Compact modular CPU cooling unit
A modular CPU cooling unit designed to fit within the available space within an existing box or cabinet containing a CPU. The fan, pump and liquid to air cross flow heat exchanger are fitted within the available volume with the fan spaced away from the heat exchanger a suitable distance to pull air through the entire face area of the heat exchanger, even though it is considerably larger than the fan.
1. A modular liquid cooling system for a heat producing electronic component having a generally planar exposed surface from which heat is to be extracted, comprising,
a structural base sized to fit above the exposed surface of the component, said base having a central opening,
a cold plate mounted to said base below said central opening with a lower surface adapted to be thermally bonded to said component exposed surface,
a puller type fan unit installed above said base on one side of said base central opening,
a pump unit installed on the same side of said base in alignment with said fan unit,
a liquid to air heat exchanger installed above said base and having a face area substantially equal to the area occupied by said fan unit and pump unit together, said heat exchanger being installed on the opposite side relative to said fan and pump unit and spaced from said fan unit by a critical distance,
liquid lines running through said base central opening to said cold plate and interconnecting said cold plate, pump unit and heat exchanger for the pumping of liquid coolant therethrough by said pump unit, said liquid lines being arranged so as to leave the space between said fan unit and heat exchanger substantially unobstructed, and,
a shroud mounted to said base and enclosing said base, fan unit, pump unit and lines so as to substantially block the flow of air at all points except said fan unit and said air to liquid heat exchanger, whereby, said module may be installed by thermally bonding said cold plate to said component surface, after which air pulled out of the interior of said shroud is made up by air pulled through said heat exchanger, said critical distance being sufficient to assure that air is pulled through substantially the entire face area of said heat exchanger.
2. A modular liquid cooling system according to claim 1 , further characterized in that said base is substantially rectangular, and said heat exchanger has a substantially planar face area.
3. A modular liquid cooling system according to claim 2 , further characterized in that said fan unit is placed below said pump unit.
4. In a case containing a heat producing electronic component having at least one generally planar exposed surface from which heat is to be extracted, and having an available unoccupied volume above said electronic component, said case also having a pre existing cooling air stream therethrough in a defined direction, a modular liquid cooling system, comprising,
a structural base sized to fit above the exposed surface of the component, said base having a central opening,
a cold plate mounted to said base below said central opening with a lower surface adapted to be thermally bonded to said component exposed surface,
a puller type fan unit installed above said base on one side of said base central opening,
a pump unit installed on the same side of said base in alignment with said fan unit in a vertical stack that fits within said available volume,
a liquid to air heat exchanger installed above said base and having a face area substantially equal to the area occupied by said fan unit and pump unit together, said heat exchanger being installed on the opposite side relative to said fan and pump unit and spaced from said fan unit by a critical distance,
liquid lines running through said base central opening to said cold plate and interconnecting said cold plate, pump unit and heat exchanger for the pumping of liquid coolant therethrough by said pump unit, said liquid lines being arranged so as to leave the space between said fan unit and heat exchanger substantially unobstructed, and,
a shroud mounted to said base and enclosing said base, fan unit, pump unit and lines within said available volume so as to substantially block the flow of air at all points except said fan unit and said air to liquid heat exchanger, whereby, said module may be installed by thermally bonding said cold plate to said component surface with said fan unit oriented so as to pull air in substantially the same direction as said pre existing air stream within said case, after which air pulled out of the interior of said shroud is made up by air pulled through said heat exchanger, said critical distance being sufficient to assure that air is pulled through substantially the entire face area of said heat exchanger.
5. A modular liquid cooling system according to claim 4 , further characterized in that said case has a floor above which said electronic component is mounted, and said base is adapted to be mounted to said case floor so as to bias said cold plate to said component exposed surface.