Manifold liquid drainage system

Abstract

A manifold drain system includes a first drain body and a manifold assembly. The first liquid drainage body comprises a first hollow flow channel and a plurality of first openings. The manifold assembly is fixed to at least one of the first openings and communicated with the first hollow flow channel. The manifold assembly comprises a pipe body, a quick disassembly and assembly connector, an electronic flow valve and a control circuit board. The tube body is connected with one of the openings. The electronic flow valve is arranged between the pipe body and the quick disassembly and assembly connector. The control circuit board controls the electronic flow valve to adjust the flow of liquid passing through the pipe body. The control circuit board also utilizes the liquid sensor and / or the liquid leakage detector to detect the water leakage condition so as to prevent the water leakage condition from damaging the corresponding device to be cooled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a manifold liquid discharge system, and particularly to a manifold liquid discharge system for a cooling system. Background Art

[0002] Servers provide their powerful computing capabilities through a network, enabling them to complete a large amount of work in a short time and serve a large number of users. Conventional servers are usually densely installed on racks for convenient centralized placement in an air-conditioned computer room.

[0003] Due to the continuous improvement of the computing capabilities of servers, an air-conditioned computer room alone can no longer meet the heat dissipation requirements of servers. Therefore, a water-cooling system is introduced into servers. To meet the requirements of server modularization and quick disassembly and assembly, the manifold liquid discharge system for water-cooling also needs to be improved simultaneously to meet the requirements of different loads of individual servers and the economic benefits of power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a manifold liquid discharge system to solve the problems of the prior art.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a manifold liquid discharge system includes a first liquid discharge body and a manifold assembly. The first liquid discharge body includes a first hollow flow channel and a plurality of first openings. The manifold assembly is fixed to at least one of the first openings and communicates with the first hollow flow channel, wherein the manifold assembly includes a pipe body, a quick-disassembly joint, an electronic flow valve, and a control circuit board. The pipe body is connected to one of the openings. The electronic flow valve is installed between the pipe body and the quick-disassembly joint. The control circuit board controls the electronic flow valve to adjust the liquid flow rate through the pipe body.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the manifold assembly further includes a sensing device installed on one side of the pipe body.

[0007] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sensing device monitors the change of the liquid in the pipe body to generate a sensing signal, wherein the control circuit board receives the sensing signal and controls the electronic flow valve to adjust the liquid flow rate through the pipe body according to the sensing signal.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sensing device further includes a liquid sensor installed on the first side of the pipe body.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the liquid sensor is a pressure sensor or a flow sensor.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the liquid sensor is used to sense the pressure or flow rate of the liquid in the pipe body. When the pressure or flow rate sensed by the liquid sensor changes drastically, the control circuit board closes the electronic flow valve corresponding to the drastic change.

[0011] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the liquid sensor is used to sense the pressure or flow rate of the liquid in the pipe body, and the control circuit board is used to control the flow rate of the corresponding electronic flow valve according to the relationship between the average value of the readings of the pressure or flow rate of the liquid sensor and the current readings of the pressure or flow rate of the liquid sensor.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sensing device further includes a temperature sensor installed on the second side of the pipe body, where the first side and the second side are two opposite sides of the pipe body.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the temperature sensor is used to sense the temperature of the liquid in the pipe body, and the control circuit board is used to control the flow rate of the corresponding electronic flow valve according to the relationship between the temperature reading of the liquid by the temperature sensor and a preset temperature value.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the sensing device further includes a liquid leakage detector located on the pipe body.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the liquid leakage detector is a resistor or a capacitor.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the liquid leakage detector detects a water leakage condition, the control circuit board closes the electronic flow valve corresponding to the water leakage condition.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the control circuit board is electrically connected to the electronic flow valve and the sensing device.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the manifold liquid drainage system further includes a second liquid drainage body, and the first liquid drainage body and the second liquid drainage body are arranged vertically and parallel to each other.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the second liquid drainage body includes a second hollow flow channel and a plurality of second openings.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the manifold assembly is fixed to at least one of the second openings and communicates with the second hollow flow channel.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the manifold liquid drainage system further includes a plurality of devices to be cooled, and each device to be cooled includes a cooling flow channel that communicates the first liquid drainage body with the manifold assembly on the second liquid drainage body.

