the inlet, outlet, or both, or a volume accommodating structure can be implemented at the expanded end portions 407 as described above.
- the present invention is applied to a pump or a housing having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber.
- the present invention may be applied to any enclosure in a liquid cooling system.
- the liquid cooling system preferably includes an electro-osmotic pump and a heat exchanger.
- the size and volume reducing means, the air pockets, the compressible objects, and the compressible objects can be applied to any or each enclosure in the system, including tubing, of the liquid cooling system.
Abstract
An apparatus for preventing cracking of a liquid system includes an enclosure and one or more compressible objects immersed in the enclosure. According to the present invention, the enclosure is configured to cause a fluid to begin to freeze at a location in the enclosure, and for freezing to advance towards the one or more compressible objects.
Description
- This patent application is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/049,202, filed on Feb. 1, 2005, and titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING FREEZING NUCLEATION AND PROPAGATION,” which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/577,262, filed on Jun. 4, 2004, and titled “MULTIPLE COOLING TECHNIQUES,” both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Also, this patent application is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/643,641, filed on Aug. 18, 2003, and titled “REMEDIES TO PREVENT CRACKING IN A LIQUID SYSTEM,” which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/444,269, filed on Jan. 31, 2003, and titled “REMEDIES FOR FREEZING IN CLOSED-LOOP LIQUID COOLING FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of preventing cracking of a liquid system, such as may be useful for transferring heat from electronic devices and components thereof. In particular, the invention protects against expansion of fluid during freezing by including a variety of means and objects to protect against expansion of water-based solutions when frozen and by initiating the expansion of frozen fluid in the direction of zones having generally decreasing surface area to volume ratios.
- When water or many other liquid mixtures are cooled below their freezing points, the material changes from a liquid state to a solid state, and undergoes a significant expansion in volume. Water that has frozen in pipes or other confined spaces does more than simply clog the pipes and block flow. When freezing occurs in a confined space like a steel pipe, the ice will expand and exert extreme pressure which is often enough to crack the pipe and cause serious damage. This phenomenon is a common failure mode in hot-water heating systems and automotive cooling systems.
- Ice forming in a pipe does not always cause cracking where ice blockage occurs. Rather, following a complete ice blockage in a pipe, continued freezing and expansion inside the pipe can cause water pressure to increase downstream. The increase in water pressure leads to pipe failure and/or cracking. Upstream from the ice blockage the water can retreat back towards its inlet source, and there is little pressure buildup to cause cracking.
- Liquid cooling systems for electronic devices are occasionally subjected to sub-freezing environments during shipping, storage, or in use. Since these systems are going to be frozen on occasion, they must be designed to tolerate the expansion of water when frozen. Additives, such as antifreeze, are potentially poisonous and flammable and can damage mechanical components, sensitive sensors, and electronics, which is why pure or substantially pure water is typically the coolant of choice.
- What is needed is an apparatus for and method of preventing cracking in a liquid cooling system that can tolerate a predetermined level of freezing and expansion inside confined spaces without damaging electronic components or affecting system performance.
- The present invention protects components and pipes of a liquid cooling system from cracking related to an expansion of volume due to freezing of the fluid within the system. In particular, one aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for and method of controlling freezing nucleation and propagation in a liquid system having one or more components coupled and characterized by a plurality of surface area to volume ratios so that when freezing occurs, the fluid expands from an initial zone having a highest surface area to volume ratio in the direction of one or more zones having progressively decreasing surface area to volume ratios. Thus, one aspect of the present invention manages and designs surface area to volume ratios of one or more components as well as regions within the components, including heat exchangers, inlet and outlet ports and tubular members, so that when freezing occurs, the volume expands in the direction that can accept the expanded volume. Additionally, another aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for forming a liquid cooling system that utilizes size and volume reducing means, air pockets, compressible objects, and flexible objects to protect against expansion of water-based solutions when frozen. In such a system, pipes, pumps, and heat exchangers are designed to prevent cracking of their enclosures and chambers.
