Two-phase fluid management system for data centers

Abstract

A two-phase fluid management system may include a sealed container and a mobile condenser that moves within the sealed container. The sealed container may include: a plurality of input ports, each for receiving a two-phase fluid as a vapor from a corresponding one of a plurality of IT cabinets; and a plurality of output ports, each for returning the two-phase fluid as a liquid to a corresponding one of the plurality of IT cabinets. The mobile condenser may be coupled to an actuator or include an actuator to move the mobile condenser to a corresponding one of a plurality of positions within the sealed container. When the mobile condenser is moved to the corresponding one of the plurality of positions, an air inlet and an air outlet of the mobile condenser may form a sealed connection with a pair of condenser ports.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to information technology (IT) racks. Specifically, a two-phase fluid management system can support multiple IT racks. Background Art

[0002] Information Technology (IT) includes technologies such as computers that can be accessed via the internet or a local area network. IT equipment can be used to perform data storage, support front-end websites, back-end applications, services, etc. IT equipment such as servers and other electronic components (e.g., peripherals) can be physically installed in server chassis. These server chassis can then be installed in IT cabinets, which can also be called IT racks. IT cabinets can include electrical, mechanical, and thermal management infrastructure that houses, cools, monitors, powers, and connects IT equipment to the internet. A data center can be understood as a facility dedicated to supporting and housing many IT cabinets.

[0003] High-powered servers, such as those performing artificial intelligence-based operations, can generate significant amounts of heat. These high-powered servers and the server chassis that house them can be immersed in a fluid that absorbs heat from the electronics. In this immersion cooling system, computer electronics can be immersed in, and in direct contact with, a non-conductive fluid (e.g., liquid). The temperature of this immersion fluid can be controlled within a defined "safety range," for example, using a heat exchanger and pump, thereby cooling the IT equipment.

[0004] IT cabinets that submerge IT equipment in an immersion fluid can achieve higher heat transfer capabilities than traditional air and liquid cooling systems, such as direct-to-chip thermal management using heat sinks or cold plates. Immersion-cooled IT cabinets can significantly reduce the physical footprint of servers because electronic components can be packed more closely together without overheating. Thus, due to the higher packing density of electronic components and increased computing loads, IT cabinets with immersion cooling for high-power density electronics are an attractive cooling solution. However, these IT cabinets may have some drawbacks. Therefore, a two-phase fluid management system that addresses these shortcomings could be beneficial. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Various aspects are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to "one" or "an" aspect of the present disclosure do not necessarily refer to the same aspect, and they mean at least one. In addition, for the sake of clarity and to reduce the total number of figures, a given figure may be used to illustrate features of more than one aspect, and not all elements in a figure may be required for a given aspect.

[0006] Figure 1shows a two-phase fluid management system according to some embodiments;

[0007] Figure 2 A two-phase fluid management system with a controller and other features according to some embodiments is shown;

[0008] Figure 3 Shown is closing and sealing the condenser port according to some embodiments;

[0009] Figure 4A and Figure 4B shows a channel view and a channel end view of a two-phase fluid management system with rails and other features according to some embodiments;

[0010] Figure 5 A two-phase fluid management system with energy storage is shown according to some embodiments;

[0011] Figure 6 A two-phase fluid management system with parallel IT cabinets according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Several aspects of the present disclosure will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. Whenever the shapes, relative positions, and other aspects of the components described in a given aspect are not clearly defined, the scope disclosed herein is not limited to the components shown, which are merely for illustrative purposes. In addition, although many details have been set forth, it should be understood that some aspects can be implemented without these details. In other cases, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques are not shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description. In addition, unless the meaning is clearly contrary, all ranges set forth herein are considered to include the endpoints of each range.

[0013] Reference in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0014] An IT cabinet can be equipped with multiple server chassis. Each server chassis can house one or more printed circuit boards that can be equipped with electronic components such as integrated circuits (ICs), systems on integrated chips (SOICs), processors, memory, resistors, capacitors, inductors, semiconductors, power converters, and other electronic components. The electronic components can include hardware and / or software that together form one or more servers connected to the Internet. Each server chassis can be used to manage the power, cooling requirements, electronic connections, structural support, and other considerations of the server.

[0015] As discussed, server power consumption continues to increase due to the growing demand for applications such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other advanced applications. To support these applications, servers may include high-power density chips. IT cabinets may have tanks containing fluids in which IT equipment is immersed. Such IT cabinets may be referred to as immersion tanks.

[0016] IT cabinets may include a two-phase fluid. The two-phase fluid may transfer thermal energy using a process called thermosiphoning. During the thermosiphoning process, the fluid may absorb thermal energy from the IT equipment and, in the process, evaporate from a liquid to a vapor. Thermal energy may be absorbed from the vapor (e.g., by a mobile condenser as described herein) to convert the vapor back into liquid form. The liquid may again absorb thermal energy from the IT equipment and evaporate back into vapor, and so on. However, it may be difficult to prevent the spread of vapor. Even with extreme caution, vapor may escape from the IT cabinet. Over time, if enough vapor escapes, the IT cabinet may lack the amount of liquid needed to keep the IT equipment cool.

