U.S. patent application number 13/137654 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-08 for radiator and electronic apparatus having coolant pathway.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJITSU LIMITED. Invention is credited to Michimasa Aoki, Kenji Katsumata, Shinichirou Kuono, Hiroshi Muto, Masaru Sugie, Masumi Suzuki, Yosuke Tsunoda.
Application Number | 20120055654 13/137654 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45769811 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120055654 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Katsumata; Kenji ; et
al. |
March 8, 2012 |
Radiator and electronic apparatus having coolant pathway
Abstract
A radiator includes a core unit, which includes a flow inlet
which coolant enters, a flow outlet from which the coolant exits, a
plurality of coolant pathways including at least an outer coolant
pathway, an inner coolant pathway, a branching point, and a merging
point, the outer coolant pathway being disposed to surround the
inner coolant pathway, the coolant being divided at the branching
point and merging at the merging point, and a connecting pathway to
connect between the merging point of the outer coolant pathway and
the branching point of the inner coolant pathway, wherein the flow
inlet is in communication with a branching point of an outermost
one of the plurality of coolant pathways, and the flow output is in
communication with a merging point of an innermost one of the
plurality of coolant pathways.
Inventors: |
Katsumata; Kenji; (Kawasaki,
JP) ; Suzuki; Masumi; (Kawasaki, JP) ; Aoki;
Michimasa; (Kawasaki, JP) ; Tsunoda; Yosuke;
(Kawasaki, JP) ; Sugie; Masaru; (Kawasaki, JP)
; Kuono; Shinichirou; (Kawasaki, JP) ; Muto;
Hiroshi; (Sagamihara, JP) |
Assignee: |
FUJITSU LIMITED
Kawasaki-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
45769811 |
Appl. No.: |
13/137654 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/121 ;
165/148 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28D 15/00 20130101;
F28D 1/047 20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101; F28F 2210/02
20130101; H01L 23/473 20130101; H01L 2924/0002 20130101; G06F 1/20
20130101; F28D 1/0472 20130101; F28D 2021/0031 20130101; H01L
2924/00 20130101; F28F 2210/10 20130101; H01L 23/467 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/121 ;
165/148 |
International
Class: |
F28F 13/00 20060101
F28F013/00; F28D 1/00 20060101 F28D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 2, 2010 |
JP |
2010-196732 |
Claims
1. A radiator comprising a core unit, the core unit comprising: a
flow inlet which coolant enters; a flow outlet from which the
coolant exits; a plurality of coolant pathways including at least
an outer coolant pathway, an inner coolant pathway, a branching
point, and a merging point, the outer coolant pathway being
disposed to surround the inner coolant pathway, the coolant being
divided at the branching point and merging at the merging point;
and a connecting pathway to connect between the merging point of
the outer coolant pathway and the branching point of the inner
coolant pathway, wherein the flow inlet is in communication with a
branching point of an outermost one of the plurality of coolant
pathways, and the flow output is in communication with a merging
point of an innermost one of the plurality of coolant pathways.
2. The radiator as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the coolant
pathways is rectangular, and a branching point and a merging point
of a given coolant pathway are situated at corners of the given
coolant pathway.
3. The radiator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core unit
further includes heat dissipating fins disposed between the outer
coolant pathway and the inner coolant pathway.
4. The radiator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an axial
flow fan whose rotation axis is aligned with a central area of the
core unit.
5. The radiator as claimed in claim 4, further comprising: one or
more core units, each of which is identical to the core unit, the
one or more core units and the core unit being arranged side by
side; and one or more axial flow fans, each of which is identical
the axial flow fan, the one or more axial flow fans and the axial
flow fan being arranged side by side to air-cool the one or more
core units and the core unit, respectively.
6. The radiator as claimed in claim 4, further comprising one or
more core units, each of which is identical to the core unit, the
one or more core units and the core unit being arranged in tandem
in a direction of air flow generated by the axial flow fan.
7. The radiator as claimed in claim 4, further comprising one or
more core units, each of which is identical to the core unit, the
one or more core units and the core unit being arranged in tandem
in a direction of air flow generated by the axial flow fan, the
axial flow fan being disposed between two adjacent core units.
8. An electronic apparatus, comprising: an electronic component to
generate heat; and the radiator of claim 1.
