BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat-dissipating system, and in particular to a water-cooling heat-dissipating system in which a working fluid is used as a heat-conducting medium.
2. Description of Prior Art
Since the required power of electronic elements and semiconductors contained therein becomes larger and larger, the electricity consumption of the associated system increases substantially. As a result, the amount of heat generated by the electricity-controlled elements also increases to a great extent. In order to reduce the excessively high temperature of the electronic element and keep the working temperature thereof stable, therefore, it is an important issue for modern technology to develop an excellent heat-dissipating solution.
As far as now is concerned, in addition to the heat-dissipating fan that is used most commonly, another common heat-dissipating solution is a water-cooling heat-dissipating system. Conventional water-cooling heat-dissipating system includes some primary components such as a water block, a pump, a water tank and a water cooler. The primary components are in fluid communication with one another via conduits, thereby allowing a working fluid to flow in each component. The water block is attached to a heat-generating element directly to absorb the heat generated by the heat-generating element. After the water block performs a heat-exchanging action with the working fluid flowing therein, the heat generated by the heat-generating element can be taken away. Finally, after the working fluid flows to the water cooler and performs a heat-exchanging action with the water cooler, the heat can be dissipated to the outside to keep the heat-generating element within a normal range of working temperature. The pump is used to generate a force to push the working fluid to flow in each component. The water tank is used to store additional working fluid.
However, since the functions of modern electronic products are more and more powerful, it is necessary to require various electronic elements, which inevitably occupies the accommodating space within the electronic product and also affects the arrangement of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system directly. Although each of the primary components of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system starts to reduce its volume to correspond to the limited arrangement space so as to optimize the integrity and utilization of space, the conventional pump structure uses a turbine to increase the pressure so as to generate a thrust. The turbine assembly has a certain structure and volume. Therefore, it is difficult to further compress the whole volume of the pump; however, the water-cooling heat-dissipating system still occupies a certain space. As a result, it is difficult to apply the water-cooling heat-dissipating system to a further thinner electronic product, which becomes a drawback of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above drawback, the present invention is to provide a water-cooling heat-dissipating system having a thin pump. By providing a membrane pump which uses an activating element as a power source, the volume of the membrane pump is compressed substantially and thus the space occupied by the water-cooling heat-dissipating system is reduced. Not only the utilization of the space can be improved, but also the water-cooling heat-dissipating system can be applied to more electronic products having a thinner structure.
The present invention provides a water-cooling heat-dissipating system, which includes a water block, a membrane pump, a water tank and a heat exchanger. The above-mentioned components are in fluid communication with one another via a plurality of conduits. The water block is attached on a heat-generating element to absorb the heat generated by the heat-generating element. The membrane pump generates a thrust to facilitate the working fluid to perform a cooling action. The water tank is used to store additional working fluid. The heat exchanger performs a heat-conducting action with the flowing working fluid, thereby dissipating the heat absorbed by the working fluid to the outside. In this way, the heat-generating element can be kept in a normal range of working temperature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a membrane pump of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a top view of a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a top view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a top view of showing the structure of a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the membrane pump of the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a top view of showing the structure of a sixth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a top view of showing the structure of a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 10 is a top view of showing the structure of an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The technical contents of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a water-cooling heat-dissipating system, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a membrane pump. In the present embodiment, each of the primary components is connected in series. As shown in this figure, the primary components of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system of the present invention include a water block 1, a membrane pump 2, a water tank 3 and a heat exchanger 4. The above-mentioned primary components are in fluid communication with one another via a plurality of conduits 5, so that a working fluid can flow in the individual primary component. In the present embodiment, the water-cooling heat-dissipating system is provided on a main board 6. The water block 1 is attached on a heat-generating element (not shown) directly, thereby performing a heat-conducting action with the heat-generating element. The water block 1 is a hollow cavity. The interior of the water block is provided with a plurality of heat-dissipating pieces 11 to form a plurality of flowing paths 112. The front and rear ends of the water block 1 are provided with an inlet pipe 13 and an outlet pipe 14 respectively to allow the working fluid to flow therethrough. In this way, the heat generated by the heat-generating element can be absorbed by the plurality of internal heat-dissipating pieces 11. After performing a heat-exchanging action with the flowing working fluid, the heat generated by the heat-generating element can be taken away via the working fluid.
