A dual-circulation thermal management system for computer rooms and its control method

Abstract

This invention discloses a dual-cycle thermal management system for computer rooms, comprising a first power module, a second power module, and a control module. The first power module includes an air-float centrifugal compressor. The second power module is arranged in parallel with the first power module and includes a pump and a one-way valve. The control module selects the appropriate power module based on the temperature difference between the external environment and the internal temperature of the computer room. Selecting different power modules based on the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors can effectively reduce energy consumption while ensuring cooling capacity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of thermal management technology, and in particular to a dual-circulation computer room thermal management system and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Thermal management refers to the management and control of the temperature of the overall system, discrete components, or their environment, with the aim of maintaining the normal operation of each component or improving its performance or lifespan. Currently, thermal management is commonly required in fields such as electrochemical energy storage, and it has a significant impact on the performance, lifespan, and safety of energy storage systems.

[0003] Currently, data center server rooms typically use air-cooled direct expansion air conditioners for thermal management. Existing air-cooled direct expansion air conditioners generally use scroll compressors. Scroll compressors have gained widespread use due to their long development history and high market acceptance, almost monopolizing the precision air conditioning market in data centers. However, variable frequency scroll compressors have a relatively slow frequency ramp-up and ramp-up speed, especially during the ramp-up process. After the variable frequency compressor starts, a ramp-up platform is used to control the frequency ramp-up to ensure a smooth and reliable process. It takes several minutes from startup to reaching 100% cooling capacity.

[0004] Furthermore, due to the structural principle of scroll compressors, linear meshing of the moving and stationary scroll plates is required. The moving scroll plate, driven by the crankshaft, performs asymmetrical circular motion. This asymmetrical operation easily leads to significant vibration and noise under heavy loads and speed adjustments. Compressor vibration can cause vibration in the unit's piping system, potentially resulting in pipe cracks and refrigerant leaks. Therefore, compressor piping vibration must be considered in the unit design, as illustrated in patent CN209877299U. Additionally, since computer room air conditioning operates 24 / 7, its energy efficiency has a significant impact on annual energy consumption. The direct contact between the various operating components of a scroll compressor results in high mechanical losses and friction, limiting further improvements in overall compressor efficiency.

[0005] Furthermore, scroll compressors use ball bearings, which require lubrication and sealing for reliable operation. Using lubricating oil increases the cost of the refrigeration system, and the unit design necessitates a dedicated oil return system. On-site maintenance also incurs additional costs, as described in patents CN204786795U and CN114811998A. Long pipelines require additional oil replenishment, high-drop installations necessitate additional oil return bends, and lubricating oil needs to be heated in cold weather to prevent viscosity. Figure 1As shown, in existing air conditioners based on scroll compressors, to improve oil return, taking a top-bottom installation (outdoor unit on top, indoor unit on the bottom) as an example, oil return bends 001 need to be installed every few meters on the intermediate connecting pipe to prevent lubricating oil from sticking to the intermediate connecting pipe and inside the heat exchanger. Simultaneously, vibration damping devices 002 are installed at both the inlet and outlet of the scroll compressor. These damping devices 002 can be vibration damping tubes or special U-shaped pipe designs to avoid frequent leaks in the copper pipes caused by compressor vibration. Furthermore, a gas-liquid separator 003 is installed at the inlet end of the scroll compressor, and an oil separator 004 is installed at the outlet end. The oil separator is further connected to the inlet of the scroll compressor via an oil return hose 005. It can be seen that the overall structure is complex with many interfaces, posing a certain risk of leakage. Once the lubricating oil enters the refrigeration system, it also mixes with the refrigerant, affecting the heat exchange effect of the refrigerant in the evaporator and condenser, directly leading to a decrease in system cooling capacity of more than 5%. The use of lubricating oil also affects the overall lifespan of the unit to some extent. The design life of a scroll compressor is 10 years and the number of start-stop cycles is 200,000. In actual application, due to factors such as oil and liquid, it is generally used for about 6 to 8 years, which is relatively short. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address some or all of the problems in the prior art, the first aspect of the present invention provides a computer room thermal management system with dual circulation, comprising:

[0007] The first power module includes a compressor;

[0008] A second power module, arranged in parallel with the first power module, includes a pump and a check valve; and

[0009] The control module is used to select the power module based on the temperature difference between the external environment and the internal temperature of the computer room.

