Liquid cooling system and pressure control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a liquid cooling system and a pressure control method thereof. The pressure control method comprises the following steps: acquiring a real-time ambient temperature, a real-time input side temperature and a real-time input side pressure; when the liquid cooling system enters a first liquid supplementing state, comparing the real-time input side temperature with the real-time ambient temperature to confirm an initial expansion temperature; calculating a real-time temperature difference value between the real-time input side temperature and the initial expansion temperature; comparing the real-time input side pressure with a preset input pressure threshold value and the real-time temperature difference value with a preset temperature difference threshold value, and adjusting a working state of a pressure adjusting mechanism according to a comparison result. The method disclosed by the application can maintain the system pressure of the liquid cooling system in a suitable operation interval through real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment. Meanwhile, active pressure adjustment can significantly reduce the demand for the volume of an expansion tank, thereby effectively reducing the overall volume of the liquid cooling system, and the demand for the volume of the expansion tank can directly reduce material cost and manufacturing cost, and improve market competitiveness of the product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of liquid cooling control technology, and in particular to a liquid cooling system and its pressure control method. Background Technology

[0002] The coolant in a liquid cooling system will experience significant volume fluctuations throughout its service life due to dynamic temperature changes. This is because temperature changes directly affect the thermal motion of coolant molecules, thus causing changes in their volume.

[0003] To effectively maintain stable pressure within a liquid cooling system, the traditional solution is to use an expansion tank to absorb the excess coolant caused by volume changes. However, the actual operating environment of a liquid cooling system is not static but is influenced by a combination of complex factors such as temperature, altitude, and customer operating habits. For example, differences in altitude in different regions result in variations in atmospheric pressure, which indirectly affects the internal pressure of the liquid cooling system. Furthermore, differences in customer operating habits, such as the frequency of coolant replacement and the method of equipment start-up and shutdown, also have varying degrees of impact on the system. The combined effect of these factors makes the selection of expansion tanks highly variable.

[0004] Faced with such complex and variable operating conditions, the common approach in existing technologies is to use redundant expansion tank volumes; simply put, this involves increasing the volume of the expansion tank to cover as many demands as possible arising from changes in coolant volume under different operating conditions. However, this approach has the following key drawbacks:

[0005] First, the system's applicability is reduced; the redundant volume significantly increases the overall structural size of the liquid cooling system. Taking rack-mounted CDUs as an example, the structure of these devices is extremely compact, and the space requirements are very stringent. Excessive redundant volume makes it difficult for the liquid cooling system to meet the stringent integration requirements of rack-mounted CDUs, thus limiting the application of liquid cooling systems in scenarios with high space requirements.

[0006] Secondly, costs increase significantly. The increase in redundant volume directly leads to a substantial increase in the amount of materials used in the expansion tank. At the same time, the manufacturing process may become more complex due to the larger volume requirements. These two factors work together to directly increase the material and manufacturing costs of the expansion tank, thereby increasing the construction cost of the entire liquid cooling system.

[0007] Third, it lacks flexibility; the fixed-volume expansion tank cannot dynamically respond to environmental changes faced by the liquid cooling system throughout its entire life cycle; since environmental factors are constantly changing, the fixed-volume expansion tank cannot always maintain the system operating within the optimal pressure range.

[0008] It is evident that existing technologies still need improvement and enhancement. Summary of the Invention

[0009] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a pressure control method for a liquid cooling system, which maintains the pressure of the liquid cooling system within a suitable operating range through real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment; at the same time, actively adjusting the pressure reduces the demand on the expansion tank volume, reduces the overall volume of the liquid cooling system, and also reduces material and manufacturing costs.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0011] A pressure control method for a liquid cooling system, the liquid cooling system including a control device and a temperature and humidity sensor, a second pressure sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a pressure adjustment mechanism, all electrically connected to the control device; the temperature and humidity sensor is used to acquire the ambient temperature, and the second pressure sensor and the second temperature sensor are respectively disposed at the secondary input end of the liquid cooling system; the pressure control method includes: acquiring the real-time ambient temperature fed back by the temperature and humidity sensor, the real-time input side temperature fed back by the second temperature sensor, and the real-time input side pressure fed back by the second pressure sensor; when the liquid cooling system enters the initial liquid replenishment state, comparing the real-time input side temperature and the real-time ambient temperature, and confirming the initial expansion temperature based on the comparison result; calculating the real-time temperature difference between the real-time input side temperature and the initial expansion temperature; comparing the real-time input side pressure with a preset input pressure threshold, and comparing the real-time temperature difference with a preset temperature difference threshold, and adjusting the working state of the pressure adjustment mechanism according to the comparison result to stabilize the system pressure of the liquid cooling system.

[0012] In the pressure control method of the liquid cooling system, when the liquid cooling system enters the initial liquid replenishment state, comparing the real-time input temperature and the real-time ambient temperature, and determining the initial expansion temperature based on the comparison result, includes: when the liquid cooling system enters the initial liquid replenishment state, comparing the real-time input temperature and the real-time ambient temperature; if the real-time ambient temperature ≥ the real-time input temperature, calculating the average value between the real-time input temperature and the real-time ambient temperature, and using the calculated average value as the initial expansion temperature; if the real-time ambient temperature < the real-time input temperature, taking the real-time ambient temperature as the initial expansion temperature.

