Liquid cooling system and liquid cooling device

Abstract

The invention discloses a liquid cooling system and a liquid cooling device. The liquid cooling system comprises an electronic device and the liquid cooling device. The liquid cooling device comprises a shell, a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, a second outlet, a first liquid storage tank, a first pump and a heat exchanger. The first inlet is arranged on the shell and is connected with the electronic device. The first outlet is arranged on the shell and is connected with the electronic device. The second inlet is arranged on the shell. The second outlet is arranged on the shell. The first liquid storage tank is arranged in the shell. The first pump is disposed within the housing. The heat exchanger is arranged in the shell. The first inlet, the heat exchanger, the first pump, the first liquid storage tank and the first outlet form a first cooling loop. The second inlet, the heat exchanger and the second outlet form a second cooling loop. The heat exchanger is located between the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid cooling system and a liquid cooling device, and particularly to a liquid cooling device capable of effectively reducing the amount of coolant used and a liquid cooling system equipped with such a liquid cooling device. Background Art

[0002] As the speed and performance of electronic components (e.g., central processing units) in servers increase, more and more servers adopt liquid cooling methods to dissipate heat from the electronic components in order to improve the heat dissipation efficiency. In a liquid cooling system, the amount of coolant used is closely related to the cost. How to effectively reduce the amount of coolant used has become a major issue in design. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a liquid cooling device capable of effectively reducing the amount of coolant used and a liquid cooling system equipped with such a liquid cooling device to solve the above problems.

[0004] According to an embodiment, the liquid cooling system of the present invention includes an electronic device and a liquid cooling device. The liquid cooling device includes a housing, a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, a second outlet, a first liquid storage tank, a first pump, and a heat exchanger. The first inlet is disposed on the housing and connected to the electronic device. The first outlet is disposed on the housing and connected to the electronic device. The second inlet is disposed on the housing. The second outlet is disposed on the housing. The first liquid storage tank is disposed inside the housing. The first pump is disposed inside the housing. The heat exchanger is disposed inside the housing. The first inlet, the heat exchanger, the first pump, the first liquid storage tank, and the first outlet form a first cooling circuit in the housing. The second inlet, the heat exchanger, and the second outlet form a second cooling circuit in the housing. The heat exchanger is located between the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit.

[0005] According to another embodiment, the liquid cooling device of the present invention includes a housing, a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet, a second outlet, a first liquid storage tank, a first pump, and a heat exchanger.

[0006] The first inlet is disposed on the housing. The first outlet is disposed on the housing. The second inlet is disposed on the housing.

[0007] The second outlet is disposed on the housing. The first liquid storage tank is disposed inside the housing. The first pump is disposed inside the housing. The heat exchanger is disposed inside the housing. The first inlet, the heat exchanger, the first pump, the first liquid storage tank, and the first outlet form a first cooling circuit in the housing. The second inlet, the heat exchanger, and the second outlet form a second cooling circuit in the housing. The heat exchanger is located between the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit.

[0008] In summary, the present invention forms a first cooling circuit in the housing of the liquid cooling device by using a first inlet, a heat exchanger, a first pump, a first liquid storage tank, and a first outlet, and forms a second cooling circuit in the housing by using a second inlet, a heat exchanger, and a second outlet. Thus, the coolant in the first cooling circuit can be a relatively expensive oil, dielectric liquid, or similar liquid, and the coolant in the second cooling circuit can be a relatively inexpensive water or similar liquid. The coolant in the first cooling circuit exchanges heat through the heat exchanger. Therefore, the coolant in the first cooling circuit does not need to be transported to an external coolant distribution unit through a manifold for heat exchange. Thus, the coolant consumption of the manifold and the external coolant distribution unit can be saved, and the liquid cooling device of the present invention can effectively reduce the consumption of the high-cost coolant in the first cooling circuit.

