Experimental and analytical study of a self-regulated Flow Control Device developed for dynamic cold-plates to cool high-power density multi-chip modules
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Date
2019-11-21Author
Palanikumar, Rishi Ruben
0000-0002-7524-6158
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Show full item recordAbstract
Modern high-power density modules often demand high amounts of power be
invested in their cooling processes. Uneven heating at the chip level creates hotspots
and temperature gradients across the module. A very effective way to conserve pumping
power and address hotspots on the module is by targeted delivery of liquid coolant. One
way to enable such targeted delivery of coolant is by using dynamic cold-plates (DCP)
coupled with self-regulated flow control devices. This paper deals with the optimization
and characterization of one such flow control device (FCD). The self-regulated FCD is
actuated by a heat reactive shape memory alloy, Nitinol. A novel dual spring coupling
comprised of a helical Nitinol spring and a Stainless-steel tension spring is used to
regulate fluid flow as a function of temperature. Extensive experimental testing was done
on Nitinol springs to estimate the amount of force generated and displacement produced
during its phase change. Nitinol hysteresis was also comprehensively documented after
experimental testing. The prototype FCD that would house the dual spring actuator was
designed to deliver a range of flowrates, highest of which can sufficiently cool a 200W
module with heat density of 50W/cm2. 6Sigma is used to do CFD analysis on the flow
control device. An experimental test rig was built to test the FCD prototype. Flow range
over a fixed temperature range was obtained using the same.