[0013] In the pressure control method of the liquid cooling system, the pressure adjustment mechanism includes an expansion tank, a solenoid valve, and a liquid replenishment unit. The liquid replenishment unit is connected to the input end of the expansion tank through the solenoid valve, and the expansion tank is located on the secondary input side of the liquid cooling system. The step of comparing the real-time input side pressure with a preset input pressure threshold and the real-time temperature difference with a preset temperature difference threshold, and adjusting the working state of the pressure adjustment mechanism based on the comparison results to stabilize the system pressure of the liquid cooling system, includes: when the real-time input side pressure is ≥ the preset input pressure threshold and the real-time temperature difference is ≥ the preset temperature difference threshold, controlling the solenoid valve to open for a first preset duration; when the real-time input side pressure is < the preset input pressure threshold, controlling the solenoid valve to open for a second preset duration.

[0014] In the pressure control method of the liquid cooling system, after adjusting the working state of the pressure adjustment mechanism according to the comparison result, the method further includes: when a preset delay detection time is reached, comparing the real-time input pressure with a preset secondary pressure threshold; and adjusting the working state of the pressure adjustment structure according to the comparison result to stabilize the system pressure of the liquid cooling system.

[0015] In the pressure control method of the liquid cooling system, the step of adjusting the working state of the pressure adjustment structure according to the comparison result to stabilize the system pressure of the liquid cooling system includes: when the real-time input side pressure is ≥ a preset secondary pressure threshold, opening the solenoid valve for a duration of a third preset time, and then controlling the liquid cooling system to enter normal operation logic; when the real-time input side pressure is < a preset secondary pressure threshold, controlling the liquid cooling system to enter normal operation logic.

[0016] In the pressure control method of the liquid cooling system, the first preset duration ranges from 3 to 7 seconds, the second preset duration ranges from 1 to 4 seconds, the third preset duration ranges from 0.5 to 2 seconds, and the preset delay detection time ranges from 0.5 to 3 minutes.

[0017] The present invention also provides a liquid cooling system, wherein the liquid cooling system employs any of the pressure control methods described above to achieve system pressure stability; the liquid cooling system includes a plate heat exchanger, a control device, and a primary side, a secondary side, and an ambient temperature and humidity sensor electrically connected to the control device respectively; the primary side is used to connect to external refrigeration equipment, and the primary side and the secondary side achieve heat exchange through the plate heat exchanger; the secondary side is used to connect to cool the servers of a data center; the secondary side includes a pumping mechanism, a pressure adjustment mechanism, a second pressure sensor, and a second temperature sensor, all electrically connected to the control device respectively; the second pressure sensor, the second temperature sensor, the pressure adjustment mechanism, and the pumping mechanism are arranged sequentially along the coolant input direction of the secondary side.

[0018] In the liquid cooling system, the pressure adjustment mechanism includes an expansion tank, a solenoid valve, and a liquid replenishment unit, which are electrically connected to the control device. The second pressure sensor, the second temperature sensor, the expansion tank, and the pumping mechanism are arranged sequentially along the coolant input direction on the secondary side. One end of the solenoid valve is connected to the output end of the liquid replenishment unit, and the other end of the solenoid valve is connected to the connecting pipe of the second temperature sensor and the expansion tank.

[0019] In the liquid cooling system, the secondary side further includes a third pressure sensor, a first temperature sensor, and a first pressure sensor, which are electrically connected to the control device respectively; the third pressure sensor is disposed at the output end of the pumping mechanism, and the first temperature sensor and the first pressure sensor are disposed at the output end of the secondary side respectively.

[0020] In the liquid cooling system, the primary side includes a fourth temperature sensor, a fourth pressure sensor, a fifth temperature sensor, and a fifth pressure sensor, which are electrically connected to the control device respectively; the fourth pressure sensor and the fourth temperature sensor are disposed at the input end of the primary side, and the fifth pressure sensor and the fifth temperature sensor are disposed at the output end of the primary side.

[0021] Beneficial effects:

[0022] This invention provides a pressure control method for a liquid cooling system. Through real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment, the system pressure is maintained within a suitable operating range. On the one hand, excessive pressure prevents excessive load on system components, thus reducing the risk of leakage. On the other hand, it prevents excessively low pressure from affecting coolant circulation efficiency, thereby ensuring stable and efficient operation of the liquid cooling system. Simultaneously, proactive pressure adjustment significantly reduces the volume requirements of the expansion tank. In space-constrained applications such as rack-mounted CDUs, this method can significantly reduce the overall volume of the liquid cooling system, improving its spatial adaptability. Moreover, reducing the expansion tank volume requirement directly reduces material and manufacturing costs, enhancing the product's market competitiveness. Furthermore, this pressure control method enables the liquid cooling system to adapt to various complex operating conditions throughout its lifecycle. Whether it's changes in ambient temperature, altitude, or fluctuations in system parameters due to different user operating habits, dynamic pressure adjustment can address these issues, greatly enhancing the stability and reliability of the liquid cooling system. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A logic flowchart of the pressure control method provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 A system structure diagram of the liquid cooling system provided by the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of key component symbols: 1-Ambient temperature and humidity sensor, 21-Circulation pump, 22-Check valve, 31-Expansion tank, 32-Solenoid valve, 33-Replenishment pump, 34-Replenishment tank, 41-Second pressure sensor, 42-Second temperature sensor, 43-Third pressure sensor, 44-First pressure sensor, 45-First temperature sensor, 5-Safety valve, 6-Plate heat exchanger, 71-Fourth pressure sensor, 72-Fourth temperature sensor, 73-Fifth temperature sensor, 74-Fifth pressure sensor, 8-Switch valve. Detailed Implementation

