Liquid cooling system and control method thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of temperature control equipment for data centers, and particularly relates to a liquid cooling system and a control method thereof. The liquid cooling system comprises a heat exchanger and a plurality of heat devices; a water supply pipeline is arranged between the output end of the heat exchanger and the input end of the heat device, and a backwater pipeline is arranged between the output end of the heat device and the input end of the heat exchanger; temperature detection devices are arranged on the water supply pipeline and the backwater pipeline, and a flow regulating device and a water pump are further arranged on the backwater pipeline; the liquid cooling system further comprises a power meter and a central controller, the power meter is used for collecting total power on the water supply pipeline and transmitting a signal to the central controller, and the central controller is used for receiving the detection result of the temperature detection device on the backwater pipeline and the signal transmitted by the power meter. Through the configuration of power monitoring, temperature monitoring and end valve, the present disclosure can realize accurate control and accurate distribution of flow in the end heat device, and avoid power waste.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure belongs to the technical field of temperature control equipment for data centers, and specifically relates to a liquid cooling system and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Current liquid cooling systems primarily control the liquid cooling water temperature and the inlet / outlet pressure difference. The inlet / outlet pressure difference is positively correlated with the pump power of the liquid cooling system. During system operation, a pressure difference is set, and the pump adjusts its frequency to meet this requirement. This leads to the following two problems:

[0003] (1) The flow resistance of the terminal heat exchangers needs to be kept uniform. If some equipment has a large flow resistance and some equipment has a small flow resistance, it will cause uneven flow distribution and flow waste. This directly leads to poor matching between the liquid cooling system and the terminal equipment, and heat exchangers with uniform specifications are required to share the same liquid cooling system.

[0004] (2) At the same time, when the load and pressure drop of the heat equipment are inconsistent, the system can only operate at the maximum pressure difference to ensure the flow rate of the worst equipment; however, the heat dissipation capacity at this time is far greater than that of other small-load equipment, resulting in a waste of water pump power. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this disclosure provides a liquid cooling system, which includes a heat exchanger and several thermal devices;

[0006] A water supply pipeline is provided between the output end of the heat exchanger and the input end of the heat equipment, and a return water pipeline is provided between the output end of the heat equipment and the input end of the heat exchanger.

[0007] Temperature detection devices are installed on both the water supply pipeline and the return pipeline, and a flow regulating device and a water pump are also installed on the return pipeline;

[0008] The liquid cooling system also includes a power meter and a central controller. The power meter is used to collect the total power on the water supply pipeline and transmit the signal to the central controller. The central controller is used to receive the detection results of the temperature detection device on the return pipeline and the signal sent by the power meter, and control the speed of the water pump.

[0009] Preferably, the water supply pipeline includes a main water supply line connected to the output end of the heat exchanger, and the end of the main water supply line is connected to the corresponding heat equipment through several branch water supply lines.

[0010] The temperature detection device includes a first temperature sensor installed on the main water supply line and a second temperature sensor installed on each of the branch water supply lines.

[0011] Preferably, a flow meter is also installed on the main water supply line.

[0012] Preferably, the return water pipeline includes a main return water pipeline connected to the input end of the heat exchanger, and the input end of the main return water pipeline is connected to the corresponding heat equipment through several return water branches;

[0013] The temperature detection device includes a third temperature sensor installed on each of the return water branch lines and a fourth temperature sensor installed on the return water main line.

[0014] Preferably, the power meter is connected to each of the water supply branches;

[0015] The power meter is used to collect the power of each of the water supply branches and determine the total power of the water supply pipeline based on the collection results.

[0016] Preferably, the central controller is connected to each third temperature sensor;

[0017] The central controller collects the return water temperature on each return water branch, determines the total flow rate required by the liquid cooling system, and controls the speed of the water pump based on the feedback from the flow meter.

[0018] This disclosure also proposes a control method for a liquid cooling system, applied to the liquid cooling system, the method comprising:

[0019] Real-time acquisition of total power on the water supply pipeline and temperature detection results on the return water pipeline;

[0020] Based on the total power and the temperature detection results, the required flow rate of the liquid cooling system is determined;

[0021] The pump speed is controlled according to the required flow rate of the liquid cooling system, so that the actual flow rate in the liquid cooling system reaches the required flow rate.

[0022] Preferably, the total power on the water supply pipeline is determined based on the power of the tributaries on each water supply branch.

