Modular capillary pumped loop cooling system
First Claim
1. A thin-profile condenser, comprising:
- a cover plate;
a channeled base member having an external wall extending around a periphery thereof to which a cover plate is secured so as to define a sealed cavity;
a pair of capillary walls, each capillary wall including a portion disposed substantially adjacent to a portion of the external wall so as to define a pair of capillary channels, said capillary walls dividing the sealed cavity into a condensing region and the capillary channels;
a pair of inner walls, each internal wall coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of capillary walls to create a thermal isolation area between each inner wall and its corresponding capillary wall, wherein there is neither liquid nor vapor in the thermal isolation areas;
a vapor inlet port to receive a working fluid in a vapor state operatively coupled to the sealed cavity; and
a first liquid output port from which the working fluid exits the condenser, operatively coupled to an outlet end of each capillary channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular capillary pump loop (CPL) cooling system and associated components. The modular CPL cooling system transfers heat from high-power circuit components, such as microprocessors disposed within computer chassis, to other locations within or external to the chassis, where the heat can be more easily removed. In various embodiments, the CPL cooling system includes one or more evaporators connected to one or more condensers via flexible liquid transport and vapor transport lines. A wicking structure, such as a volume of sintered copper, is disposed within each condenser. The wicking structure draws working fluid (e.g., water) in a liquid state into the evaporator based on a capillary mechanism and a pressure differential across a meniscus/vapor interface on an upper surface of the wicking structure. As the liquid meniscus is evaporated, additional fluid is drawn into the evaporator. The working fluid is then condensed back into a liquid in the condenser.
83 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A thin-profile condenser, comprising:
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a cover plate; a channeled base member having an external wall extending around a periphery thereof to which a cover plate is secured so as to define a sealed cavity; a pair of capillary walls, each capillary wall including a portion disposed substantially adjacent to a portion of the external wall so as to define a pair of capillary channels, said capillary walls dividing the sealed cavity into a condensing region and the capillary channels; a pair of inner walls, each internal wall coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of capillary walls to create a thermal isolation area between each inner wall and its corresponding capillary wall, wherein there is neither liquid nor vapor in the thermal isolation areas; a vapor inlet port to receive a working fluid in a vapor state operatively coupled to the sealed cavity; and a first liquid output port from which the working fluid exits the condenser, operatively coupled to an outlet end of each capillary channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification