US 12,396,127 B2
Heat pipe cooling device and method with fan controlled based on air temperature
Nicklas Jan Anders Södö, Vaasa (FI); Tommi Keski-Kujala, Vaasa (FI); and Tuomas Yli-Rahnasto, Vaasa (FI)
Assigned to VACON OY, Vaasa (FI)
Filed by Vacon Oy, Vaasa (FI)
Filed on May 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/735,241.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2021 111 632.5 (DE), filed on May 5, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0361364 A1, Nov. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. H05K 7/20 (2006.01); F28D 15/00 (2006.01)
CPC H05K 7/20209 (2013.01) [H05K 7/20136 (2013.01); H05K 7/20336 (2013.01); H05K 7/2039 (2013.01); F28D 15/00 (2013.01)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for cooling a device, said device comprising a heatsink, electronic components connected to the heatsink, a heat pipe connected or integrated to the heatsink, an inlet air temperature measuring device and a cooling fan, the method comprising:
measuring an inlet air temperature with the inlet air temperature measuring device
comparing, using the electronic components, the inlet air temperature to a first temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow1),
operating the cooling fan at a minimum speed if the inlet air temperature is less than the first temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow1) and repeating the comparing the inlet air temperature to the first temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow1),
determining a latest fan control mode if the inlet air temperature is not less than the first temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow1) and repeating the comparing the inlet air temperature to the first temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow1) if the latest fan control mode includes the cooling fan operating a speed higher than the minimum speed,
comparing, using the electronic components, the inlet air temperature to a second temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow2) if the latest fan control mode includes the cooling fan operating at the minimum speed,
operating the cooling fan at the minimum speed and repeating the comparing the inlet air temperature to the first temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow1) if the inlet air temperature is not greater than the second temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow2), and
operating the cooling fan at the speed higher than the minimum speed if the inlet air temperature is greater than the second temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow2) and repeating the comparing the inlet air temperature to the first temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow1) if the inlet air temperature is greater than the second temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow2),
wherein the first temperature threshold value (TinletAirLow1) is within 5° C. of the freezing temperature of a working fluid partially filling the heat pipe.