[0026] This invention provides a liquid cooling system and its pressure control method. To make the purpose, technical solution and effects of this invention clearer and more explicit, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "installation" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 This invention provides a pressure control method for a liquid cooling system. The liquid cooling system includes a control device and a temperature and humidity sensor, a second pressure sensor 41, a second temperature sensor 42, and a pressure adjustment mechanism, all electrically connected to the control device. The temperature and humidity sensor is used to acquire the ambient temperature. The second pressure sensor 41 and the second temperature sensor 42 are respectively disposed at the secondary input end of the liquid cooling system. The pressure control method includes:

[0029] 101. Obtain the real-time ambient temperature fed back by the temperature and humidity sensor, the real-time input side temperature fed back by the second temperature sensor 42, and the real-time input side pressure fed back by the second pressure sensor 41.

[0030] In this embodiment, when the liquid cooling system is powered on, it begins to run according to a preset normal logic. The system pressure P2a is continuously monitored in real time by the second pressure sensor 41. At the same time, the real-time ambient temperature TH1a and the real-time coolant temperature T2a are obtained by the ambient temperature and humidity sensor 1 and the second temperature sensor 42, and their respective running times are recorded as P2t, TH1t, and T2at. The real-time feedback monitoring of each sensor provides basic data support for subsequent pressure adjustment. For example, in the daily operation and maintenance of a data center, the ambient temperature of the computer room may fluctuate due to seasonal changes, diurnal temperature differences, and other factors. The sensors can accurately capture these subtle changes and predict the possible volume fluctuations of the coolant based on the temperature change trend, providing a predictive basis for subsequent dynamic adjustment.

[0031] 102. When the liquid cooling system enters the initial liquid replenishment state, compare the real-time input temperature and the real-time ambient temperature, and confirm the initial expansion temperature based on the comparison result;

[0032] 103. Calculate the real-time temperature difference between the real-time input temperature and the initial expansion temperature;

[0033] 104. Compare the real-time input pressure with the preset input pressure threshold, and the real-time temperature difference with the preset temperature difference threshold. Based on the comparison results, adjust the working state of the pressure adjustment mechanism to stabilize the system pressure of the liquid cooling system.

[0034] The pressure control method for the liquid cooling system disclosed in this application maintains the system pressure within a suitable operating range through real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment. On the one hand, it avoids excessive pressure that could overload system components, thereby reducing the risk of leakage. On the other hand, it prevents excessively low pressure from affecting the coolant circulation efficiency, thus ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the liquid cooling system. Simultaneously, the active pressure adjustment significantly reduces the volume requirements of the expansion tank 31. In space-constrained applications such as rack-mounted CDUs, this method can significantly reduce the overall volume of the liquid cooling system, improving its spatial adaptability. Moreover, reducing the volume requirement of the expansion tank 31 directly reduces material and manufacturing costs, enhancing the product's market competitiveness. Furthermore, this pressure control method enables the liquid cooling system to adapt to various complex operating conditions throughout its entire lifecycle. Whether it's changes in ambient temperature, altitude, or fluctuations in system parameters due to different user operating habits, dynamic pressure adjustment can address these issues, greatly enhancing the stability and reliability of the liquid cooling system.

[0035] Furthermore, when the liquid cooling system enters the initial liquid replenishment state, comparing the real-time input temperature and the real-time ambient temperature, and confirming the initial expansion temperature based on the comparison result, includes:

[0036] 201. When the liquid cooling system enters the initial liquid replenishment state, compare the real-time input temperature with the real-time ambient temperature;

[0037] 202. If the real-time ambient temperature is greater than or equal to the real-time input temperature, calculate the average value between the real-time input temperature and the real-time ambient temperature, and use the calculated average value as the initial expansion temperature.

[0038] 203. If the real-time ambient temperature is less than the real-time input temperature, then the real-time ambient temperature shall be taken as the initial expansion temperature.

[0039] In this embodiment, when the liquid cooling system enters the initial liquid replenishment stage, the system performs key calculations based on the acquired temperature data. If the real-time ambient temperature TH1a fed back by the ambient temperature and humidity sensor 1 is greater than or equal to the real-time input temperature T2a fed back by the second temperature sensor 42, the average of the two is automatically taken as the initial expansion temperature Tga of the system. If TH1a < T2a, TH1a is directly used as Tga. This calculation logic fully considers the relationship between the internal coolant temperature and the ambient temperature of the liquid cooling system, ensuring that the volume expansion of the coolant due to temperature changes can be accurately predicted under different operating conditions.