[0023] Preferably, the temperature detection results on the return water pipeline are determined based on the temperature detection results on each water supply branch.

[0024] Preferably, controlling the pump speed according to the required flow rate of the liquid cooling system includes:

[0025] The actual flow rate on the main water supply line of the liquid cooling system is obtained, the actual flow rate is compared with the required flow rate, and the speed of the water pump is controlled according to the comparison result.

[0026] This disclosure has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] (1) By configuring power monitoring, temperature monitoring and terminal valve, this disclosure can achieve precise control and precise distribution of flow in terminal heat equipment, and avoid power waste;

[0028] (2) This disclosure relates to water supply temperature control, water pump flow control, and terminal heat equipment flow control. Through the control method of this disclosure, it is possible to quickly respond to changes in terminal heat load and achieve precise temperature control.

[0029] (3) This disclosure can be adapted to a variety of different terminal heat devices and achieve precise temperature control of all devices. Based on the control logic, it can automatically seek the lowest operating frequency to achieve optimal energy efficiency operation of the liquid cooling system.

[0030] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned by practicing the disclosure. The objects and other advantages of this disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the structures pointed out in the description and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 A diagram of a liquid cooling system in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown;

[0033] Figure 2 A diagram illustrating the control method of the liquid cooling system in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 3 A detailed control flowchart of the control method for the liquid cooling system in this embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided to make this disclosure more comprehensive and complete, and to fully convey the concept of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a full understanding of embodiments of this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the technical solutions of this disclosure can be practiced with one or more of the specific details omitted, or other methods, components, apparatus, steps, etc., can be employed. In other instances, well-known technical solutions are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of this disclosure.

[0036] Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of this disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. Some block diagrams shown in the drawings are functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities may be implemented in software, in one or more hardware units or integrated circuits, or in different network and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0037] The flowchart shown in the attached diagram is merely an illustrative example and does not necessarily include all steps. For example, some steps may be broken down, while others may be combined or partially combined; therefore, the actual execution order may change depending on the specific circumstances.

[0038] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented, for example, in orders other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0039] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or sub-modules is not necessarily limited to those steps or sub-modules that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or sub-modules that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or device.

[0040] This disclosure proposes a liquid cooling system, which includes a heat exchanger and several thermal devices;

[0041] A water supply pipeline is provided between the output end of the heat exchanger and the input end of the heat equipment, and a return water pipeline is provided between the output end of the heat equipment and the input end of the heat exchanger.

[0042] Temperature detection devices are installed on both the water supply pipeline and the return pipeline, and a flow regulating device and a water pump are also installed on the return pipeline;

[0043] The liquid cooling system also includes a power meter and a central controller. The power meter is used to collect the total power on the water supply pipeline and transmit the signal to the central controller. The central controller is used to receive the detection results of the temperature detection device on the return pipeline and the signal sent by the power meter, and control the speed of the water pump.

[0044] Specifically, the water supply pipeline includes a main water supply line connected to the output end of the heat exchanger, and the end of the main water supply line is connected to the corresponding heat equipment through several branch water supply lines.

[0045] The temperature detection device includes a first temperature sensor installed on the main water supply line and a second temperature sensor installed on each of the branch water supply lines.

[0046] Specifically, a flow meter is also installed on the main water supply line.

[0047] Specifically, the return water pipeline includes a main return water line connected to the input end of the heat exchanger, and the input end of the main return water line is connected to the corresponding heat equipment through several return water branches.

[0048] The temperature detection device includes a third temperature sensor installed on each of the return water branch lines and a fourth temperature sensor installed on the return water main line.

[0049] Specifically, the power meter is connected to each of the water supply branches;

[0050] The power meter is used to collect the power of each of the water supply branches and determine the total power of the water supply pipeline based on the collection results.

[0051] Specifically, the central controller is connected to each third temperature sensor;

[0052] The central controller collects the return water temperature on each return water branch, determines the total flow rate required by the liquid cooling system, and controls the speed of the water pump based on the feedback from the flow meter.

[0053] like Figure 1As shown, the liquid cooling system in this disclosure consists of a heat exchanger HEX-1, a water pump P-1, tee fittings VA and VB, a flow meter F-1, a first temperature sensor Ta, second temperature sensors Ta1 to Tan, third temperature sensors Tb1 to Tbn, a fourth temperature sensor Tb, flow regulating valves V-1 to Vn, a power meter, and a central controller.