[0017] Furthermore, data centers can include many such IT cabinets. Monitoring and replenishing the fluids of each individual immersion-based IT cabinet can be difficult and inefficient. An architecture and design are disclosed that provide a safe, effective, and efficient steam management system for large-scale, two-phase immersion-based IT cabinets.

[0018] Typically, a two-phase fluid management system may include a sealed container having multiple input ports, each for receiving the two-phase fluid as vapor from a corresponding one of a plurality of IT racks (e.g., an immersion tank). The sealed container also includes multiple output ports, each for returning the two-phase fluid as liquid to a corresponding one of the plurality of IT racks. The sealed container can serve as a shared reservoir for the two-phase fluid, and vapor can freely travel throughout the sealed container.

[0019] The mobile condenser can be located within the sealed container. The mobile condenser can be coupled to an actuator to move the mobile condenser to a corresponding one of a plurality of positions within the sealed container. For example, the sealed container can have X positions to which the mobile condenser can be moved. As described elsewhere, each position can serve at least one IT rack, and in some cases, can serve more.

[0020] When the mobile condenser is moved to a corresponding one of the plurality of positions, the air inlet of the mobile condenser forms a sealed connection with a first condenser port of the pair of condenser ports, and the air outlet of the mobile condenser forms a second sealed connection with a second condenser port of the pair of condenser ports. Thus, at each position within the sealed container, the mobile condenser cooperates with the corresponding pair of condenser ports to facilitate air from outside the sealed container to pass through the condenser.

[0021] With this system, a single mobile condenser (or in some cases more than one) can serve as many IT racks as needed, rather than having one condenser per IT rack, thereby reducing the overall amount of hardware (e.g., one condenser per IT rack). Additionally, the sealed container can act as a shared fluid reservoir that can distribute fluid to any one IT rack if it runs low on fluid.

[0022] In some embodiments, the two-phase fluid management system further includes one or more liquid collectors positioned below a plurality of locations within the sealed container. The one or more liquid collectors can collect the two-phase fluid condensed into liquid by the mobile condenser and direct the liquid to at least one of the plurality of output ports.

[0023] In some embodiments, the pair of condenser ports at each of the plurality of positions are closed when the mobile condenser is not in a corresponding one of the plurality of positions, and are opened in response to the mobile condenser being moved to a corresponding one of the plurality of positions. In this way, the fluid (in the form of vapor) within the sealed container does not escape.

[0024] In some embodiments, in response to the mobile condenser automatically moving to a corresponding one of the plurality of positions, the blower is automatically activated to direct air to an air inlet of the mobile condenser, through a cross-flow heat exchanger of the mobile condenser, and out an air outlet of the mobile condenser, which condenses the two-phase fluid from vapor to liquid above one or more liquid collectors.

[0025] In some embodiments, at each of a plurality of locations, the first and second condenser ports of the pair of condenser ports include a valve that opens and closes each respective condenser port. Additionally, the first and second condenser ports of the pair of condenser ports at each of a plurality of locations may include one or more rotating plates that rotate to open and close the respective condenser ports. In this manner, the condenser ports may provide flow control via the valves, as well as an optional sealing function, which may reduce the risk of steam loss and the cost of manufacturing low-tolerance hardware.

[0026] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of locations includes: i) a first IT rack among the plurality of IT racks, fluidly connected to a first input port among the plurality of input ports and a first output port among the plurality of output ports, and ii) a second IT rack among the plurality of IT racks, fluidly connected to a second input port among the plurality of input ports and a second output port among the plurality of output ports, such that at the at least one of the plurality of locations, the mobile condenser receives the two-phase fluid from the first IT rack among the plurality of IT racks and the second IT rack among the plurality of IT racks, condenses the two-phase fluid, and returns the two-phase fluid to the first IT rack among the plurality of IT racks and the second IT rack among the plurality of IT racks. In this way, the mobile condenser can serve two or more IT racks at a given location within the sealed container.

[0027] In some embodiments, a two-phase fluid management system includes a controller configured to, in response to a sensed level of a two-phase fluid in a corresponding one of a plurality of IT racks falling below a threshold level, move a mobile condenser to a corresponding one of a plurality of positions and open a liquid valve arranged in line with the corresponding one of the plurality of outputs and the corresponding one of the IT racks. Thus, the controller can manage the fluid level of each IT rack in a targeted manner.

[0028] In some embodiments, a two-phase fluid management system includes multiple energy storage systems, each including a photovoltaic unit and a battery pack electrically coupled to the photovoltaic unit, wherein each of the multiple energy storage systems provides power to a blower or valve located at a corresponding one of a plurality of locations.

[0029] In some embodiments, the two-phase fluid management system includes a controller configured to move the mobile condenser to one of the plurality of locations based on a temperature at one of the plurality of locations or based on energy stored in a corresponding one of a plurality of energy storage systems, the corresponding one of the energy storage systems providing power to a blower or a valve at one of the plurality of locations.

[0030] In some embodiments, the mobile condenser is coupled to one or more tracks within the sealed container, and a position sensor or position lock is used to detect or align the mobile condenser at a respective one of a plurality of positions.

[0031] The two-phase fluid management system may include combinations of the various embodiments described, including those shown in the example figures, and other combinations that may not be shown.

[0032] Figure 1A two-phase fluid management system 100 is shown according to some embodiments. The two-phase fluid management system can address potential fluid losses from multiple IT racks (140, 142, 144) and perform cooling of fluid from each of the IT racks in a component-efficient manner.

