Cooling unit heat recovery

Abstract

The invention relates to cooling unit heat recovery. An air cooling unit having an airflow path and a method of recovering heat from the air cooling unit are provided. The air cooling unit may include one or more heat exchangers in the airflow path, and one or more fans for moving air along the airflow path through the air cooling unit and through the one or more heat exchangers. The one or more heat exchangers may selectively recover heat from the air for use inside different portions of the building housing the air cooling unit and / or for discharge outside of the building.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 701,530, filed September 30, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to cooling units, such as cooling units for use in data centers, and more specifically to heat recovery from such cooling units. Background Technology

[0004] Generally, cooling units, such as those used in data centers, typically extract heat generated by computer equipment through one or more cooling fluids, such as water / glycol aqueous solutions and / or any various refrigerants, and then release that heat into the environment. Therefore, the released heat is often wasted.

[0005] Attempts have been made to recover this heat, for example, for use in building management systems. The recovered heat could be used to heat other areas of the building or for other purposes. However, to date, such attempts have been overly complex, ineffective, inefficient, or a combination of all three. For instance, some current heat recovery systems require dedicated equipment and / or occupy additional space in data centers where space is limited. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The applicant has developed novel and practical apparatus, systems, and methods for recovering heat from cooling units, such as those used in data centers. Air-cooled units are commonly used in data centers to transfer heat from computer equipment to the external environment using cooling water / glycol aqueous solutions, refrigerants, additional cooling fluids, or any combination thereof. For example, heat from computer cabinets within a room (e.g., a server room in a data center or another building) can be extracted using an air-cooled unit. This heat can be transferred to the external environment via a cooling fluid and discharged into the environment using a chiller and / or condenser. In at least one embodiment, the cooling system according to this disclosure can recover and utilize waste heat, such as waste heat from a server room, to control the temperature of the portion of the building outside the server room. In at least one embodiment, an existing air-cooled unit can be retrofitted to recover heat without occupying additional space in the server room. Through these and other methods, embodiments of this disclosure can advantageously improve cooling system efficiency, reduce the cost of heat recovery, save space, and help maximize power usage efficiency (PUE).