[0010] Furthermore, the computer room thermal management system also includes:

[0011] An evaporator is installed at the device to be cooled, through which the refrigerant absorbs the heat emitted by the device to be cooled;

[0012] A condenser, the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the air-float centrifugal compressor and the one-way valve, is used for heat exchange between the refrigerant after heat absorption and the outside air; and

[0013] A throttling element is provided at the inlet of the evaporator to throttle the expansion of the cooled refrigerant.

[0014] Furthermore, the compressor's air inlet is connected to the evaporator's outlet, and the compressor's exhaust port is connected to the condenser's inlet.

[0015] Furthermore, the compressor is an air-float centrifugal compressor, comprising:

[0016] An electric motor, comprising:

[0017] The shell has a first chamber and a second chamber respectively located at its two ends;

[0018] A rotor, on which a radial bearing is provided, said radial bearing being an air bearing; and a stator;

[0019] An impeller is arranged at the end of the rotor and located within the first chamber and / or the second chamber;

[0020] An air inlet, which is connected to the air inlet of the first chamber;

[0021] An exhaust port, which is connected to the exhaust port of the second chamber;

[0022] The connecting pipe has its two ends connected to the air outlet of the first chamber and the air inlet of the second chamber, respectively.

[0023] Furthermore, the motor is a high-speed permanent magnet synchronous motor.

[0024] Furthermore, the air-float centrifugal compressor also includes:

[0025] A thrust disk, disposed at the end of the rotor; and

[0026] The thrust bearing is disposed on one or both sides of the thrust disk and is an air bearing.

[0027] Furthermore, the first or second chamber includes a multi-stage impeller.

[0028] Furthermore, the impeller is a closed impeller.

[0029] Furthermore, the compressor also includes a liquid cooling module, which is disposed inside the compressor to cool the motor. The inlet of the liquid cooling module is connected to the outlet of the condenser through a first control valve, and the outlet of the liquid cooling module is connected to the inlet of the evaporator.

[0030] Furthermore, the pump is positioned between the condenser and the throttling element.

[0031] Furthermore, the inlet of the one-way valve is connected to the outlet of the evaporator.

[0032] Furthermore, the computer room thermal management system also includes:

[0033] A second control valve is located at the inlet and outlet of the condenser; and / or

[0034] The third control valve is located at the outlet of the condenser.

[0035] Furthermore, the computer room thermal management system also includes:

[0036] A sight glass is disposed at the inlet of the throttling element.

[0037] Furthermore, the computer room thermal management system also includes:

[0038] A drying filter is disposed at the inlet of the throttling element.

[0039] Furthermore, the computer room thermal management system also includes:

[0040] A first fan, which is located at the condenser; and / or

[0041] A second fan is located at the evaporator.

[0042] Furthermore, the condenser is located outside the computer room and is connected to the modules inside the computer room via an intermediate connecting pipe.

[0043] Furthermore, the condenser and the first and second power modules are both located outside the machine room, while the evaporator and throttling element are located inside the machine room.

[0044] Furthermore, the computer room thermal management system includes multiple evaporators and throttling elements arranged in parallel.

[0045] Based on the aforementioned data center thermal management system, a second aspect of the present invention provides a control method for data center thermal management, comprising:

[0046] Detect the internal temperature of the computer room and the external ambient temperature;

[0047] Based on the temperature difference between the computer room interior and the external ambient temperature, the power module is selected:

[0048] If the difference is greater than 20°C, then a second power module is used; and

[0049] If the difference is less than or equal to 20℃, the first power module is used.