[0033] The two-phase fluid management system 100 can include a sealed container 102. The sealed container can have one or more walls that can be connected to form an enclosed space within the sealed container, and the vapor 101 can be enclosed and trapped within the enclosed space. The sealed container can be made of various combinations of suitable materials, such as metal, plastic, composite materials, or other suitable materials. Similarly, the shape and size of the sealed container can vary depending on the application (e.g., depending on the size or layout of the IT cabinet deployment). The sealed container can be secured above multiple IT cabinets (e.g., 140, 142, and 144) so ​​that vapor from each of the IT cabinets travels upward to the sealed container, and liquid falls from the sealed container to each IT cabinet in an efficient manner.

[0034] Each of the IT cabinets 140, 142, and 144 may have IT equipment 141, 143, and 145, respectively, each immersed in the fluid 142 of its corresponding tank. As such, the IT cabinets 140, 142, and 144 may also be referred to as immersion tanks.

[0035] The sealed container may include a plurality of input ports (e.g., 128, 132, 136), each for receiving the two-phase fluid 142 as a vapor from a corresponding one of the plurality of IT racks. The sealed container may also include a plurality of output ports (e.g., 130, 134, 138), each for returning the two-phase fluid as a liquid to a corresponding one of the plurality of IT racks.

[0036] It should be understood that for the various disclosed embodiments, each port can include one or more fluid connectors. Furthermore, the ports can be connected to the IT cabinet via rigid or flexible conduits through which the fluid can pass. The type and arrangement of the connectors and conduits can vary depending on the application.

[0037] The mobile condenser 118 is located within the sealed container. The mobile condenser 118 can be coupled to an actuator 124 that moves the mobile condenser to a corresponding one of a plurality of positions within the sealed container. An air inlet 120 of the mobile condenser forms a sealed connection with a first condenser port 110 of a pair of condenser ports (110, 112). When the mobile condenser is moved to a corresponding one of the plurality of positions, an air outlet 122 of the mobile condenser 118 forms a second sealed connection with a second condenser port 112 of the pair of condenser ports (110, 112).

[0038] As shown, steam 101 can flow freely and unimpeded through sealed container 102. Given the position of mobile condenser 118, most of the steam 101 at the current position of the mobile condenser can be received through input port 132. However, steam 101 can also be collected in sealed container 102 from other IT cabinets (e.g., 140, 144) or other external fluid sources (not shown). This steam will return the fluid as liquid 103. Liquid 103 can fall and be directed to IT cabinet 142 through output port 134. However, the mobile condenser can be moved from one of multiple positions to another of multiple positions to condense the steam and return the liquid to a corresponding IT cabinet of the IT cabinet. In this way, the IT cabinet can be served by a common condenser 118 and in a manner that the fluid of the IT cabinet can be supplemented from other IT cabinets, from an external fluid source, or a combination thereof. When the steam at the first position decreases due to its condensation back into liquid, the steam at other areas of the sealed container can be partially moved to the first position.

[0039] For example, actuator 124 can move condenser 118 from the currently illustrated position (e.g., the first position) to a second position such that inlet port 120 mates with condenser port 106 and outlet port 122 mates with condenser port 108. In the second position, the mobile condenser will condense vapor 101 received primarily from IT rack 140 via input port 128 (as well as vapor 101 typically present in a sealed container) and return the fluid as a liquid to IT rack 140 via output port 130.

[0040] Similarly, actuator 124 can move condenser 118 to a third position such that inlet port 120 mates with condenser port 114 and outlet port 122 mates with condenser port 116. In the third position, mobile condenser 118 condenses vapor 101 received from IT cabinet 144 via input port 136 (and vapor 101 typically present in a sealed container) and returns the fluid as a liquid to IT cabinet 144 via output port 138.

[0041] The actuator 124 can generate movement of the mobile condenser 118 by converting energy into motion based on a signal. The signal can be an activation signal (e.g., on / off), a position command, a speed command, or a combination thereof. The actuator 124 can generate rotational motion (e.g., a rotary actuator) or linear motion (e.g., a linear actuator). A linear actuator can move forward or backward in a given linear plane. A rotary actuator can rotate within a circular plane. The actuator 124 can have various power sources, such as electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic. In some examples, the actuator 124 can have a rotating wheel or gear that can be mechanically coupled to a belt or chain that is mechanically coupled to the mobile condenser 118. The rotational movement of the actuator can pull the mobile condenser back and forth in the sealed container depending on the direction of rotation. In other examples, the actuator 124 can be directly fixed to the mobile condenser and have one or more wheels that rotate to move the mobile condenser like a train on tracks. The actuator mechanism and the hardware coupling the actuator to the mobile condenser may vary depending on the application.

[0042] The IT cabinet can have one or more sealed compartments (e.g., tanks) that hold two-phase fluid and IT equipment. As discussed, although the compartments can be sealed, the IT cabinet may lose fluid due to various fluid hardware (such as conduits, connectors, adapters, valves, and other hardware). Each IT cabinet 140, 142, and 144 can have an internal condenser (such as condensers 147, 149, and 151), respectively. Each internal condenser can condense the fluid 142 in vapor form into a liquid within the corresponding IT cabinet. For example, due to intentional pressure release, hardware leaks, or other reasons, some steam can escape from the internal condenser. This escaping steam that is not condensed by the internal condenser can travel through the steam line to the input ports 128, 130, and 132 to reach the sealed container 102.