[0022] In summary, the manifold liquid discharge system of the present invention is equipped with a liquid sensor, a temperature sensor, and a liquid leakage detector for each opening of the manifold assembly, and uses a control circuit board to receive signals from the liquid sensor and the temperature sensor to control an electronic flow valve to adjust the flow rate of individual manifold assemblies. The control circuit board also uses the liquid sensor and / or the liquid leakage detector to detect water leakage conditions to prevent water leakage from damaging the corresponding device to be cooled.

[0023] The following will describe the above description in detail with embodiments and provide further explanations for the technical solutions of the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0024] To make the above and other objects, features, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the description of the accompanying drawings is as follows:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the manifold liquid discharge system of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the manifold liquid discharge device included in the manifold liquid discharge system of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 is a drawing showing Figure 2 an enlarged view of the top part of the manifold liquid discharge device;

[0028] Figure 4 is a drawing showing Figure 2 an enlarged view of a single manifold assembly of the manifold liquid discharge device;

[0029] Figure 5 is a drawing showing the operation method of the manifold liquid discharge system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 is a drawing showing the operation method of the manifold liquid discharge system according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0031] Figure 7 is a drawing showing the operation method of the manifold liquid discharge system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Among them, the description of the reference numerals is as follows:

[0033] 100: Manifold liquid discharge system

[0034] 110: Manifold liquid discharge device

[0035] 112: Inlet and outlet pipe

[0036] 114: Liquid discharge body

[0037] 114a: Opening

[0038] 114b: Hollow flow channel

[0039] 150: Device to be cooled

[0040] 160: Manifold assembly

[0041] 161: Pipe body

[0042] 162: Quick-disconnect joint

[0043] 164: Leakage detector

[0044] 166: Liquid sensor

[0045] 168: Temperature sensor

[0046] 170: Control circuit board

[0047] 180: Electronic flow valve

[0048] 500: Method

[0049] 502 - 512: Steps

[0050] 600: Method

[0051] 602 - 608: Steps

[0052] 700: Method

[0053] 702 - 708: Steps Detailed implementation manners

[0054] To make the description of the present invention more detailed and complete, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings and the following various embodiments, where the same numbers in the drawings represent the same or similar elements. On the other hand, well-known elements and steps are not described in the embodiments to avoid unnecessary limitations on the present invention.

[0055] In the embodiments and claims, unless otherwise specifically defined in the context for articles, "a" and "the" may generally refer to a single or multiple.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 1, which shows a schematic diagram of the manifold liquid discharge system of the present invention. The manifold liquid discharge system 100 includes two parallel and side-by-side manifold liquid discharge devices 110, and a plurality of devices to be cooled 150 are arranged to communicate between the two manifold liquid discharge devices 110. A plurality of manifold components 160 are installed on each manifold liquid discharge device 110. Each manifold component 160 includes components such as a quick-disconnect joint 162, an electronic flow valve 180, a liquid sensor 166, and a temperature sensor 168, and a control circuit board 170 controls the flow rate of each individual manifold component 160 as needed. For example, the manifold liquid discharge system 100 uses the control circuit board 170 to receive the sensing signals of the liquid sensor 166 and the temperature sensor 168 to control the electronic flow valve 180 to adjust the flow rate of each individual manifold component 160. The liquid sensor 166 can be a pressure sensor or a flow sensor, used to monitor the pressure or flow rate of the liquid in the manifold component 160. If the pressure or flow rate exceeds the preset range, the liquid sensor 166 will send the corresponding sensing signal (such as pressure or flow rate) to the control circuit board 170. The temperature sensor 168 monitors the temperature of the liquid in the manifold component 160. Similarly, if the temperature exceeds the preset range, the temperature sensor 168 will also send a sensing signal (such as temperature) to the control circuit board 170. The control circuit board 170 will calculate a flow signal based on the received sensing signals (such as pressure and temperature) and send it to the corresponding electronic flow valve 180. The electronic flow valve 180 adjusts the flow rate of the manifold component 160 according to the received sensing signals to maintain within the set pressure and temperature ranges. The manifold liquid discharge system 100 continuously monitors the pressure, flow rate or temperature of the liquid and adjusts the flow rate according to the actual situation, thereby ensuring that each manifold component 160 can operate under the best working conditions.