[0040] Further, the pressure adjustment mechanism includes an expansion tank 31, a solenoid valve 32, and a liquid replenishment unit. The liquid replenishment unit is connected to the input end of the expansion tank 31 via the solenoid valve 32. The expansion tank 31 is located on the secondary input side of the liquid cooling system. The step of comparing the real-time input pressure with a preset input pressure threshold and the real-time temperature difference with a preset temperature difference threshold, and adjusting the working state of the pressure adjustment mechanism based on the comparison results to stabilize the system pressure of the liquid cooling system, includes:

[0041] 301. When the real-time input pressure is greater than or equal to the preset input pressure threshold and the real-time temperature difference is greater than or equal to the preset temperature difference threshold, the solenoid valve 32 is opened for a duration of the first preset duration.

[0042] 302. When the real-time input pressure is less than the preset input pressure threshold, the solenoid valve 32 is opened for a duration of the second preset duration.

[0043] Furthermore, the step of adjusting the working state of the pressure adjustment mechanism based on the comparison results further includes:

[0044] 401. When the preset delay detection time is reached, compare the real-time input pressure with the preset secondary pressure threshold; adjust the working state of the pressure adjustment structure according to the comparison result to stabilize the system pressure of the liquid cooling system.

[0045] In the pressure control method for the liquid cooling system, adjusting the working state of the pressure adjustment structure based on the comparison result to stabilize the system pressure of the liquid cooling system includes:

[0046] 501. When the real-time input side pressure is greater than or equal to the preset secondary pressure threshold, the solenoid valve 32 is opened for a duration of the third preset time, and then the liquid cooling system is controlled to enter the normal operation logic.

[0047] 502. When the real-time input pressure is less than the preset secondary pressure threshold, the liquid cooling system is controlled to enter normal operation logic.

[0048] In this embodiment, a series of key thresholds are preset, as follows: pressure threshold P2a1, which is defined in the range of 1.5-2 bar; temperature difference threshold Pas, which is in the range of 20-40℃; solenoid valve 32 opening time Dt1, which is in the overall range of 1-7 seconds, wherein the first preset duration is in the range of 3-7 seconds, the second preset duration is in the range of 1-4 seconds, and the third preset duration is in the range of 0.5-2 seconds; delayed detection time Dt0 is 0.5-3 minutes; secondary pressure threshold P2a3, which is in the range of 1.3-1.6 bar.

[0049] When the conditions P2a≥P2a1 and P2a-Tga≥Pas are met, that is, when the pressure is high and the temperature difference is large, it means that the system pressure of the liquid cooling system exceeds the expected range due to factors such as the expansion of the coolant volume. In this case, the solenoid valve 32 is opened, and its opening time is set to 3-7 seconds to provide an additional flow channel for the coolant, allowing some coolant to flow through this channel, such as returning to the replenishment tank 34, thereby reducing the system pressure and balancing the pressure surge caused by the temperature rise. After the opening operation is completed, the solenoid valve 32 is closed, and the delay time Dt0 is recorded.

[0050] If P2a < P2a1, it indicates that the system pressure of the liquid cooling system is too low. In this case, solenoid valve 32 is opened, but the opening time is adjusted to 1-4 seconds. The system pressure is adjusted by controlling the flow of coolant to cope with the low temperature and volume shrinkage. After the operation is completed, the delay time Dt0 is recorded.

[0051] After each opening and closing of solenoid valve 32, the system enters a delayed detection period of 0.5-3 minutes. During this period, the system waits for the coolant to redistribute in the pipeline and for the pressure to stabilize. After the delay period, the pressure P2a is detected again. If the detection result is P2a≥P2a3, it indicates that the system pressure has not yet been adjusted to the ideal range. In this case, solenoid valve 32 is opened again for 0.5-2 seconds for a second fine-tuning. After this operation, the liquid cooling system enters normal operation logic. If the detection result is P2a<P2a3, it is considered that the system pressure has been adjusted to the appropriate range. In this case, no further operation is required, and the liquid cooling system can directly enter normal operation logic. Through the delayed detection and secondary adjustment mechanism, the accuracy and stability of system pressure regulation are ensured, avoiding adverse effects on the system caused by excessively frequent pressure fluctuations or over-adjustment.

[0052] In this embodiment, the solenoid valve 32 can react rapidly to real-time changes in system pressure, opening or closing in a very short time to achieve rapid adjustment of system pressure. This rapid response capability is of great significance in dealing with sudden pressure fluctuations during system operation, such as sudden changes in equipment load causing instantaneous changes in coolant temperature and pressure. It can stabilize system pressure in a timely manner and ensure normal equipment operation. Through preset pressure thresholds, opening time, and delay detection control logic, precise adjustment of system pressure is achieved. Over-adjustment or under-adjustment during pressure regulation is avoided, ensuring that the system pressure is always kept within the set reasonable range, thereby improving the operational stability and reliability of the liquid cooling system.