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit according to this disclosure may include: at least one heat exchanger disposed in an airflow path; at least one fan, such as a blower, for moving air along the airflow path through the air cooling unit and through the at least one heat exchanger; or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the at least one heat exchanger may selectively extract heat from the air for use inside the building housing the air cooling unit (e.g., different parts of the building) and / or may selectively extract heat from the air for discharge to the outside of the building. In at least one embodiment, the at least one heat exchanger may selectively pre-cool the air flowing along the airflow path. In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit may have an additional heat recovery coil that can receive input of heating demand, such as heating demand input from a building management system, and may selectively open a heat recovery valve when a temperature difference (e.g., the temperature difference between the inlet water temperature from the heat recovery system and the return or supply air temperature (i.e., depending on the unit configuration)) allows for heat transfer.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, at least one heat exchanger may be a single heat exchanger that can transfer heat from air to one or more cooling fluids circulating in one or more cooling fluid loops. In at least one embodiment, a first portion of the cooling fluid may selectively circulate within the building, such that the heat is distributed within the building. In at least one embodiment, a second portion of the cooling fluid may selectively circulate at least partially outside the building, such that the heat is discharged to the exterior of the building. In at least one embodiment, the second portion of the cooling fluid may exchange heat with another cooling fluid, which may selectively circulate at least partially outside the building. In at least one embodiment, the cooling fluid may selectively circulate within the building and exchange at least a portion of its heat with another cooling fluid, which may selectively circulate at least partially outside the building.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, at least one heat exchanger may include: a first heat exchanger that can transfer at least a first portion of heat from air to a first cooling fluid that can selectively circulate in a first cooling fluid loop inside the building; and / or a second heat exchanger that can transfer at least a second portion of heat to a second cooling fluid that can selectively circulate in a second cooling fluid loop at least partially outside the building, regardless of whether a third heat exchanger is present between the second heat exchanger and the air. In at least one embodiment, the first heat exchanger may be located in the airflow path before or after the second heat exchanger.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit may include at least one flow control device, such as one or more valves, pumps, compressors, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit may include at least one controller for controlling the flow control device, for example, based at least in part on signals from different building management systems. In at least one embodiment, the controller may monitor or otherwise cooperate with at least one sensor, such as a temperature sensor, a temperature difference sensor, a flow sensor, and / or one or more other sensors for environmental variables. In at least one embodiment, the controller may control the flow control device based at least in part on signals from the building management system and information from one or more sensors.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, an air cooling unit, such as an air cooling unit for use in a data center, may include: at least one fan for moving air along an airflow path through the air cooling unit; a first heat exchanger in the airflow path for selectively extracting heat from the air for use in different parts of the building housing the air cooling unit; a flow control device for controlling the flow rate of cooling fluid through the first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger in the airflow path for selectively extracting heat from the air for exhaust to the exterior of the building; a controller for controlling the flow control device based at least in part on signals from a building management system; or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the first heat exchanger may be located in the airflow path upstream or downstream of the second heat exchanger. In at least one embodiment, the controller may monitor at least one sensor and / or may control the flow control device based at least in part on signals from the building management system and information from the at least one sensor.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit may be located within the building's machine room. In at least one embodiment, a first heat exchanger may selectively transfer heat from air moving through the air cooling unit to a cooling fluid. In at least one embodiment, the cooling fluid may circulate within the building and transfer heat from the machine room to different rooms within the building.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit may be located within the building's equipment room, and / or the air cooling unit may have a first heat exchanger for transferring heat from inside the equipment room to a first cooling fluid that can dissipate heat to the exterior of the building. In at least one embodiment, a method for recovering heat from the air cooling unit may include: arranging a second heat exchanger inside the air cooling unit; and / or connecting one or more heat exchangers to a building management system that can control the temperature of a portion of the building different from the equipment room. In at least one embodiment, the method may include arranging the second heat exchanger above or below and / or upstream or downstream of the first heat exchanger in an existing open space.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the method may include a controller configured to operate an air-cooling unit for controlling the flow of a second cooling fluid through a second heat exchanger, based at least in part on signals from a building management system. In at least one embodiment, the method may include a controller configured to operate an air-cooling unit for controlling the flow of a second cooling fluid through a second heat exchanger, based at least in part on signals from a building management system and at least one sensor (e.g., an existing sensor used by the controller to control the emission of heat to the exterior of the building). Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of one embodiment of a cooling system according to the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram of another embodiment of the cooling system according to the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a simplified diagram of yet another embodiment of the cooling system according to the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a simplified diagram of yet another embodiment of the cooling system according to the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a simplified diagram of another embodiment of the cooling system according to the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a simplified diagram of yet another embodiment of the cooling system according to the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a simplified diagram of one of the many embodiments of the computer room according to this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method for recovering heat according to the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a simplified diagram as part of one of many embodiments of the air cooling unit according to the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a simplified diagram as part of another embodiment of the many embodiments of the air cooling unit according to this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The accompanying drawings described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not intended to limit the scope of the applicant's invention or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, these drawings and written descriptions are provided to teach any person skilled in the art how to make and use the patent-seeking invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that not all features of a commercial implementation of the invention are described or illustrated for clarity and understanding. They will also understand that the development of a practical commercial implementation incorporating various aspects of the invention will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goals for the commercial implementation. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, but are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, governmental-related, and other constraints that may vary depending on the specific implementation, location, and time. While the developer's efforts may be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts are routine for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure. It must be understood that the invention disclosed and taught herein is susceptible to many and various modifications and alternatives.

