Cooling system

Abstract

The invention discloses a cooling system which is suitable for being used in cooperation with a heat dissipation groove and comprises a filtering unit, two working units and two control valve sets. The filtering unit comprises a filter, an inlet end and an outlet end, and the outlet end is connected to the liquid inlet of the heat dissipation groove. Each working unit comprises a driving assembly and a heat exchange assembly, the driving assembly comprises a first end, a second end and a driving pump, the first end is connected to the liquid outlet of the heat dissipation groove, the second end is connected to the inlet end and one end of the heat exchange assembly, and the other end of the heat exchange assembly is connected to the liquid inlet. The control valve groups are respectively arranged on the working units; when the cooling system is in a cooling mode, each control valve group blocks the communication between the second end of each driving assembly and the inlet end of the filtering unit; when the cooling system is in a filtering mode, one of the control valve groups blocks the communication between the second end of one driving assembly and the inlet end of the filtering unit, and the other control valve group blocks the communication between the second end of the other driving assembly and the corresponding heat exchange assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling system, and more particularly to an immersion cooling system for cooling a server. Background Art

[0002] Immersion cooling is a type of liquid cooling technology. For example, the server is directly immersed in a non-conductive coolant. The heat energy generated by the server components is transferred to the coolant. The coolant with increased temperature is cooled by circulating cooling and then flows back to continue absorbing the heat energy of the server. Therefore, no other active cooling parts (such as fans) are required to cool the server, which helps to improve energy efficiency.

[0003] In an immersion cooling system, the coolant generally flows in pipes in a cooling distribution unit (CDU), and a pump is used to push the coolant in the pipes into a filter to filter out impurities.

[0004] However, the existing practice is that the coolant passes through the filter core in a single channel (pipeline). At this time, because the filter will cause the coolant to experience a certain degree of resistance, the coolant flow and pressure out of the filter are insufficient, resulting in the need to increase the power of the pump to allow the coolant to flow normally through the filter and the subsequent heat exchanger, and then enter the heat sink to cool the server. This will increase the energy consumption of the overall cooling system. At the same time, the pump is more prone to failure. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a cooling system that can make the circulation pump that drives the coolant flow less prone to failure and will not affect the normal operation and cooling performance of the server.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention proposes a cooling system suitable for use with a heat sink, wherein the heat sink accommodates at least one server and includes a liquid outlet and a liquid inlet, and the cooling system includes a filter unit, two working units and two control valve groups. The filter unit includes an inlet end, an outlet end and a filter disposed between the inlet end and the outlet end, and the outlet end of the filter unit is connected to the liquid inlet. Each working unit includes a drive component and a heat exchange component, and the drive component includes a first end, a second end and a drive pump disposed between the first end and the second end, the first end is connected to the liquid outlet, the second end is connected to the inlet end of the filter unit and one end of the heat exchange component, and the other end of the heat exchange component is connected to the liquid inlet. The control valve groups are respectively arranged on the working units; wherein, when the cooling system is in a cooling mode, each control valve group blocks the connection between the second end of each driving component and the inlet end of the filter unit; when the cooling system is in a filtering mode, one of the control valve groups blocks the connection between the second end of one of the driving components and the inlet end of the filter unit, and the other control valve group blocks the connection between the second end of the other driving component and the corresponding heat exchange component.

[0007] In one embodiment, the driving components are respectively a first driving component and a second driving component, and the heat exchange components respectively include a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, wherein one control valve group includes a first control valve, and the other control valve group includes a second control valve; wherein the first control valve is arranged between an outlet end and a liquid inlet of the first heat exchanger, or between an inlet end of the first heat exchanger and a second end of the first driving component; the second control valve is arranged between an outlet end and a liquid inlet of the second heat exchanger, or between an inlet end of the second heat exchanger and the second end of the second driving component.

[0008] In one embodiment, the cooling system also includes a control unit electrically connected to the control valve groups, wherein one control valve group also includes a third control valve, and the other control valve group also includes a fourth control valve; wherein the third control valve is arranged between the second end of the first drive component and the inlet end of the filter unit; and the fourth control valve is arranged between the second end of the second drive component and the inlet end of the filter unit.

[0009] In one embodiment, in the cooling mode, the control unit controls the first control valve and the second control valve to be opened, and controls the third control valve and the fourth control valve to be closed.