[0053] Please see Figure 2 The present invention also provides a liquid cooling system, wherein the liquid cooling system employs any of the pressure control methods described above to achieve system pressure stability; the liquid cooling system includes a plate heat exchanger 6, a control device, and a primary side, a secondary side, and an ambient temperature and humidity sensor 1, which are electrically connected to the control device respectively; the primary side is used to connect to external refrigeration equipment, and the primary side and the secondary side achieve heat exchange through the plate heat exchanger 6; the secondary side is used to connect to cool the servers of a data center; the secondary side includes a pumping mechanism, a pressure adjustment mechanism, a second pressure sensor 41, and a second temperature sensor 42, which are electrically connected to the control device respectively; the second pressure sensor 41, the second temperature sensor 42, the pressure adjustment mechanism, and the pumping mechanism are arranged sequentially along the coolant input direction of the secondary side.

[0054] In this embodiment, the second temperature sensor 42, the second pressure sensor 41, the ambient temperature and humidity sensor 1, and the pressure adjustment mechanism work together to monitor system pressure changes in real time and dynamically adjust the system pressure to keep it within a suitable operating range. This prevents excessive pressure from causing excessive load on system components and reduces the risk of leakage. At the same time, it prevents excessively low pressure from affecting the coolant circulation efficiency, ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the liquid cooling system. Taking a server liquid cooling scenario as an example, a stable pressure environment ensures that the coolant can uniformly and continuously dissipate heat from server chips and other heat-generating components, avoiding uneven heat dissipation due to pressure fluctuations, which could affect server performance.

[0055] Further, please refer to Figure 2 The pressure adjustment mechanism includes an expansion tank 31, a solenoid valve 32 and a liquid replenishment unit that are electrically connected to the control device. The second pressure sensor 41, the second temperature sensor 42, the expansion tank 31 and the pumping mechanism are arranged sequentially along the coolant input direction on the secondary side. One end of the solenoid valve 32 is connected to the output end of the liquid replenishment unit, and the other end of the solenoid valve 32 is connected to the connecting pipe of the second temperature sensor 42 and the expansion tank 31.

[0056] In this embodiment, when the expansion tank 31 is applied to the liquid cooling system, its working principle is based on the thermal expansion and contraction characteristics of the coolant. During the operation of the liquid cooling system, if the coolant expands in volume due to the increase in temperature, some of the coolant will flow into the expansion tank 31, causing the pressure inside the expansion tank 31 to increase, while the system pressure is buffered. Conversely, when the coolant contracts in volume due to the decrease in temperature, the coolant in the expansion tank 31 flows back into the system under the action of the pressure difference, replenishing the insufficient coolant in the system and maintaining the stability of the system pressure. The expansion tank 31 is usually equipped with a structure such as an elastic diaphragm or air bladder to isolate the coolant inside the tank from the outside air or other gases, preventing the coolant from being contaminated or oxidized, while improving the efficiency and stability of pressure buffering.

[0057] In this embodiment, by employing a dynamic pressure regulation method in the liquid cooling system, the selection of the expansion tank 31 eliminates the reliance on traditional redundant volume design. Based on the actual operating conditions and pressure regulation requirements of the liquid cooling system, a small-volume expansion tank 31 can be selected. In some extreme optimization scenarios, if the liquid cooling system pressure can be effectively stabilized using other components and control logic, the expansion tank 31 may not even be necessary. For example, in small liquid cooling devices where space requirements are extremely stringent and system operating conditions are relatively stable, the expansion tank 31 can be omitted, and changes in coolant volume can be addressed through the coordinated control of components such as the solenoid valve 32 and pump unit. The small-volume expansion tank 31... The design with or without an expansion tank 31 significantly saves installation space for the liquid cooling system, making it particularly suitable for space-constrained applications such as compact data center cabinets and liquid cooling modules for distributed energy storage systems. This space optimization not only facilitates the integrated design of the equipment but also reduces the overall size and weight of the equipment, making transportation and installation more convenient. Reducing or eliminating the volume requirement of the expansion tank 31 directly lowers the material and manufacturing costs of the equipment. At the same time, the system pressure regulation of the liquid cooling system becomes more efficient, reducing damage to other components caused by pressure instability, lowering maintenance costs, and further improving the economic benefits of the liquid cooling system.

[0058] In this embodiment, the expansion tank 31 works in conjunction with the system's dynamic pressure regulation mechanism. When the system detects a pressure change through the second pressure sensor 41, it rapidly regulates the pressure through the action of components such as the solenoid valve 32. Simultaneously, the expansion tank 31, acting as an auxiliary pressure buffer, absorbs or releases coolant to further stabilize the system pressure. For example, in the event of a sudden increase in system pressure, the solenoid valve 32 quickly opens to release pressure, while the expansion tank 31 also absorbs some of the expanded coolant, sharing the pressure regulation load. During slow pressure changes, the expansion tank 31 continuously plays its buffering role, making system pressure changes more stable and reducing the pressure regulation burden on other components. Through the coordinated operation of the expansion tank 31 and dynamic control, the system's ability to cope with pressure changes is enhanced, making the system pressure more stable. Stable system pressure helps improve the coolant circulation efficiency, ensuring that the cooling effect on the equipment is always maintained at its optimal state, extending the equipment's service life, and improving the reliability and stability of the liquid cooling system during operation.

