Patent Application
20100044005
This invention relates to the art of coolant pumping systems and, more particularly, to a coolant pumping system for mobile electronic systems.
Conventional electronic systems rely on conduction and/or convection cooling systems. Conduction cooling systems employ heat sinks that pass heat from an electronic component to a plurality of fins. Air passing across the fins carries away the heat. The air is either forced across the fins by a fan, or allowed to passively carry away any accumulated heat. Many newer electronic systems, such as computers, both desktop models and servers, employ a liquid coolant to carry away heat.
In addition to cooling systems, many electronics systems utilize optimization schemes to minimize power consumption. In such cases, the cooling systems must be capable of maintaining low temperatures associated with low power or stand-by modes when the electronic system is operating at peak loads. In order to provide sufficient liquid cooling at peak loads, pump systems and associated liquid cooling components are often oversized.
In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention, a coolant pumping system for a mobile electronic system includes a coolant reservoir containing a coolant, a heat exchanger member fluidly connected to the coolant reservoir, and a mass moveably mounted to the mobile electronic system. The mass is moved along at least one axis in response to at least one of acceleration and orientation changes of the mobile electronic system. The coolant system further includes a force transfer member operatively connected between the mass and the coolant reservoir. The force transfer member urges the coolant from the coolant reservoir through the heat exchanger member in response to movements of the mass.
In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention a method of pumping coolant to a mobile electronic system includes moving the mobile electronic system to generate acceleration forces, shifting a mass moveably mounted to the mobile electronic system in response to the acceleration forces with the shifting mass creating work, and transferring the work through a force transfer member operatively connected to a coolant reservoir. The force transfer member urges coolant from the coolant reservoir through a heat exchanger member associated with the mobile electronic system.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains the exemplary embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
With initial reference to
Reference will now be made to
In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, coolant pumping system 24 includes a first mass 54 operatively coupled to first coolant reservoir 34 via a first force transfer member 56. At this point it should be understood that the term “mass” should be construed to include a designated mass associated with pumping system 24 or another component such as, but not limited to, a battery, or chassis component. Similarly, a second mass 60 is operatively coupled to second coolant reservoir 42 via a second force transfer member 62. Each mass 54, 60 is moveably mounted relative to vehicle 5. In this manner, forces developed though accelerations or movements of vehicle 5 cause each mass 54 and 60 to shift and thus create work. The work is transferred to corresponding ones of force transfer members 56 and 62. Each force transfer member 56 and 62 acts upon respective ones of coolant reservoirs 34 and 42 urging coolant through first conduit 37. More specifically, each coolant reservoir 34 and 42 includes a corresponding flexible membrane portion 74 and 75. Force transfer members 56 and 62 act on respective ones of flexible membranes 74 and 75 to urge coolant from corresponding ones of reservoirs 34 and 42. With this configuration, the coolant passes from one of first and second reservoirs 34 and 42, through conduit 37 to heat exchanger member 35. The coolant absorbs heat from electronic system 10 via heat exchanger member 35 and moves to the other of first and second coolant reservoirs 34 and 42. At this point, air passing over fins 44 carries away heat entrained in the coolant.
In this manner, reciprocating movement of masses 54 and 60 resulting from acceleration forces generated by vehicle 5 create an oscillating pumping system that delivers coolant to cool temperatures at electronic system 10. That is, in the case of, for example, hybrid vehicles, electronic system 10 reaches peak loads during accelerations and decelerations. By tying coolant movement to forces associated with high electrical loads, coolant pumping system 24 delivers coolant to heat exchanger member 35 during peak load periods in order to maintain low temperatures, e.g., temperatures realized during stand-by or non-peak periods, at the electronic components.
Reference will now be made to
In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, coolant pumping system 84 includes a first mass 114 operatively coupled to first coolant reservoir 88 via a first force transfer member 116. Similarly, a second mass 120 is operatively coupled to second coolant reservoir 96 via a second force transfer member 122. Each mass 114, 120 is moveably mounted relative to vehicle 5. In this manner, forces developed though accelerations or movements of vehicle 5 cause each mass 114 and 120 to shift thereby creating work. The work is transferred to corresponding ones of force transfer members 116 and 122. Each force transfer member 116 and 122 acts upon respective ones of coolant reservoirs 88 and 96 urging coolant through first conduit 91. More specifically, each coolant reservoir 88 and 96 includes a corresponding flexible membrane portion 130 and 131. Force transfer members 116 and 122 act on respective ones of flexible membranes 130 and 131 to urge coolant from corresponding ones of reservoirs 88 and 96. The coolant passes from first and second reservoirs 88, through first section 92 to heat exchanger member 89. The coolant absorbs heat from electronic system 10 via heat exchanger member 89 and moves through second section 93 to second coolant reservoir 96. At the same time, coolant displaced from first coolant reservoir 88 is replenished by coolant from second coolant reservoir 96 via second conduit 100.
In this manner, reciprocating movement of masses 114 and 120 resulting from forces generated by vehicle 5 creates a unidirectional pulsating flow pump system that delivers coolant to cool temperatures at electronic system 10. That is, as note above, in, for example, hybrid vehicles, electronic system 10 reaches peak loads during accelerations and decelerations. By tying coolant movement to vehicle or system forces associated with high electrical loads, coolant pumping system 84 delivers coolant to heat exchanger member 89 during peak load periods in order to maintain low temperatures, e.g., temperatures realized during stand-by or non-peak periods, at the electronic components.
Reference will now be made to
In accordance with the above-described arrangement, forces generated by accelerations or movements of vehicle 5 are transferred to mass 149. Mass 149, in response the forces, oscillates or moves within mechanical fixture 146 to load a tension onto a spring 164. More specifically, oscillations and movements of mass 149 act upon gear member 157. Gear member 157 rotates to load spring 164. Gear member 157 is held in place by latch 166 to maintain the load in spring 164. In this manner, latch 166 is selectively disengaged to release energy stored in spring 164. The energy stored in spring 164 acts upon force transfer member 168 to urge coolant through heat exchanger member 141. More specifically, coolant reservoir 140 includes a flexible membrane portion 180. Force transfer member 168 acts on flexible membrane 180 to urge coolant from reservoirs 140 through heat exchanger member 141.
In accordance with one aspect of the exemplary embodiment, the energy stored in spring 164 is exerted upon force transfer member 168 over an extended period of time, even after the accelerations and/or movements cease. At this point it should be understood that coolant pumping system 134 may include another mass system that acts upon another coolant reservoir. In this manner, coolant system 134 is readily adapted to both oscillating pumping systems and unidirectional pumping systems. Moreover, the use of multiple, separate spring systems enables coolant pumping system 134 to be fine tuned to match anticipated acceleration forces with required pumping rates. Once again it should be understood that by tying coolant movement to vehicle or system forces associated with high electrical loads, coolant pumping system 134 delivers coolant to heat exchanger member 141 during peak load periods in order to maintain low temperatures, e.g., temperatures realized during stand-by or non-peak periods, at the electronic components.
At this point it should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a coolant pumping system readily adaptable to meet cooling needs for mobile electronics systems. By tying coolant movement to vehicle or system forces associated with high electrical loads such as, but not limited to, changes in orientation or repetitive motions from a user, coolant pumping systems in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention deliver coolant of a reduced temperature relative to electronic components during peak load while still maintaining low temperatures associated with stand-by or non-peak periods. It should also be appreciated the mobile electronics system can take a variety of forms such as, but not limited to, vehicles such as internal combustion vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and the like as well as mobile computing devices, mobile video devices, as well as various consumer electronics devices.
While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.
