The present specification generally relates to systems and methods for charging phase-change thermal devices with working fluid and, more particularly, systems and methods for both degassing and charging miniature phase-change thermal devices with working fluid at precise volume and accurate vacuum levels.
A phase-change thermal device is a device that is filled (i.e., charged) with a working fluid that changes to a vapor in response to thermal energy. Example phase-change thermal devices include, but are not limited to, a thermal switch or diode device, a vapor chamber, a heat pipe, and a thermal ground plane. In these devices, a chamber is filled with the working fluid. However, in miniature phase-change thermal device (e.g., devices charged with a working fluid volume of less than or equal to 1 ml), it may be very difficult to control the amount of working fluid injected into the device. In many cases, the volume of working fluid should be precisely controlled so that the phase-change thermal device may operate as desired.
Further, in the case of a thermal switch device, the vacuum level within the thermal switch device is controlled so that the thermal switch devices switches from relatively low thermal conductivity to relatively high thermal conductivity at a desired temperature. The thermal switch device is sensitive to the amount of non-condensable gas left within the chamber. Thus, the presence of non-condensable gas within the thermal device may lead to a non-controllable switching temperature of the thermal switch device.
Accordingly, a need exists for alternative systems and methods for degassing and charging phase-change thermal devices.
In one embodiment, a system for degassing and charging a phase-change thermal device includes a flask including an inlet for receiving a working fluid and an outlet, a first shut-off valve fluidly coupled to the outlet of the flask, and a first valve fluidly coupled to the first shut-off valve by a fluid line. The system further includes a second valve fluidly coupled to the first valve, wherein the second valve is operable to be fluidly coupled to the phase-change thermal device, a second shut-off valve fluidly coupled to the second valve, a third valve fluidly coupled to the first valve, a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the third valve, and a fluid injection device fluidly coupled to the fluid line between the first valve and the first shut-off valve. The fluid injection device is operable to draw the working fluid from the flask and inject a desired amount of the working fluid into the phase-change thermal device.
In another embodiment, a system for degassing and charging a phase-change thermal device includes a flask including an inlet for receiving a working fluid and an outlet. The system further includes a filter fluidly coupled to the inlet of the flask, a reservoir fluidly coupled to the filter, a heating element thermally coupled to the flask and operable to heat the working fluid within the flask, a first shut-off valve fluidly coupled to the outlet of the flask, a first valve fluidly coupled to the first shut-off valve by a first fluid line, and a second valve fluidly coupled to the first valve. The second valve is operable to be fluidly coupled to the phase-change thermal device. The system further includes a second shut-off valve fluidly coupled to the second valve and fluidly coupled to atmosphere, a third valve fluidly coupled to the first valve, a second fluid line fluidly coupled to the third valve, a fluid trap fluidly coupled to the second fluid line, a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the fluid trap, and a syringe fluidly coupled to the first fluid line between the first valve and the first shut-off valve. The syringe is operable to draw the working fluid from the flask, and inject a desired amount of the working fluid into the phase-change thermal device. The system further includes a third shut-off valve fluidly coupled to an exhaust output of the flask, and fluidly coupled to the atmosphere, and a fourth shut-off valve fluidly coupled to the exhaust output of the flask, and fluidly coupled the second fluid line.
In yet another embodiment, a method for charging a phase-change thermal device includes fluidly coupling the phase-change thermal device to a degassing and charging system. The degassing and charging system includes a flask including an inlet for receiving a working fluid and an outlet, at least one fluid line fluidly coupling the outlet of the flask to the phase-change thermal device, and a fluid injection device fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid line. The method further includes degassing the working fluid by heating the working fluid within the flask and exhausting vapor, filling the at least one fluid line with the working fluid from the outlet of the flask, drawing working fluid into the fluid injection device from the at least one fluid line and the outlet of the flask, and injecting the working fluid within the fluid injection device such that a desired amount of working fluid within the at least one fluid line is displaced into the phase-change thermal device.
These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for high-precision degassing, vacuuming and charging of phase-change thermal devices. Thermal devices include, but are not limited to, heat pipes, vapor chambers, thermal ground planes, thermal switches, and the like. Each of these devices is charged with a working fluid, such as, without limitation, water. It should be understood that working fluids other than water may be utilized. In cooling device applications, the working fluid removes heat from a heat generating device, such as a semiconductor device, by changing phase from a liquid to a vapor. In thermal switch device applications, the thermal switch device may change its thermal conductivity at a switching temperature. For example, the thermal switch device may change from less thermally conductive (i.e., insulative) to more thermally conductive when the temperature of the thermal switch reaches the switching temperature. Example non-limiting thermal switch devices are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/151,679 filed on May 11, 2016 and entitled “Programmable Ultrasonic Thermal Diodes,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/261,063 filed on Sep. 9, 2016 and entitled “Vapor Chamber Heat Flux Rectifier and Thermal Switch,” both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.
