Dynamic active cooling for improved power system reliability

Abstract

This paper presents the development of an adaptive cooling methodology in which the thermal impedance of the power system is continuously varied as a function of both its power dissipation and ambient temperature. As compared with a fixed parameter cooling solution, such an approach enables for a reduction of the amplitude of thermal cycles and the improvement of overall system efficiency and operational lifetime. The study comprises of an initial theoretical part and of subsequent experimental proof-of-concept demonstration of the proposed cooling strategy.