[0043] The two-phase fluid management system may include one or more liquid collectors 126 arranged below multiple positions within the sealed container to collect the two-phase fluid condensed into liquid by the mobile condenser and direct the liquid to at least one of the multiple output ports. In some examples, the sealed container 102 may have a single liquid collector 126. This liquid collector may have a tray shape with side walls connected at the bottom to capture liquid. The liquid collector may be open at the top to capture liquid falling from the condenser. In addition, the bottom of the liquid collector may have one or more inclined surfaces to direct the liquid to the corresponding output port. For example, the liquid collector 134 may have an inclined bottom so that when the mobile condenser is in the position shown, the liquid 103 falling from the condenser is captured by the tray 126 and directed to the output port 134. The remaining amount of liquid 103 can still fall through other output ports 130 and output port 138. In some aspects, the one or more liquid collectors may include multiple liquid collectors (such as having one liquid collector at each output port), such as Figure 2 As shown (liquid collectors 242, 244, 246). Each of these liquid collectors may also have a tray shape, an inclined bottom surface, or a combination thereof.

[0044] The pair of condenser ports at each of the plurality of positions may be closed when the mobile condenser is not in the corresponding one of the plurality of positions, and opened in response to the mobile condenser moving to the corresponding one of the plurality of positions. Thus, the condenser ports may be coordinated based on the position of the mobile condenser.

[0045] For example, when mobile condenser 118 is in the first position, condenser ports 106 and 108 (in the second position) are closed. Similarly, condenser ports 114 and 116 (in the third position) are closed. In response to mobile condenser 118 moving to the second position, condenser ports 106 and 108 are opened. Condenser ports 110 and 112 (in the first position) and condenser ports 114 and 116 (in the third position) are closed. In this way, the sealed container remains sealed to prevent steam 101 from escaping.

[0046] While the two-phase fluid management system is shown in some examples as having three locations, it should be understood that the two-phase fluid management system can include more or fewer locations. The number of locations, as well as the shape and size of the two-phase fluid management system can be varied to suit the specific configuration of the IT cabinets. They can be used in a modular manner. For example, such a system can be placed on each row of IT cabinets, or on multiple rows of IT cabinets, within a data center.

[0047] Figure 2A two-phase fluid management system 200 is shown with a controller 210 and other features according to some embodiments. As described herein, a mobile condenser 211 can reside within a sealed container 202. The mobile condenser can be moved from one location to another throughout the sealed container (e.g., along the length of the sealed container). At each location, the mobile condenser condenses vapor from a corresponding one of the IT cabinets (e.g., cabinets 236, 238, and 240).

[0048] The two-phase fluid management system may include a controller 210 configured to move a mobile condenser to a corresponding one of a plurality of positions and open a liquid valve (224, 226, or 228) arranged in line with a corresponding one of a plurality of outputs and the corresponding one of the IT cabinets in response to a sensed level of a two-phase fluid in a corresponding one of a plurality of IT cabinets falling below a threshold amount. The controller may move the mobile condenser by communicating with an actuator 211. As shown in FIG. Figure 1 As described above, the controller may further control the coordination of the condenser ports.

[0049] For example, the controller 210 can obtain sensor values ​​from sensors 230, 232, and 234 of IT cabinets 236, 238, and 240, respectively. Each sensor can indicate whether the fluid in the IT cabinet is at a given liquid level. The controller 210 can determine that the liquid level in IT cabinet 238 is below a threshold amount (e.g., sensor 232 does not sense the presence of fluid). The controller can command actuator 211 to move the mobile condenser from one of the other locations to the currently shown position. In addition, the controller 210 can command valve 226 to open and command the remaining valves (e.g., valve 224 and valve 228) in which no mobile condenser is positioned to close. In some examples, valves 242, 244, and 246 are optional and may not be implemented, such as when the sealed container includes a separate liquid collector for each IT cabinet. The operation of valves 242, 244, and 246 can be extended to other embodiments, such as Figure 1 Valves 131, 135 and 139 are shown, Figure 1 There is a common liquid collector 126 for the IT cabinets.

[0050] Furthermore, controller 210 can command valve 226 to close in response to one or more criteria being met. For example, if the liquid level in IT rack 238 meets a threshold or a different threshold (e.g., above a first threshold), the controller can command valve 226 to close. Furthermore, if the controller senses that a different IT rack 236 has fallen below a threshold, the controller can move the mobile condenser to a corresponding position (e.g., above liquid collector 242) and open valve 224. The remaining valves can be commanded to close. In this manner, by moving the condenser to the corresponding position and opening the corresponding valve, the controller can supply fluid to any IT rack based on the liquid level. When the liquid level in that corresponding IT rack reaches a satisfactory threshold, the controller can close that valve.

[0051] Fluid sensing can be performed for each IT cabinet using various schemes. In some examples, each IT cabinet can have multiple sensors to sense fluid levels with greater accuracy. Furthermore, each IT cabinet can monitor its fluid loss rate based on the amount of fluid lost in a given period of time. A controller can obtain this information from each IT cabinet and control components accordingly.