[0010] In one embodiment, in the filtering mode, the control unit controls the first control valve and the fourth control valve to open, and controls the second control valve and the third control valve to close; or controls the first control valve and the fourth control valve to close, and controls the second control valve and the third control valve to open.

[0011] In one embodiment, the cooling system also includes a control unit electrically connected to the control valve groups, wherein the drive components are respectively a first drive component and a second drive component, the heat exchange components respectively include a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, one control valve group includes a third control valve, and the other control valve group includes a fourth control valve; wherein the third control valve is a three-way valve and is arranged at the second end of the first drive component; the fourth control valve is a three-way valve and is arranged at the second end of the second drive component.

[0012] In one embodiment, in the cooling mode, the control unit controls the switching of the third control valve and the fourth control valve to respectively block the connection between the first drive component and the second drive component and the inlet end of the filter unit, and allows the coolant to flow from the first drive component and the second drive component to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, respectively.

[0013] In one embodiment, in the filtering mode, the control unit controls the switching of the third control valve and the fourth control valve so that the coolant flows from the first drive component and the second drive component to the first heat exchanger and the filter respectively, or the coolant flows from the first drive component and the second drive component to the filter and the second heat exchanger respectively.

[0014] In one embodiment, the cooling system further includes a sensing unit, the sensing unit includes at least one sensor electrically connected to the control unit, and the sensor is disposed in the filter unit, the heat sink, or a pipeline through which the coolant flows in the working units; wherein, when the sensor senses that the temperature or a quality parameter of the coolant exceeds a set value, a sensing signal is output, and the control unit controls the cooling system to switch from the cooling mode to the filtering mode, or from the filtering mode to the cooling mode according to the sensing signal.

[0015] In one embodiment, the control unit switches the cooling system from the cooling mode to the filtering mode at a fixed time.

[0016] In one embodiment, the cooling system further includes a cooling unit, which includes a cooler and an inlet end and an outlet end connected to the cooler, and the inlet end and the outlet end of the cooling unit are connected to the heat exchange components.

[0017] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention also proposes a cooling system suitable for cooling at least one server, the cooling system comprising a heat sink, a filter unit, two working units and two control valve groups. The heat sink is suitable for accommodating at least one server and comprises a liquid outlet and a liquid inlet. The filter unit comprises an inlet end, an outlet end and a filter disposed between the inlet end and the outlet end, and the outlet end of the filter unit is connected to the liquid inlet. Each working unit comprises a driving component and a heat exchange component, the driving component comprises a first end, a second end and a driving pump disposed between the first end and the second end, the first end is connected to the liquid outlet, the second end is connected to the inlet end of the filter unit and one end of the heat exchange component, and the other end of the heat exchange component is connected to the liquid inlet. The control valves are respectively arranged in the working units; wherein, when the cooling system is in a cooling mode, each control valve group blocks the connection between the second end of each driving component and the inlet end of the filter unit; when the cooling system is in a filtering mode, one of the control valve groups blocks the connection between the second end of one of the driving components and the inlet end of the filter unit, and the other control valve group blocks the connection between the second end of another driving component and the corresponding heat exchange component.

[0018] As mentioned above, the difference from the existing immersion cooling system is that the cooling system of the present invention adds a backup component, and the cooling system can operate in (full) cooling mode or filtering mode by switching the control valve group. In the (full) cooling mode, the two groups of working units can perform the cooling function at the same time, and in the filtering mode, one group of working units performs the cooling function and the other group of working units can perform the filtering function, thereby balancing the life of the driving pumps of the two groups of driving components, making the driving pumps less prone to failure. Moreover, when the components of one group of working units need to be shut down for maintenance or failure for inspection and replacement, the components of the other group of working units can continue to operate, so it will not affect the normal operation and cooling efficiency of the server. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention operating in a cooling mode.

[0020] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3A and Figure 3B They are schematic diagrams of a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention operating in a filtering mode.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a cooling system according to another embodiment of the present invention operating in a cooling mode.

[0023] Figure 5A and Figure 5BThey are schematic diagrams of a cooling system according to another embodiment of the present invention operating in a filtering mode.