9. A radiator comprising a core unit, the core unit comprising: a
flow inlet which coolant enters; a flow outlet from which the
coolant exits; and a spiral-shape coolant pathway through which the
coolant flows, wherein the flow inlet is in communication with an
outer end of the coolant pathway, and the flow outlet is in
communication with an inner end of the coolant pathway.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is based upon and claims the benefit
of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2010-196732 filed on Sep. 2, 2010, with the Japanese Patent Office,
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The disclosures herein relate to a radiator and an
electronic apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electronic apparatuses such as personal computers and
workstations include electronic components such as a central
processing unit (i.e., CPU) that generates heat. Electronic
apparatuses are provided with a cooling unit for absorbing heat
generated by electronic components.
[0004] In a cooling unit that circulates coolant to absorb heat
generated by electronic components, the coolant having an increased
temperature by absorbing the heat is cooled by a radiator. For
example, a heat exchanger may include a flat tube having a planar
spiral shape such that adjacent tube sections are spaced at
constant intervals, and coolant flows from the center to the
perimeter.
[0005] A fan may be provided at the core section of a radiator, and
generates an air current to cool coolant flowing in the core
section. In such a case, the distribution of air current speed is
not even. When the distribution of speed of air currents flowing
toward the core section is not taken into account, the cooling
efficiency of a fan is not sufficiently high.
RELATED-ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Document
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication
No. 2005-214545
SUMMARY
[0007] According to an aspect of the embodiment, a radiator
includes a core unit, which includes a flow inlet which coolant
enters, a flow outlet from which the coolant exits, a plurality of
coolant pathways including at least an outer coolant pathway, an
inner coolant pathway, a branching point, and a merging point, the
outer coolant pathway being disposed to surround the inner coolant
pathway, the coolant being divided at the branching point and
merging at the merging point, and a connecting pathway to connect
between the merging point of the outer coolant pathway and the
branching point of the inner coolant pathway, wherein the flow
inlet is in communication with a branching point of an outermost
one of the plurality of coolant pathways, and the flow output is in
communication with a merging point of an innermost one of the
plurality of coolant pathways.
[0008] According to another aspect of the embodiment, a radiator
includes a core unit, which includes a flow inlet which coolant
enters, a flow outlet from which the coolant exits, and a
spiral-shape coolant pathway through which the coolant flows,
wherein the flow inlet is in communication with an outer end of the
coolant pathway, and the flow outlet is in communication with an
inner end of the coolant pathway.
[0009] The object and advantages of the embodiment will be realized
and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly
pointed out in the claims. It is to be understood that both the
foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive
of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an example of the internal
structure of a personal computer according to a first
embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an example of the
configuration of a liquid cooling unit according to the first
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a radiator
according to the first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of an axial flow
fan according to the first embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example of a core unit according
to the first embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first variation of the
radiator;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second variation of the
radiator;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third variation of the
radiator; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an example of a core unit according
to the second embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0019] By referring to FIG. 1, a description will be first given of
a personal computer 100 which is an example of an electronic
apparatus. FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an example of the
internal structure of the personal computer 100 according to the
present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the personal computer
100 includes an electronic component 110 and a liquid cooling unit
120.
[0020] The electronic component 110 may be an LSI (large scale
integration) circuit, for example. The electronic component 110
such as an LSI circuit has a CPU (central processing unit) chip
implemented therein. The CPU chip performs predetermined
computations by executing an OS (operating system) and application
programs. As the CPU chip performs computations, the electronic
component 110 such as an LSI circuit generates heat.
[0021] The personal computer 100 is provided with the liquid
cooling unit 120 for absorbing heat generated by the electronic
component 110.
[0022] In addition to the electronic component 110 and the liquid
cooling unit 120, the personal computer 100 includes a hard-disk
drive, a DVD (digital versatile disk) drive, a card unit, and the
like. The hard-disk drive stores the OS and application programs
described above, for example. The DVD drive reads data from a
recording medium such as a DVD, and writes data to a recording
medium such as a DVD. The card unit receives a memory card, a LAN
(local area network) card, or the like inserted thereinto.
[0023] The liquid cooling unit 120 of the present embodiment will
now be described by referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a drawing
illustrating an example of the liquid cooling unit 120. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the liquid cooling unit 120 includes a pump
122, a heat receiving unit 124, and a radiator 130. The members
constituting the liquid cooling unit 120 are connected through a
plurality of hoses 126 to form a circulation pathway. Coolant
flowing through this circulation pathway releases heat generated by
the electronic component 110 to outside the personal computer 100.