[0059] Further, please refer to Figure 2 The replenishment unit includes a replenishment pump 33 and a replenishment tank 34. The replenishment tank 34 is used to store a certain amount of coolant, and its volume is reasonably designed according to the scale of the liquid cooling system and possible replenishment needs. The replenishment pump 33 and the solenoid valve 32 are connected between the replenishment tank 34 and the secondary circulation loop of the liquid cooling system. The replenishment pump 33 is usually a corrosion-resistant, low-flow, high-pressure pump to ensure that the coolant in the replenishment tank 34 can be accurately replenished to the liquid cooling system when needed. The materials of the replenishment pump 33 and the replenishment tank 34 are selected to be compatible with the coolant to prevent the coolant from corroding them and affecting their service life and replenishment effect.

[0060] In this embodiment, the control of the liquid replenishment unit is closely related to the pressure regulation of the liquid cooling system. When the second pressure sensor 41 of the liquid cooling system detects that the system pressure is too low and the pressure cannot be restored to the normal range by adjusting components such as the solenoid valve 32, the control system determines that a liquid replenishment operation is required. At this time, the control system sends a start signal to the liquid replenishment pump 33, and the liquid replenishment pump 33 starts working, pumping the coolant in the liquid replenishment tank 34 into the secondary circulation loop. During the liquid replenishment process, the system continuously monitors the pressure data of the second pressure sensor 41. When the pressure is restored to the normal range, the control system sends a stop signal, and the liquid replenishment pump 33 stops working. At the same time, the liquid replenishment unit also works in coordination with the initial liquid replenishment process of the liquid cooling system. When the unit is started and enters the initial liquid replenishment stage, the start timing and liquid replenishment amount of the liquid replenishment pump 33 are reasonably controlled according to parameters such as the initial expansion temperature of the liquid cooling system to ensure that the liquid cooling system can establish pressure and coolant circulation normally in the initial stage.

[0061] Further, please refer to Figure 2The pumping mechanism includes two identical pump sets, each pump set including a circulating pump 21 and two check valves 22. The two check valves 22 are respectively located at the input end and the output end of the circulating pump 21. The output end of the expansion tank 31 is connected to the input ends of the two pump sets respectively.

[0062] In this embodiment, the liquid cooling system adopts a dual-pump redundancy design, with two pump sets connected in parallel in the secondary circulation loop. At the initial startup stage, the control logic selects one pump as the master pump according to preset rules, while the other pump remains in hot standby mode. For example, it can be set to alternately select either pump set as the master pump each time the system starts, balancing the usage time of the two pumps and extending their overall service life. During operation, the system continuously monitors the working status of the master pump, including parameters such as pump speed and outlet pressure. If the master pump malfunctions, such as an abnormal drop in speed or a sudden decrease in outlet pressure, the system can automatically switch to the standby pump in a very short time, ensuring uninterrupted coolant circulation. This dual-pump redundancy design greatly improves the reliability of the liquid cooling system. Even if one pump fails, the other pump can immediately and seamlessly switch to operation, ensuring uninterrupted coolant circulation and thus guaranteeing continuous cooling of the equipment. This is crucial for applications with extremely high heat dissipation requirements that cannot tolerate any cooling interruption, such as large data centers and critical heat dissipation systems in medical equipment, effectively preventing serious consequences such as equipment damage or data loss due to heat dissipation interruptions.

[0063] In this embodiment, check valves 22 are installed in series at both the inlet and outlet ends of the pump set. The structure of the check valves 22 allows only unidirectional flow of coolant. When the main pump is running, the coolant flows forward through the check valves 22 under the push of the circulating pump 21. When the main pump stops due to failure or the pump set is switched, the check valves 22 can close quickly, effectively preventing coolant backflow. This design ensures the independence and stability of the circuit when a single pump is running, avoids damage to the pump set and other components caused by coolant backflow, and provides a basic guarantee for system pressure stability. Stable fluid flow helps maintain the normal working state of each component in the liquid cooling system, reduces additional losses caused by fluid turbulence, and thus extends the overall service life of the liquid cooling system.

[0064] In this embodiment, the operating status of the pump set is closely related to the system pressure regulation. When the system detects an abnormal pressure through the second pressure sensor 41 and needs to adjust the coolant flow rate to balance the pressure, the control logic will adjust the pump speed according to the actual situation. For example, if the system pressure is too high, the pump speed can be appropriately reduced to decrease the coolant circulation volume, thereby reducing the system pressure. Conversely, if the pressure is too low, the pump speed will be increased to increase the coolant circulation volume and increase the system pressure. At the same time, the start and stop of the pump set will also affect the system pressure. During the system start-up and shutdown process, reasonable control of the pump set start-up sequence and time can smoothly establish and release the system pressure, avoiding the impact of sudden pressure changes on the system. Through the close coordination between the pump set and pressure regulation, the liquid cooling system can respond to pressure changes more quickly and accurately. By flexibly adjusting the pump speed and start / stop, combined with the control of other components such as the solenoid valve 32, comprehensive and refined regulation of the system pressure is achieved, further improving the overall performance and adaptability of the liquid cooling system.