[0024] Description of reference numerals:

[0025] 1.1a: Cooling system

[0026] 11: Filter unit

[0027] 111: Filter

[0028] 112a, 162a, X11, X21: Entry port

[0029] 112b, 162b, X12, X22: Exit port

[0030] 12a, 12b: Work Unit

[0031] 121a: (first) drive assembly

[0032] 121b: (Second) drive assembly

[0033] 122a, 122b: heat exchange components

[0034] 13a, 13a', 13b, 13b': control valve group

[0035] 14: Control unit

[0036] 15: Sensing unit

[0037] 151: Sensor

[0038] 16: Cooling unit

[0039] 161: Cooler

[0040] 2: Heat sink

[0041] 21: Liquid inlet

[0042] 22: Liquid outlet

[0043] 3: Server

[0044] E1: First End

[0045] E2: Second end

[0046] EA1: First control valve

[0047] EA2: Second control valve

[0048] EA3, EA3': The third control valve

[0049] EA4, EA4': Fourth control valve

[0050] M1, M2: drive pump

[0051] S1: Sensing signal

[0052] X1: First heat exchanger

[0053] X2: Second heat exchanger DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The cooling system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the relevant drawings, wherein the same elements will be described with the same reference symbols. The various elements appearing in the following embodiments are only used to illustrate their relative relationships and do not represent the proportions or sizes of the actual elements.

[0055] First of all, it is reminded that although the pipelines for the flow of coolant are not specifically shown or indicated in the drawings of the following embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that there must be pipelines connected between units (or elements) and units (or elements), or between units (or elements) and the outlet and inlet ends, and the coolant can flow in the pipelines.

[0056] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention operating in a cooling mode. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3A and Figure 3B They are schematic diagrams of a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention operating in a filtering mode.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cooling system 1 of this embodiment is suitable for use with a heat sink 2. Here, the cooling system 1 is an immersion cooling system, and the heat sink 2 can accommodate at least one server 3 ( Figure 1 Take two servers 3 as an example), and have a liquid inlet 21 and a liquid outlet 22. A relatively low-temperature non-conductive coolant can enter the heat sink 2 from the liquid inlet 21 located at the lower side of the heat sink 2, take away the heat generated by the server 3, and then leave from the liquid outlet 22 located at the upper side, thereby cooling the server 3.

[0058] The cooling system 1 includes a filter unit 11, two working units 12a, 12b and two control valve groups 13a, 13b. In addition, the cooling system 1 of this embodiment also includes a control unit 14 ( Figure 2 ).

[0059] The filter unit 11 includes a filter 111, and an inlet end 112a and an outlet end 112b located on both sides of the filter 111. The filter 111 contains a filter core for filtering impurities or foreign matter in the coolant, and the outlet end 112b of the filter unit 11 is connected to the liquid inlet 21 of the heat sink 2 through a pipeline.

[0060] One of the working units 12a includes a driving component 121a and a heat exchange component 122a, and the other working unit 12b includes a driving component 121b and a heat exchange component 122b. The driving component 121a is arranged in cooperation with the heat exchange component 122a, and the driving component 121b is arranged in cooperation with the heat exchange component 122b. The driving component 121a includes a first end E1, a second end E2, and a driving pump M1 arranged between the first end E1 and the second end E2, and the driving component 121b includes a first end E1, a second end E2, and a driving pump M2 arranged between the first end E1 and the second end E2. The driving pumps M1 and M2 can provide power to drive the coolant so that the coolant circulates in the pipeline. Here, the first ends E1 of the driving components 121a and 121b are respectively connected to the liquid outlet 22, and the second ends E2 of the driving components 121a and 121b are respectively connected to one end of the heat exchange components 122a and 122b, and are simultaneously connected to the inlet end 112a of the filter unit 11. In addition, the other end of each heat exchange component 122a and 122b is connected to the liquid inlet 21. In addition, the control valve groups 13a and 13b are respectively disposed in the working units 12a and 12b.

[0061] When the cooling system 1 is in a (full) cooling mode, each control valve group 13a, 13b can block the coolant flowing through each drive component 121a, 121b from passing through the filter unit 11; in addition, when the cooling system 1 is in a filtering mode, one of the control valve groups 13a, 13b can block the coolant flowing through the drive component of one of the working units from passing through the filter unit 11, and the other of the control valve groups 13a, 13b can block the coolant flowing through the drive component of another working unit from passing through the heat exchange component of the working unit.