- In one aspect, an apparatus for preventing cracking of a liquid system is disclosed. The apparatus includes an enclosure and a compressible object. The enclosure is configured to have multiple zones of different freeze susceptibilities and to cause freezing to begin in a high freeze susceptibility zone and for a freeze front to advance from the high freeze susceptibility zone toward a low freeze susceptibility zone through one or more zones of progressively decreasing freeze susceptibility. The compressible object is immersed in a zone of lower freeze susceptibility than the high freeze susceptibility zone.
- In another aspect, another apparatus for preventing cracking of a liquid system is disclosed. The apparatus includes an enclosure and a pressure relief area. The enclosure is configured to have multiple zones of different surface area to volume ratios and to cause freezing to begin in a high surface area to volume ratio zone and for a freeze front to advance from the high surface area to volume ratio zone toward a low surface area to volume ratio zone. The pressure relief area is positioned within the enclosure and in a zone other than the high surface area to volume ratio zone. The pressure relief area can be a compressible object.
- In yet another aspect, a freeze-tolerant heat exchanger is disclosed. The heat exchanger includes a micro-structured heat exchange region having a first freeze susceptibility, a manifold region configured to have a second freeze susceptibility so that fluid within the manifold region freezes later than fluid within the micro-structured heat exchange region, and a fluid input region including a compressible object and configured to have a third freeze susceptibility so that fluid within the fluid input region freezes later than fluid within the manifold region, wherein the heat exchanger is configured so that a freeze front advances from the micro-structured heat exchange region towards the compressible object. The micro-structured region can include one or more of microchannels, microporous foam, and pseudo-foam.
- In another aspect, a method of preventing cracking of a liquid system is disclosed. The system includes a pump and a heat exchanger. The method includes configuring the system to have multiple zones of different surface area to volume ratios and to cause freezing to begin in a high surface area to volume ratio zone and to advance towards a low surface area to volume ratio zone. The method also includes providing an enclosure fluidly coupled to the system at a zone other than the high surface area to volume ratio zone, and placing a compressible object in the enclosure.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a conventional closed-loop cooling system, which includes a pump and a heat exchanger. -
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a heat exchanger divided into logical zones characterized by surface area to volume ratios, in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having inlet and outlet chambers reduced in size and volume in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an air pocket disposed in an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber of a housing in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a compressible object disposed in an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber of a housing in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 7A illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having inlet and outlet chambers and a plurality of spaced apart flexible objects coupled to the chambers. -
FIG. 7B illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having inlet and outlet chambers and a plurality of spaced flexible objects coupled to the chambers, the flexible objects being displaced during fluid expansion to prevent cracking. -
FIG. 8A illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects coupled to inlet and outlet ports within a heat exchanger. -
FIG. 8B illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects disposed along a bottom surface of a heat exchanger within adjacent microchannels. -
FIG. 9A illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects coupled to walls of fluid filled tubing within a heat rejector. -
FIG. 9B illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects disposed along a length of fluid filled tubing within a heat rejector. -
FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects disposed within fluid filled channels of a plate within a heat rejector. -
FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic diagram of compressible objects disposed in fluid segments of a cooling loop. -
FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber and a plurality of spaced apart flexible objects coupled to the chambers. -
FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having inlet and outlet chambers and a plurality of spaced apart flexible objects coupled to the chambers, the flexible objects being displaced during fluid expansion to prevent cracking. -
FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart illustrating steps of a preferred method of one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic diagram of a housing having inlet and outlet chambers having a relatively narrowed central portion and substantially identical expanded end portions. - Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.