[0050] Furthermore, the control method further includes:

[0051] The opening degree of the first control valve is controlled according to the compressor speed to control the refrigerant flow rate into the liquid cooling module.

[0052] A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer room, such as a data center computer room, which includes the computer room thermal management system as described above.

[0053] This invention provides a dual-cycle computer room thermal management system and its control method, comprising two parallel power systems. When the indoor and outdoor temperature difference is large, the compressor can be shut down, and power is provided by a pump, thereby effectively reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the computer room thermal management system uses an air-floating centrifugal compressor, eliminating the need for lubrication. This simplifies the unit design and application, eliminating the need for an oil separator and corresponding piping, thus reducing structural and compressor oil costs. Because it eliminates the need to consider oil return and viscosity changes, it is more suitable for long-pipeline systems and use in extremely cold regions. In addition, the air-floating centrifugal compressor has the following advantages: It uses air-floating bearings, eliminating the need for compressor lubrication in the compressor and refrigeration system, thus increasing the system's cooling capacity. The air-floating compressor uses a gas-dynamic seal, eliminating mechanical friction and wear, extending its service life to 150 years and allowing for 500,000 start-stop cycles. The air-floating centrifugal compressor features a fully symmetrical motion design, driving the refrigerant through the centrifugal force of the impeller. Without collisions and friction between moving and stationary scroll plates, it is extremely quiet, eliminating the need for separate compressor damping pipes and preventing refrigerant leakage. The ultra-high-speed air-float centrifugal compressor can accelerate from 0 rpm to 150,000 rpm in just 5 seconds, offering rapid cooling response and high-capacity output. The centrifugal compressor is compact; for the same cooling capacity, a centrifugal compressor based on a high-speed permanent magnet synchronous motor reduces volume by approximately 50% and weight by approximately 90% compared to a scroll compressor. Utilizing air-suspended air bearings, the rotor does not directly contact the bearing during operation, thus reducing energy loss and achieving 30% energy savings compared to scroll compressors. Attached Figure Description

[0054] To further illustrate the above and other advantages and features of the various embodiments of the present invention, a more specific description of the various embodiments of the present invention will be presented with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not intended to limit its scope. In the drawings, identical or corresponding parts will be indicated by identical or similar reference numerals for clarity.

[0055] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an existing computer room thermal management system based on a scroll compressor is shown.

[0056] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the structure of a computer room thermal management system based on an air-float centrifugal compressor, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates a structural schematic of a small-capacity air-float centrifugal compressor for energy storage thermal management according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0058] Figure 4 This diagram shows a cross-sectional schematic of a small-capacity air-float centrifugal compressor for energy storage thermal management, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a dual-circulation thermal management system for a computer room according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0060] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a control method for a dual-cycle data center thermal management system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; and

[0061] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the structure of a computer room thermal management system with multiple cooling branches according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] List of reference numerals

[0063] 001 Oil return bend, 002 Shock absorber, 003 Gas-liquid separator, 004 Oil separator, 005 Oil return hose

[0064] Compressors 201, 501, and 701; condensers 202, 502, and 702; condensers 203, 503, and 7031.

[0065] 7032, 703n throttling elements; 204, 504, 7041, 7042, 704n evaporators; 205,

[0066] 505, 705 First control valves; 206, 506, 706 Second control valves; 207, 507, 707 Sight glasses; 208, 508, 708 Third control valves; 209, 509, 709 Filter driers; 210...

[0067] 510, 710 First Fan; 211, 511, 7111, 7112, 711n Second Fan; 512 One-way Valve; 513 Pump; 301 Inlet; 302 Exhaust Port; 303 Connecting Pipe; 331 Interstage Air Supply Hole; 304, 305 First and Second Pressure Shells; 401 Rotor; 411 Air Bearing; 412 Thrust Disc; 413 Thrust Bearing; 402 Stator; 403 Housing; 441, 442 First and Second Impellers; 451, 452 First and Second End Covers; 461, 462 First and Second Locking Nuts; 471, 472 First and Second Sealing Rings Detailed Implementation

[0068] In the following description, the invention is described with reference to various embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more specific details or with other alternatives and / or additional methods, materials, or components. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail so as not to obscure the inventive points of the invention. Similarly, for illustrative purposes, specific quantities, materials, and configurations are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, the invention is not limited to these specific details. Furthermore, it should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings are illustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0069] In this specification, references to "an embodiment" or "this embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The phrase "in one embodiment" appearing throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment in all instances.