[0052] In some examples, in response to the mobile condenser automatically moving to a corresponding one of a plurality of positions, the blowers can be automatically activated (e.g., by the controller 210) to direct air into the air inlet 212 of the mobile condenser 211, through the cross-flow heat exchanger 214 of the mobile condenser 211, and out the air outlet 216 of the mobile condenser. This process can condense a two-phase fluid from a vapor to a liquid above one or more liquid collectors (such as the liquid collector 244 shown). In some embodiments, based on the position of the mobile condenser, the corresponding blowers and valves can be activated simultaneously. For example, when the mobile condenser 211 is positioned above the IT cabinet 236, the controller 210 can activate the blower 204 and simultaneously open the valve 224. The remaining blowers 206, 208 and valves 226, 228 can be closed. In some examples, a blower (such as 204, 206, or 208) can be directly attached to any of the condenser ports (e.g., 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, or 116). The blower can be integrated as part of the port or attached to the port so that there is no gap between the port and the blower.

[0053] Cross-flow heat exchanger 214 may include a plurality of heat-conducting channels (e.g., metal channels) extending from air inlet 212 to air outlet 216, through which air from the blower flows. Steam within the sealed container contacts the cross-flow heat exchanger (e.g., at a given location of the mobile condenser). Cross-flow heat exchanger 214 transfers heat energy from the steam to the air within the mobile condenser, thereby condensing the steam into liquid at the given location.

[0054] The controller 210 can be communicatively coupled to various components of the two-phase fluid management system (e.g., sensors, actuators, blowers, energy storage systems, or other components). The controller can communicate with the components via inputs and outputs (e.g., analog or digital inputs or outputs), a communication bus, a network, or a combination thereof.

[0055] Figure 3 Components of a condenser port 300 are shown according to some embodiments. The condenser port is shown in an open position and then in a closed position. The condenser port 300 can be used with any of the embodiments discussed herein, such as for Figure 1 Condenser ports 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 in the embodiment, and those ports in other embodiments. Condenser port 300 can be arranged at sealed container wall 302 or sealed container, so that when the condenser port is opened, air or other fluid can enter the sealed container through the condenser port.

[0056] The condenser port may include a valve portion 304 that includes a valve (e.g., an air valve) that prevents or allows air to flow through the condenser port, thereby allowing air to flow through the mobile condenser when the mobile condenser is in a given position, but preventing steam from escaping from the sealed container when the mobile condenser is not in a given position. The valve can be commanded to open or close (e.g., remotely by a controller) to open or close the port. As described herein, the controller can manage the state of each valve based on the position of the mobile condenser.

[0057] Optionally, the condenser port may include a sealing portion 306, which includes one or more rotating plates 308 that rotate to open or close the port. The plate (also referred to as a slat) can be rotated from a horizontal position to a vertical position, or vice versa. The sealing portion can rotate horizontally to seal the opening of the port (as shown in the closed state), and rotate vertically to open the port. The rotating plate can have various orientations to seal potential gaps from each side of the port. In one embodiment, the sealing portion 306 is integrated with the condenser inlet 310. The valve portion 304 can be fixed to the sealed container wall 302 or integrated therewith. In some embodiments, the sealing portion 306 can be integrated with the condenser inlet or outlet 310, or in other embodiments, integrated with the valve portion 304 (which can in turn be integrated with the sealed container wall 302 or fixed to the sealed container wall). When the sealing portion is integrated with the condenser inlet and outlet 310, the sealing portion can be open to the top (for example, so that the rotating plate rotates upward toward the valve portion).

[0058] As shown, when the mobile condenser is not in its corresponding position, the condenser port 300 can remain closed, as shown by the condenser inlet or outlet 310 not being aligned with the condenser port in the closed state. In the closed state, the valve portion 304 can place the valve in a closed position. In some embodiments, the valve can include a solenoid-activated valve. Other valve technologies can be used. The sealing portion 306 can have a rotating plate 308 in a horizontal position, thereby providing an additional sealing layer to prevent steam from escaping from the sealed container through the port.

[0059] In the open state, the valve of valve portion 304 can be opened. Rotating plate 308 can be positioned vertically so that the panel seals potential gaps between the condenser air inlet or outlet 310 and the inward-facing opening of the condenser port, thereby improving the efficiency of the condenser and reducing vapor loss from the sealed container to the outside space. In addition, the durability of the mobile condenser, the condenser port, and the location of the mobile condenser within the sealed container can be increased by this sealing feature.

[0060] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A two-phase fluid management system with rails 406 and other features according to some embodiments is shown. As discussed with respect to other embodiments, mobile condenser 401 can be moved from one location to another within a sealed container to condense fluid from vapor to liquid for corresponding IT racks. Figure 4A It can be understood as the view when standing in the IT channel, and Figure 4B It can be understood as the view from the end of the IT tunnel.

[0061] The mobile condenser 401 can be coupled to one or more tracks 404 within a sealed container. In some examples, a first track of the one or more tracks 404 is connected to a first side of the condenser, and a second track of the one or more tracks 404 is connected to an opposite side of the condenser. The condenser can be moved along the length of the tracks within the sealed container. The controller 402 can operate the actuator 404 to push, pull, or roll the condenser under the guidance of the one or more tracks. The actuator can use various hardware to move the condenser, such as a belt, chain, wheel, linear actuator, or other hardware.