[0009] The advantages and spirit of the present invention can be further understood through the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a liquid cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2 is Figure 1 A perspective view of the liquid cooling device in;

[0012] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a liquid cooling system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 4 A perspective view of the liquid cooling device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] SYMBOL DESCRIPTION

[0015] 1, 1': Liquid cooling system

[0016] 10: Electronic device

[0017] 12: Liquid cooling device

[0018] 14: Coolant distribution unit

[0019] 16: Temperature sensor

[0020] 18: Temperature controller

[0021] 20: Electric cylinder

[0022] 22: Volume control panel

[0023] 24: Liquid storage device

[0024] 120: Housing

[0025] 122: First liquid storage tank

[0026] 124: First pump

[0027] 126, 126': Heat exchanger

[0028] 128: Second liquid storage tank

[0029] 130: Second pump

[0030] 1200: First inlet

[0031] 1202: First outlet

[0032] 1204: Second inlet

[0033] 1206: Second outlet

[0034] 1240: Motor

[0035] C1, C2: Cooling liquid

[0036] L1: First cooling circuit

[0037] L2: Second cooling circuit Detailed implementation manner

[0038] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 which is a schematic diagram of the liquid cooling system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 and Figure 1 is a perspective view of the liquid cooling device 12 in

[0039] As Figure 1 shown, the liquid cooling system 1 includes an electronic device 10, a liquid cooling device 12, and a coolant distribution unit 14. The liquid cooling device 12 is used to transport the coolant C1 into the electronic device 10 to dissipate heat from the electronic device 10. The coolant distribution unit 14 is used to transport the coolant C2 into the liquid cooling device 12 to perform heat exchange on the coolant C1. The electronic device 10 can be a server or other electronic devices, depending on the actual application. It should be noted that the principle of operation of the coolant distribution unit 14 is well known to those skilled in the art of the prior art and will not be elaborated here.

[0040] The liquid cooling device 12 includes a housing 120, a first inlet 1200, a first outlet 1202, a first liquid storage tank 122, a first pump 124, and a heat exchanger 126. The first liquid storage tank 122, the first pump 124, and the heat exchanger 126 are all disposed within the housing 120. The electronic device 10 and the coolant distribution unit 14 are both located outside the housing 120. The first inlet 1200 and the first outlet 1202 are both disposed on the housing 120 and connected to the electronic device 10. In addition, the liquid cooling device 12 further includes a second inlet 1204 and a second outlet 1206. The second inlet 1204 and the second outlet 1206 are both disposed on the housing 120 and connected to the coolant distribution unit 14. In this embodiment, the first inlet 1200 and the first outlet 1202 may be located on one side of the housing 120, and the second inlet 1204 and the second outlet 1206 may be located on the other side of the housing 120, but this is not limiting.

[0041] The first liquid storage tank 122 is connected to the first outlet 1202. The first pump 124 is connected to the first liquid storage tank 122. One side of the heat exchanger 126 is connected to the first pump 124 and the first inlet 1200, and the other side of the heat exchanger 126 is connected to the second inlet 1204 and the second outlet 1206. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 126 may be a plate heat exchanger, but this is not limiting.

[0042] As Figure 1 shown, the first inlet 1200, the heat exchanger 126, the first pump 124, the first liquid storage tank 122, and the first outlet 1202 are connected and communicate with each other to form a first cooling circuit L1 in the housing 120. The first pump 124 can pump the coolant C1 stored in the first liquid storage tank 122 to the electronic device 10 via the first outlet 1202. The coolant C1 that has undergone heat exchange in the electronic device 10 can be transported to the heat exchanger 126 via the first inlet 1200 and cooled by the heat exchanger 126. The cooled coolant C1 is then transported to the electronic device 10 via the first pump 124, the first liquid storage tank 122, and the first outlet 1202. In other words, the coolant C1 can circulate between the housing 120 of the liquid cooling device 12 and the electronic device 10 via the first cooling circuit L1.

[0043] It should be noted that the relative positions and connection relationships of the heat exchanger 126, the first pump 124, and the first liquid storage tank 122 can be different permutations and combinations, as long as the first inlet 1200, the heat exchanger 126, the first pump 124, the first liquid storage tank 122, and the first outlet 1202 are connected and communicate with each other to form the first cooling circuit L1 in the housing 120. For example, the first pump 124 can also be changed to be connected to the first inlet 1200.

