A flow distribution module with a patterned cover plate

Abstract

A flow distribution module ( 1 ) for distributing a flow of fluid over a surface to be cooled is disclosed. The flow distribution module ( 1 ) comprises a housing ( 2 ) and a cover plate ( 3 ). The housing ( 2 ) defines at least one flow cell ( 5 ), the flow cell(s) ( 5 ) being positioned in such a way that a flow of fluid flowing through a flow cell ( 5 ) from an inlet opening ( 6 ) to an outlet opening ( 7 ) is conveyed over the surface to be cooled, each flow cell ( 5 ) being formed to cause at least one change in the direction of flow of the fluid flowing through the flow cell ( 5 ). The cover plate ( 3 ) is arranged adjacent to the flow cell(s) ( 5 ) and defines the surface to be cooled. At least a part of the surface to be cooled defined by the cover plate ( 3 ) is provided with a surface pattern ( 8 ) of raised and depressed surface portions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flow distribution module for distributing a flow of fluid over a surface to be cooled, said flow distribution module comprising:
 a housing defining at least one flow cell, each flow cell having an inlet opening arranged to receive fluid to the flow cell and an outlet opening arranged to deliver fluid from the flow cell, the flow cell(s) being positioned in such away that a flow of fluid flowing through a flow cell from the inlet opening to the outlet opening is conveyed over the surface to be cooled, each flow cell being formed to cause at least one change in the direction of flow of the fluid flowing through the flow cell,   a cover plate arranged adjacent to the flow cell(s), said cover plate defining the surface to be cooled,   wherein at least a part of the surface to be cooled defined by the cover plate is provided with a surface pattern of raised and depressed surface portions.   
     
     
         2 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold, wherein the housing defines at least two flow cells, the inlet opening of each flow cell being fluidly connected to the inlet manifold and the outlet opening of each flow cell being fluidly connected to the outlet manifold, each flow cell thereby establishing a fluid connect on between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. 
     
     
         3 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 2 , wherein the flow cells are arranged fluidly in parallel between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold, the flow cells thereby defining parallel flow paths between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold. 
     
     
         4 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 2 , wherein the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold are defined by the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one flow cell defines a meandering flow path. 
     
     
         6 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface pattern defines a sub-pattern which is repeated along at least one direction of the surface pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 1 , wherein the raised surface portions of the surface pattern define raised height levels and the depressed surface portions of the surface pattern define depressed height levels, and wherein an average height difference between the raised height levels and the depressed height levels is within the interval of 0.2 mm to 5 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 1 , wherein the raised surface portions of the surface pattern define raised height levels and the depressed surface portions of the surface pattern define depressed height levels, and wherein an average height difference between the raised height levels and the depressed height levels is with in the interval 10% to 60% of an average height of a flow channel defined by the flow cell(s). 
     
     
         9 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover plate is mounted on the housing in a substantially fluid tight manner. 
     
     
         10 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one power module mounted on a surface the cover plate which is opposite to the surface having the surface pattern provided thereon. 
     
     
         11 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 10 , wherein the power module(s) is/are arranged in a region of the cover plate where the surface pattern is provided. 
     
     
         12 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 3 , wherein the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold are defined by the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one flow cell defines a meandering flow path. 
     
     
         14 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one flow cell defines a meandering flow path. 
     
     
         15 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one flow cell defines a meandering flow path. 
     
     
         16 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 2 , wherein the surface pattern defines a sub-pattern which is repeated along at least one direction of the surface pattern. 
     
     
         17 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 3 , wherein the surface pattern defines a sub-pattern which is repeated along at least one direction of the surface pattern. 
     
     
         18 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 4 , wherein the surface pattern defines a sub-pattern which is repeated along at least one direction of the surface pattern. 
     
     
         19 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 5 , wherein the surface pattern defines a sub-pattern which is repeated along at least one direction of the surface pattern. 
     
     
         20 . The flow distribution module according to  claim 2 , wherein the raised surface portions of the surface pattern define raised height levels and the depressed surface portions of the surface pattern define depressed height levels, and wherein an average height difference between the raised height levels and the depressed height levels is within the interval of 0.2 mm to 5 mm.