[0062] In some examples, a positioning kit 408 can be disposed in the track to detect the position of the mobile condenser, align the mobile condenser, or a combination thereof. The positioning kit can include a position sensor, a position lock, or a combination thereof. The position sensor can include a position switch, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a resistive sensor, an inductive or capacitive sensor, or other types of position or proximity sensors. The position lock can include a latch, a detent, an indentation, a lock, a clip, or other hardware that can guide or hold the mobile condenser in a given position along the track.

[0063] In some embodiments, the controller 402 can sense the position of the mobile condenser 401. If the position is considered to be at a given position, the controller can respond by operating components as described, such as a) opening the condenser port where the mobile condenser is located and closing the remaining condenser ports, b) opening the liquid valve where the mobile condenser is located and closing the remaining liquid valves, and c) starting the blower where the mobile condenser is located and deactivating the remaining blowers. The controller 402 can communicate with the actuator to move the mobile condenser to the target position and monitor whether the position of the mobile condenser is at the target position based on feedback from the sensor. Similarly, the controller can operate each condenser port. Each condenser port can include a valve portion 416 and a sealing portion 418. However, as discussed, the sealing portion 418 can alternatively be fixed to the mobile condenser inlet and outlet or integrated into it. Each condenser port can also include a blower 414 at the input condenser port (pushing air through the condenser) or the output condenser port (extracting air from the condenser) or both. The valve portion 416 may include Figure 3 Similarly, the sealing portion 418 may include features described with respect to the valve portion 304. Figure 3 The features described in the seal portion 306.

[0064] Figure 5 A two-phase fluid management system 500 with energy storage is shown according to some embodiments. The system can include multiple energy storage systems (such as 501, 503, and 505). Each storage system can include one or more corresponding photovoltaic cells (502, 524, 528), and corresponding battery packs 504, 526, and 530 that are electrically coupled to the photovoltaic cells and store electrical energy captured by the corresponding photovoltaic cells. Each energy storage system can also include electronic components such as a DC / DC converter, a battery management system (BMS), and other electronic components that can support the storage and monitoring of energy in the corresponding battery pack. The photovoltaic cell can include one or more photovoltaic cells that can be electrically connected in series, in parallel, or in combination thereof to provide a desired voltage and current output when converting solar energy into electrical energy.

[0065] Each energy storage system can be dedicated to a component at a given location within the two-phase fluid management system. Thus, each of the multiple energy storage systems can provide power to a blower or valve located at a corresponding one of the multiple locations. For example, energy storage system 501 can provide power for the operation of blower 506 and condenser ports 508 and 510. Energy storage system 503 can provide power for the operation of blower 512 and condenser ports 514 and 516. Energy storage system 505 can provide power for the operation of blower 518 and condenser ports 520 and 522.

[0066] The controller 532 can be configured to move the mobile condenser to one of the multiple locations based on the temperature at one of the multiple locations or based on energy stored in a corresponding one of the multiple energy storage systems, which provides power to the blower or valve at one of the multiple locations.

[0067] For example, each of energy storage systems 501, 503, and 505 can include a temperature sensor. This temperature sensor can be used as an indicator of how much solar energy is present in the corresponding solar cell. Thus, controller 532 can move the mobile condenser to the location with the highest temperature, or to one of multiple locations that meet a threshold temperature.

[0068] For example, if the location of energy storage system 505 has the highest ambient temperature, controller 532 can move the condenser to that location. Similarly, if the locations of energy storage systems 501 and 503 both meet the threshold temperature, but energy storage system 505 does not, controller 532 can move the condenser below energy storage system 503 or 501 in an alternating manner, or check additional criteria to select between the two locations (e.g., which has more energy stored in the battery, or which IT cabinet has a lower fluid level).

[0069] Additionally or alternatively, the controller can simply move the condenser to the energy storage system where the highest energy is stored in its corresponding battery pack. The total energy stored in the battery pack can be obtained from the energy storage system's battery management system. This can be determined by integrating the open-source voltage, current over time, or a combination thereof.

[0070] In some embodiments, the controller may move the mobile condenser to a location where the energy storage system meets an energy storage threshold and a temperature threshold.Other criteria may be implemented to determine where to move the mobile condenser.

[0071] Figure 6A two-phase fluid management system 600 with parallel IT racks is shown according to some embodiments. As described in other embodiments, a mobile condenser 602 can be moved between multiple locations within a sealed container 604.

[0072] In some embodiments, as shown herein, the mobile condenser can support two IT cabinets in at least one of a plurality of positions. For example, in at least one of the positions of the mobile condenser 602 within the sealed container 608, a first IT cabinet of the plurality of IT cabinets 604 is fluidly connected to a first input port of the plurality of input ports 610 and a first output port of the plurality of output ports 612, and a second IT cabinet of the plurality of IT cabinets 606 is fluidly connected to a second input port of the plurality of input ports 614 and a second output port of the plurality of output ports 616, such that the mobile condenser 602 receives two-phase fluid from both IT cabinets 604 and 602, condenses the two-phase fluid, and returns the two-phase fluid to both IT cabinets 604 and 602.