[0070] In embodiments of the present invention, the term "main gas path" refers to the gas flow path through which gas enters the compressor via the inlet, is compressed, and then exits via the outlet. The term "high-pressure side" refers to the side of the compressor with higher internal pressure, i.e., the side where the final stage impeller is located, while the term "low-pressure side" refers to the side of the compressor relative to the high-pressure side. Under normal circumstances, gas flows from the high-pressure side through the air bearing to the low-pressure side and then returns to the main gas path.

[0071] Air conditioning accounts for approximately 40% of the total energy consumption in data centers, and in air-cooled server rooms, the power consumption of the air conditioning compressor accounts for about 80%. Reducing air conditioning energy consumption will bring considerable benefits to data centers. One way to reduce air conditioning energy consumption is to improve compressor efficiency, for example, by replacing existing scroll compressors with air-floating centrifugal compressors. Compared to compressors in traditional data center thermal management systems, air-floating centrifugal compressors have no oil return system, making the compressor and system simpler and more reliable. During operation, the bearings do not contact the motor shaft, resulting in less bearing wear and a longer lifespan. The internal circulation dynamic pressure air-floating bearings eliminate the need for additional air supply lines, resulting in a simple and reliable structure. The closed impeller and the sealing teeth on the inner wall of the compressor casing reduce leakage and backflow losses, improving the compressor's aerodynamic efficiency. Furthermore, air-floating centrifugal compressors have a fast frequency ramp-up speed, allowing the cooling system to respond more quickly to changes in data center load. The compressor's small size allows for a higher energy density in the refrigeration cycle design, reducing the footprint of thermal management equipment in the data center. If it is necessary to reduce air conditioning energy consumption, another approach is to adjust the overall energy consumption of the thermal management system through reasonable control methods. For example, adding a circulation loop can make the refrigerant flow and heat exchange complete without the compressor generating a high pressure ratio when the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is large, thus saving more energy.

[0072] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments.

[0073] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates a structural schematic of a computer room thermal management system based on an air-float centrifugal compressor, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, a computer room thermal management system based on an air-float centrifugal compressor includes a compressor 201, a condenser 202, a throttling element 203, and an evaporator 204. The compressor 201 serves as the power source for the refrigerant within the system, compressing the refrigerant centrifugally. The compressed, high-temperature refrigerant reaches the condenser 202, where it exchanges heat with the air. The condensed refrigerant then reaches the throttling element 203, which restricts the flow of the refrigerant. The throttled refrigerant rapidly expands and enters the evaporator 204. In the evaporator 204, the throttled refrigerant absorbs heat from the air in the device to be cooled, such as the computer room, thereby lowering the air temperature to the desired level. The evaporated refrigerant then continues to flow through the suction pipe back to the compressor 201. Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, only the condenser 202 serves as the outdoor unit and is located outside the equipment room, while the other modules are located inside the equipment room. The condenser 202 is connected to the indoor unit via an intermediate connecting pipe.

[0074] like Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the computer room thermal management system further includes a second control valve 206, a sight glass 207, a third control valve 208, and a dryer filter 209. The compressed high-temperature refrigerant reaches the condenser 202 through the second control valve 206, and the condensed refrigerant then sequentially passes through the second control valve 206, the sight glass 207, the third control valve 208, and the dryer filter 209 to reach the throttling element 203. In one embodiment of the present invention, the second control valve 206 is, for example, a pipeline ball valve, and the third control valve 208 may be, for example, a solenoid valve.