[0026] The use of singular terms such as, but not limited to, “a” is not intended as a limitation on the number of items. Furthermore, the use of relational terms such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “downward,” “upward,” “side,” etc., in the written description is for clarity when specifically referring to the accompanying drawings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims. The terms “comprising” and “such as” are illustrative, not restrictive. The terms “coupled,” “coupled,” “coupled,” “coupler,” and similar terms are used extensively herein and may include any method or means for fixing, joining, bonding, fastening, attaching, engaging, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, connecting one or more components, or otherwise associating one or more components together, for example mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operatively, directly, or indirectly through intermediate elements, and may also include, but is not limited to, integrally forming one functional component with another functional component in a monolithic manner. Coupling can occur in any direction, including in the direction of rotation. Furthermore, all parts and components that can be physically inherently implemented in this disclosure include both virtual and real features, whether such features are explicitly described herein or not. These features include, but are not limited to, features such as shafts, ends, inner and outer surfaces, internal spaces, tops, bottoms, sides, boundaries, dimensions (e.g., height, length, width, thickness), mass, weight, volume, and density.

[0027] Any process flowcharts discussed herein illustrate the operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this disclosure. In this regard, each box in the flowchart may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which may include one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some implementations, the functions indicated in the boxes may not occur in the order depicted in the figures. For example, boxes shown consecutively may actually be executed substantially simultaneously. It will also be noted that each box illustrated in the flowchart may be implemented by a system based on dedicated hardware or a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions that performs a specific function or action.

[0028] The applicant has developed novel and practical apparatuses, systems, and methods for recovering heat from cooling units, such as those used in data centers. In at least one embodiment, the cooling system according to this disclosure can utilize waste heat, such as waste heat from a server room, to control the temperature of one or more parts of a building other than the server room. In at least one embodiment, existing air cooling units can be retrofitted to recover heat without occupying additional space within the server room. In at least one embodiment, waste heat recovery and utilization according to this disclosure can be implemented in one or more indoor air cooling units, or as part of one or more indoor air cooling units, such as, for example, server room air handlers (CRAH), server room air conditioning (CRAC) units, fan walls, in-row cooling units, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, one or more heat recovery coils can recover heat from circulating air and pre-cool the air, for example, pre-cooling air circulating through or by IT equipment being cooled. In at least one embodiment, the cooling system according to this disclosure can receive inputs for heating needs from a building management system, dry contacts, and / or one or more other sources, and can open a heat recovery valve when the temperature difference between the inlet water temperature and the return / supply air temperature (i.e., depending on the unit configuration) allows or provides heat transfer.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of one embodiment of a cooling system according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram of another embodiment of the cooling system according to the present disclosure. Figure 3 This is a simplified diagram of yet another embodiment of the cooling system according to the present disclosure. Figure 4 This is a simplified diagram of yet another embodiment of the cooling system according to the present disclosure. Figure 5 This is a simplified diagram of another embodiment of the cooling system according to the present disclosure. Figure 6 This is a simplified diagram of yet another embodiment of the cooling system according to the present disclosure. Figure 7 This is a simplified diagram of one of the many embodiments of the computer room according to this disclosure. Figure 8 This is a flowchart of a method for recovering heat according to the present disclosure. Figure 9 This is a simplified diagram as part of one of many embodiments of the air cooling unit according to the present disclosure. Figure 10 This is a simplified diagram as part of another embodiment of the many embodiments of the air cooling unit according to this disclosure. Figures 1 to 10 They are described in combination.

