Two-phase liquid cooling heat dissipation method for horizontally-arranged server

Abstract

The invention discloses a two-phase liquid cooling heat dissipation method for horizontally arranged servers, which is characterized in that each horizontally arranged server is immersed in a plurality of two-phase cooling liquid tanks arranged at intervals along the height direction in a one-to-one correspondence manner to realize heat exchange cooling; and controlling the gasified two-phase cooling liquid in each two-phase cooling liquid tank to flow out from one side, then converge, rise to the top for heat exchange and cooling to be in a liquid state, and flow back into each two-phase cooling liquid tank from the other side. The heat dissipation device has the advantages that the height limitation can be reduced, meanwhile, the heat exchange efficiency is good, and the overall heat dissipation performance and efficiency of the server can be better improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of data center server cooling technology, specifically to a two-phase liquid cooling method for horizontally arranged servers. Background Technology

[0002] Data centers are globally collaborative networks of specific devices used to transmit, accelerate, display, compute, and store data information over the internet infrastructure. With the increasing informatization of modern society, data centers are experiencing ever-growing computing power, leading to increasingly severe power consumption and heat generation issues for data center servers. Therefore, the need to improve the cooling capabilities of data center servers is becoming increasingly prominent.

[0003] There are two main cooling methods for data center servers: air cooling and liquid cooling. Liquid cooling is further divided into unidirectional coolant cooling and two-phase coolant cooling. Among them, two-phase coolant cooling relies on the vaporization phase change of the coolant to achieve heat exchange and remove heat. It has higher heat exchange efficiency and is currently more widely used.

[0004] Existing two-phase coolant cooling systems for servers generally employ two structural arrangements. One arrangement involves multiple servers vertically arranged and horizontally spaced side-by-side within a single enclosure filled with two-phase coolant, immersing each server completely. The coolant absorbs heat, undergoes a phase change and vaporization, then exchanges heat with a condenser plate at the top of the enclosure, re-liquefies, and drips back down. The condenser plate and an external radiator connected in series form a heat exchange circulation system, transferring heat to the outside. This method allows the servers to directly immerse themselves in the coolant for heat exchange, resulting in relatively high efficiency. However, its vertical orientation limits its vertical height, making it suitable only for smaller data centers. The other arrangement involves horizontally arranged servers, stacked vertically, with a two-phase cooling plate attached to the surface of each server. Two-phase coolant is driven into the cooling plate for heat exchange, partially vaporizing and flowing out. It then flows to a single heat exchange device to displace heat and re-liquefy the vaporized coolant, carrying away the heat. This method allows servers to be stacked in any number of layers along the height direction without height restrictions, making it suitable for larger data centers. However, due to factors such as the heat exchange between the coolant and the server being separated by a cold plate shell, and the coolant vaporizing inside the cold plate cavity and generating gas which hinders heat exchange and flow, the overall heat exchange efficiency is relatively low.

[0005] Therefore, how to combine the advantages of the two methods and overcome their respective shortcomings to provide a server cooling method that can reduce height restrictions while having good heat exchange efficiency has become a problem that the applicant needs to consider and solve. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is: how to provide a horizontally arranged two-phase liquid cooling method for servers that can reduce height restrictions and have good heat exchange efficiency, so as to better improve the overall heat dissipation performance and efficiency of the server.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A two-phase liquid cooling method for horizontally arranged servers is characterized in that each horizontally arranged server is immersed in a plurality of two-phase coolant tanks spaced apart along the height direction to achieve heat exchange and cooling. The vaporized two-phase coolant in each two-phase coolant tank is controlled to flow out from one side, merge and rise to the top to exchange heat and cool into a liquid state, and then flow back to each two-phase coolant tank from the other side.

[0008] In this way, each server is directly immersed in a two-phase coolant to achieve heat exchange and cooling, thus achieving better heat exchange efficiency. At the same time, each server is arranged horizontally, so the number of layers can be stacked as needed without height restrictions, making it suitable for use in large data centers and improving the overall heat dissipation performance and efficiency of the servers.

[0009] Furthermore, the server monitors the hydraulic pressure in each of the two-phase coolant tanks during operation and controls the replenishment of the returning two-phase coolant accordingly to maintain a constant hydraulic pressure.

[0010] This ensures the stable operation of the entire cooling and heat exchange cycle.