[0044] As Figure 1As shown, the second inlet 1204, the heat exchanger 126 and the second outlet 1206 are connected to form a second cooling circuit L2 in the shell 120, wherein the heat exchanger 126 is located between the first cooling circuit L1 and the second cooling circuit L2. The cooling liquid distribution unit 14 can provide the cooling liquid C2 to be transported to the heat exchanger 126 via the second inlet 1204 to exchange heat with the cooling liquid C1 mentioned above. The cooling liquid C2 after heat exchange is then transported to the cooling liquid distribution unit 14 via the second outlet 1206 for cooling. In other words, the cooling liquid C2 can circulate between the shell 120 of the liquid cooling device 12 and the cooling liquid distribution unit 14 via the second cooling circuit L2.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the coolant C1 may be oil, dielectric fluid or similar liquid with a higher cost, and the coolant C2 may be water or similar liquid with a lower cost. Therefore, the coolant C1 of the first cooling circuit L1 is different from the coolant C2 of the second cooling circuit L2. The coolant C1 in the first cooling circuit L1 is heat exchanged via the heat exchanger 126. Therefore, the coolant C1 in the first cooling circuit L1 does not need to be transported to the external coolant distribution unit (different from the coolant distribution unit 14 of the present invention) via the manifold for heat exchange. As a result, the amount of coolant C1 used in the manifold and the external coolant distribution unit can be saved, so that the liquid cooling device 12 of the present invention can effectively reduce the high-cost coolant C1 usage of the first cooling circuit L1. It should be noted that the coolant C2 in the coolant distribution unit 14 of the present invention can be water or similar liquid with a lower cost, so the coolant distribution unit 14 will not increase the amount of coolant C1.

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the liquid cooling device 12 may further include a temperature sensor 16 and a temperature controller 18. The temperature sensor 16 is disposed in the first liquid storage tank 122. The first pump 124 includes a motor 1240. The temperature controller 18 is disposed on the housing 120 and coupled to the temperature sensor 16 and the motor 1240. In practical applications, the temperature controller 18 may be coupled to the temperature sensor 16 and the motor 1240 through appropriate circuit configuration. The temperature sensor 16 is used to sense the temperature of the coolant C1 in the first liquid storage tank 122. The temperature controller 18 is used to control the speed of the motor 1240 in response to the temperature sensor 16 to adjust the temperature of the coolant C1.

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the liquid cooling device 12 may further include an electric cylinder 20 and a volume control panel 22. The electric cylinder 20 is connected to the first liquid storage tank 122. The volume control panel 22 is disposed on the housing 120 and coupled to the electric cylinder 20. In practical applications, the volume control panel 22 may be coupled to the electric cylinder 20 through an appropriate circuit configuration. The volume control panel 22 is used to control the electric cylinder 20 to adjust the liquid level of the coolant C1 in the first liquid storage tank 122, so as to achieve the effect of saving the coolant C1.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a liquid cooling system 1' according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The main difference between the liquid cooling system 1' and the above-mentioned liquid cooling system 1 is that the liquid cooling device 12 of the liquid cooling system 1' further includes a second liquid storage tank 128 and a second pump 130, and the heat exchanger 126 is connected to the second pump 130 and the second inlet 1204, as Figure 3 shown. Both the second liquid storage tank 128 and the second pump 130 are disposed in the housing 120. The second liquid storage tank 128 is connected to the second outlet 1206, and the second pump 130 is connected to the second liquid storage tank 128.

[0050] In addition, the liquid cooling system 1' further includes a liquid storage device 24 to replace the above-mentioned coolant distribution unit 14. Both the electronic device 10 and the liquid storage device 24 are located outside the housing 120. The second inlet 1204 and the second outlet 1206 are connected to the liquid storage device 24. In this embodiment, the liquid storage device 24 may be a device storing the coolant C2 (for example, a building water tower). The coolant C2 of the liquid storage device 24 can be transported into the liquid cooling device 12 to perform heat exchange on the coolant C1.

[0051] As Figure 3 shown, the second inlet 1204, the heat exchanger 126, the second pump 130, the second liquid storage tank 128 and the second outlet 1206 are connected and communicate with each other to form a second cooling circuit L2 in the housing 120, wherein the heat exchanger 126 is located between the first cooling circuit L1 and the second cooling circuit L2. The second pump 130 can transport the coolant C2 stored in the liquid storage device 24 to the heat exchanger 126 through the second inlet 1204. The coolant C2 after heat exchange with the coolant C1 can be transported to the liquid storage device 24 through the second pump 130, the second liquid storage tank 128 and the second outlet 1206. In other words, the coolant C2 can circulate between the housing 120 of the liquid cooling device 12 and the liquid storage device 24 through the second cooling circuit L2.

[0052] It should be noted that the relative positions and connection relationships of the heat exchanger 126, the first pump 124, and the first liquid storage tank 122 can be different permutations and combinations, as long as the first inlet 1200, the heat exchanger 126, the first pump 124, the first liquid storage tank 122, and the first outlet 1202 are connected to form the first cooling circuit L1 in the housing 120. In addition, the relative positions and connection relationships of the heat exchanger 126, the second pump 130, and the second liquid storage tank 128 can also be different permutations and combinations, as long as the second inlet 1204, the heat exchanger 126, the second pump 130, the second liquid storage tank 128, and the second outlet 1206 are connected to form the second cooling circuit L2 in the housing 120. For example, the first pump 124 can also be connected to the first inlet 1200, and the second pump 130 can also be connected to the second inlet 1204.