[0030] In at least one embodiment, the cooling system 100 according to this disclosure may include, for example, one or more air cooling units 200 for use in a computer room 110. For example, one or more air cooling units 200 may be arranged to extract heat from one or more computer cabinets 120 (e.g., servers or other information technology (IT) equipment) and discharge that heat to the external environment outside the building 130 via one or more cooling fluids and one or more chillers and / or condensers 140. In at least one embodiment, the cooling fluid may circulate in one or more cooling fluid loops and may be or include cooling water / glycol aqueous solutions, refrigerants, additional cooling fluids, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the cooling system 100 and / or air cooling unit 200 may include one or more controllers 150, one or more sensors 160, one or more flow control devices 170, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the controller 150 may monitor the sensors 160 and / or use the flow control devices 170, for example, based on information from the sensors 160, to control the flow of cooling fluid through the cooling fluid loops and the air cooling unit 200. In at least one embodiment, sensor 160 may include one or more temperature sensors, one or more differential temperature sensors, one or more flow sensors, one or more pressure sensors, one or more differential pressure sensors, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, flow control device 170 may include one or more valves, one or more pressure regulators, one or more pumps, one or more compressors, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, heat from computer cabinets 120 within server room 110 of building 130 may be extracted using air cooling unit 200. In at least one embodiment, this heat may be transferred to the environment outside building 130 via cooling fluid and discharged into the environment using chiller and / or condenser 140.

[0031] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 can recover heat from the air in the computer room 110, for example, by extracting heat from cooling fluid circulating in a cooling fluid loop 250 between the air cooling unit 200 and the computer cabinet 130, extracting heat directly from the computer cabinet 130, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 may include one or more heat exchangers 210, which may include air-fluid heat exchangers and / or fluid-fluid heat exchangers. In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 may include one or more fans 220, such as one or more fans and / or one or more blowers, which may move air along an airflow path 230 through the air cooling unit. In at least one embodiment, the airflow path 230 may extend beyond the air cooling unit 200 and may include one or more hot air paths 232 from the computer cabinet 120 to the air cooling unit 200 and / or one or more cold air paths 234 from the air cooling unit 200 to the computer cabinet 120. In at least one embodiment, hot air path 232 and / or cold air path 234 may enter and / or exit the air cooling unit 200 from the top, bottom, front, rear, side, or any combination thereof.

[0032] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 may have: one or more airflow paths 230 therethrough, one or more heat exchangers 210 in the airflow paths 230, one or more fans for moving air along the airflow paths 230 through the air cooling unit 200 and through the heat exchangers 210, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the heat exchangers 210 may selectively extract heat from the air for use in different parts of the building 130 housing the air cooling unit 200, and / or selectively extract heat from the air for discharge to the exterior of the building 130.

[0033] In at least one embodiment, the heat exchanger 210 may include: one or more recovery heat exchangers 212 that can transfer at least a first portion of heat from air to a first cooling fluid, which can selectively circulate in a first cooling fluid loop 252 inside the building 130; and / or one or more exhaust heat exchangers 214 that can transfer at least a second portion of heat to a second cooling fluid, which can selectively circulate in a second cooling fluid loop 254 outside the building 130, with or without one or more intermediate heat exchangers 216. In at least one embodiment, the intermediate heat exchanger 216 may be thermally coupled between the exhaust heat exchanger 214 and the air. In at least one embodiment, the intermediate heat exchanger 216 may be thermally coupled between the exhaust heat exchanger 214 and the environment outside the building 130.

[0034] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 may house a recovery heat exchanger 212, an exhaust heat exchanger 214, an intermediate heat exchanger 216, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the recovery heat exchanger 212, the exhaust heat exchanger 214, the intermediate heat exchanger 216, or any combination thereof may be partially or wholly located outside the air cooling unit 200. In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 may house the exhaust heat exchanger 214, whether or not it has an intermediate heat exchanger 216, and the exhaust heat exchanger 214 may be located upstream of the fluid of the recovery heat exchanger 212.

[0035] In at least one embodiment, air moving along airflow path 230 may come into contact with recovery heat exchanger 212 before or after contact with exhaust heat exchanger 214. In at least one embodiment, air moving along airflow path 230 may come into contact with intermediate heat exchanger 216 instead of exhaust heat exchanger 214. In at least one embodiment, air moving along airflow path 230 does not need to come into direct contact with recovery heat exchanger 212, intermediate heat exchanger 216, exhaust heat exchanger 214, or any combination thereof.

