Cooling system and method of use

Abstract

In one embodiment, the cooling system includes both a primary cooling system configured to move a first cooling fluid across a major surface of the circuit boards and a secondary cooling system configured to move a second cooling fluid across at least one primary or targeted component mounted on one of the circuit boards. The secondary cooling system provides enhanced forced convective cooling of the primary component and provides a degree of redundancy for the targeted components. Also disclosed are methods of cooling electronic devices using such cooling systems.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an orthogonal view of certain components arranged in an example embodiment of a cooling system according to the invention and suitable for use as a secondary cooling system in combination with a primary cooling system for cooling one or more board mounted devices;

FIG. 2 illustrates another orthogonal view of certain board-based components arranged in an example embodiment of a cooling system according to the invention and suitable for cooling one or more board mounted devices;

FIG. 3A illustrates a frontal view of a plurality of circuit packs or boards mounted in an equipment shelf or cabinet;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the equipment shelf of FIG. 3A taken along plane 3B-3B to reveal an example circuit pack and components and structures associated with both a primary cooling system and a secondary cooling system;

FIG. 4A illustrates a plan view of a certain components arranged on an example circuit pack generally corresponding to those illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3B;

FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of certain components arranged in an example embodiment of a cooling apparatus according to the invention and suitable for cooling one or more board mounted devices generally corresponding to FIG. 4A taken along plane 4B-4B;

FIG. 4C illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the indicated portion of the example embodiment of FIG. 4B showing additional detail with regard to certain of the components;

FIG. 5A illustrates an orthogonal view of an example embodiment of a modular configuration of an equipment shelf including a plurality of circuit packs; and

FIG. 5B illustrates an orthogonal view of an example embodiment of a modular configuration as shown in FIG. 5A after assembly.

Claims

1. A system for cooling components arrayed on a plurality of adjacent circuit boards comprising: a primary cooling system configured to move a first cooling fluid across major surfaces of the circuit boards and thereby provide forced convective cooling of the components mounted on the major surfaces;a secondary cooling system configured to move a second cooling fluid across a primary component mounted on the major surface of one of the circuit boards and thereby provide enhanced forced convective cooling of the primary component.

2. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 1, wherein the secondary cooling system comprises: a primary manifold for receiving the second cooling fluid;a secondary manifold for receiving the second cooling fluid from the primary manifold;a runner for receiving the second cooling fluid from the secondary manifold;a nozzle assembly attached to the runner for directing the second cooling fluid onto a surface of the primary component; andan apparatus for forcing the second cooling fluid into the primary manifold.

3. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 2, wherein the primary manifold supplies the second cooling fluid to a plurality of secondary manifolds;the secondary manifolds are configured to allow for the attachment of a plurality of runners.

4. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 3, wherein the secondary manifolds include a plurality of runner ports having a first attachment structure; andthe runners include a second attachment structure, the first and second attachment structures cooperating to form a fluid tight connection between the secondary manifolds and the runners.

5. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 4, wherein the runner ports include a valve assembly that normally operates to seal the runner ports; andthe second attachment structure opens the valve assembly as the runner is attached to the runner port.

6. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 3, wherein the runners are configured to be selectively deflected within a plane generally parallel to the major surface of the circuit boards.

7. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 6, wherein the runner includes a deflecting structure selected from a group consisting of a flexible member, an elastic member, a bellows member and a pivoting member.

8. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 3, wherein the runner has a length that may be selectively varied between a minimum length and a maximum length.

9. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 8, wherein the length of the runner is adjusted using a structure selected from a group consisting of an elastic member, a bellows segment, a telescoping region and a threaded segment.

10. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle assembly is configured for attachment to the major surface of the circuit board adjacent the primary component.

11. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 10, wherein a first attachment component is provided on the nozzle and a second attachment component is provided on the major surface of the circuit board adjacent the primary component, the first and second attachment components cooperating to attach the nozzle to the circuit board.

12. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 2, wherein the second cooling fluid moves across a heat transfer structure in thermal contact with the primary component, the heat transfer structure increasing an effective convective area of the primary component.

13. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 2, further comprising: a cooling apparatus for removing heat from the second cooling fluid before the second cooling fluid exits the nozzle.

14. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 13, wherein the cooling apparatus includes a device selected from a group consisting of a fluid based heat exchanger and a thermoelectric surface.

15. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus for forcing the second cooling fluid into the primary manifold includes a device selected from a group consisting of fans, blowers, compressors and pressure vessels.

16. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 2, wherein the first cooling fluid has an initial temperature T1i; andthe second cooling fluid has an initial temperature T2i, wherein the expression T1i≧T2i is satisfied.

17. The system for cooling electronic devices according to claim 2, wherein the first cooling fluid and the second cooling fluid are both air.

18. A method of cooling components mounted on a circuit pack assembly within an equipment shelf comprising: moving a first cooling fluid over a major surface of the circuit pack assembly to remove a quantity of heat generated by a plurality of components;directing a stream of a second cooling fluid through a nozzle assembly and onto a surface of a targeted component to remove an additional quantity of heat generated by the targeted component.

19. The method of cooling components mounted on a circuit pack assembly within an equipment shelf according to claim 18, further comprising: monitoring a temperature of the targeted component;generating an overtemp signal when the temperature of the targeted component exceeds a preset temperature limit; andinitiating at least one remedial actions.

20. The method of cooling components mounted on a circuit pack assembly within an equipment shelf according to claim 19, wherein the remedial action includes directing a stream of third cooling fluid onto a surface of the targeted component to provide additional cooling.

21. The method of cooling components mounted on a circuit pack assembly within an equipment shelf according to claim 20, wherein the third cooling fluid cools the targeted component by evaporation.

22. The method of cooling components mounted on a circuit pack assembly within an equipment shelf according to claim 18, wherein: the first cooling fluid and the second cooling fluid are both air.