-
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a closed-loop cooling system 100, which includesheat exchanger 20 attached to a heat producing device 55 (shown as an integrated circuit attached to a circuit board, but which could also be a circuit board or other heat producing device), apump 30 for circulating fluid, aheat rejector 40, which can include a plurality offins 46 for further assisting in conducting heat away from thesystem 100, and acontroller 50 for a pump input voltage based on a temperature measured at theheat exchanger 20. Fluid flows from aninlet 32, is pulled through a porous structure (not shown) with thepump 30, and exits through theoutlet 34. While the preferred embodiment uses an electroosmotic pump, it will be understood that the present invention can be implemented in a system using other types of pumps. - Still referring to
FIG. 1 , the fluid travels through theheat exchanger 20 and theheat rejector 40 throughtubing lengths inlet 32 of thepump 30 via anothertubing 112. Thecontroller 50 is understood to be an electronic circuit that takes input signals from temperature sensors in theheat exchanger 20, or from temperature sensors in thedevice 55 being cooled, which signals are transmitted along signal lines 120. Thecontroller 50, based upon the input signals regulates flow through thepump 30 by applying signals to a power supply (not shown) associated with thepump 30 alongsignal lines 122 to achieve the desired thermal performance. While this embodiment specifies a flow direction, it will be understood that the present invention can be implemented with the reverse flow direction. - As fluid temperature drops below freezing, ice forms into a blockage. The rate at which ice forms depends on the rate at which the fluid cools, which depends at least in part on a surface area to volume ratio. Continued growth of ice in areas of the
system 100 can lead to excessive fluid pressure. The resulting pressure can rupture or damage individual elements, such as thelengths heat exchangers pump 30. As will be explained and understood in further detail below, the individual elements must be designed in a way that tolerates expansion of the fluid or water when frozen. -
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of aheat exchanger 200 divided intozones heat exchanger 200 is coupled totubular members zone zone 1 is the initial zone and the tubular members represent a final zone or zones.Zone 1 is preferably one or more microchannels (not shown) or a porous structure (not shown), such as microporous foam or pseudo-foam. Alternatively,zone 1 can be one or more micropins (not shown). Surface areas are calculated for each zone, preferably based directly on model geometry. A zone can be constructed of one or more structures, such as copper foam, to have a desired surface area to volume ratio throughout theheat exchanger 200. Volumes are calculated for each zone, preferably based directly on model geometry. The surface area to volume ratio of each zone is calculated by dividing the surface area of each zone by the volume of each zone. The resulting surface area to volume ratio values of adjacent zones are compared. Freeze progression is deemed favorable when the surface area to volume ratio of theheat exchanger 200 progressively decreases outward fromzone 1 to the tubular members at the onset of freezing. In particular, the surface area to volume ratio ofzone 1 is relatively high and the surface area to volume ratios of the tubular members (zones - During freezing, the fluid expands from a zone having the highest surface area to volume ratio in the direction of one or more zones having progressively decreasing surface area to volume ratios. It will be appreciated that the
heat exchanger 200, including thetubular members heat exchanger 200 in the direction of thetubular members tubular members - The
tubular members tubular members tubular member tubular members - In another embodiment, at least one air pocket (not shown) can be disposed in the
tubular members tubular members tubular members - In one embodiment, shown in
FIG. 3 , an apparatus or pump 60 includes ahousing 68 having aninlet chamber 62 and anoutlet chamber 64. A pumping mechanism orstructure 69 separates the inlet andoutlet chambers housing 68 to an upper surface of thehousing 68. The pumpingstructure 69 channels liquid from apump inlet 61 to apump outlet 66. Thechambers pump 60 is water. It is contemplated that any other suitable liquid is contemplated in accordance with the present invention. - Still referring to
FIG. 3 , thepump 60 can be designed so that there are no large pockets of water in any of thechambers chambers chambers chambers chambers - As shown in
FIG. 4 , the volume of inlet andoutlet chambers chambers FIG. 3 . As such, the amount of water present in thepump 70 is greatly reduced. Detailed mechanical analysis of thechambers chambers outlet chambers tubing lengths FIG. 1 can be reduced in size and volume to reduce displacement caused by fluid expansion in areas of the system 100 (FIG. 1 ). - In another embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 5 , an apparatus or pump 80 includes ahousing 88 having aninlet chamber 82 and anoutlet chamber 84. A pumpingstructure 89 separates the inlet andoutlet chambers housing 88 to an upper surface of thehousing 88. The pumpingstructure 89 channels liquid from apump inlet 81 to apump outlet 86. Thechambers pump 80 is water. It is contemplated that any other suitable liquid is contemplated in accordance with the present invention. - Still referring to