[0053] In this embodiment, the coolant C1 can be a relatively expensive oil, dielectric fluid, or similar liquid, and the coolant C2 can be a relatively inexpensive water or similar liquid. Therefore, the coolant C1 in the first cooling circuit L1 is different from the coolant C2 in the second cooling circuit L2. The coolant C1 in the first cooling circuit L1 undergoes heat exchange via the heat exchanger 126. Therefore, the coolant C1 in the first cooling circuit L1 does not need to be transported to an external coolant distribution unit via a manifold for heat exchange. Thus, the amount of coolant C1 used in the manifold and the external coolant distribution unit can be saved, enabling the liquid cooling device 12 of the present invention to effectively reduce the amount of the high-cost coolant C1 in the first cooling circuit L1.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 a perspective view of the liquid cooling device 12 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] As Figure 4 shown, in another embodiment, the liquid cooling device 12 can include another heat exchanger 126', where the another heat exchanger 126' is stacked and connected to the heat exchanger 126. It should be noted that the another heat exchanger 126' can be determined according to actual applications and is not limited to the embodiment shown in the figure. Therefore, the present invention can adjust the number of heat exchangers according to actual heat dissipation requirements.

[0056] In summary, the present invention forms a first cooling circuit in the housing of the liquid cooling device by using a first inlet, a heat exchanger, a first pump, a first liquid storage tank, and a first outlet, and forms a second cooling circuit in the housing by using a second inlet, a heat exchanger, and a second outlet. Thus, the coolant in the first cooling circuit can be a relatively expensive oil, dielectric liquid, or similar liquid, and the coolant in the second cooling circuit can be a relatively inexpensive water or similar liquid. The coolant in the first cooling circuit exchanges heat through the heat exchanger. Therefore, the coolant in the first cooling circuit does not need to be transported to an external coolant distribution unit through a manifold for heat exchange. Thus, the coolant consumption of the manifold and the external coolant distribution unit can be saved, and the liquid cooling device of the present invention can effectively reduce the consumption of the relatively expensive coolant in the first cooling circuit.

[0057] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid cooling system, comprising: electronic devices; and Liquid cooling device, including: case; A first inlet is disposed on the housing and connected to the electronic device; A first outlet is disposed on the housing and connected to the electronic device; A second inlet is disposed on the housing; A second outlet is disposed on the housing; A first liquid storage tank is disposed in the housing; A first pump is disposed in the housing; as well as a heat exchanger disposed in the housing; The first inlet, the heat exchanger, the first pump, the first liquid storage tank and the first outlet form a first cooling circuit in the shell, the second inlet, the heat exchanger and the second outlet form a second cooling circuit in the shell, and the heat exchanger is located between the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit.

2. The liquid cooling system as described in claim 1, wherein the first liquid storage tank is connected to the first outlet, the first pump is connected to the first liquid storage tank, the heat exchanger is connected to the first pump and the first inlet, and the heat exchanger is connected to the second inlet and the second outlet. 3 . The liquid cooling system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a cooling liquid distribution unit, wherein the cooling liquid distribution unit is located outside the housing, and the second inlet and the second outlet are connected to the cooling liquid distribution unit. 4 . The liquid cooling system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the coolant of the first cooling circuit is different from the coolant of the second cooling circuit. 5 . The liquid cooling system as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the coolant of the first cooling loop is a dielectric fluid, and the coolant of the second cooling loop is water.

6. The liquid cooling system as described in claim 2 further comprises a cooling liquid distribution unit, wherein the cooling liquid distribution unit is located outside the shell, the second inlet and the second outlet are connected to the cooling liquid distribution unit, the cooling liquid of the first cooling circuit is a dielectric liquid, and the cooling liquid of the second cooling circuit is water.

