US 2026/0287281 A1 · EQUALIZING FLOW MANIFOLD WITH BERNOULLI-DERIVED HIERARCHICAL GEOMETRY, ASYMMETRIC INLET/OUTLET ARCHITECTURES, AND MODULAR POLYGONAL FLOW UNITS, AND COOLING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME

Abstract

A cooling apparatus includes a flow equalizing manifold having hierarchical flow levels with descending and ascending passages dimensioned according to Bernoulli-based design relations to maintain substantially uniform flow conditions along prescribed streamlines. In certain embodiments, stepped or linear ceilings vary passage cross-section to regulate velocity/pressure at branch interfaces feeding a microchannel array. The manifold can implement forked symmetry or prescribed asymmetry, including different numbers/geometries/levels for inlets versus outlets and elevated vapor outlets for two-phase operation. In further embodiments, modular polygonal (hexagonal/diamond) flow units at a final level provide passive, spatially distributed flow metering/collection. The manifold and an associated finned plate may be additively manufactured and configured as modular, removably coupled components.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A flow manifold for thermal management comprising:

a primary plenum configured to receive or discharge a coolant;
a plurality of hierarchical flow levels comprising:
a top level having at least one inlet and a set of descending passages and at least one outlet and a set of ascending passages;
at least one intermediate level having branching passages in fluid communication with the top level;
and
a final level comprising a tessellated array of hexagonal flow units and diamond-shaped flow units arranged between or adjacent to the hexagonal flow units,
wherein the diamond-shaped flow units comprise internal constrictions and diverging channels dimensioned to split or merge fluid in a set ratio, and
wherein a thickness or cross-sectional area of at least one of the hexagonal or diamond-shaped flow units varies laterally such that local cross-sectional area along a prescribed streamline varies according to Bernoulli's principle to maintain substantially constant local flow velocity and passively regulate flow distribution.

5 more elements

A flow equalizing manifold comprising:

a top level comprising:
at least one inlet configured for a liquid inflow and top descending (TD) passages in fluid communication with the inlet;
and
at least one outlet configured for a liquid discharge and top ascending (TA) passages in fluid communication with the outlet,
a first hierarchical level comprising:
first hierarchical descending (H1D) passages in fluid communication with the TD passages and having first descending liquid (1DL) streams;
and
first hierarchical ascending (H1A) passages in fluid communication with the TA passages and having first ascending liquid (1AL) streams,
the H1D passages configured for the 1DL streams and the H1A passages configured for the 1AL streams,
a final hierarchical level comprising:
polygonal fluid passages comprising final hierarchical descending (HFD) polygonal passages and final hierarchical ascending (HFA) polygonal passages,
the HFD polygonal passages in fluid communication with the H1D passages and having final descending liquid (FDL) streams, the HFD polygonal passages configured to provide first flow conditions to the FDL streams;
and
the HFA polygonal passages in fluid communication with the H1A passages and having final ascending liquid (FAL) streams, the HFA polygonal passages configured to provide second flow conditions to the FAL streams,
wherein the first flow conditions and the second flow conditions comprise pressure and velocity.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Equalizing flow manifold with bernoulli-derived hierarchical geometry, asymmetric inlet/outlet architectures, and modular polygonal flow units, and cooling apparatus including same

Life of this patent

Equalizing flow manifold with bernoulli-derived hierarchical geometry, asymmetric inlet/outlet architectures, and modular polygonal flow units, and cooling apparatus including same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20