With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the membrane pump 2 is in fluid communication with the water block 1. The membrane pump 2 is mainly constituted of a cavity 21. Both sides of the cavity 21 are provided with an inlet pipe 211 and an outlet pipe 212. The interior of the cavity 21 is provided with a chamber 213 that is in fluid communication with the inlet pipe 211 and the outlet pipe 212. The upper end face of the cavity 1 is provided with a membrane 22 that is made of a material having high tension. The size of the membrane 22 is slightly identical to the area of one end face of the cavity 1, thereby covering the chamber 213 completely. An activating element 23 is provided above the membrane 22. In the present embodiment, the activating element 23 is a piezoelectric sheet that is provided above the chamber 213 correspondingly and abuts against the membrane 22. The activating element 23 has a fixed end 231 and a swinging end 232. The fixed end 231 is located on the same side as that of the outlet pipe 212. The fixed end 231 is connected with a plurality of electrode leads 7 to supply the necessary electricity for the activating element 23. The swinging end 232 abuts against the surface of the membrane 22. After the electricity is supplied, the swinging end 232 generates a swinging action along an arc-shaped trajectory at one side. Via the swinging action, the working fluid can be concentrated to flow in the same direction, so that the membrane 22 is driven to press the chamber 213. In addition, the swinging frequency of the activating element 23 can be adjusted according to various demands.
Finally, the cavity 21 can be combined with a casing 24 to cover the above-mentioned membrane 22 and the activating element 23 therein. The casing 24 is provided thereon with a plurality of penetrating holes 241 and 241a to correspond to the activating element 23 and the electrode leads 4 respectively, thereby allowing the activating element 23 to be exposed and has a space for extension. The activating element 23 is penetrated by the electrode leads 7. The tank 3 and the membrane pump 2 are connected and in fluid communication with each other, thereby storing addition amount of water. Finally, the heat exchanger 4 is constituted of a plurality of heat-dissipating pieces 41. A conduit 5 penetrates into the heat exchanger 4. Via this arrangement, when the working fluid flows through the heat exchanger 4, the working fluid performs a heat-exchanging action with the plurality of heat-dissipating pieces 41, so that the heat can be dissipated to each heat-dissipating piece 41 and finally dissipated to the outside to complete the heat dissipation. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the conduit 5 has a volume-cushioning effect, thereby bearing the volume expansion of the working fluid due to the high temperature. In this way, the conduit 5 can be pressed to expand outwardly to release the internal pressure of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system.
With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, they are top views of the second and third embodiments of the present invention respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet pipe 211 and the outlet pipe 212 of the membrane pump 2 are connected to a second cavity 8 and a third cavity 9 respectively. The interior of the second cavity 8 has a second chamber 81. Both sides of the second cavity 8 are provided with an inlet pipe 82 and an outlet pipe 83. The inlet pipe 82 is in fluid communication with the outlet pipe 14 of the water block 1 via a conduit 5, while the outlet pipe 83 is in fluid communication with the inlet pipe 211 of the membrane pump 2. The inner wall face of the second chamber 81 is provided with a valve 10 at a position corresponding to that of the inlet pipe 82. Similarly, the interior of the third cavity 9 has a third chamber 91. Both sides of the third cavity 9 are provided with an inlet pipe 92 and an outlet pipe 93. The inlet pipe 92 of the third cavity 9 is in fluid communication with the outlet pipe 212 of the membrane pump 2 via the conduit 5, and the outlet pipe 93 is in fluid communication with the tank 3 via the conduit 5. Finally, the inner wall face of the third chamber 91 is provided with a valve 10a at a position corresponding to that of the inlet pipe 92. Further, the second cavity 8 and the third cavity 9 are separated from each other and are not in fluid communication with each other directly.
Via the above arrangement, when the activating element 23 on the membrane pump 2 starts to swing downwardly, the membrane 22 is caused to compress the internal space of the chamber 213 of the membrane pump 2, thereby forcing the working fluid to flow toward the inlet pipe 211 and the outlet pipe 212. The working fluid is compressed to generate a thrust to flow through the valve 10a via the outlet pipe 212, and then flow through the third chamber 91 to achieve the tank 3. At the same time, the working fluid flowing toward the inlet pipe 211 enters the second chamber 81 to press the valve 10, thereby closing the inlet pipe 82 of the second cavity 8 tightly to prevent the working fluid outside the inlet pipe 82 from entering the second chamber 81. When the activating element 23 swings upwardly, the chamber 213 can return to its original space. Since the external pressure is larger than the pressure within the chamber 213, the working fluid is caused to flow through the valve 10 via the inlet pipe 82 and then flows into the chamber 213. At the same time, the working fluid existing in the third cavity 9 also generates a thrust to press the valve 10a within the third chamber 91, so that the valve 10a closes the inlet pipe 92 tightly to prevent the working fluid from flowing back into the chamber 213. In this way, the water-cooling heat-dissipating system can generate a circulation in one direction. Further, the connecting positions of the second cavity 8 and the third cavity 9 can be changed. As shown in FIG. 4, the second cavity 8 is provided between the heat exchanger 4 and the water block 1, which also has the same effect.