[0062] In detail, Figure 1 As shown, the working unit 12a of this embodiment includes a first driving component 121a and a heat exchange component 122a correspondingly connected to the first driving component 121a, and the working unit 12b includes a second driving component 121b and a heat exchange component 122b correspondingly connected to the second driving component 121b. The driving pump M1 is located between the first end E1 and the second end E2 of the first driving component 121a, and the driving pump M2 is located between the first end E1 and the second end E2 of the second driving component 121b, and the second ends E2 of the first driving component 121a and the second driving component 121b are respectively connected to the inlet end 112a of the filter unit 11.

[0063] In addition, the two ends of the heat exchange component 122a are respectively connected to the second end E2 and the liquid inlet 21 of the corresponding first drive component 121a, and the two ends of the heat exchange component 122b are respectively connected to the second end E2 and the liquid inlet 21 of the corresponding drive component 121b. Here, the heat exchange component 122a includes a first heat exchanger X1, and the heat exchange component 122b includes a second heat exchanger X2. In one embodiment, the first heat exchanger X1 and the second heat exchanger X2 are, for example but not limited to, plate heat exchangers.

[0064] In addition, the control valve group 13a (or the first control valve group 13a) includes a first control valve EA1 and a third control valve EA3, and the control valve group 13b (or the second control valve group 13b) includes a second control valve EA2 and a fourth control valve EA4. In this embodiment, the first control valve EA1 is disposed between an outlet end X12 of the first heat exchanger X1 and the liquid inlet 21, and an inlet end X11 of the first heat exchanger X1 is connected to the second end E2 of the first drive component 121a; the second control valve EA2 is disposed between an outlet end X22 of the second heat exchanger X2 and the liquid inlet 21, and an inlet end X21 of the second heat exchanger X2 is connected to the second end E2 of the second drive component 121b; the third control valve EA3 is disposed between the second end E2 of the first drive component 121a and the inlet end 112a of the filter unit 11; and the fourth control valve EA4 is disposed between the second end E2 of the second drive component 121b and the inlet end 112a of the filter unit 11. The first control valve EA1, the second control valve EA2, the third control valve EA3 and the fourth control valve EA4 of the present embodiment are electric valves as examples, but are not limited to this. In different embodiments, the first control valve EA1, the second control valve EA2, the third control valve EA3 and / or the fourth control valve EA4 may also be manual valves, or a combination of manual and electric valves, which is not limited by the present invention.

[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, the control unit 14 is electrically connected to the control valve groups 13a and 13b. Here, the control unit 14 can be composed of software, hardware or firmware, and is electrically connected to the first control valve EA1, the third control valve EA3 of the control valve group 13a, and the second control valve EA2 and the fourth control valve EA4 of the control valve group 13b, respectively, so as to control these control valves (EA1~EA4) to be opened or closed. When the control valve is opened, the coolant can pass through the control valve; when the control valve is closed, the coolant can be blocked so that the coolant cannot pass through the control valve. In one embodiment, the control unit 14 can include, for example but not limited to, a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0066] In addition, please refer to Figure 1The cooling system 1 of this embodiment may further include a cooling unit 16, which includes a cooler 161, and an inlet end 162a and an outlet end 162b connected to the cooler 161. The inlet end 162a and the outlet end 162b of the cooler 161 are respectively connected to the heat exchange components 122a and 122b. Here, the inlet end 162a and the outlet end 162b of the cooler 161 are respectively connected to the first heat exchanger X1, and the inlet end 162a and the outlet end 162b of the cooler 161 are also respectively connected to the second heat exchanger X2. In one embodiment, the cooler 161 is, for example but not limited to, a cooling water tower of an air conditioning system. The cooling water of the air conditioning system (and the cooler 161) is used to perform heat exchange with the first heat exchanger X1 and the second heat exchanger X2, respectively, so that the coolant temperature of the outlet ends X12 and X22 of the first heat exchanger X1 and the second heat exchanger X2 can be lower than the coolant temperature of the inlet ends X11 and X21.

