Abstract:
A thermoelectric cooler assembly comprises a cold plate, a first thermoelectric cooler, and a second thermoelectric cooler. The cold plate has a first side and a second side. The first thermoelectric cooler is in thermal communication with the first side of the cold plate, and the second thermoelectric cooler is in thermal communication with the second side of the cold plate. A heat exchanger assembly is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and relates more particularly to a two stage thermoelectric cooler-enhanced heat exchanger having liquid cooling. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
         [0003]    Information handling systems include processors, which produce heat. In information handling systems such as desktop computers, the heat produced by the processors is typically managed with air cooling. However, air cooling has inherent limitations that may be exceeded by microprocessors that are increasingly dense and powerful. Thermoelectric coolers (TEC) to improve thermal performance have therefore been proposed. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0082971, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, shows a system and method for heat dissipation including a TEC. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the drawings presented herein, in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a hybrid heat exchanger; and 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a thermoelectric cooler of the hybrid heat exchanger. 
       
    
    
       [0007]    The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    The following description in combination with the Figures is provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachings and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings. 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a hybrid heat exchanger  10  for an information handling system. For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
         [0010]    The hybrid heat exchanger  10  includes a passive heat exchanger or radiator  12 , a fan  14  and a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) assembly  16 . The radiator  12  is preferably disposed in a shroud  18 , while the fan  14  and the TEC assembly  16  are disposed in a subassembly  20 . The shroud  18  and the subassembly  20  together form a module  22 . A micro-channel cold plate  24  is also disposed within the subassembly  20 , and is adapted for physical and/or thermal communication with the CPU  26  (shown schematically). The micro-channel cold plate  24  is also adapted for fluid communication with a pair of conduits  28  and  30 . A pump  31  circulates liquid coolant, such as water, to and/or from the radiator  12  and through the conduits  28  and  30  in well-known fashion. 
         [0011]      FIG. 2  shows the TEC assembly  16  including a two-sided fluid heat exchanger or cold plate  32 , an upper TEC  34 , a lower TEC  36 , an upper heat sink  38 , and a lower heat sink  40 . The cold plate  32  includes opposite surfaces  42  and  44 , as well as conduits  46  and  48  through which coolant is circulated by the pump  31 . The upper TEC  34  is disposed between the upper surface  42  of the cold plate  32  and the lower side of the upper heat sink  38 . Similarly, the lower TEC  36  is disposed between the lower surface  44  of the cold plate  32  and the upper side of the lower heat sink  40 . 
         [0012]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the fan  14  draws air inwardly in the direction of arrow A through the radiator  12 . The temperature of the coolant circulated by the pump  31  is thereby lowered, and the ambient temperature of the incoming airflow is correspondingly raised as it is drawn into the subassembly  20 . The airflow is thereafter directed by the fan  14  through the TEC assembly  16  where it picks up heat from the fins of the heat sinks  38  and  40 . 
         [0013]    The hybrid heat exchanger  10  can be operated without power to the TECs  34  and  36 . To obtain additional performance, various levels of power can be supplied to one or both of the TECs  34  and  36 . Under power, the flow of current through the TECs creates a decrease in temperature at the region near the cold plate surfaces  42  and/or  44 , which in turn draws heat from the fluid circulating through the cold plate  32 . This heat is then transported through the TECs  34  and  36  to the bases of the upper and lower heat sinks  38  and  40 , respectively, and finally is radiated out through the fins of the heat sink. With power applied to the TECs  34  and  36 , the fluid temperature can be maintained in a range centered about three degrees Centigrade above the ambient air temperature with very high CPU power and reasonably low fan speed. Also, because the temperature of the TEC fins is in a range centered about fifteen to twenty degrees Centigrade above the fluid temperature, the TEC fins are efficient at transferring heat to the pre-heated airstream. 
         [0014]    Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.