With reference to FIG. 5, it is a top view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the chamber 213 of the membrane pump 2 is provided with a valve 10 at the position corresponding to that of the inlet pipe 211. Further, a second cavity 8 is provided between the membrane pump 2 and the water tank 3. The second cavity 8 has a second chamber 81 therein. Both sides of the second cavity 8 are provided with an inlet pipe 82 and an outlet pipe 83. The inlet pipe 82 and the outlet pipe 83 are in fluid communication with the membrane pump 2 and the tank 3 via the conduits 5 respectively. Further, the interior of the second chamber 81 is provided with a valve 10a at the position corresponding to that of the inlet pipe 82. Via this arrangement, when the activating element 23 on the membrane pump 2 starts to swing downwardly, the membrane 22 is caused to compress the internal space of the chamber 213 of the membrane pump 2, thereby forcing the working fluid to flow toward the inlet pipe 211 and the outlet pipe 212 respectively. The working fluid is compressed to generate a thrust to flow through the valve 10 via the outlet pipe 212, and then flow through the second chamber 81 to achieve the tank 3. At the same time, the working fluid flowing toward the inlet pipe 211 presses the valve 10 that is located at the position corresponding to that of the inlet pipe 211, thereby closing the inlet pipe 82 of the second cavity 8 tightly to prevent the working fluid from flowing to the outside of the inlet pipe 82. When the activating element 23 swings upwardly, the chamber 213 can return to its original space. Since the external pressure is larger than the pressure within the chamber 213, the working fluid is caused to flow through the valve 10 via the inlet pipe 211 and then flows into the chamber 213. At the same time, the working fluid existing in the second cavity 8 also generates a thrust to press the valve 10a within the second chamber 81, so that the valve 10a closes the inlet pipe 82 tightly to prevent the working fluid from flowing back into the chamber 213. In this way, the water-cooling heat-dissipating system can generate a circulation in one direction.
FIG. 6 is a top view of showing the structure of a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the membrane pump. As shown in FIG. 6, the primary components of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system includes a water block 1, a membrane pump 2, a water tank 3 and a heat exchanger 4. The above-mentioned primary components are in fluid communication with one another via a plurality of conduits 5, so that the working fluid can flow in the individual primary component. In the present embodiment, the water-cooling heat-dissipating system is provided on a main board 6. The water block 1 is attached on a heat-generating element (not shown) directly, thereby performing a heat-conducting action with the heat-generating element. The water block 1 is a hollow cavity. The interior of the water block 1 is provided with a plurality of heat-dissipating pieces 11 to form a plurality of flowing paths 12. The front and rear ends of the water block 1 are provided with an inlet pipe 13 and an outlet pipe 14 respectively to allow the working fluid to flow therethrough. In this way, the heat generated by the heat-generating element can be absorbed by the plurality of internal heat-dissipating pieces 11. After performing a heat-exchanging action with the flowing working fluid, the heat generated by the heat-generating element can be taken away via the working fluid.