The coolant may be an antifreeze liquid of propylene glycol series,
for example.
[0024] The pump 122 is situated downstream relative to the radiator
130. The pump 122 delivers the coolant to generate coolant flow
inside the circulation pathway. Specifically, the pump 122
generates a coolant flow in the direction illustrated by arrows in
FIG. 2. The pump 122 may be a piezoelectric pump.
[0025] The heat receiving unit 124 is situated downstream relative
to the pump 122. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the heat receiving unit
124 is disposed on the electronic component 110 that generates
heat. The heat receiving unit 124 absorbs heat generated by the
electronic component 110.
[0026] The radiator 130 is situated downstream relative to the heat
receiving unit 124. The radiator 130 takes heat from the coolant
flowing into the radiator 130. The radiator 130 is situated in the
proximity of an exhaust opening that is formed at a lateral side of
the case of the personal computer 100. The radiator 130 includes an
axial flow fan 140 and a core unit 150. The axial flow fan 140
generates an air current that goes outside trough the exhaust
opening. With this arrangement, heat that the radiator 130 has
taken from the coolant is released to outside the personal computer
100 through the exhaust opening. In the example illustrated in FIG.
2, there are two axial flow fans 140 and two core units 150. The
detailed configuration of the radiator 130 will be described
later.
[0027] In the liquid cooling unit 120, the circulation pathway as
described above is formed.
[0028] In the following, the configuration of the radiator 130 of
the present embodiment will be described by referring to FIG. 3,
FIG. 4, and FIG. 5. There are two axial flow fans 140 and two core
units 150 illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 through FIG. 5, however,
illustrate one axial flow fan 140 and one core unit 150. FIG. 3 is
a perspective view of an example of the radiator 130 according to
the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the axial flow fan 140 is
simplified and illustrated in dotted lines. FIG. 4 is a perspective
view of an example of the axial flow fan 140. FIG. 5 is a plan view
of an example of the core unit 150. The arrows illustrated in FIG.
5 indicate coolant flows.
[0029] A description will first be given of the structure of the
axial flow fan 140 of the present embodiment by referring to FIG.
4. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the axial flow fan 140 includes a
plurality of blades 142. The plurality of blades 142 rotate around
a rotation axis 144. As the plurality of blades 142 rotates around
the rotation axis 144, an air current is generated to flow from the
rear side of the axial flow fan 140 to the front side thereof.
[0030] In the vicinity of the rotation axis 144 of the axial flow
fan 140, the blades 142 are not in existence, so that an air
current is not prominently present. Further, the speed of air
currents generated by the rotation of the blades 142 is generally
not even in the area where the blades 142 of the axial flow fan 140
are situated. Specifically, the air current speed increases from
the rotation axis 144 toward the tips of the blades 142.
[0031] A description will be next given of the structure of the
core unit 150 of the present embodiment by referring to FIG. 5. As
illustrated in FIG. 5, the core unit 150 includes a flow inlet 152,
a flow outlet 154, a plurality of coolant pathways 156, connecting
pathways 162, and a plurality of heat dissipating fins 164. The
core unit 150 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes five coolant pathways
156. The coolant pathways 156 are arranged such that an outer-side
coolant pathway 156 surrounds an inner-side coolant pathway
156.
[0032] The coolant flows into the core unit 150 through the flow
inlet 152. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the coolant flows
in a direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet (e.g., downward)
to enter the flow inlet 152. The coolant flows out of the core unit
150 through the flow outlet 154. In the example illustrated in FIG.
5, the coolant flows in a direction perpendicular to the drawing
sheet (e.g., upward) upon exiting from the flow outlet 154.
[0033] The coolant pathways 156 are disposed to allow the coolant
to circulate inside the core unit 150. The shape of the coolant
pathways 156 may be rectangular, for example. The shape of the
coolant pathways 156 is not limited to a particular shape, and may
be any shape as long as it allows the coolant to circulate inside
the core unit 150. For example, the shape of the coolant pathways
156 may be circular.