FIG. 5 ,air pockets outlet chambers chambers chambers air pockets chambers air pockets chambers - As mentioned before, ice forming in a confined space does not typically cause a break where initial ice blockage occurs. Rather, following a complete ice blockage in a confined space, continued freezing and expansion inside the confined space cause fluid pressure to increase downstream. The fluid pressure will reach a maximum at a last location to freeze in a hermetically sealed system. The pressure can be very large, unless there is a trapped air pocket in that region. Thermal design of the
chambers - To arrange a location of initial freezing in the chamber, it may be necessary to provide a thermal path from the location of initial freezing to its surroundings. As the fluid or chamber is cooled from above a freezing point, the thermal path serves to efficiently reject thermal energy stored in the location. For example, an optional
metallic insert 288 is mounted from the location of initial freezing in the chamber to the top surface of the chamber would serve. Preferably, themetallic insert 288 is formed of a material that will not contaminate the fluid, such as copper. Alternatively, locally increasing the surface to volume ratio of the chamber or reducing package insulation in the chamber could also work as a replacement for themetallic insert 288. A critical factor is use of any material or structure that assists a particular location become cold fastest, and so that progression of freezing is continuous from that location to theair pockets FIG. 5 . - In some cases, it may be difficult to control the positioning and location of the
air pockets chambers FIG. 1 ). In a further embodiment, as shown inFIG. 6 , one or morecompressible objects pump 90. Thepump 90 includes ahousing 98 having aninlet chamber 92 and anoutlet chamber 94. A pumpingstructure 99 separates the inlet andoutlet chambers housing 98 to an upper surface of thehousing 98. The pumpingstructure 99 channels liquid from apump inlet 91 to apump outlet 96. Thechambers pump 90 is water. It is contemplated that any other suitable liquid is contemplated in accordance with the present invention. - Still referring to
FIG. 6 , the one or morecompressible objects outlet chambers objects objects objects chambers - The
objects - In a further embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 7A , an apparatus or pump 103 includes ahousing 108 having aninlet chamber 102 and anoutlet chamber 104. A pumpingstructure 109 separates the inlet andoutlet chambers housing 108 to an upper surface of thehousing 108. The pumpingstructure 109 channels liquid from apump inlet 101 to apump outlet 106. Thechambers pump 103 is water. It is contemplated that any other suitable liquid is contemplated in accordance with the present invention. - Still referring to
FIG. 7A , a plurality of spaced apartflexible objects outlet chambers flexible objects FIG. 7B , to accommodate expansion of ice without cracking itself or other rigid elements of the inlet andoutlet chambers flexible objects flexible objects -
FIG. 8A illustrates a schematic diagram ofcompressible objects outlet ports heat exchanger 130. Fluid generally flows from one ormore inlet ports 131 and flows along abottom surface 137 inmicrochannels 138 of any configuration and exits through one ormore outlet ports 135, as shown by arrows. Thecompressible objects outlet ports FIG. 8A . -
FIG. 8B illustrates a schematic diagram ofcompressible objects 145 disposed along abottom surface 147 of aheat exchanger 140 withinmicrochannels 148. As shown inFIG. 8B , thecompressible objects 145 can be arranged within themicrochannels 148 such that thecompressible objects 145 form part of a seal from atop surface 149 to thebottom surface 147. In bothFIGS. 8A and 8B , compressible objects act as freeze protection within a heat exchanger. The positioning of thecompressible objects 145 is intended to minimize flow resistance, and to avoid degrading heat transfer from thebottom surface 147 to the fluid. Placement of thecompressible objects 145 on sides of the microchannels is also possible, although less advantageous than the positioning as shown inFIG. 8B . Positioning on thebottom surface 148 would severely degrade performance of theheat exchanger 140 because of a high thermal resistance of the compressible objects 145. -
FIG. 9A illustrates a schematic diagram ofcompressible objects walls tubing 150 within a heat rejector. Thetubing 150 can be substantially longer than other portions of the system, for example centimeters in length in certain parts of the system 100 (FIG. 1 ), and as much as a meters in length in other parts. Placement of a length of thecompressible objects walls tubing 150 will act as freeze protection within a heat rejector. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 9B ,compressible element 165, such as compressible foam structures, can be threaded along a length of thetubing 160. Thecompressible element 165 can float freely within thetubing 160. Because thecompressible element 165 is thinner than thetubing 160, it can simply be threaded without concern for forming a blockage in thetubing 160. A length of thecompressible elements 165 will vary according to the lengths of thetubing 160. -
FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of various possible configurations forcompressible objects channels 170 of aplate 180 within a heat rejector. As shown inFIG. 10 , fluid can be routed through thechannels 170 disposed within theplate 180 that allows fluid flow between afluid inlet 172 and afluid outlet 174. A heat rejector can includefins 190 mounted to and in thermal contact with theplate 180. Thecompressible objects channels 170 provide freeze protection, thereby improving performance of the entire system. - In addition to the use of size and volume reducing means, air pockets, compressible objects, and flexible objects discussed above, other techniques can be used to prevent cracking in a liquid cooling system, as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, as shown in