[0054] The process of using this system is as follows: liquid-cooled water supply → heat equipment → temperature sensor → flow regulating valve → liquid-cooled return water → water pump → heat exchanger → liquid-cooled water supply.

[0055] Specifically, the cooling tower inlet and outlet water transfers its cooling capacity to the secondary side through heat exchanger HEX-1; the chilled water on the secondary side is supplied to the terminal heat equipment through water pump P-1, absorbs heat, and then returns to heat exchanger HEX-1 to complete one heat exchange cycle.

[0056] The secondary side water supply temperature Ta is controlled according to the opening degree of the tee fitting VA.

[0057] Control method of secondary side water pump P-1: The power meter collects the total power at the end in real time and uploads it to the central controller. The central controller calculates the total flow required by the system according to the supply and return water temperature set by the user (first temperature sensor Ta and fourth temperature sensor Tb), and then controls the speed of water pump P-1. It also performs feedback control according to flow meter F-1 to enable water pump P-1 to achieve the specified flow.

[0058] Terminal heat exchanger flow distribution: The user sets the first temperature sensor Ta and the fourth temperature sensor Tb on the central controller. Then, the second temperature sensors Ta1~Tan and the third temperature sensors Tb1~Tbn in each branch will correspond to the set values. The central controller will adjust the opening of the flow regulating valves V-1~Vn in real time to ensure that the third temperature sensors Tb1~Tbn are consistent with the fourth temperature sensor Tb.

[0059] like Figure 2 As shown, this disclosure also proposes a control method for a liquid cooling system, the method comprising:

[0060] Real-time acquisition of total power on the water supply pipeline and temperature detection results on the return water pipeline;

[0061] Based on the total power and the temperature detection results, the required flow rate of the liquid cooling system is determined;

[0062] The pump speed is controlled according to the required flow rate of the liquid cooling system, so that the actual flow rate in the liquid cooling system reaches the required flow rate.

[0063] Specifically, the total power on the water supply pipeline is determined based on the power of the tributaries on each water supply branch.

[0064] Specifically, the temperature detection results on the return water pipeline are determined based on the temperature detection results on each water supply branch.

[0065] Specifically, controlling the pump speed according to the required flow rate of the liquid cooling system includes:

[0066] The actual flow rate on the main water supply line of the liquid cooling system is obtained, the actual flow rate is compared with the required flow rate, and the speed of the water pump is controlled according to the comparison result.

[0067] Combination Figure 1 The system composition, and the specific control flow and process of the system are as follows: Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the minimum frequency optimization control process is as follows:

[0068] The temperature value of the fourth temperature sensor Tb is set, and the opening degree of the flow control valves V-1 to Vn is adjusted to ensure that the temperature of Tb is at a stable value. Simultaneously, the opening degree of the flow control valves V-1 to Vn is transmitted to the central controller for control. The execution cycle of adjusting the opening degree of the flow control valves V-1 to Vn is A. For example, the temperature sensor Tb1 and the set value (i.e., the temperature value of the fourth temperature sensor Tb) are compared in real time to obtain the difference between temperature sensor Tb1 and the set value. Based on the difference, the flow control valve V-1 is adjusted in real time to make temperature sensor Tb1 and the set value infinitely close.

[0069] The power meter monitors the operating power of the heating equipment and transmits it to the central controller. Based on the operating power of the heating equipment, the central controller calculates the total flow required by the system and controls the pump frequency to achieve the required total flow. The execution cycle for controlling the pump frequency is B.

[0070] Real-time statistics are collected on the opening degrees of flow control valves V-1 to Vn and the outlet temperatures Tb1 to Tbx of the thermal equipment, and the data is processed accordingly. Figure 3 The flowchart is used for control to find a precise operating frequency. Among them, according to... Figure 3 The control process adjusts the operating frequency period to C.

[0071] The execution cycles of the three actions mentioned above are in the order of A < C < B.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, step 1 involves obtaining information on the flow control valve Vx, temperature sensor Tbx, and setpoints at the outlets of all operating thermal equipment.

[0073] Step 2: Check all flow control valves Vx to determine if any flow control valve Vx is at its maximum opening.