[0067] Therefore, when the cooling system 1 is in the (full) cooling mode, the control unit 14 controls the first control valve EA1 and the second control valve EA2 to open, so that the coolant can pass through the heat exchange components 122a, 122b (the first heat exchanger X1, the second heat exchanger X2), and the control unit 14 also controls the third control valve EA3 and the fourth control valve EA4 to close, so as to block the communication between the second end E2 of each driving component 121a, 121b and the inlet end 112a of the filter unit 11, thereby blocking the coolant from passing through the filter unit 11. Specifically, after the coolant pushed by the driving pumps M1 and M2 enters the first heat exchanger X1 and the second heat exchanger X2 for heat exchange, the cooled coolant enters the heat sink 2 through the first control valve EA1 and the second control valve EA2 from the liquid inlet 21 to cool the server 3, and after taking away the heat of the server 3, the coolant with a higher temperature flows out from the liquid outlet 22 and flows to the driving pumps M1 and M2 according to the cycle, and continues the next cooling cycle.

[0068] In addition, if Figure 3AAs shown, when the cooling system 1 is in the filtering mode, the control unit 14 controls the second control valve EA2 and the third control valve EA3 to close, thereby blocking the connection between the second end E2 of the driving component 121a and the inlet end 112a of the filtering unit 11, that is, blocking the coolant of the first driving component 121a flowing through the working unit 12a from passing through the filtering unit 11, and also blocking the connection between the second end E2 of the driving component 121b and the corresponding heat exchange component 122b, that is, blocking the coolant of the second driving component 121b flowing through the working unit 12b from passing through the corresponding heat exchange component 122b (the second heat exchanger X2). In addition, the control unit 14 also controls the first control valve EA1 and the fourth control valve EA4 to open, so that the coolant driven by the driving pump M1 can pass through the heat exchange component 122a (first heat exchanger X1) corresponding to the working unit 12a (first driving component 121a) and then enter the heat sink 2, and at the same time, the coolant driven by the driving pump M2 can pass through the filtering unit 11 for filtering, thereby, in addition to the heat exchange of the coolant through the first heat exchanger X1, the coolant driven by the driving pump M2 can also be filtered at the same time. Therefore, when the cooling system 1 is in this filtering mode, the coolant driven by the driving pump M1 still maintains the function of cooling the server 3, while the coolant driven by the driving pump M2 can be filtered and returned to the heat sink 2.

[0069] In addition, if Figure 3B As shown, when the cooling system 1 is in another filtering mode, the control unit 14 controls the first control valve EA1 and the fourth control valve EA4 to close, thereby blocking the connection between the second end E2 of the driving component 121b and the inlet end 112a of the filtering unit 11, that is, blocking the coolant flowing through the second driving component 121b of the working unit 12b from passing through the filtering unit 11, and also blocking the connection between the second end E2 of the driving component 121a and the corresponding heat exchange component 122a, that is, blocking the coolant flowing through the first driving component 121a of the working unit 12a from passing through the corresponding heat exchange component 122a (first heat exchanger X1). In addition, the control unit 14 also controls the second control valve EA2 and the third control valve EA3 to open, so that the coolant driven by the driving pump M1 can pass through the filter unit 11, and the coolant driven by the driving pump M2 can pass through the heat exchange component 122b (second heat exchanger X2) corresponding to the working unit 12b (second driving component 121b), thereby, in addition to the heat exchange of the coolant through the second heat exchanger X2, the coolant driven by the driving pump M1 can also be filtered at the same time. Therefore, when the cooling system 1 is in this filtering mode, the coolant driven by the driving pump M2 still maintains the function of cooling the server 3, while the coolant driven by the driving pump M1 can be filtered and returned to the heat sink 2.

[0070] Please refer to Figure 2The cooling system 1 of this embodiment further includes a sensing unit 15. The sensing unit 15 includes at least one sensor 151 electrically connected to the control unit 14. The sensor 151 can be disposed in the filter unit 11, the heat sink 2, or the pipeline through which the coolant flows in the working unit 12a, 12b (for example, disposed in the pipeline of the driving assembly 121a, 121b or in the filter unit 11). The sensor 151 is used to sense the temperature of the coolant (sense whether the temperature is too high) or the quality of the coolant (for example, sense whether the coolant has too many impurities or foreign matter, or the viscosity is too high).