FIG. 11 ,compressible elements 182 can partly fill all fluid segments of a cooling loop. In all these cases, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill that routine mechanical design analysis is useful to compute stress throughout the cooling system including but not limited to the chambers, lengths of tubing, and other enclosures that contain either the air pockets or compressible objects to design a system for which stresses do not accumulate in any location in sizes large enough to cause the enclosures to fail. In a closed-loop cooling system for an electronic device, relatively large reservoirs of fluid are likely to be in the chambers of the pump or the tubing in a heat exchanger. System design should strive to minimize these volumes of fluid, thereby reducing the volume of the compressible material used. Failing that, or if large volumes of fluid are needed to guarantee sufficient fluid over extended use, the embodiments described above can reduce forces generated during freezing to manageable levels. - In another embodiment, shown in
FIG. 12 , an apparatus or pump 200 includes ahousing 208 having aninlet chamber 202 and anoutlet chamber 204. A pumpingstructure 209 separates the inlet andoutlet chambers housing 208 to an upper surface of thehousing 208. The pumpingstructure 209 channels liquid from apump inlet 201 to apump outlet 206. Thechambers pump 200 is water. It is contemplated that any other suitable liquid is contemplated in accordance with the present invention. - Still referring to
FIG. 12 , thehousing 208 can be designed to withstand expansion of the fluid when freezing occurs. A plurality offlexible objects 207 are coupled to at least one wall of thehousing 208. Thehousing 208 consists of rigid plates and support thechambers chambers flexible objects 207. Theflexible objects 207 can be fastened to the plates. Theflexible objects 207 can be formed on any or each of the plurality of sides of thechambers FIG. 13 . The flexible objects can be elastomer hinges or any suitable polymer hinge, so long as it can alter its shape when met by force. - In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 14 , a method of preventing cracking in a pump is disclosed beginning in theStep 300. In theStep 310, a housing is provided having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber separated by a pumping structure. In theStep 320, a plurality of spaced apart flexible objects are disposed to form at least one wall of the housing such that pressure exerted on the plurality of spaced apart flexible objects increases a volume of the housing. The flexible objects can accommodate a predetermined level of fluid expansion. - The predetermined level of fluid expansion can be between five to twenty-five percent. The flexible objects are preferably spaced apart a predetermined distance. Additionally, the flexible objects are preferably capable of contracting and expanding between a minimum volume condition and a maximum volume condition. The pump can be electro-osmotic. The housing can include rigid plates. Furthermore, the flexible objects can be fastened to the rigid plates. The flexible objects can be made of rubber, plastic or foam.
- In another embodiment, shown in
FIG. 15 , an apparatus or pump 400 includes ahousing 410 having hourglass-shaped inlet and outlet chambers. The hourglass-shaped chambers can have a relatively narrowed middle orcentral portion 405 and substantially identical expandedend portions 407. A pumpingstructure 420 separates the inlet and outlet chambers from a bottom surface of thehousing 410 to an upper surface of thehousing 410. The apparatus can include a thermal path from a location of initial freezing to its surroundings. - As the fluid or chamber is cooled from above a freezing point, the thermal path serves to efficiently reject heat stored in the location. For example, an optional
metallic insert 430 is mounted from the location of initial freezing in the chamber to the top surface of the chamber would serve. Preferably, themetallic insert 430 is formed of a material that will not contaminate the fluid such as copper. A critical factor is use of any material or structure that assists a particular location become cold fastest, and so that progression of freezing is continuous from that location to the expandedend portions 407 of the chambers. The combination of having hourglass-shaped chambers and themetallic insert 430 allows for freezing to initiate at the narrowed middle orcentral portion 405 of the hourglass-shaped chambers and expand outward to the expandedend portions 407, where liquid can be further displaced at the inlet, outlet, or both, or a volume accommodating structure can be implemented at the expandedend portions 407 as described above. - In the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied to a pump or a housing having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to any enclosure in a liquid cooling system. The liquid cooling system preferably includes an electro-osmotic pump and a heat exchanger. As such, the size and volume reducing means, the air pockets, the compressible objects, and the compressible objects can be applied to any or each enclosure in the system, including tubing, of the liquid cooling system.