[0011] Furthermore, this method relies on a horizontally arranged server two-phase liquid cooling heat exchange system. The horizontally arranged server two-phase liquid cooling heat exchange system includes a closed shell with several horizontally arranged and stacked two-phase coolant tanks inside the shell. A horizontally arranged server is immersed in each two-phase coolant tank. A vertical airflow rising channel is provided on one side of each two-phase coolant tank, and a storage tank for coolant return is provided on the other side. A condenser plate is provided on the top of the shell, and guide plates are provided at intervals below the condenser plate. The end of the guide plate facing the storage tank is inclined downward. The space between the condenser plate and the guide plate is connected to the airflow rising channel and the storage tank on both sides, respectively. Each two-phase coolant tank has a liquid inlet and an automatic liquid inlet control mechanism connected to the storage tank on one side, and an air outlet connected to the airflow rising channel at the upper end of the other side.

[0012] In this way, each server is immersed in its corresponding two-phase coolant tank, directly contacting the two-phase coolant. This allows for the most efficient heat exchange. The vaporized two-phase coolant enters the airflow rising channel from the outlet and rises to the top space of the casing, where it is cooled and liquefied by the condenser plate. The liquefied coolant drips onto the guide plate and flows obliquely back into the storage tank. Then, it is automatically distributed into each two-phase coolant tank by the liquid inlet control mechanism, thus achieving circulation and carrying away the heat dissipated by the servers. The servers are arranged horizontally and can be stacked upwards as needed during the design phase, without height limitations. Therefore, it is suitable for large-scale data center applications, improving the overall heat dissipation performance and efficiency of the servers.

[0013] Furthermore, the condenser plate is connected to a heat dissipation device located outdoors in the data center to form a cooling and heat exchange cycle system. This allows for better heat dissipation outdoors.

[0014] Furthermore, the condenser plate is positioned at one end of the liquid storage tank at a downward angle. This facilitates the return of the condensed coolant to the liquid storage tank.

[0015] Alternatively, the automatic liquid inlet control mechanism includes an electromagnetically controlled liquid inlet valve installed in the liquid inlet, the electromagnetically controlled liquid inlet valve being connected to a control center, and the control center being connected to liquid level detection sensors in each corresponding two-phase coolant tank.

[0016] In this way, the liquid level in each of the two-phase coolant tanks can be detected by the liquid level detection sensor. When it is lower than the preset value, the electromagnetic control inlet valve can be opened to allow liquid to enter, thereby controlling the liquid level in each of the two-phase coolant tanks.

[0017] As an alternative, the automatic liquid inlet control mechanism includes a liquid inlet plate vertically installed at the liquid inlet. The liquid inlet plate has rotating shafts at both ends along its width and is rotatably installed at the liquid inlet. The rotating shafts are located above the liquid surface in the corresponding two-phase coolant tanks. A horizontal plate extends from the upper end of the liquid inlet plate towards the storage tank and is connected to it. The horizontal plate is located in a piston chamber set in the storage tank. The lower part of the piston chamber has a vertically downward piston channel. The lower end of the piston channel communicates with the inner cavity of the storage tank. A piston that can slide up and down is set in the piston channel. The upper end of the piston is connected to the lower surface of the end of the horizontal plate through a hinge joint.

[0018] In this way, the hydraulic pressure in the reservoir acts on the piston, which in turn acts on the inlet plate, creating an outward force at its lower end. This force counteracts some of the hydraulic pressure on the outer side of the inlet plate, allowing the hydraulic pressure on both the inner and outer sides of the inlet plate to balance and maintain a vertical, closed state. When the liquid level in the two-phase coolant tank on the inner side of the inlet plate drops, the hydraulic pressure decreases, breaking the balance, causing the lower end of the inlet plate to rotate inward and open, thus enabling automatic liquid filling. The plate closes again once the balance is restored. Because the force transmitted to the lower end of the inlet plate through the piston and lever, and the hydraulic pressure on the outer side of the lower end of the inlet plate, both change synchronously with the depth of the reservoir, this structure allows the automatic liquid filling control mechanism at different heights to maintain hydraulic balance on both sides of the inlet plate, stably achieving automatic liquid filling control at inlets at different heights.

[0019] Furthermore, the inlet plate is surrounded by elastic sealing material to achieve a tight seal with the inlet port, ensuring more precise control of the liquid inlet flow.

[0020] Furthermore, a torsion spring is also installed on the rotating shaft, which acts between the liquid inlet plate and the liquid inlet.

[0021] This allows for easy adjustment and control of the required liquid level in the corresponding two-phase coolant tanks by setting the torque of the torsion spring.