[0057] Please also refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the manifold liquid discharge device 110 included in the manifold liquid discharge system 100 of the present invention, Figure 3 shows Figure 2 an enlarged view of the top part of the manifold liquid discharge device 110 (removing the locking frame 113a), Figure 4 shows Figure 2 an enlarged view of a single manifold component 160 of the manifold liquid discharge device 110. The manifold liquid discharge device 110 includes a liquid discharge body 114. The liquid discharge body 114 includes a hollow flow channel 114b and a plurality of openings 114a. Each opening 114a is provided with a manifold component 160 to adjust the flow rate through each individual opening 114a according to the actual situation. Each manifold component 160 communicates with the hollow flow channel 114b through the corresponding opening 114a.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present invention, two manifold liquid discharge devices 110 are vertically arranged in parallel to form a configuration as shown in Figure 1 , that is, the two liquid discharge bodies 114 are vertically arranged in parallel.

[0059] In some embodiments of the present invention, the top and bottom ends of the manifold liquid discharge device 110 include a locking frame (113a, 113b) to firmly lock the liquid discharge body 114.

[0060] In some embodiments of the present invention, the manifold liquid discharge device 110 includes an exhaust valve 115. The exhaust valve 115 is located at the top end of the liquid discharge body 114 and is connected to the hollow flow channel 114b. The main function of the exhaust valve 115 is to expel air or bubbles in the system. There may be air in the manifold liquid discharge system 100, which will affect the cooling efficiency and cause system instability. The exhaust valve 115 can expel this air from the system to ensure that the coolant can effectively flow through the entire system, thereby improving the cooling efficiency and performance of the system.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present invention, the manifold liquid discharge device 110 includes an inlet / outlet pipe 112. The inlet / outlet pipe 112 is connected to the hollow flow channel 114b of the liquid discharge body 114. The inlet / outlet pipe 112 can be used as the liquid inlet or liquid outlet of the manifold liquid discharge device 110. When the inlet / outlet pipe 112 is used as the liquid inlet, the liquid is input into the liquid discharge body 114 from the inlet / outlet pipe 112 and output from the liquid discharge body 114 by a plurality of manifold components 160. When the inlet / outlet pipe 112 is used as the liquid outlet, the liquid is input into the liquid discharge body 114 from a plurality of manifold components 160 and output from the liquid discharge body 114 by the inlet / outlet pipe 112.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present invention, each manifold component 160 includes components such as a pipe body 161, a quick-disconnect joint 162, a leak detector 164, an electronic flow valve 180, a liquid sensor 166, and a temperature sensor 168. The pipe body 161 is assembled on a plurality of openings 114a of the liquid discharge body 114 and is connected to the hollow flow channel 114b. The quick-disconnect joint 162 is used to provide a pipe connection for the cooling flow channel of the device 150 to be cooled. The cooling flow channel of the device 150 to be cooled is connected to the manifold components of the two liquid discharge bodies 114. The electronic flow valve 180 is installed between the pipe body 161 and the quick-disconnect joint 162. The electronic flow valve 180 is used to adjust the liquid flow rate through the pipe body 161 and the opening 114a. The liquid sensor 166 is installed on the first side of the pipe body 161, and the temperature sensor 168 is installed on the second side of the pipe body 161. The first side and the second side are two opposite sides of the pipe body 161. The leak detector 164 is located on the pipe body 161 to detect whether the pipe body 161 and / or the quick-disconnect joint 162 leaks.

[0063] In some embodiments of the present invention, the liquid leakage detector 164 can be a resistor or a capacitor. When using a resistor, water leakage is usually detected based on the conductivity of the liquid. When the liquid touches the resistor, it causes a change in the resistance value, thereby triggering an alarm. When using a capacitor, the presence of the liquid is detected by measuring the change in the capacitance of the capacitor. When the liquid touches the capacitor, it changes its capacitance value, thereby triggering an alarm. Both methods can effectively detect water leakage, and the choice depends on the requirements and performance of a specific application.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present invention, when the liquid discharge body 114 is vertically arranged, the liquid leakage detector 164 is disposed between two adjacent pipe bodies 161 to detect whether the upper one of the two adjacent pipe bodies 161 leaks.

