Bimetal for Computer Cooling

[fakeirish]

So recently I went to a lecture discussing bimetal. Now bimetal has some applications already but what if its used as a cooling component. I know the price would be ridiculous but just think about it to have some component in the computer that doesn't run off any electricity and can be set to move in some way to help cooling. For example if you were to make a case using bimetal, maybe not the whole case but flaps, and at certain temperatures the flaps would open relieving the heat in the case so that the computer gets better airflow. The application for this just as a fail safe if any of your computer cooling were to go wrong would seem amazing in my eyes. I don't know about you guys I just thought it would be a good thing to discuss.

 

for those who don't know what bimetal is heres a link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimetal but the quick explanation is two metals that are set together and when it gets heated the two move in some way.

[hammerslap1]

seems massively non-cost effective. and simply opening flaps wouldnt really net you much additional cooling. better off simply buying an all mesh case like one of the haf series

[W-L]

So recently I went to a lecture discussing bimetal. Now bimetal has some applications already but what if its used as a cooling component. I know the price would be ridiculous but just think about it to have some component in the computer that doesn't run off any electricity and can be set to move in some way to help cooling. For example if you were to make a case using bimetal, maybe not the whole case but flaps, and at certain temperatures the flaps would open relieving the heat in the case so that the computer gets better airflow. The application for this just as a fail safe if any of your computer cooling were to go wrong would seem amazing in my eyes. I don't know about you guys I just thought it would be a good thing to discuss.

 

for those who don't know what bimetal is heres a link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimetal but the quick explanation is two metals that are set together and when it gets heated the two move in some way.

 

I don't see why it couldn't be done if someone wanted to they could take a sheet and replaced the top of a case and have it open up like the alienware area 51 it would be a viable solution, with some reinforcement and extra structure added since the bimetal sheet are fairly thin and flexible.

 

A bit off topic but is starting to make it's way into architecture and using bimetal as sun shading type of blinds built in the windows of large skyscrapers or canopy's that require self venting.

[Napper198]

Bimetall is interesting, and is actually already widely used in thermal managing applications (think cars, home heating, etc.) but I don't think that it would actually be useful in a PC especially considering the relative low temperatures and that we already have so much possibility to control fans, pumps, cases and even valves electric 

[Trik'Stari]

Bimetall is interesting, and is actually already widely used in thermal managing applications (think cars, home heating, etc.) but I don't think that it would actually be useful in a PC especially considering the relative low temperatures and that we already have so much possibility to control fans, pumps, cases and even valves electric 

you could theoretically make some sort of temperature responsive switch or regulator out of bi metal, the same way that the "thermostat" in most cars is just a piece of wax around a spring that melts at a certain temperature, opening a valve and allowing coolant to flow to the radiator once the engine has reached operating temperature

[Napper198]

you could theoretically make some sort of temperature responsive switch or regulator out of bi metal, the same way that the "thermostat" in most cars is just a piece of wax around a spring that melts at a certain temperature, opening a valve and allowing coolant to flow to the radiator once the engine has reached operating temperature

Then again you could hook up a 12v valve to a fan controller and let that switch the valve at a specific temperature.

[Trik'Stari]

Then again you could hook up a 12v valve to a fan controller and let that switch the valve at a specific temperature.

That requires more power = more heat does it not?

[Napper198]

quick google search tells me that those valves are rated at 2,5W, so I'm more concerned about their EMI than their heat output.

But then again I can't really think of an application for an electric valve anyway. It would either be something i'd regulate or switch manually because I'd set it once (choke) or use it only once like every 6 months (drain) or wouldn't regulate at all (coolers, pumps, radiators, etc.)

[Trik'Stari]

quick google search tells me that those valves are rated at 2,5W, so I'm more concerned about their EMI than their heat output.

But then again I can't really think of an application for an electric valve anyway. It would either be something i'd regulate or switch manually because I'd set it once (choke) or use it only once like every 6 months (drain) or wouldn't regulate at all (coolers, pumps, radiators, etc.)

True. also you don't really need to worry about "operational temperatures" on a cpu like you do with an internal combustion engine.

[KemoKa]

It's a nice idea, but to be honest as long as you have air moving through the case, you computer's not going to overheat.
 

There's no reason to build a sealed case that only opens when it gets toasty. and correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the metal take a while to open up once it opens up?

an idea you could have is a heatsink that expands and increases surface area with fins that are pressed together at first but push apart when heated.