[0075] like Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, in order to improve heat exchange efficiency, the computer room thermal management system further includes a first fan 210 and a second fan 211. The first fan 210 and the second fan 211 are respectively disposed at the condenser 202 and the evaporator 204, and the fans can quickly draw air into the fins of the condenser 202 and / or the evaporator 204.

[0076] Furthermore, since the compressor 201 has a maximum speed of 150,000 rpm, its internal motor generates a significant amount of heat during high-speed rotation, which can be cooled by liquid cooling. Based on this, as... Figure 2As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the compressor is further provided with a liquid cooling module. The inlet of the liquid cooling module is connected to the refrigerant liquid pipe on the indoor side. Specifically, a branch is bypassed from the refrigerant liquid pipe on the indoor side, and the required refrigerant flow is controlled by the first control valve 205. The refrigerant after cooling the motor flows into the evaporator suction port to continue to participate in cooling the machine room.

[0077] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The figures show a schematic diagram and a cross-sectional view of a small-capacity air-float centrifugal compressor for energy storage thermal management according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figures, a small-capacity air-float centrifugal compressor for energy storage thermal management includes a motor, an impeller, an air inlet 301, an air outlet 302, and a connecting pipe 303.

[0078] The motor includes a rotor 401, a stator 402, and a housing 403. The stator 402 is fixed inside the housing 403, and the central axis of the rotor 401 coincides with the central axis of the stator 402. The rotor 401 is provided with two radial air bearings 411, and a thrust disk 412 is provided on one side near the air inlet 301. An air-bearing thrust bearing 413 is provided on each side of the thrust disk. The two thrust bearings are arranged opposite to each other to withstand axial thrust directed towards the low-pressure side or the high-pressure side, respectively.

[0079] As shown in the figure, the housing 403 has a first chamber and a second chamber at its two ends. The inlet of the first chamber is connected to the inlet 301 of the compressor; that is, the inlet 301 is the inlet of the first chamber. A first impeller 441 is installed in the first chamber and fixed to the first end of the rotor 401. A connecting pipe 303 connects the first and second chambers. Gas compressed by the first impeller 441 flows out of the outlet of the first chamber, enters the connecting pipe 303, and then enters the second chamber through the inlet. A second impeller 442 is installed in the second chamber and fixed to the second end of the rotor 401. Most of the gas compressed by the second impeller 442 flows out from the outlet of the second chamber, which is connected to the exhaust port 302 of the compressor; that is, the exhaust port 302 is the outlet of the second chamber. As shown in the figure, in an embodiment of the present invention, a first end cover 451 and a second end cover 452 are respectively provided at the air outlets of the first chamber and the second chamber. There is a gap between the first end cover 451 and the second end cover 452 and the rotor 401. Simultaneously, there is a certain gap between the first end cover 451 and the first impeller 441, allowing the gas flowing through the air bearing to return to the main air path via this gap. Similarly, there is a certain gap between the second end cover 452 and the second impeller 442, allowing a portion of the gas compressed by the second impeller 442 to enter the air bearing under pressure via this gap. In one embodiment of the present invention, both the first impeller 441 and the second impeller 442 are closed impellers. Compared to open impellers, closed impellers can effectively eliminate the secondary flow from the blade pressure surface to the suction surface caused by the blade tip gap, thereby effectively improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the compressor. In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown above, the first impeller 441 and the second impeller 442 are designed back-to-back, so that the axial thrust directions of the first and second impellers are opposite and cancel each other out, thereby effectively reducing the axial thrust on the thrust bearing. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first impeller 441 and the second impeller 442 are fixed to the rotor 401 by a first locking nut 461 and a second locking nut 462, respectively.

[0080] As shown in the figure, a first pressure shell 304 and a second pressure shell 305 are respectively provided on the outer sides of both ends of the motor. A first sealing ring 471 is provided between the first pressure shell 304 and the first impeller 441, and a second sealing ring 472 is provided between the second pressure shell 305 and the second impeller 442. The first and second sealing rings can significantly reduce the backflow effect from the outlet to the inlet of the first and second impellers, and can further improve the compressor efficiency.