[0065] Please refer to Figure 5 , which shows a method 500 for operating a manifold liquid discharge system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The method 500 is a method for operating the manifold liquid discharge system in response to the readings of the liquid sensors.

[0066] In step 502 of method 500, the control circuit board 170 is used to read the pressure or flow rate readings of the liquid sensors 166 located in all the manifold components 160. The liquid sensors 166 are used to read the pressure or flow rate readings of the liquid passing through the pipe bodies 161. The manifold components 160 in the first embodiment can be installed on the openings of the manifold liquid discharge device 110 upstream or downstream of the device to be cooled 150.

[0067] In step 504 of method 500, the control circuit board 170 is used to calculate the average value of the pressure or flow rate readings of all the liquid sensors 166.

[0068] In step 506 of method 500, the control circuit board 170 is used to compare the pressure or flow rate reading of each liquid sensor 166 with the average value calculated in step 504.

[0069] In step 508 of method 500, when the pressure or flow rate reading of the liquid sensor 166 in a certain manifold component 160 is greater than the average value, the control circuit board 170 reduces the flow rate of the electronic flow valve 180 in that manifold component 160.

[0070] In step 510 of method 500, when the pressure or flow rate reading of the liquid sensor 166 in a certain manifold component 160 is less than the average value, the control circuit board 170 increases the flow rate of the electronic flow valve 180 in that manifold component 160.

[0071] In step 512 of method 500, when the pressure or flow rate reading of the liquid sensor 166 within a certain manifold assembly 160 equals the average value, the control circuit board 170 maintains the flow rate of the electronic flow valve 180 within that manifold assembly 160.

[0072] Please refer to Figure 6 , which shows a method 600 for operating a manifold liquid discharge system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Method 600 is a method for operating a manifold liquid discharge system in response to the reading of a temperature sensor.

[0073] In step 602 of method 600, the control circuit board 170 reads the temperature readings of the temperature sensors 168 located within all the manifold assemblies 160. The manifold assemblies 160 in the second embodiment are mounted on the openings of the manifold liquid discharge device 110 downstream of the device 150 to be cooled.

[0074] In step 604 of method 600, when the temperature reading of the temperature sensor 168 within a certain manifold assembly 160 is greater than a predetermined value, the control circuit board 170 increases the flow rate of the electronic flow valve 180 within that manifold assembly 160 and the corresponding manifold assembly 160. Since the temperature reading of the temperature sensor 168 downstream of a certain device 150 to be cooled is too high, the flow rate of the electronic flow valve 180 upstream or downstream of that device 150 to be cooled is increased, thereby reducing the operating temperature of the device 150 to be cooled.

[0075] In step 606 of method 600, when the temperature reading of the temperature sensor 168 within a certain manifold assembly 160 is less than a temperature predetermined value, the control circuit board 170 reduces the flow rate of the electronic flow valve 180 within that manifold assembly 160 and the corresponding manifold assembly 160. Since the temperature reading of the temperature sensor 168 downstream of a certain device 150 to be cooled is already less than the predetermined value, the flow rate of the electronic flow valve 180 upstream or downstream of that device 150 to be cooled is reduced, thereby saving electricity.

[0076] In step 608 of method 600, when the temperature reading of the temperature sensor 168 within a certain manifold assembly 160 equals a temperature predetermined value, the control circuit board 170 maintains the flow rate of the electronic flow valve 180 within that manifold assembly 160 and the corresponding manifold assembly 160.

[0077] Please refer to Figure 7 , which shows a method 700 for operating a manifold liquid discharge system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Method 700 is a method for operating a manifold liquid discharge system in response to the risk of liquid leakage.

[0078] In step 702 of method 700, the liquid leakage detector 164 of a certain manifold assembly 160 detects a water leakage condition.