[0071] Therefore, in the cooling system 1, when the sensor 151 senses that the temperature of the coolant or a quality parameter (such as viscosity) exceeds a set value, a sensing signal S1 can be output, and the control unit 14 controls the cooling system 1 to automatically switch to the filtering mode or the cooling mode according to the sensing signal S1. For example, the sensor 151 is a temperature sensor. When the sensor 151 senses that the temperature of the coolant does not exceed the predetermined value, the filtering mode is maintained; when the sensor 151 senses that the temperature of the coolant increases and exceeds the predetermined value, the control unit 14 controls the cooling system 1 to automatically switch from the filtering mode to the cooling mode. Alternatively, the sensor 151 is a viscosity sensor. When the sensor 151 senses that the viscosity of the coolant does not exceed the predetermined value, the cooling mode is maintained; when the sensor 151 senses that the viscosity of the coolant exceeds the predetermined value, the control unit 14 controls the cooling system 1 to automatically switch from the cooling mode to the filtering mode. In some embodiments, multiple sensors 151 may be provided at different locations of the pipeline through which the coolant flows. When one of the sensors 151 senses that the temperature or quality of the coolant is abnormal, it may automatically switch to a filtering mode or a cooling mode, which is not limited by the present invention.

[0072] In another embodiment, the control unit 14 may also switch the cooling system 1 between the cooling mode and the filtering mode (i.e., timed filtering) at a fixed time (e.g., 20 minutes); in yet another embodiment, when the timing time has not arrived (e.g., the filtering mode has been in operation for 13 minutes but not yet 20 minutes), if the sensor 151 senses that the temperature of the coolant (or the server 3) is abnormal, such as a sudden and rapid increase, the control unit 14 may control the cooling system 1 to forcefully enter the cooling mode.

[0073] It is particularly noted that, as can be understood by those skilled in the art, in the above-mentioned cooling system 1, the first control valve EA1 is arranged between the outlet end X12 of the first heat exchanger X1 and the liquid inlet 21, and the second control valve EA2 is arranged between the outlet end X22 of the second heat exchanger X2 and the liquid inlet 21. However, in different embodiments, the first control valve EA1 may also be arranged between the inlet end X11 of the first heat exchanger X1 and the second end E2 of the first drive component 121a, and the second control valve EA2 may also be arranged between the inlet end X21 of the second heat exchanger X2 and the second end E2 of the second drive component 121b, or any combination thereof, which does not affect the normal operation of the cooling system 1.

[0074] As mentioned above, the difference from the existing immersion cooling system is that the cooling system 1 of this embodiment adds a backup component (two groups of working units 12a, 12b), and the cooling system 1 can operate in (full) cooling mode and filtering mode by switching the control valve group (control valve). In the (full) cooling mode, the two groups of working units 12a, 12b can perform the cooling function at the same time, and in the filtering mode, one group of working units performs the cooling function and the other group of working units can perform the filtering function at the same time, thereby balancing the life of the two groups of driving pumps M1, M2, making the driving pumps M1, M2 less prone to failure. Moreover, when the components of one group of working units (such as driving pumps, heat exchangers) or the filtering unit 11 (filter core) need to be shut down for maintenance or failure for inspection and replacement, it will not affect the normal operation and cooling performance of the server 3.

[0075] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cooling system 1a according to another embodiment of the present invention operating in a cooling mode. Figure 5A and Figure 5B They are schematic diagrams of a cooling system 1a according to another embodiment of the present invention operating in a filtering mode.

[0076] Please refer to Figure 4, the cooling system 1a is substantially the same as the cooling system 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment. The main difference from the cooling system 1 is that the third control valve EA3' of the cooling system 1a of the present embodiment is a three-way valve and is disposed at the second end E2 of the first drive assembly 121a, and the fourth control valve EA4' is also a three-way valve and is disposed at the second end E2 of the second drive assembly 121b. In the present embodiment, the third control valve EA3' and the fourth control valve EA4' are both electric three-way valves, and the control unit 14 is still electrically connected to the third control valve EA3' and the fourth control valve EA4'. However, this is not limited to this. In different embodiments, the third control valve EA3' and / or the fourth control valve EA4' may be manual valves, or a combination of manual and electric valves, which is not limited by the present invention. It is particularly reminded that the cooling system 1a of the present embodiment does not need to be provided with the first control valve EA1 and the second control valve EA2, and the normal operation of the cooling mode and the filtering mode can be achieved.