[0034] The radiator 150 includes a branching point 158 and a
merging point 160. Coolant that flows into the branching point 158
is divided at the branching point 158 to flow in different
directions through the coolant pathways 156. The coolant having
flown in the different directions merge at the merging point 160.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the branching point 158 and
the merging point 160 are respectively situated at the diagonally
opposite corners of a rectangular-shape coolant pathway 156.
[0035] Between two adjacent coolant pathways 156, a connecting
pathway 162 connects between the merging point 160 of an outer-side
coolant pathway 156 and the branching point 158 of an inner-side
coolant pathway 156. The core unit 150 illustrated in FIG. 5
includes four connecting pathways 162. The coolant having merged at
the merging point 160 of an outer-side coolant pathway 156 runs
through the connecting pathway 162, and is then divided at the
branching point 158 of an inner-side coolant pathway 156.
[0036] The heat dissipating fins 164 are disposed between adjacent
coolant pathways 156. The heat dissipating fins 164 extend in a
direction parallel to the rotation axis 144 of the axial flow fan
140. Heat generated by the electronic component 110 and absorbed by
the coolant is transferred to the heat dissipating fins 164 from
the coolant flowing through the coolant pathways 156. This heat is
then released to outside the personal computer 100 by the air
currents generated by the axial flow fan 140.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the flow inlet 152 is in
communication with the branching point 158 of the outermost coolant
pathway 156 among the plurality of coolant pathways 156. Further,
the flow outlet 154 is in communication with the merging point 160
of the innermost coolant pathway 156 among the plurality of coolant
pathways 156.
[0038] With the arrangement described above, the coolant flowing
into the core unit 150 at the flow inlet 152 is divided at the
branching point 158 of the outermost coolant pathway 156 to flow in
different directions through the outermost coolant pathway 156. The
coolant having flown in the different directions merge at the
merging point 160 of the outermost coolant pathway 156. The coolant
having merged at the merging point 160 of the outermost coolant
pathway 156 runs through the connecting pathway 162, and is then
divided at the branching point 156 of a next inner coolant pathway
156 to flow in different directions through this next inner coolant
pathway 156. After this, coolant merging at the merging point 160
and coolant separating at the branching point 158 are repeated
until the coolant flows out of the core unit 150 through the flow
outlet 154 after running through the merging point 160 of the
innermost coolant pathway 156.
[0039] The axial flow fan 140 and the core unit 150 described
heretofore are disposed such that the rotation axis 144 of the
axial flow fan 140 is aligned with the center area of the core unit
150 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The center area of the core unit 150
refers to an area within the innermost coolant pathway 156. In the
radiator 130 of the present embodiment, the coolant pathways 156
are disposed in the core unit 150 such that the coolant flows from
the outer area in which air current speed is faster to the inner
area in which air current speed is slower. The outer area is at a
distance in the radial direction from the rotation axis 144 and the
inner area is in the proximity of the rotation axis 144. With this
arrangement, the coolant having an increased temperature by
absorbing heat from the electronic component 110 first flows
through the coolant pathways 156 that are disposed in the outer
area of the core unit 150 in which air current speed is faster.
This improves the cooling efficiency of coolant. [First
Variation]
[0040] A first variation of the radiator 130 will be described by
referring to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first
variation of the radiator 130. The radiator 130 illustrated in FIG.
6 includes two core units 150 and two axial flow fans 140. The two
core units 150 are arranged side by side. The axial flow fans 140
are also arranged side by side to air-cool the respective core
units 150. The configurations of the core units 150 and the axial
flow fans 140 are the same as or similar to the configurations used
in the first embodiment.
[0041] The radiator 130 may include three or more core units 150
and three or more axial flow fans 140.
[0042] When a relatively large area is available for the radiator
130, this variation may be suitable. According to this variation,
coolant having an increased temperature due to the absorption of
heat by the heat receiving unit 124 flows through a plurality of
core units 150, which further improves the cooling efficiency of
coolant.
[Second Variation]
[0043] A second variation of the radiator 130 will be described by
referring to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second
variation of the radiator 130. The radiator 130 illustrated in FIG.
7 includes two core units 150 and one axial flow fan 140. The two
core units 150 are arranged in tandem (i.e., arranged one behind
the other) in the direction of air flow generated by the axial flow
fan 140. The flow inlets 152 of the two core units 150 are in
communication with each other. Further, the flow outlet 154 of the
two core units 150 are in communication with each other. The
configurations of the core units 150 and the axial flow fans 140
are the same as or similar to the configurations used in the first
embodiment.
