US 2018/0324979 A1 · APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING A HEAT PIPE AND FOR CONTROLLING AN OPERATING PARAMETER OF AT LEAST ONE HEAT GENERATING COMPONENT COUPLED TO THE HEAT PIPE

Abstract

Embodiments of apparatuses and methods are provided herein for characterizing a heat pipe, and for controlling an operating parameter of at least one heat generating component thermally coupled to the heat pipe based on a temperature difference measured across a first section and a second section of the heat pipe. For example, a characterization method is provided for determining at least one threshold value, which can be used to predict heat pipe dry-out within the heat pipe, and a thermal time constant (time lag) between the onset of heat pipe dry-out and a heat pipe dry-out limit. During subsequent system operation, the predetermined threshold value and thermal time constant may be used to extend the performance of the heat pipe to the edge of its cooling capacity.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for characterizing a heat pipe thermally coupled to a heat generating component of an information handling system, the method comprising:

obtaining temperature measurements from the heat pipe while supplying power to the heat generating component at a first power level for a first time period, and immediately thereafter increasing the supplied power to a second power level;
detecting an onset of heat pipe dry-out and a heat pipe dry-out limit from the temperature measurements;
and
determining, from the temperature measurements, a temperature difference between a first temperature measured from the heat pipe at the onset of heat pipe dry-out and a second temperature measured from the heat pipe at the heat pipe dry-out limit.

1 more element

An apparatus for controlling an operating parameter of a heat generating component of an information handling system, wherein the heat generating component comprises a first power level limit and a second power level limit, which is greater than the first power level limit, and wherein the heat generating component is thermally coupled to a heat pipe, the apparatus comprising:

a first temperature sensor coupled to a first section of the heat pipe;
a second temperature sensor coupled to a second section of the heat pipe;
and
a controller coupled to the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor and the heat generating component, wherein the controller is configured to:
determine an amount of power supplied to the heat generating component;
determine a temperature difference across the first and second sections of the heat pipe;
and
decrease a value of the operating parameter by a fixed amount, if the amount of power is greater than a maximum heat transportation limitation of the heat pipe and the temperature difference is greater than a first threshold value indicative of heat pipe dry-out.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and methods for characterizing a heat pipe and for controlling an operating parameter of at least one heat generating component coupled to the heat pipe

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for characterizing a heat pipe and for controlling an operating parameter of at least one heat generating component coupled to the heat pipe

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20