[0077] Therefore, if Figure 4 As shown, when the cooling system 1a is in the (full) cooling mode, the control unit 14 controls the switching of the third control valve EA3' and the fourth control valve EA4' to respectively block the connection between the first drive component 121a and the second drive component 121b and the inlet end 112a of the filter unit 11, so that the coolant pushed by the drive pumps M1 and M2 can pass through the first heat exchanger X1 and the second heat exchanger X2 (i.e., not through the filter unit 11) by the first drive component 121a and the second drive component 121b respectively, and enter the heat sink 2 through the liquid inlet 21 to cool the server 3 in the heat sink 2.

[0078] In addition, Figure 5A In the embodiment, when the cooling system 1a is in the filtering mode, the control unit 14 controls the third control valve EA3' to switch, blocking the communication between the first drive component 121a and the inlet end 112a of the filtering unit 11, so that the coolant can flow from the first drive component 121a to the first heat exchanger X1 instead of the filter 111, and enter the heat sink 2 through the liquid inlet 21 to cool the server 3 in the heat sink 2. In addition, the control unit 14 also controls the fourth control valve EA4' to switch, blocking the communication between the second drive component 121b and the heat exchange component 122b, so that the coolant can flow from the second drive component 121b to the filter 111 instead of the heat exchange component 122b for filtering.

[0079] In addition, Figure 5BIn the embodiment, when the cooling system 1a is in another filtering mode, the control unit 14 controls the third control valve EA3' to switch, blocking the communication between the first drive component 121a and the heat exchange component 122a, so that the coolant flows from the first drive component 121a to the filter 111 instead of flowing to the heat exchange component 122a for filtering. In addition, the control unit 14 also controls the fourth control valve EA4' to switch, blocking the communication between the second drive component 121b and the inlet end 112a of the filter unit 11, so that the coolant can flow from the second drive component 121b to the second heat exchanger X2 instead of flowing to the filter 111, and enter the heat sink 2 through the liquid inlet 21 to cool the server 3 in the heat sink 2.

[0080] In addition, in another embodiment of the cooling system, in addition to the aforementioned filter unit 11, working units 12a, 12b, control valve groups 13a, 13b, control unit 14, sensor unit 15 and cooling unit 16, the cooling system may also include the aforementioned heat sink 2. Here, the connection relationship and functions of the filter unit 11, working units 12a, 12b, control valve groups 13a, 13b, control unit 14, sensor unit 15, cooling unit 16 and heat sink 2 have been described in detail in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0081] In summary, the difference from the existing immersion cooling system is that the cooling system of the present invention adds a backup component, and the cooling system can operate in (full) cooling mode or filtering mode by switching the control valve group. In the (full) cooling mode, the two groups of working units can perform the cooling function at the same time, and in the filtering mode, one group of working units performs the cooling function and the other group of working units can perform the filtering function, thereby balancing the life of the driving pumps of the two groups of driving components, making the driving pumps less prone to failure. Moreover, when the components of one group of working units need to be shut down for maintenance or failure for inspection and replacement, the components of the other group of working units can continue to operate, so it will not affect the normal operation and cooling efficiency of the server.

[0082] The above description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. Any equivalent modifications or changes made thereto without departing from the concept and scope of the present invention should be included in the claims.

Claims

1. A cooling system, suitable for use with a heat sink, the heat sink accommodating at least one server and comprising a liquid outlet and a liquid inlet, the cooling system comprising: a filter unit, comprising an inlet end, an outlet end and a filter disposed between the inlet end and the outlet end, wherein the outlet end of the filter unit is connected to the liquid inlet; two working units, each of which includes a driving assembly and a heat exchange assembly, the driving assembly includes a first end, a second end, and a driving pump disposed between the first end and the second end, the first end is connected to the liquid outlet, the second end is connected to the inlet end of the filter unit and one end of the heat exchange assembly, and the other end of the heat exchange assembly is connected to the liquid inlet; and two control valve groups, respectively arranged in the working units; Wherein, when the cooling system is in a cooling mode, each control valve group blocks the connection between the second end of each driving component and the inlet end of the filter unit; when the cooling system is in a filtering mode, one of the control valve groups blocks the connection between the second end of one of the driving components and the inlet end of the filter unit, and another control valve group blocks the connection between the second end of another driving component and the corresponding heat exchange component.