[0044] The radiator 130 may include three or more core units
150.
[0045] When a relatively small area is available for the radiator
130, this variation may be suitable. According to this variation,
coolant having an increased temperature due to the absorption of
heat by the heat receiving unit 124 flows through the core units
150 that are arranged in tandem in the direction of air flow
generated by the axial flow fan 140. Accordingly, the cooling
efficiency of coolant is improved even when only a relatively small
area is available for the radiator 130.
[Third Variation]
[0046] A third variation of the radiator 130 will be described by
referring to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the third
variation of the radiator 130. The radiator 130 illustrated in FIG.
8 includes two core units 150 and one axial flow fan 140. The two
core units 150 are arranged in tandem (i.e., arranged one behind
the other) in the direction of air flow generated by the axial flow
fan 140, with the axial flow fan 140 intervening therebetween. The
flow inlets 152 of the two core units 150 are in communication with
each other. Further, the flow outlet 154 of the two core units 150
are in communication with each other. The configurations of the
core units 150 and the axial flow fans 140 are the same as or
similar to the configurations used in the first embodiment.
[0047] The radiator 130 may include three or more core units
150.
[0048] According to this variation, as in the case of the second
variation, coolant having an increased temperature due to the
absorption of heat by the heat receiving unit 124 flows through the
core units 150 that are arranged in tandem in the direction of air
flow generated by the axial flow fan 140. Accordingly, the cooling
efficiency of coolant is improved even when only a relatively small
area is available for the radiator 130.
Second Embodiment
[0049] In the following, the radiator 130 of a second embodiment
will be described. The radiator 130 of the second embodiment
differs from the radiator 130 of the first embodiment in the
configuration of the core unit 150. The remaining configurations
are the same as or similar to the configurations of the first
embodiment. The core unit 150 of the present embodiment will now be
described by referring to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a plan view of an
example of the core unit 150 according to the present embodiment.
The arrows illustrated in FIG. 9 indicate coolant flows.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the core unit 150 of the present
embodiment includes a flow inlet 152, a flow outlet 154, and a
coolant pathway 156. The coolant flows into the core unit 150
through the flow inlet 152. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9,
the coolant flows in a direction perpendicular to the drawing sheet
(e.g., downward) to enter the flow inlet 152. The coolant flows out
of the core unit 150 through the flow outlet 154. In the example
illustrated in FIG. 9, the coolant flows in a direction
perpendicular to the drawing sheet (e.g., upward) upon exiting from
the flow outlet 154.
[0051] The coolant pathway 156 of the present embodiment has a
spiral shape. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the flow inlet 152 is in
communication with an outermost end of the coolant pathway 156.
Further, the flow outlet 154 is in communication with an innermost
end of the coolant pathway 156.
[0052] With this arrangement, the coolant entering the core unit
150 via the flow inlet 152 flows from the outermost end of the
coolant pathway 156 toward an inner side through the spiral-shape
coolant pathway 156. The coolant then passes through the innermost
end of the coolant pathway 156 and the flow outlet 154 to flow out
of the core unit 150.
[0053] Similarly to the first embodiment, the axial flow fan 140
and the core unit 150 are disposed such that the rotation axis 144
of the axial flow fan 140 is aligned with the center area of the
core unit 150. In the radiator 130 of the present embodiment, also,
the coolant pathway 156 is disposed in a spiral shape in the core
unit 150 such that the coolant flows from the outer area in which
air current speed is faster to the inner area in which air current
speed is slower. The outer area is at a distance in the radial
direction from the rotation axis 144 and the inner area is in the
proximity of the rotation axis 144. With this arrangement, the
coolant having an increased temperature by absorbing heat from the
electronic component 110 first flows through the coolant pathway
156 that is disposed in the outer area of the core unit 150 in
which air current speed is faster. This improves the cooling
efficiency of coolant.
[0054] According to the disclosed radiator, cooling efficiency is
improved.
[0055] All examples and conditional language recited herein are
intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in
understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the
inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being
without limitation to such specifically recited examples and
conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the
specification relate to a showing of the superiority and
inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiment(s) of the
present inventions have been described in detail, it should be
understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations
could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
* * * * *