[0065] Further, please refer to Figure 2 The secondary side also includes a third pressure sensor 43, a first temperature sensor 45, and a first pressure sensor 44, which are electrically connected to the control device respectively; the third pressure sensor 43 is disposed at the output end of the pumping mechanism, and the first temperature sensor 45 and the first pressure sensor 44 are disposed at the output end of the secondary side respectively.

[0066] Further, please refer to Figure 2 The primary side includes a fourth temperature sensor 72, a fourth pressure sensor 71, a fifth temperature sensor 73, and a fifth pressure sensor 74, which are electrically connected to the control device respectively; the fourth pressure sensor 71 and the fourth temperature sensor 72 are disposed at the input end of the primary side, and the fifth pressure sensor 74 and the fifth temperature sensor 73 are disposed at the output end of the primary side.

[0067] In this embodiment, a first pressure sensor 44, a second pressure sensor 41, and a third pressure sensor 43 are respectively arranged in the secondary circulation loop of the liquid cooling system to monitor the pressure at different locations. The second pressure sensor 41 is located in a critical position and is used to monitor the main operating pressure P2a of the liquid cooling system in real time, providing core data for pressure regulation and control. The first pressure sensor 44 and the third pressure sensor 43 are used to monitor the pressure of other key nodes, such as the inlet and outlet pressures of the pump group. By monitoring the pressure at multiple locations, the system can comprehensively understand the pressure distribution of the entire secondary circulation loop. In the primary circulation loop, a fourth pressure sensor 71 and a fifth pressure sensor 74 are also set to monitor the pressure of the primary cooling medium in order to grasp the operating status of the primary system and provide data support for heat exchange and pressure balance between the primary and secondary sides.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first temperature sensor 45 and the second temperature sensor 42 are used to monitor the temperature of the secondary side coolant. The first temperature sensor 45 can be installed in the pipeline before the coolant enters the equipment to be cooled to monitor the initial temperature of the coolant. The second temperature sensor 42 is installed in the pipeline after the coolant flows out of the equipment to be cooled to monitor the temperature of the coolant after absorbing heat. The heat dissipation of the equipment can be calculated by the temperature difference between the two sensors. The ambient temperature and humidity sensor 1 is installed in the environment where the liquid cooling system is located to collect ambient temperature and humidity data TH1a in real time, providing data for the calculation of the initial expansion temperature Tga of the system and for comprehensively considering the impact of environmental factors on the system operation. In the primary side circulation loop, the fourth temperature sensor 72 and the fifth temperature sensor 73 monitor the temperature of the primary side cooling medium to control the flow rate and temperature of the primary side cooling medium in order to achieve efficient heat exchange with the secondary side coolant.

[0069] In this embodiment, the real-time and accurate data provided by the sensors is the key basis for the liquid cooling system to achieve dynamic pressure regulation and other precise control. Multiple sensors, through reasonable layout and collaborative work, enable comprehensive monitoring of the liquid cooling system's operating status, including key parameters such as pressure, temperature, and humidity. This comprehensive monitoring data allows the control system to understand the liquid cooling system's operating status in a timely and accurate manner, laying a solid data foundation for subsequent precise control. For example, the pressure data monitored by the second pressure sensor 41 directly determines the opening and closing timing of the solenoid valve 32. Data from the second temperature sensor 42 and the ambient temperature and humidity sensor 1 are used to calculate the coolant heat load and the system's initial expansion temperature. The accuracy and timeliness of this data directly affect the precision and effectiveness of system control. Furthermore, based on the correlation between different sensor data, faults can be quickly diagnosed, their location and cause determined, providing strong support for timely maintenance, reducing equipment downtime, and improving the reliability and availability of the liquid cooling system.

[0070] Further, please refer to Figure 2 The primary side also includes a switching valve 8 electrically connected to the control device, which is located at the input end of the primary side. The switching valve 8 on the primary side can precisely control the flow rate of the cooling medium flowing into the plate heat exchanger 6 by adjusting its opening. When the secondary side coolant temperature rises, such as when the server load increases, the switching valve 8 increases its opening, increasing the primary side medium flow rate, improving the heat exchange rate with the secondary side, and quickly reducing the secondary side temperature. When the secondary side temperature decreases, such as when the server load decreases, the switching valve 8 decreases its opening, reducing the primary side medium flow rate and avoiding energy waste. By dynamically adjusting the opening of the switching valve 8, the heat exchange between the primary and secondary sides is always matched to the actual heat dissipation requirements, significantly improving the energy efficiency of the liquid cooling system.

[0071] Further, please refer to Figure 2The secondary side also includes a safety valve 5, which is located at the output end of the pumping mechanism. During the operation of the liquid cooling system, various factors may cause the system pressure to rise abnormally. For example, a sudden increase in coolant temperature may cause a significant expansion in its volume; pump failure may lead to excessive flow and uncontrolled pressure; failure of control components such as solenoid valve 32 may also cause the pressure to be unable to be regulated normally. When the system pressure exceeds the preset opening pressure threshold of safety valve 5, safety valve 5 will automatically start to discharge excess coolant or release some pressure, thereby preventing the system pressure of the liquid cooling system from rising continuously. This effectively avoids damage to system pipelines, joints, pumps, expansion tank 31, and other components caused by excessive pressure, reduces the risk of leakage and rupture, ensures the integrity of the system hardware, and extends the service life of each component.