Phase-change thermal devices should be charged (i.e., filled) with a particular amount of working fluid for them to operate properly. Charging a phase-change thermal device with the precise amount of working fluid becomes difficult in miniature devices because precise control of the charging amount (e.g., less than or equal to about 1 ml) is challenging. Another challenge is accurate vacuum level control, particularly in thermal switch applications. The switching temperature of the thermal switch is sensitive to the amount of non-condensable gas left in the chamber (i.e., vacuum level).
Embodiments of the present disclosure enable precise charging of a phase-change thermal device (e.g., less than or equal to about 1 ml), as well as accurate vacuum control. More particularly, embodiments described herein are directed to methods and systems that integrate the functions of working fluid degassing, precise vacuum level control, and charging amount control for miniature phase-change thermal devices. Although embodiments are described in the context of charging miniature phase-change thermal device having a working fluid volume of less than or equal to about 1 ml, embodiments are not limited thereto. The systems and methods described herein may be utilized to charge phase-change thermal devices having a working fluid volume that is greater than 1 ml.
The methods and systems may eliminate phase-change thermal device error, and further improve charging accuracy. The embodiments described herein enable the control of charging level uncertainty within about ±1% for a charging amount within a range of about 0.4 ml to about 1 ml, within about ±5% for a charging amount within a range of about 0.07 ml to about 0.2 ml, and within ±10% for a charging amount within a range of about 0.02 ml to about 0.06 ml. The charging speed for the systems and methods described herein are within a range of about 0.1 μl/min to about 3 ml/min. Further, the internal pressure of phase-change thermal devices charged according to embodiments described herein is adjustable with an accuracy of ±0.01 kPa.
Generally, a working fluid, a degassing and charging system, and a phase-change thermal device coupled to the charging system are subjected to a degassing process to remove non-condensable gas from the charging system and the phase-change thermal device. Next, a fluid line in front of the phase-change thermal device is filled with working fluid from a source. A valve connecting the phase-change thermal device to the degassing and charging system is opened. The working fluid within the fluid line in front of the phase-change thermal device is displaced by a fluid injection device (e.g., a syringe) and precisely injected into the phase-change thermal device.
Referring now to
Generally, the system 100 includes a reservoir 119 that is a source for working fluid, a flask 116 that stores working fluid from the reservoir 119, a fluid injection device 114, and a vacuum pump 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the flask 116 is a three neck flask having an inlet, an outlet, and an exhaust. A heating element 135 is thermally coupled to the flask 116 to heat the working fluid during a degassing process, as described in more detail below.
A plurality of fluid lines 130 fluidly couples the various components of the system 100. The plurality of fluid lines 130 may be made from any suitable fluid piping. Further, a plurality of valves is disposed within the system 100 to control the flow of working fluid and gasses. The valves described herein may be configured as any known or yet-to-be-developed valves operable to allow or prevent the flow of fluid.
In the illustrated embodiment, a first metering valve 118 and a particulate filter 117 is disposed between the inlet of the flask 116 and the reservoir 119. The first metering valve 118 is operable to control an amount of working fluid provided from the reservoir 119 to the flask 116. The particulate filter 117 is operable to filter out any particulate matter within the working fluid prior to the working fluid reading the flask 116. As an example and not a limitation, the particulate filter 117 may comprise a micron-scale pore filter (e.g., less than 10 μm pore size). It should be understood that, in other embodiments, a particulate filter 117 is not utilized. Further, a valve other than a metering valve may be used to control working fluid flow from the reservoir 119 to the flask 116.
A first shut-off valve 115 is fluidly coupled to the outlet of the flask 116. The first shut-off valve 115 allows or prevents working fluid from exiting the flask 116. The first shut-off valve 115 is fluidly coupled to a first valve 113 by a first fluid line 131, which may be any suitable fluid piping. Although the first valve 113 is illustrated as a three-way valve, embodiments are not limited thereto. The fluid injection device 114 is also fluidly coupled to the first fluid line 131. In the illustrated example, the fluid injection device 114 is configured as a syringe capable of drawing in working fluid and expelling working fluid. However, any device operable to displace a desired amount of working fluid may be utilized. In some embodiments, the fluid injection device 114 comprises a syringe having a mechanically controlled pump or other type of automatically adjustable chamber. The mechanically controlled pump may be programmed to automatically accurately withdraw and inject precise amounts of working fluid at a controllable rate (e.g., within a range of about 0.1 μl/min to about 3 μl/min as a non-limiting example) without manual intervention by an operator. The fluid injection device 114 may be fluidly coupled to the first fluid line 131 by any means, such as by fluid couplings. As described in more detail below, the fluid injection device 114 is configured to inject a small, precise amount of working fluid into the phase-change thermal device 112.