[0073] In some examples, IT cabinets can be placed in rows in a data center. IT cabinet 604 can be located in a first row, while IT cabinet 606 can be placed in a second row adjacent to the first row. Thus, two-phase fluid management system 600 can have sealed container 608 and mobile condenser 602 that travels along the length of two adjacent rows, simultaneously serving two IT cabinets (such as IT cabinets 604 and 606).

[0074] As discussed herein, a data center may support multiple IT cabinets, such as those described in this disclosure. The data center may provide each IT cabinet with power, air conditioning, liquid cooling, fault monitoring, temperature monitoring, space, and other supporting infrastructure. For example, a data center may include one or more two-phase fluid management systems to support any number of IT cabinets.

[0075] Although not shown, in some embodiments, the IT cabinet may include various other support components (such as pumps, controllers, power supplies, backup power supplies, and other components). As discussed, IT equipment may be assembled onto server chassis, which may also be understood as line replaceable units (LRUs) that may be placed into an array of server slots within an IT cabinet.

[0076] Each server chassis can house IT equipment such as one or more servers, which can include one or more components (e.g., central processing units or CPUs, graphics processing units (GPUs), memory, and / or storage devices). Each component can perform data processing tasks, where the component can include software installed in the storage device, loaded into the memory, and executed by one or more processors to perform the data processing tasks. As described above, at least some of these components can be attached to any of the cold plates. The server can include a host server (referred to as a host node) coupled to one or more compute servers (also referred to as compute nodes, such as CPU servers and GPU servers). The host server (having one or more CPUs) typically connects to clients over a network (e.g., the Internet) to receive requests for specific services such as storage services (e.g., cloud-based storage services such as backup and / or recovery) to execute applications to perform certain operations (e.g., image processing, deep data learning algorithms or modeling as part of a software-as-a-service or SaaS platform). In response to the request, the host server assigns the task to one or more performance computing nodes or compute servers (having one or more GPUs) managed by the host server. The performance computing servers perform the actual tasks, which may generate heat during operation.

[0077] Aspects of the IT rack may be flexible and deployable in different system architectures; for example, the system may be deployed with a localized pumping system (eg, a closed system architecture) or a central pumping system (eg, an open system architecture).

[0078] Some embodiments, such as the controller described in some embodiments, may include a non-transitory machine-readable medium (such as a microelectronic memory) having stored thereon instructions that program one or more data processing components (collectively referred to herein as "processors") to perform the operations described herein. In some embodiments, some of these operations may be performed by specific hardware components containing hardwired logic. Alternatively, these operations may be performed by any combination of programmed data processing components and fixed hardwired circuit components.

[0079] In the foregoing description, embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be apparent that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The description and drawings are, therefore, to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0080] Although certain aspects have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that these aspects are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the broad disclosure, and that the disclosure is not limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, as various other modifications may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the description is to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0081] In some aspects, the present disclosure may include expressions such as “at least one of [element A] and [element B].” The expression may refer to one or more of the elements. For example, “at least one of A and B” may refer to “A,” “B,” or “A and B.” Specifically, “at least one of A and B” may refer to “at least one of A or at least one of B,” or “at least one of A or B.” In some aspects, the present disclosure may include expressions such as “[element A], [element B], and / or [element C].” The expression may refer to any one of the elements or any combination thereof. For example, “A, B, and / or C” may refer to “A,” “B,” “C,” “A and B,” “A and C,” “B and C,” or “A, B, and C.”

Claims

1. A two-phase fluid management system, comprising: A sealed container comprising: a plurality of input ports, each input port for receiving a two-phase fluid as a vapor from a corresponding one of a plurality of IT racks; and a plurality of output ports, each output port for returning the two-phase fluid as a liquid to the corresponding one of the plurality of IT racks; and A mobile condenser is disposed in the sealed container, the mobile condenser being coupled to an actuator for moving the mobile condenser to a corresponding one of a plurality of positions in the sealed container. When the mobile condenser moves to the corresponding one of the multiple positions, the air inlet of the mobile condenser forms a sealed connection with the first condenser port of a pair of condenser ports, and the air outlet of the mobile condenser forms a second sealed connection with the second condenser port of the pair of condenser ports.

2. The two-phase fluid management system of claim 1 , wherein the pair of condenser ports at each of the plurality of positions on the sealed container are closed when the mobile condenser is not at the corresponding one of the plurality of positions, and the pair of condenser ports are opened in response to the mobile condenser moving to the corresponding one of the plurality of positions.

3. The two-phase fluid management system according to claim 1 further includes one or more liquid collectors below the multiple positions in the sealed container to collect the two-phase fluid condensed into liquid by the mobile condenser and guide the liquid to at least one output port among the multiple output ports.

4. The two-phase fluid management system of claim 1 , wherein in response to the mobile condenser automatically moving to the corresponding one of the plurality of positions, a blower is automatically activated to direct air to the air inlet of the mobile condenser, through the cross-flow heat exchanger of the mobile condenser, and out of the air outlet of the mobile condenser, thereby condensing the two-phase fluid from the vapor to the liquid above the one or more liquid collectors.

5. The two-phase fluid management system of claim 1 , wherein the first condenser port and the second condenser port in the pair of condenser ports at each of the plurality of positions on the sealed container include an air valve, the air valve operating the first condenser port and the second condenser port in the pair of condenser ports to open or close.