[0081] In order to reduce the compression power consumption of the second impeller 442, in one embodiment of the present invention, an interstage air inlet 331 is also provided on the connecting pipe 303 to access the exhaust gas from the economizer, thereby cooling the gas compressed by the first impeller, and thus achieving the purpose of reducing the compression power consumption of the high-pressure impeller and improving the efficiency of the system.

[0082] In one embodiment of the present invention, the motor is a high-speed permanent magnet synchronous motor, and its bearing is a non-contact bearing when it is working. Therefore, it can withstand a higher speed than ordinary ball bearings. According to the Euler formula for compressors, Δh=U2Cu2-U1Cu1, for compressors with the same work capacity, the higher the speed, the smaller the radial dimension. Therefore, using a permanent magnet synchronous motor can improve the power density of the compressor.

[0083] The working principle of the air-floating centrifugal compressor, as described above, is as follows: Gas compressed by the second impeller enters the second radial bearing on the high-pressure side through the gap between the second impeller and the second end cover, and the gap between the second end cover and the rotor. Then, it passes through the air gap between the stator and the rotor to enter the first radial bearing on the low-pressure side. Subsequently, it passes through the gap between the thrust plate and the motor housing, and the gap between the thrust plate and the first end cover, sequentially passing through two thrust bearings. Finally, it passes through the gap between the first end cover and the rotor, and the gap between the first impeller and the second end cover, sequentially entering the first chamber, i.e., the exhaust port of the first impeller, and returns to the main gas path to achieve internal circulation. Compared to static pressure air-floating bearings, the air-floating centrifugal compressor can omit the external air supply channel, simplifying the system structure and improving reliability.

[0084] As mentioned above, in one embodiment of the present invention, energy saving and consumption reduction are further achieved by setting up a dual-cycle method. Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the structure of a dual-circulation thermal management system for a computer room according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, a dual-circulation thermal management system for computer rooms, which, in the case of... Figure 2 The computer room thermal management system shown has an additional power module. Specifically, the compressor is considered the first power module, and the newly added power module is considered the second power module; therefore, the first and second power modules can be considered to be configured in parallel. The refrigerant cycle formed by the first power module is... Figure 4 The embodiments described above are the same and will not be repeated here. The second power module includes a one-way valve 512 and a pump 513, wherein the pump 513 is disposed between the condenser 502 and the throttling element 503, the inlet of the one-way valve 512 is connected to the outlet of the evaporator 504, and the outlet of the one-way valve 512 is connected to the inlet of the condenser 502.

[0085] The control module allows selection of the first and / or second power modules based on the temperature difference between the external environment and the computer room. Figure 6 This diagram illustrates a control method for a dual-cycle thermal management system for a computer room according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, a control method for a computer room thermal management system with dual circulation includes:

[0086] First, the temperature inside the computer room and the external ambient temperature were measured to determine the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors; and

[0087] Next, based on the temperature difference between the inside of the computer room and the outside environment, the power module is selected:

[0088] If the difference is greater than 20°C, then a second power module is used; and

[0089] If the difference is less than or equal to 20℃, the first power module is used.

[0090] For example, during winter when the ambient temperature is low and the temperature difference between the room and the computer room is large, the compressor 501 can be stopped. The superheated refrigerant gas in the evaporator 504 bypasses the compressor 501 and flows to the outdoor condenser 502 through the one-way valve 512. The cooled subcooled liquid is then pumped to the indoor unit by the pump 513. Because of the large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, the refrigeration cycle does not require the compressor to generate a high pressure ratio to complete the refrigerant flow and heat exchange, resulting in greater energy savings. Furthermore, when using the first power module, the opening of the first control valve can be controlled according to the compressor's rotational speed to regulate the refrigerant flow into the liquid cooling module.