[0074] If not, reduce the water pump frequency and repeat step 1;

[0075] If so, proceed to step 3;

[0076] Step 3: Check whether the Tbx values ​​of all temperature sensors exceed the set value, which is the temperature value of the fourth temperature sensor.

[0077] If not, maintain the pump frequency and repeat step 1;

[0078] If so, increase the water pump frequency and repeat step 1.

[0079] Those skilled in the art should understand that, despite the detailed description of this disclosure with reference to the foregoing embodiments, modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling system, characterized in that, The liquid cooling system includes a heat exchanger and several thermal devices; A water supply pipeline is provided between the output end of the heat exchanger and the input end of the heat equipment, and a return water pipeline is provided between the output end of the heat equipment and the input end of the heat exchanger. Temperature detection devices are installed on both the water supply pipeline and the return pipeline, and a flow regulating device and a water pump are also installed on the return pipeline; The water supply pipeline includes a main water supply line connected to the output end of the heat exchanger, a flow meter is installed on the main water supply line, and the end of the main water supply line is connected to the corresponding heat equipment through several water supply branches; the temperature detection device includes a first temperature sensor installed on the main water supply line and a second temperature sensor installed on each of the water supply branches. The return water pipeline includes a main return water pipeline connected to the input end of the heat exchanger, and the input end of the main return water pipeline is connected to the corresponding heat equipment through several return water branches; the temperature detection device includes a third temperature sensor installed on each of the return water branches and a fourth temperature sensor installed on the main return water pipeline. Each of the return water branches is equipped with a third temperature sensor and a flow regulating valve in sequence. The third temperature sensor is located between the flow regulating valve and the heat equipment and is used to detect the return water temperature at the outlet of the heat equipment. A water pump is installed on the main return water line. The liquid cooling system also includes a power meter and a central controller. The power meter is connected to each of the water supply branches. The power meter is used to collect the operating power of the heat equipment and transmit the total power signal to the central controller. The central controller is used to receive the detection results of the third and fourth temperature sensors on the return water line and the total power signal sent by the power meter, and to control the speed of the water pump and adjust the opening of the flow regulating valve. The central controller is connected to each third temperature sensor; the central controller collects the return water temperature on each return water branch, determines the total flow rate required by the liquid cooling system, and controls the speed of the water pump based on the feedback from the flow meter; Using the temperature reading of the fourth temperature sensor as the set value, the temperature value of the third temperature sensor is compared with the set value of the fourth temperature sensor in real time to obtain the difference between the temperature value of the third temperature sensor and the set value of the fourth temperature sensor. Based on the difference, the opening of the flow control valve is adjusted in real time to make the temperature value of the third temperature sensor infinitely close to the set value. At the same time, the opening of the flow control valve is uploaded to the central controller for control. The execution cycle of adjusting the opening of the flow control valve is A. The total operating power of the heating equipment is monitored by a power meter and transmitted to the central controller. The central controller calculates the total flow rate required by the system based on the total operating power of the heating equipment and the detection results of the third and fourth temperature sensors on the return water pipeline, combined with the preset values ​​of the first and fourth temperature sensors. The central controller adjusts the operating frequency of the water pump and, with reference to the feedback from the flow meter, ensures that the actual total flow rate of the system reaches the calculated value. The execution cycle for controlling the water pump frequency is B. The central controller collects real-time statistics on the opening degree of the flow regulating valve and the outlet temperature of the hot equipment, and performs control to seek the most accurate operating frequency of the water pump. The cycle for adjusting the operating frequency is C. The order of execution cycles is A < C < B.

2. A control method for a liquid cooling system, applied to the liquid cooling system of claim 1, characterized in that, The method includes: Real-time acquisition of total power on the water supply pipeline and temperature detection results on the return water pipeline; Based on the total power and the temperature detection results, the required flow rate of the liquid cooling system is determined; The pump speed is controlled according to the required flow rate of the liquid cooling system, so that the actual flow rate in the liquid cooling system reaches the required flow rate.

3. The control method for the liquid cooling system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The total power of the water supply pipeline is determined based on the power of the tributaries in each water supply branch.

4. The control method for the liquid cooling system according to claim 2, characterized in that, Controlling the pump speed according to the required flow rate of the liquid cooling system includes: The actual flow rate on the main water supply line of the liquid cooling system is obtained, the actual flow rate is compared with the required flow rate, and the speed of the water pump is controlled according to the comparison result.

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