2. The cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving components are respectively a first driving component and a second driving component, the heat exchange components respectively include a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, wherein one of the control valve groups includes a first control valve, and the other of the control valve groups includes a second control valve; in, The first control valve is arranged between an outlet end and the liquid inlet of the first heat exchanger, or between an inlet end of the first heat exchanger and the second end of the first drive component; the second control valve is arranged between an outlet end and the liquid inlet of the second heat exchanger, or between an inlet end of the second heat exchanger and the second end of the second drive component.

3. The cooling system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a control unit electrically connected to the control valve groups, wherein one of the control valve groups further comprises a third control valve, and another of the control valve groups further comprises a fourth control valve; in, The third control valve is disposed between the second end of the first driving component and the inlet end of the filter unit; the fourth control valve is disposed between the second end of the second driving component and the inlet end of the filter unit.

4. The cooling system according to claim 3, wherein: In the cooling mode, the control unit controls the first control valve and the second control valve to be opened, and controls the third control valve and the fourth control valve to be closed.

5. The cooling system according to claim 3, wherein: In the filtering mode, the control unit controls the first control valve and the fourth control valve to open and controls the second control valve and the third control valve to close; or controls the first control valve and the fourth control valve to close and controls the second control valve and the third control valve to open.

6. The cooling system according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit electrically connected to the control valve groups, wherein the drive components are respectively a first drive component and a second drive component, the heat exchange components respectively include a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, one of the control valve groups includes a third control valve, and the other of the control valve groups includes a fourth control valve; in, The third control valve is a three-way valve and is disposed at the second end of the first drive assembly; the fourth control valve is a three-way valve and is disposed at the second end of the second drive assembly.

7. The cooling system of claim 6, wherein: In the cooling mode, the control unit controls the switching of the third control valve and the fourth control valve to respectively block the connection between the first drive component and the second drive component and the inlet end of the filter unit, and allows the coolant to flow from the first drive component and the second drive component to the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, respectively.

8. The cooling system of claim 6, wherein: In the filtering mode, the control unit controls the switching of the third control valve and the fourth control valve so that the coolant flows from the first drive component and the second drive component to the first heat exchanger and the filter respectively, or the coolant flows from the first drive component and the second drive component to the filter and the second heat exchanger respectively.

9. The cooling system according to claim 3 or 6, further comprising: a sensing unit, comprising at least one sensor electrically connected to the control unit, the sensor being disposed in the filter unit, the heat sink or a pipeline through which the coolant flows in the working units; When the sensor senses that the temperature or a quality parameter of the coolant exceeds a set value, a sensing signal is outputted, and the control unit controls the cooling system to switch from the cooling mode to the filtering mode, or from the filtering mode to the cooling mode according to the sensing signal.

10. The cooling system as claimed in claim 3 or 6, wherein the control unit switches the cooling system from the cooling mode to the filtering mode at a fixed time.

11. The cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising: A cooling unit includes a cooler and an inlet end and an outlet end connected to the cooler. The inlet end and the outlet end of the cooling unit are connected to the heat exchange components.

12. A cooling system, adapted to cool at least one server, the cooling system comprising: A heat sink, suitable for accommodating the at least one server, the heat sink comprising a liquid outlet and a liquid inlet; a filter unit, comprising an inlet end, an outlet end and a filter disposed between the inlet end and the outlet end, wherein the outlet end of the filter unit is connected to the liquid inlet; two working units, each of which includes a driving component and a heat exchange component, the driving component includes a first end, a second end, and a driving pump disposed between the first end and the second end, the first end is connected to the liquid outlet, the second end is connected to the inlet end of the filter unit and one end of the heat exchange component; the other end of the heat exchange component is connected to the liquid inlet; and two control valve groups, respectively arranged in the working units; Wherein, when the cooling system is in a cooling mode, each control valve group blocks the connection between the second end of each driving component and the inlet end of the filter unit; when the cooling system is in a filtering mode, one of the control valve groups blocks the connection between the second end of one of the driving components and the inlet end of the filter unit, and another control valve group blocks the connection between the second end of another driving component and the corresponding heat exchange component.

Images