The structure of the membrane pump 2 further includes a cavity 21. Both sides of the cavity 21 are provided with an inlet pipe 211 and an outlet pipe 212 respectively. The interior of the cavity 21 is provided with a first chamber 214 and a second chamber 215 that are in fluid communication with each other via a through hole 216. The inlet pipe 211 and the outlet pipe 212 are in fluid communication with the first chamber 214 and the second chamber 215 respectively. The inner wall face of the first chamber 214 is provided with a valve 10 at a position corresponding to that of the inlet pipe 211. The valve is provided in a penetrating trough 217 on the inner wall, thereby blocking the working fluid from flowing back into the inlet pipe 211 from the first chamber 214 and then flowing out of the cavity 21. The inner wall face of the second chamber 215 is provided with a valve 10a at a position corresponding to that of the through hole 216, thereby blocking the working fluid from flowing back into the first chamber 214 from the second chamber 215 via the through hole 216. The valve 10a is arranged in the same manner as that of the valve 10 in the first chamber 214. The upper end face of the cavity 21 is provided with a membrane 22 for covering the first chamber 214 and the second chamber 215 completely. An activating element 23 is provided above the membrane 22 and is provided above the first chamber 214 correspondingly to abut against the membrane 22. The activating element 23 has a fixed end 231 and a swinging end 232. The fixed end 231 is located on the same side as that of the outlet pipe 212. The fixed end 231 is connected with a plurality of electrode leads 7 to supply the necessary electricity for the activating element 23. The swinging end 232 abuts against the surface of the membrane 22. After the electricity is supplied, the swinging end 232 generates a swinging action along an arc-shaped trajectory to cause the membrane 2 to press toward the first chamber 214. Finally, the cavity 21 is combined with a casing 24 to cover the above-mentioned membrane 22 and the activating element 23 therein. The casing 24 is provided thereon with a plurality of penetrating holes 241, 241a and 241b that are located at the positions corresponding to the activating element 23, the electrode leads 7 and the second chamber 215 respectively, thereby allowing the activating element 23 to be exposed and having a space for extension. The electrode leads 7 also penetrate through the activating element 23. The action of the membrane pump 2 keeps the working fluid to flow in one direction.
With reference to FIG. 6 again, the tank 3 and the membrane pump 2 are connected and in fluid communication with each other, thereby storing addition amount of water. Finally, the heat exchanger 4 is constituted of a plurality of heat-dissipating pieces 41. A conduit 5 penetrates into the heat exchanger 4. Via this arrangement, when the working fluid flows through the heat exchanger 4, the working fluid performs a heat-exchanging action with the plurality of heat-dissipating pieces 41, so that the heat can be dissipated to each heat-dissipating piece 41 and finally dissipated to the outside to complete the heat dissipation.
Therefore, when the swinging end 232 of the activating element 23 swings downwardly, the membrane 22 is caused to compress the internal space of the first chamber 214 to generate a pressure, thereby forcing the working fluid to flow through the valve 10a toward the second chamber 215 and then the tank 3. In this way, the working fluid within the water-cooling heat-dissipating system can generate a flow. Although a small portion of the working fluid may flow toward the inlet pipe 211, the thrust generated by the membrane 22 can also press the valve 10 to close the opening of the inlet pipe 211 tightly, thereby preventing the working fluid from flowing back into the inlet pipe 211. When the swinging end 232 of the activating element 23 swings upwardly, the membrane 22 can return to its original shape to release the internal space of the first chamber 214. In this way, the pressure within the first chamber 214 is smaller than the external pressure, so that the working fluid is caused to flow through the valve 10 via the inlet pipe 211 and then flows into the first chamber 214. Further, because of the pressure, the working fluid remaining in the outlet pipe 212 and the second chamber 215 also generates a thrust to press the valve 10a, so that the valve 10a closes the through hole 216 tightly to block the working fluid remaining in the outlet pipe 212 and the second chamber 215 from flowing back into the first chamber 214. In this way, the working fluid within the membrane pump 2 forms a larger amount flow in one direction. Further, the working fluid in the water-cooling heat-dissipating system can flow continuously in one direction.
With reference to FIG. 8, it is a top view showing the structure of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, the components of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system can be connected in series or in parallel according to various demands for heat dissipation. In addition to the previous embodiment in which the components are connected in series to form a single-circulation type water-cooling heat-dissipating system, as shown in FIG. 8, the water-cooling heat-dissipating system of the present invention can be applied to a plurality of heat-generating elements. The primary components of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system include a plurality of water blocks 1 and 1a (in the present embodiment, there are two water blocks), a membrane pump 2, a water tank 3, a heat exchanger 4, and a second cavity 8 and a third cavity 9 provided on both ends of the membrane pump 2. The water block 1 and 1a are adhered in parallel on the heat-generating elements, and then are in fluid communication with the second cavity 8, the membrane pump 2, the third cavity 9, the tank 3 and the heat exchanger 4 via a plurality of conduits 5. Via this arrangement, the working fluid within the water-cooling heat-dissipating system can flow through the plurality of water blocks 1 and 1a to perform a heat-exchanging action, thereby taking away the heat generated by the plurality of heat-generating elements. Furthermore, the parallel arrangement can be also applied on the membrane pump 2. A plurality of membrane pumps 2 can be assembled together in parallel, thereby increasing the amount of flow and the speed of the working fluid within the water-cooling heat-dissipating system and thus enhancing the heat-dissipating efficiency of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system.