6. The two-phase fluid management system of claim 5, wherein the first condenser port and the second condenser port in the pair of condenser ports at each of the plurality of positions include one or more rotating plates that rotate to open and close the pair of condenser ports.

7. The two-phase fluid management system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of locations comprises: a first IT rack of the plurality of IT racks fluidly connected to a first input port of the plurality of input ports and a first output port of the plurality of output ports, and A second IT cabinet among the plurality of IT cabinets is fluidly connected to a second input port among the plurality of input ports and a second output port among the plurality of output ports, so that at at least one of the plurality of locations, the mobile condenser receives the two-phase fluid from the first IT cabinet among the plurality of IT cabinets and the second IT cabinet among the plurality of IT cabinets, condenses the two-phase fluid, and returns the two-phase fluid to the first IT cabinet among the plurality of IT cabinets and the second IT cabinet among the plurality of IT cabinets.

8. The two-phase fluid management system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to: In response to the sensed level of the two-phase fluid of the corresponding one of the plurality of IT racks falling below a threshold amount, moving the mobile condenser to the corresponding one of the plurality of positions; and A liquid valve arranged in line with a corresponding one of the plurality of outputs and a corresponding one of the IT racks is opened.

9. The two-phase fluid management system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of energy storage systems, each energy storage system comprising a photovoltaic cell and a battery pack electrically coupled to the photovoltaic cell, wherein each of the plurality of energy storage systems provides power to a blower or a valve located at the corresponding one of the plurality of locations.

10. The two-phase fluid management system of claim 9, further comprising a controller configured to move the mobile condenser to one of the plurality of locations based on a temperature at one of the plurality of locations, or based on energy stored in a corresponding one of the plurality of energy storage systems, the corresponding one of the energy storage systems providing the power to the blower or the valve at the one of the plurality of locations.

11. The two-phase fluid management system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile condenser is coupled to one or more tracks within the sealed container, and a position sensor and a position lock are used to detect or align the mobile condenser at a corresponding one of the plurality of positions.

12. A data center, comprising: a plurality of information technology (IT) cabinets, each IT cabinet comprising IT equipment immersed in the two-phase fluid; as well as Two-phase fluid management system, including: a sealed container comprising: a plurality of input ports, each input port for receiving a two-phase fluid as a vapor from a corresponding one of the plurality of IT racks; and a plurality of output ports, each output port for returning the two-phase fluid as a liquid to the corresponding one of the plurality of IT racks; and A mobile condenser is disposed in the sealed container, the mobile condenser being coupled to an actuator for moving the mobile condenser to a corresponding one of a plurality of positions in the sealed container. When the mobile condenser moves to the corresponding one of the multiple positions, the air inlet of the mobile condenser forms a sealed connection with the first condenser port of a pair of condenser ports, and the air outlet of the mobile condenser forms a second sealed connection with the second condenser port of the pair of condenser ports.

13. The data center of claim 12 , wherein the pair of condenser ports at each of the plurality of positions on the sealed container are closed when the mobile condenser is not at the corresponding one of the plurality of positions, and the pair of condenser ports are opened in response to the mobile condenser moving to the corresponding one of the plurality of positions.

14. The data center of claim 12, wherein the two-phase fluid management system further comprises one or more liquid collectors below the multiple locations within the sealed container to collect the two-phase fluid condensed into liquid by the mobile condenser and guide the liquid to at least one of the multiple output ports.

15. The data center of claim 12, wherein in response to the mobile condenser being moved to the corresponding one of the plurality of positions, a blower is activated to direct air to the air inlet of the mobile condenser, through the cross-flow heat exchanger of the mobile condenser, and out the air outlet of the mobile condenser, thereby condensing the two-phase fluid from the vapor to the liquid above the one or more liquid collectors.

16. The data center of claim 12, wherein the first condenser port and the second condenser port in the pair of condenser ports at each of the plurality of locations include an air valve that operates the first condenser port and the second condenser port in the pair of condenser ports to open or close.

17. The data center of claim 16, wherein one or more rotating plates on the mobile condenser rotate to open or close an air inlet or an air outlet of the mobile condenser.

18. The data center of claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of locations comprises: a first IT rack of the plurality of IT racks fluidly connected to a first input port of the plurality of input ports and a first output port of the plurality of output ports, and A second IT cabinet among the plurality of IT cabinets is fluidly connected to a second input port among the plurality of input ports and a second output port among the plurality of output ports, so that at at least one of the plurality of locations, the mobile condenser receives the two-phase fluid from the first IT cabinet among the plurality of IT cabinets and the second IT cabinet among the plurality of IT cabinets, condenses the two-phase fluid, and returns the two-phase fluid to the first IT cabinet among the plurality of IT cabinets and the second IT cabinet among the plurality of IT cabinets.

19. The data center of claim 12, further comprising a controller configured to: move the mobile condenser to the corresponding one of the plurality of positions in response to a sensed level of the two-phase fluid in the corresponding one of the plurality of IT cabinets dropping below a threshold amount; and open a liquid valve arranged in line with the corresponding one of the plurality of outputs and the corresponding one of the IT cabinets.

20. The data center of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of energy storage systems, each comprising a photovoltaic unit and a battery pack electrically coupled to the photovoltaic unit, wherein each of the plurality of energy storage systems provides power to a blower or valve located at the corresponding one of the plurality of locations.

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