[0072] It is understood that those skilled in the art can make equivalent substitutions or changes to the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, and all such changes or substitutions should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressure control method for a liquid cooling system, characterized in that, The liquid cooling system includes a control device and a temperature and humidity sensor, a second pressure sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a pressure adjustment mechanism, all electrically connected to the control device. The pressure adjustment mechanism includes a solenoid valve. The temperature and humidity sensor is used to acquire the ambient temperature. The second pressure sensor and the second temperature sensor are respectively located at the secondary input terminals of the liquid cooling system. The pressure control method includes: The system acquires the real-time ambient temperature fed back by the temperature and humidity sensor, the real-time input-side temperature fed back by the second temperature sensor, and the real-time input-side pressure fed back by the second pressure sensor. When the liquid cooling system enters the initial liquid replenishment state, the real-time input temperature and the real-time ambient temperature are compared, and the initial expansion temperature is confirmed based on the comparison result. Calculate the real-time temperature difference between the real-time input temperature and the initial expansion temperature; The system compares the real-time input pressure with a preset input pressure threshold and the real-time temperature difference with a preset temperature difference threshold. Based on the comparison results, it adjusts the working state of the pressure adjustment mechanism to stabilize the system pressure of the liquid cooling system. Specifically, when the real-time input pressure is greater than or equal to the preset input pressure threshold and the real-time temperature difference is greater than or equal to the preset temperature difference threshold, the solenoid valve is opened for a first preset duration. When the real-time input pressure is less than the preset input pressure threshold, the solenoid valve is opened for a second preset duration. When the preset delay detection time is reached, the real-time input pressure is compared with the preset secondary pressure threshold. Based on the comparison result, the working state of the pressure adjustment mechanism is adjusted to stabilize the system pressure of the liquid cooling system. Specifically, when the real-time input pressure is greater than or equal to the preset secondary pressure threshold, the solenoid valve is opened for a duration of a third preset time, and then the liquid cooling system is controlled to enter the normal operation logic. When the real-time input pressure is less than the preset secondary pressure threshold, the liquid cooling system is controlled to enter the normal operation logic.

2. The pressure control method for a liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the liquid cooling system enters the initial liquid replenishment state, the real-time input temperature and the real-time ambient temperature are compared, and the initial expansion temperature is determined based on the comparison result, including: When the liquid cooling system enters the initial liquid replenishment state, compare the real-time input temperature with the real-time ambient temperature. If the real-time ambient temperature is greater than or equal to the real-time input temperature, then calculate the average value between the real-time input temperature and the real-time ambient temperature, and use the calculated average value as the initial expansion temperature. If the real-time ambient temperature is less than the real-time input temperature, then the real-time ambient temperature is taken as the initial expansion temperature.

3. The pressure control method for a liquid cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first preset duration ranges from 3 to 7 seconds, the second preset duration ranges from 1 to 4 seconds, the third preset duration ranges from 0.5 to 2 seconds, and the preset delay detection time ranges from 0.5 to 3 minutes.

4. A liquid cooling system, characterized in that, The liquid cooling system employs the pressure control method described in any one of claims 1-3 to achieve system pressure stability; the liquid cooling system includes a plate heat exchanger, a control device, and a primary side, a secondary side, and an ambient temperature and humidity sensor electrically connected to the control device; the primary side is used to connect to external refrigeration equipment, and the primary side and the secondary side achieve heat exchange through the plate heat exchanger; the secondary side is used to connect to cool the servers of the data center; the secondary side includes a pumping mechanism, a pressure adjustment mechanism, a second pressure sensor, and a second temperature sensor electrically connected to the control device, and the second pressure sensor, the second temperature sensor, the pressure adjustment mechanism, and the pumping mechanism are arranged sequentially along the coolant input direction of the secondary side.

5. A liquid cooling system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pressure adjustment mechanism includes an expansion tank, a solenoid valve and a liquid replenishment unit electrically connected to the control device, and the second pressure sensor, the second temperature sensor, the expansion tank and the pumping mechanism are arranged sequentially along the coolant input direction on the secondary side; one end of the solenoid valve is connected to the output end of the liquid replenishment unit, and the other end of the solenoid valve is connected to the connecting pipeline of the second temperature sensor and the expansion tank.

6. A liquid cooling system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The secondary side also includes a third pressure sensor, a first temperature sensor, and a first pressure sensor, which are electrically connected to the control device respectively; the third pressure sensor is disposed at the output end of the pumping mechanism, and the first temperature sensor and the first pressure sensor are disposed at the output end of the secondary side respectively.

7. A liquid cooling system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The primary side includes a fourth temperature sensor, a fourth pressure sensor, a fifth temperature sensor, and a fifth pressure sensor, which are electrically connected to the control device respectively; the fourth pressure sensor and the fourth temperature sensor are disposed at the input terminal of the primary side, and the fifth pressure sensor and the fifth temperature sensor are disposed at the output terminal of the primary side.

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