[0022] In summary, the present invention has the advantages of reducing height restrictions while having good heat exchange efficiency, thus enabling it to better improve the overall heat dissipation performance and efficiency of the server. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the horizontally arranged two-phase liquid cooling heat exchange system for servers used in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the automatic liquid inlet control mechanism at point A alone. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] Example: A two-phase liquid cooling method for horizontally arranged servers, characterized in that each horizontally arranged server is immersed in multiple two-phase coolant tanks spaced apart along the height direction to achieve heat exchange and cooling. The vaporized two-phase coolant in each two-phase coolant tank is controlled to flow out from one side, merge and rise to the top to exchange heat and cool into a liquid state, and then flow back to each two-phase coolant tank from the other side.

[0027] In this way, each server is directly immersed in a two-phase coolant to achieve heat exchange and cooling, thus achieving better heat exchange efficiency. At the same time, each server is arranged horizontally, so the number of layers can be stacked as needed without height restrictions, making it suitable for use in large data centers and improving the overall heat dissipation performance and efficiency of the servers.

[0028] The system monitors the hydraulic pressure in each of the two-phase coolant tanks during operation and controls the replenishment of the returning coolant to maintain a constant hydraulic pressure.

[0029] This ensures the stable operation of the entire cooling and heat exchange cycle.

[0030] In this embodiment, the method relies on a horizontally arranged server two-phase liquid cooling heat exchange system. (See [link to documentation] for details on this system.) Figures 1-2 The system includes a closed outer shell 1. Inside the outer shell 1 are several horizontally arranged and stacked two-phase coolant tanks 2. Each two-phase coolant tank 2 contains a horizontally arranged server 3. Each two-phase coolant tank has a vertical airflow rising channel 4 on one side and a coolant return storage tank 5 on the other side. A condenser plate 6 is provided on the top of the outer shell. Below the condenser plate, guide plates 7 are arranged at intervals. The end of the guide plate 7 facing the storage tank is inclined downward. The space between the condenser plate 6 and the guide plate is connected to the airflow rising channel 4 and the storage tank 5 on both sides. Each two-phase coolant tank 2 has an inlet 8 and an automatic liquid inlet control mechanism connected to the storage tank on one side, and an outlet 9 connected to the airflow rising channel on the upper end of the other side.

[0031] In this way, each server is immersed in its corresponding two-phase coolant tank, directly contacting the two-phase coolant. This allows for the most efficient heat exchange. The vaporized two-phase coolant enters the airflow rising channel from the outlet and rises to the top space of the casing, where it is cooled and liquefied by the condenser plate. The liquefied coolant drips onto the guide plate and flows obliquely back into the storage tank. Then, it is automatically distributed into each two-phase coolant tank by the liquid inlet control mechanism, thus achieving circulation and carrying away the heat dissipated by the servers. The servers are arranged horizontally and can be stacked upwards as needed during the design phase, without height limitations. Therefore, it is suitable for large-scale data center applications, improving the overall heat dissipation performance and efficiency of the servers.

[0032] The condenser plate 6 is connected to a heat dissipation device (not shown in the figure) located outdoors in the data center, forming a refrigeration and heat exchange cycle system. This allows for better heat dissipation outdoors.

[0033] The condenser plate 6 is positioned at one end of the liquid storage tank 5 and is tilted downwards. This facilitates the return of the condensed coolant to the liquid storage tank.

[0034] The automatic liquid inlet control mechanism includes a liquid inlet plate 11 vertically installed at the liquid inlet. The liquid inlet plate 11 has rotating shafts 12 at both ends along its width direction and is rotatably installed at the liquid inlet. The rotating shafts are located above the liquid surface in the corresponding two-phase coolant tanks. A horizontal plate 13 extends from the upper end of the liquid inlet plate towards the storage tank and is connected to it. The horizontal plate is located in a piston chamber 14 set in the storage tank. The lower part of the piston chamber has a vertically downward piston channel. The lower end of the piston channel communicates with the inner cavity of the storage tank. A piston 15 that can slide up and down is set in the piston channel. The upper end of the piston 15 is connected to the lower surface of the end of the horizontal plate 13 through a hinge joint.

[0035] In this way, the hydraulic pressure in the reservoir acts on the piston, which in turn acts on the inlet plate, creating an outward force at its lower end. This force counteracts some of the hydraulic pressure on the outer side of the inlet plate, allowing the hydraulic pressure on both the inner and outer sides of the inlet plate to balance and maintain a vertical, closed state. When the liquid level in the two-phase coolant tank on the inner side of the inlet plate drops, the hydraulic pressure decreases, breaking the balance, causing the lower end of the inlet plate to rotate inward and open, thus enabling automatic liquid filling. The plate closes again once the balance is restored. Because the force transmitted to the lower end of the inlet plate through the piston and lever, and the hydraulic pressure on the outer side of the lower end of the inlet plate, both change synchronously with the depth of the reservoir, this structure allows the automatic liquid filling control mechanism at different heights to maintain hydraulic balance on both sides of the inlet plate, stably achieving automatic liquid filling control at inlets at different heights.