7. A liquid cooling system as described in claim 1, wherein the first liquid storage tank is connected to the first outlet, the first pump is connected to the first liquid storage tank, the heat exchanger is connected to the first pump and the first inlet, and the liquid cooling device further includes a second liquid storage tank and a second pump, the second liquid storage tank is arranged in the shell and connected to the second outlet, the second pump is arranged in the shell and connected to the second liquid storage tank, the heat exchanger is connected to the second pump and the second inlet, and the second inlet, the heat exchanger, the second pump, the second liquid storage tank and the second outlet form the second cooling circuit in the shell. 8 . The liquid cooling system as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising a liquid storage device, wherein the liquid storage device is located outside the housing, and the second inlet and the second outlet are connected to the liquid storage device. 9 . The liquid cooling system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the liquid cooling device comprises another heat exchanger, and the other heat exchanger is stacked and connected to the heat exchanger.

10. The liquid cooling system as described in claim 1, wherein the liquid cooling device further includes a temperature sensor, a temperature controller, an electric cylinder and a volume control panel, the temperature sensor is arranged in the first liquid reservoir, the first pump includes a motor, the temperature controller is arranged on the shell and coupled to the temperature sensor and the motor, the temperature sensor senses the temperature of the coolant in the first liquid reservoir, the temperature controller controls the speed of the motor in response to the temperature sensor to adjust the temperature of the coolant, the electric cylinder is connected to the first liquid reservoir, the volume control panel is arranged on the shell and coupled to the electric cylinder, and the volume control panel controls the electric cylinder to adjust the liquid level of the coolant in the first liquid reservoir.

11. A liquid cooling device, comprising: case; A first inlet is disposed on the housing; A first outlet is disposed on the housing; A second inlet is disposed on the housing; A second outlet is disposed on the housing; A first liquid storage tank is disposed in the housing; A first pump is disposed in the housing; as well as a heat exchanger disposed in the housing; The first inlet, the heat exchanger, the first pump, the first liquid storage tank and the first outlet form a first cooling circuit in the shell, the second inlet, the heat exchanger and the second outlet form a second cooling circuit in the shell, and the heat exchanger is located between the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit.

12. The liquid cooling device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first liquid storage tank is connected to the first outlet, the first pump is connected to the first liquid storage tank, the heat exchanger is connected to the first pump and the first inlet, and the heat exchanger is connected to the second inlet and the second outlet. 13 . The liquid cooling device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the first inlet and the first outlet are connected to an electronic device, and the second inlet and the second outlet are connected to a cooling liquid distribution unit, and the electronic device and the cooling liquid distribution unit are located outside the housing. 14 . The liquid cooling device of claim 11 , wherein the coolant of the first cooling circuit is different from the coolant of the second cooling circuit. 15 . The liquid cooling device of claim 14 , wherein the cooling liquid of the first cooling loop is a dielectric liquid, and the cooling liquid of the second cooling loop is water.

16. The liquid cooling device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first inlet and the first outlet are connected to an electronic device, the second inlet and the second outlet are connected to a cooling liquid distribution unit, the electronic device and the cooling liquid distribution unit are located outside the housing, the cooling liquid of the first cooling circuit is a dielectric liquid, and the cooling liquid of the second cooling circuit is water.

17. A liquid cooling device as described in claim 11, wherein the first liquid storage tank is connected to the first outlet, the first pump is connected to the first liquid storage tank, the heat exchanger is connected to the first pump and the first inlet, and the liquid cooling device further includes a second liquid storage tank and a second pump, the second liquid storage tank is arranged in the shell and connected to the second outlet, the second pump is arranged in the shell and connected to the second liquid storage tank, the heat exchanger is connected to the second pump and the second inlet, and the second inlet, the heat exchanger, the second pump, the second liquid storage tank and the second outlet form the second cooling circuit in the shell. 18 . The liquid cooling device as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the first inlet and the first outlet are connected to an electronic device, and the second inlet and the second outlet are connected to a liquid storage device, and the electronic device and the liquid storage device are located outside the housing.

19. The liquid cooling device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the liquid cooling device comprises another heat exchanger, the other heat exchanger is stacked and connected to the heat exchanger.

20. A liquid cooling device as described in claim 11, wherein the liquid cooling device further includes a temperature sensor, a temperature controller, an electric cylinder and a volume control panel, the temperature sensor is arranged in the first liquid storage tank, the first pump includes a motor, the temperature controller is arranged on the shell and coupled to the temperature sensor and the motor, the temperature sensor senses the temperature of the coolant in the first liquid storage tank, the temperature controller controls the speed of the motor in response to the temperature sensor to adjust the temperature of the coolant, the electric cylinder is connected to the first liquid storage tank, the volume control panel is arranged on the shell and coupled to the electric cylinder, and the volume control panel controls the electric cylinder to adjust the liquid level of the coolant in the first liquid storage tank.

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