With reference to FIG. 9, it is a top view showing the structure of the seventh embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is another kind of parallel arrangement. As shown in this figure, the primary components of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system include a plurality of water blocks 1 and 1a (in the present embodiment, there are two water blocks), a membrane pump 2, a water tank 3, a heat exchanger 4, and a plurality of second cavities 8a-8e. The water blocks 1 and 1a are attached in parallel on the heat-generating elements. The inlet pipe 13 and the outlet pipe 14 of the water block 1 are in fluid communication with the second cavities 8c and 8d via the conduits 5. The inlet pipe 13a and the outlet pipe 14a of the water block 1a are in fluid communication with the second cavities 8a and 8b via the conduits 5. The working fluid can be controlled to flow in/out the water block 1, 1a by valves 10a-10e provided within the second cavities 8a-8e. Further, the second cavity 8e is provided between the membrane pump 2 and the tank 3 to control the re-flow of the working fluid.
With reference to FIG. 10, it is a top view showing the structure of the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the water block and the membrane pump are combined with each other to form a unit. As shown in this figure, the primary components of the water-cooling heat-dissipating system include a water block 1, a water tank 3, a heat exchanger 4, a second cavity 8 and a third cavity 9. The above-mentioned primary components are in fluid communication with one another via a plurality of conduits 5, so that the working fluid can flow in the individual primary component. The interior of the water block 1 is provided with a plurality of heat-dissipating pieces 11. Any neighboring heat-dissipating pieces 11 form a flowing path 12. Both sides of the water block 1 are provided with an inlet pipe 13 and an outlet pipe 14 that are in fluid communication with the second cavity 8 and the third cavity 9 via the conduits 5 respectively. The second cavity 8 and the third cavity 9 are provided therein with a valve 10 and 10a respectively. Further, the upper end face of the water block 1 is provided with a membrane 22a that is made of a material having high tension. The size of the membrane 22a is slightly identical to the area of the upper end face of the water block 1. An activating element 23a is provided above the water block 1. In the present embodiment, the activating element 23a is a piezoelectric sheet that abuts against the membrane 22a. The activating element 23a has a fixed end 231a and a swinging end 232a. The fixed end 231a is located on the same side as that of the outlet pipe 14. The fixed end 231a is connected with a plurality of electrode leads (not shown) to supply the necessary electricity for the activating element 23a. The swinging end 232a is attached to the surface of the membrane 22a. After the electricity is supplied, the swinging end 232a generates a large-range swinging action along an arc-shaped trajectory at one side. In addition, the swinging frequency of the activating element 23a can be adjusted according to various demands. The third cavity 9 is in fluid communication with the water tank 3 via the conduit 5. The water tank 3 is then in fluid communication with the heat exchanger 4 via the conduit 5. As a result, a complete water-cooling heat-dissipating system can be obtained.
Since the water block 1 abuts against the heat-generating element, the water block 1 absorbs the heat generated by the heat-generating element, and the working fluid takes the heat away. When the electricity is supplied to the activating element 23a via the leads, the swinging end 232a of the activating element 23a can generate a swinging action along an arc-shaped trajectory at one side. When the swinging end 232a of the activating element 23a swings downwardly, the membrane 22a is caused to compress the internal space of the water block 1 to generate a pressure. Swinging along an arc-shaped trajectory can concentrate the working fluid to flow in one direction, thereby forcing the working fluid to flow out of the outlet pipe 14. Then, the working fluid flows through the valve 10a provided in the third cavity 9, the tank 3 and the heat exchanger 4. At the same time, the thrust generated also presses the valve 10 within the second cavity 8, thereby blocking the working fluid from entering the water block 1. When the swinging end 232a of the activating element 23a swings upwardly, the membrane 22a returns to original shape to release the internal space of the water block 1. Since the pressure within the water block 1 is smaller than the external pressure, the working fluid is caused to flow through the valve 10 within the second cavity 8. Thereafter, the working fluid enters the water block 1 via the inlet pipe 13, so that the water block can have an effect of pump to force the working fluid to flow in/out of the water block 1 rapidly. In this way, the working fluid can form a larger amount of flow in one direction.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof Various equivalent variations and modifications can still occur to those skilled in this art in view of the teachings of the present invention. Thus, all such variations and equivalent modifications are also embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080283225