[0036] The inlet plate 11 is surrounded by elastic sealing material and inlet port 8 to achieve a sealed fit, thus better ensuring the precision of inlet control.

[0037] The rotating shaft is also equipped with a torsion spring 16 that acts between the liquid inlet plate and the liquid inlet.

[0038] This allows for easy adjustment and control of the required liquid level in the corresponding two-phase coolant tanks by setting the torque of the torsion spring.

[0039] In practice, as an alternative, the automatic liquid inlet control mechanism includes an electromagnetically controlled liquid inlet valve installed in the liquid inlet. The electromagnetically controlled liquid inlet valve is connected to a control center, and the control center is connected to liquid level detection sensors in each corresponding two-phase coolant tank.

[0040] In this way, the liquid level in each of the two-phase coolant tanks can be detected by a liquid level detection sensor. When the liquid level is lower than a preset value, the electromagnetic inlet valve can be opened to allow liquid to enter, thus controlling the liquid level in each of the two-phase coolant tanks. However, the electrical control method is relatively expensive and the electrical components are relatively less reliable.

Claims

1. A two-phase liquid cooling method for a horizontally arranged server, characterized in that, Each horizontally positioned server is immersed in multiple two-phase coolant tanks spaced apart along the height direction to achieve heat exchange and cooling. The vaporized two-phase coolant in each tank flows out from one side, merges and rises to the top to exchange heat and cool into a liquid state, and then flows back into each tank from the other side.

2. The two-phase liquid cooling method for horizontally arranged servers according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the server is working, it monitors the hydraulic pressure in each of the two-phase coolant tanks and controls the replenishment of the returning two-phase coolant accordingly to maintain a constant hydraulic pressure.

3. The two-phase liquid cooling method for horizontally arranged servers according to claim 1, characterized in that, This method relies on a horizontally arranged two-phase liquid cooling heat exchange system for servers. The horizontally arranged two-phase liquid cooling heat exchange system includes a closed shell with several horizontally arranged and stacked two-phase coolant tanks inside the shell. A horizontally arranged server is immersed in each two-phase coolant tank. Each two-phase coolant tank has a vertical airflow rising channel on one side and a storage tank for coolant return on the other side. A condenser plate is provided on the top of the shell, and guide plates are arranged at intervals below the condenser plate. The end of the guide plate facing the storage tank is inclined downward. The space between the condenser plate and the guide plate is connected to the airflow rising channel and the storage tank on both sides. Each two-phase coolant tank has a liquid inlet and an automatic liquid inlet control mechanism connected to the storage tank on one side, and an air outlet connected to the airflow rising channel at the upper end of the other side.

4. The two-phase liquid cooling method for horizontally arranged servers according to claim 3, characterized in that, The condenser plate and the heat dissipation device located outside the data center are connected to form a refrigeration and heat exchange cycle system.

5. The two-phase liquid cooling method for horizontally arranged servers according to claim 3, characterized in that, The condenser plate is located at one end of the liquid storage tank and is inclined downwards.

6. The two-phase liquid cooling method for horizontally arranged servers according to claim 3, characterized in that, The automatic liquid inlet control mechanism includes an electromagnetically controlled liquid inlet valve installed in the liquid inlet. The electromagnetically controlled liquid inlet valve is connected to the control center, and the control center is connected to the liquid level detection sensors in each corresponding two-phase coolant tank.

7. The two-phase liquid cooling method for horizontally arranged servers according to claim 3, characterized in that, The automatic liquid inlet control mechanism includes a liquid inlet plate vertically installed at the liquid inlet. The liquid inlet plate has rotating shafts at both ends along its width and is rotatably installed at the liquid inlet. The rotating shafts are located above the liquid surface in the corresponding two-phase coolant tanks. A horizontal plate extends from the upper end of the liquid inlet plate towards the storage tank and is connected to it. The horizontal plate is located in a piston chamber set in the storage tank. The lower part of the piston chamber has a vertically downward piston channel. The lower end of the piston channel communicates with the inner cavity of the storage tank. A piston that can slide up and down is set in the piston channel. The upper end of the piston is connected to the lower surface of the end of the horizontal plate through a hinge joint.

8. The two-phase liquid cooling method for horizontally arranged servers according to claim 7, characterized in that, The inlet plate is surrounded by elastic sealing material and inlet to achieve a sealed fit.

9. The two-phase liquid cooling method for a horizontally arranged server according to claim 7, characterized in that, A torsion spring is also installed on the rotating shaft, acting between the inlet plate and the inlet.

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