- The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modification s may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (6)
1. An apparatus for preventing cracking of a liquid system, comprising:
a. an enclosure configured to have multiple zones of different freeze susceptibilities and to cause freezing to begin in a high freeze susceptibility zone and for a freeze front to advance from the high freeze susceptibility zone toward a low freeze susceptibility zone through one or more zones of progressively decreasing freeze susceptibility; and
b. a compressible object immersed in a zone of lower freeze susceptibility than the high freeze susceptibility zone.
2. An apparatus for preventing cracking of a liquid system, comprising:
a. an enclosure configured to have multiple zones of different surface area to volume ratios and to cause freezing to begin in a high surface area to volume ratio zone and for a freeze front to advance from the high surface area to volume ratio zone toward a low surface area to volume ratio zone; and
b. a pressure relief area in the enclosure located in a zone other than the high surface area to volume ratio zone.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the pressure relief area is a compressible object.
4. A freeze-tolerant heat exchanger, comprising:
a. a micro-structured heat exchange region having a first freeze susceptibility;
b. a manifold region configured to have a second freeze susceptibility so that fluid within the manifold region freezes later than fluid within the micro-structured heat exchange region; and
c. a fluid input region including a compressible object and configured to have a third freeze susceptibility so that fluid within the fluid input region freezes later than fluid within the manifold region;
wherein the heat exchanger is configured so that a freeze front advances from the micro-structured heat exchange region towards the compressible object.
5. The freeze-tolerant heat exchanger of claim 4 , wherein the micro-structured region comprises one or more of the following: microchannels, microporous foam, and pseudo-foam.
6. A method of preventing cracking of a liquid system, the system including a pump and a heat exchanger, the method comprising the steps of:
a. configuring the system to have multiple zones of different surface area to volume ratios and to cause freezing to begin in a high surface area to volume ratio zone and to advance towards a low surface area to volume ratio zone;
b. providing an enclosure fluidly coupled to the system at a zone other than the high surface area to volume ratio zone; and
c. placing a compressible object in the enclosure.
Priority Applications (4)
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US11/977,797 US20090044928A1 (en) | 2003-01-31 | 2007-10-25 | Method and apparatus for preventing cracking in a liquid cooling system |
TW097140743A TW200928279A (en) | 2007-10-25 | 2008-10-23 | Method and apparatus for preventing cracking in a liquid cooling system |
DE102008053020A DE102008053020A1 (en) | 2007-10-25 | 2008-10-24 | Removable heat spreader mounting assembly for microprocessor in computer, has removable lid which is fixed to rigid support bracket of printed circuit board, in order to provide selective access to microprocessor mounted on PCB |
JP2008275611A JP2009170877A (en) | 2007-10-25 | 2008-10-27 | Apparatus and method for preventing cracking, and proof-freezing heat exchange apparatus |
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US57726204P | 2004-06-04 | 2004-06-04 | |
US11/049,202 US7293423B2 (en) | 2004-06-04 | 2005-02-01 | Method and apparatus for controlling freezing nucleation and propagation |
US11/977,797 US20090044928A1 (en) | 2003-01-31 | 2007-10-25 | Method and apparatus for preventing cracking in a liquid cooling system |
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US11/049,202 Continuation-In-Part US7293423B2 (en) | 2003-01-31 | 2005-02-01 | Method and apparatus for controlling freezing nucleation and propagation |
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-
2007
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2008
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TW200928279A (en) | 2009-07-01 |
DE102008053020A1 (en) | 2009-04-30 |
JP2009170877A (en) | 2009-07-30 |
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