[0091] In one embodiment of the invention, the compressor and condenser can be installed outdoors, while the throttling element and evaporator can be installed inside the machine room. In this embodiment, the outdoor unit is responsible for cooling the refrigerant gas into a refrigerant liquid and providing the power for the refrigerant circulation; the outdoor unit also discharges heat into the atmosphere. In one embodiment of the invention, the indoor unit can be one or more indoor units, and the indoor unit structure can be selected as a row-type air conditioner, a room-level air conditioner, or other structural forms depending on the application environment. Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the structure of a computer room thermal management system with multiple cooling branches, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The illustrated embodiments and Figure 2The illustrated embodiment has the same structure in the condenser and compressor sections, but differs in that it includes multiple cooling paths, namely multiple sets of parallel-arranged evaporators 7041-704n and corresponding throttling elements 7031-703n. The evaporators absorb heat through evaporation, drawing heat from the data center and dissipating it to the outdoor unit. Depending on the heat exchange configuration of the outdoor and indoor units, the indoor units can be a single unit or multiple units forming a multi-split system. Because centrifugal compressors do not require lubricating oil, compared to traditional residential and light commercial multi-split systems, this data center thermal management system with multiple cooling branches has inherent advantages in both safety and ease of control, making it particularly suitable for innovative data centers and energy-saving retrofit data centers.

[0092] The present invention further provides a computer room, such as a data center computer room, which includes the computer room thermal management system as described above.

[0093] Although various embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and not as limitations. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various combinations, modifications, and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the invention disclosed herein should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments disclosed above, but should be defined solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A computer room thermal management system with dual circulation, characterized in that, include: The first power module includes an air-float centrifugal compressor, wherein the air-float centrifugal compressor further includes a liquid cooling module, the liquid cooling module being disposed inside the air-float centrifugal compressor and configured to cool the motor of the air-float centrifugal compressor; The second power module is arranged in parallel with the first power module, and the second power module includes a pump and a check valve. The control module is configured to select the power module based on the difference between the external ambient temperature and the internal temperature of the computer room; An evaporator is installed at the device to be cooled. The refrigerant absorbs the heat emitted by the device to be cooled through the evaporator. The air inlet of the air-float centrifugal compressor is connected to the outlet of the evaporator, and the outlet of the liquid cooling module is connected to the inlet of the evaporator. The condenser has its inlet connected to the outlet of the air-float centrifugal compressor and the one-way valve. The inlet of the liquid cooling module is connected to the outlet of the condenser through a first control valve. The condenser is configured to perform heat exchange between the heat-absorbing refrigerant and the outside air. as well as A throttling element is disposed at the inlet of the evaporator and configured to throttle the expansion of the cooled refrigerant.

2. The computer room thermal management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet of the one-way valve is connected to the outlet of the evaporator, and the pump is located between the condenser and the throttling element.

3. The computer room thermal management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A second control valve is located at the inlet and outlet of the condenser; and / or A third control valve is located at the outlet of the condenser; and / or A sight glass, which is disposed at the inlet of the throttling element; and / or A drying filter is disposed at the inlet of the throttling element; and / or A first fan, which is located at the condenser; and / or A second fan is located at the evaporator.

4. The computer room thermal management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The condenser is located outside the computer room and is connected to the modules inside the computer room via an intermediate connecting pipe.

5. The computer room thermal management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The condenser and the first and second power modules are located outside the machine room, while the evaporator and throttling element are located inside the machine room.

6. The computer room thermal management system as described in claim 5, characterized in that, It includes multiple evaporators arranged in parallel and throttling elements.

7. A control method for a computer room thermal management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Including the following steps: Detect the internal temperature of the computer room and the external ambient temperature; Based on the temperature difference between the computer room interior and the external ambient temperature, the power module is selected: If the difference is greater than 20°C, then a second power module is used; and If the difference is less than or equal to 20℃, the first power module is used.

8. The control method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: The opening degree of the first control valve is controlled according to the rotational speed of the air-float centrifugal compressor to control the refrigerant flow rate into its liquid-cooling module.

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