A second valve 111 is fluidly coupled to the first valve 113 and the phase-change thermal device 112. The second valve 111, which in the illustrated example is configured as a three-way valve, is also fluidly coupled to a second shut-off valve 109 that is further fluidly coupled to an exhaust 108 to the environment. In the illustrated example, a digital compound pressure gauge P is disposed between the second valve 111 and the second shut-off valve 109 and that measures the pressure within the system 100.
The first valve 113 is also fluidly coupled to a third valve 104. Although the first valve 113 is illustrated as a three-way valve, embodiments are not limited thereto. The third valve 104 is further fluidly coupled to a second metering valve 103. A fluid trap 102 is fluidly coupled to the third valve 104 by a second fluid line 132. The fluid trap 102 is further fluidly coupled to the vacuum pump 101. It is noted that although only first fluid line 131 and second fluid line 132 are the only fluid lines identified by reference numerals, many additional fluid lines may be present to fluidly couple the various devices of the system.
In the example system 100 illustrated in
Having described the components of the example system 100 of
Generally, the method comprises the steps of primary evacuation of the system 100 and the phase-change thermal device 112, degassing of the working fluid, charging the phase-change thermal device 112 with working fluid, and, in the case where the phase-change thermal device 112 is a thermal switch, secondary vacuuming to achieve a desired pressure within the phase-change thermal device 112.
Referring to
Next, if the phase-change thermal device 112 is a thermal switch device, the phase-change thermal device 112 is vacuumed (
Further if the phase-change thermal device 112 is a thermal switch device, the system 100 is then evacuated and vacuumed to a target level such as, without limitation, 10−3 Torr (
However, for other phase-change thermal devices that are not a thermal switch device (e.g., a heat pipe or a thermal ground plane), the phase-change thermal device does not need to be vacuumed. Thus, the second valve 111, the third shut-off valve 105, the first shut-off valve 115, and the first valve 113 are opened to evacuate the system and the phase-change thermal device 112.
In block 123 of
Next, the system 100 is allowed to cool down after a period of time. Then, at block 125 of
Referring now to
After the phase-change thermal device 112 is charged, residual working fluid within the system may be optionally removed (
Finally, if the phase-change thermal device 112 is a thermal switch device, then a secondary vacuum step may be performed to achieve a desired pressure within the phase-change thermal device 112 and therefore set the desired switching temperature of the phase-change thermal device 112 (
Referring now to
During the filling of the first fluid line 131 (see
Referring now to
After charging one phase-change thermal device 112, it is removed from the system 100″. A subsequent phase-change thermal device 112 is coupled to the system 100″ at the second valve 111. A second input of the phase-change thermal device 112 is fluidly coupled to the fourth valve 150. As the fourth valve 150 is fluidly coupled to the fluid line between the third valve 104 and the second metering valve 103, the pressure within the subsequent phase-change thermal device 112 may be regulated by by-passing a majority of the fluid lines and vacuuming through the fourth valve 150 and the second input of the phase-change thermal device 112. More particularly, to regulate pressure within the phase-change thermal device 112, the fourth valve 150 is opened, the third valve 104 and the second valve 111 are closed, and the second metering valve 103 is adjusted to achieve the desired pressure within the phase-change thermal device 112.
Thus, because the fluid line from the third valve 104 to the second shut-off valve 109, the second valve 111, and the first valve 110 (i.e., the fluid line in front of the phase-change thermal device 112), the system 100″ is capable of charging another phase-change thermal device after the fabrication of a previous phase-change thermal device is completed. If the fluid injection device 114 runs out of working fluid, it may be recharged by closing the first valve 113 and the opening first shut-off valve 115 to withdraw working fluid from the flask 116. Manufacturing through-put is increased because the fluid lines of the system do not need to be removed of working fluid prior to charging the next phase-change thermal device.
It should now be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for degassing and charging phase-change thermal devices, such as thermal switch devices. Embodiments described herein are directed to methods and systems that integrate the functions of working fluid degassing, precise vacuum level control, and charging amount control for miniature phase-change thermal devices. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable precise charging of a phase-change thermal device (e.g., less than about 1 ml), as well as accurate vacuum control.
While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.
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20180099363 A1 | Apr 2018 | US |