[0079] In step 704 of method 700, a drastic change in the pressure or flow rate reading of the liquid in the liquid sensor 166 of a certain manifold assembly 160 indicates a serious water leakage condition.

[0080] In step 706 of method 700, the liquid leakage detector 164 sends a water leakage warning signal to the control circuit board 170.

[0081] In step 708 of method 700, the control circuit board 170 closes the corresponding electronic flow valve 180 or shuts down the corresponding device 150 to be cooled.

[0082] The manifold liquid drainage system of the present invention is equipped with a liquid sensor, a temperature sensor and a liquid leakage detector for each open manifold assembly, and uses a control circuit board to receive the sensing signals of the liquid sensor and the temperature sensor to control the electronic flow valve so as to adjust the flow rate of each individual manifold assembly. The control circuit board also uses the liquid sensor and / or the liquid leakage detector to detect the water leakage condition to prevent the water leakage condition from damaging the corresponding device to be cooled.

[0083] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above in embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to that defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A manifold liquid discharge system, characterized in that, Comprising: A first liquid discharge body, comprising a first hollow flow channel and a plurality of first openings; and A manifold assembly, fixed to at least one of the plurality of first openings and communicating with the first hollow flow channel, wherein the manifold assembly comprises: A pipe body, connecting one of the plurality of first openings; A quick-disconnect fitting; An electronic flow valve, installed between the pipe body and the quick-disconnect fitting; and A control circuit board, controlling the electronic flow valve to regulate the liquid flow through the pipe body.

2. The manifold liquid discharge system according to claim 1, wherein, The manifold assembly further comprises a sensing device, installed on one side of the pipe body.

3. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 2, wherein The sensing device monitors the change of the liquid in the pipe body to generate a sensing signal, wherein the control circuit board receives the sensing signal and controls the electronic flow valve to regulate the liquid flow through the pipe body according to the sensing signal.

4. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 2, wherein The sensing device further comprises a liquid sensor, which is installed on the first side of the pipe body.

5. The manifold liquid discharge system according to claim 4, wherein, The liquid sensor is a pressure sensor or a flow sensor.

6. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 4, wherein, The liquid sensor is used to sense the pressure or flow of the liquid in the pipe body. When the pressure or flow sensed by the liquid sensor changes drastically, the control circuit board closes the electronic flow valve corresponding to the drastic change.

7. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The liquid sensor is used to sense the pressure or flow of the liquid in the pipe body. The control circuit board is used to control the flow of the corresponding electronic flow valve according to the relationship between the average value of the readings of the pressure or flow of the liquid sensor and the current readings of the pressure or flow of the liquid sensor.

8. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 4, wherein, The sensing device further comprises a temperature sensor, which is installed on the second side of the pipe body, wherein the first side and the second side are two opposite sides of the pipe body.

9. The manifold liquid discharge system according to claim 8, wherein, The temperature sensor is used to sense the temperature of the liquid in the pipe body. The control circuit board is used to control the flow of the corresponding electronic flow valve according to the relationship between the temperature reading of the liquid of the temperature sensor and a preset temperature value.

10. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 2, wherein, The sensing device further comprises a liquid leakage detector located on the pipe body.

11. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 10, wherein, The liquid leakage detector is a resistor or a capacitor.

12. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 10, wherein, When the liquid leakage detector detects a water leakage condition, the control circuit board closes the electronic flow valve corresponding to the water leakage condition.

13. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 2, wherein The control circuit board is electrically connected to the electronic flow valve and the sensing device.

14. The manifold liquid discharge system according to claim 1, wherein, It further comprises a second liquid discharge body, and the first liquid discharge body and the second liquid discharge body are arranged vertically and parallel to each other.

15. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 14, wherein, The second liquid discharge body comprises a second hollow flow channel and a plurality of second openings.

16. The manifold liquid drain system according to claim 15, characterized in that, The manifold assembly is fixed to at least one of the plurality of second openings and communicates with the second hollow flow channel.

17. The manifold liquid discharge system according to claim 16, wherein, It further comprises a plurality of devices to be cooled, and each device to be cooled comprises a cooling flow channel, and the cooling flow channel communicates with the manifold assemblies on the first liquid discharge body and the second liquid discharge body.

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