[0036] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 may include at least one flow control device 170, such as one or more valves, pumps, compressors, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 may include at least one controller 150 for controlling the flow control device 170, for example, based at least in part on signals from a building management system 180, which may be or include a building management system 180 different from the controller 150. In at least one embodiment, the controller 150 may monitor one or more sensors 160 and control the flow control device 170 based at least in part on signals from the building management system 180 and information from the one or more sensors 160.

[0037] In at least one embodiment, the building management system 180 can control the temperature of a portion of building 130 that is separate from and distinct from the computer room 110. In at least one embodiment, the building management system 180 can control the temperature of an office located inside building 130 but outside the computer room 110. In at least one embodiment, the building management system 180 can control the temperature of an office separated from the computer room 110. In at least one embodiment, the system 100 can utilize waste heat generated by the computer cabinets 120 to control the temperature of an office or another enclosed space separate from and distinct from the computer room 110 or even from the building 130 itself.

[0038] In at least one embodiment, the controller 150, one or more sensors 160, flow control device 170, building management system 180, heat exchanger 210, exhaust heat exchanger 214, intermediate heat exchanger 216, or any combination thereof, may be existing, and the recovery heat exchanger 212 may be coupled to the air cooling unit 200 during operation (e.g., in retrofit applications). In at least one embodiment, the controller 150, sensor 160, flow control device 170, exhaust heat exchanger 214, intermediate heat exchanger 216, or any combination thereof, may be used to exhaust heat from the machine room 110 to the outside of the building 130, independently of the building management system 180 which controls the temperature of a separate and different building 130 from the machine room 110, for example without requiring the recovery heat exchanger 212 to be coupled to the air cooling unit 200. In at least one embodiment, the heat recovery exchanger 212 may be coupled to the air cooling unit 200 and may allow the building management system 180 to use heat from the computer cabinet 120 to control the temperature of the building 130 or a separate and distinct part of it from the computer room 110.

[0039] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 may include one or more manifolds 240 to control the flow of cooling fluid through heat exchangers 210, 212, and 214. In at least one embodiment, the manifold 240 may include one or more valves or other flow control devices 170. In at least one embodiment, the manifold 240 may selectively allow any one of the heat exchangers 210 to operate as a recovery heat exchanger 212, an exhaust heat exchanger 214, an intermediate heat exchanger 216, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the controller 150 may control the manifold 240 and / or the flow control devices 170 to operate any one of the heat exchangers 210 as a recovery heat exchanger 212, an exhaust heat exchanger 214, an intermediate heat exchanger 216, or any combination thereof.

[0040] In at least one embodiment, one or more heat exchangers 210 may be a single heat exchanger that transfers heat from air to a cooling fluid circulating in a cooling fluid circuit 250. In at least one embodiment, a first portion of the cooling fluid may selectively circulate in a first cooling fluid circuit 252 inside the building 130, such that the heat is distributed within the building 130. In at least one embodiment, a second portion of the cooling fluid may selectively circulate in a second cooling fluid circuit 254 at least partially outside the building 130, such that the heat is discharged to the outside of the building 130. In at least one embodiment, the second portion of the cooling fluid may exchange heat with another cooling fluid, which may selectively circulate at least partially outside the building 130. In at least one embodiment, the cooling fluid may selectively circulate inside the building 130 and, for example, exchange at least a portion of its heat with another cooling fluid, which may selectively circulate at least partially outside the building 130, for example via an intermediate heat exchanger 216, using one or more of the cooling fluid circuits 250.

[0041] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 (e.g., for use in a data center) may have: one or more airflow paths 230 therethrough; at least one fan 230 for moving air along the airflow paths 230 through the air cooling unit 200; one or more recovery heat exchangers 212 in the airflow paths 230 for selectively extracting heat from the air for use in different parts of the building 130 housing the air cooling unit 200; one or more flow control devices 170 for controlling the flow of cooling fluid through the recovery heat exchangers 212; one or more exhaust heat exchangers 214 in the airflow paths 230 for selectively extracting heat from the air for exhaust to the outside of the building 130; one or more controllers 150 for controlling the flow control devices 170 at least in part based on one or more signals from one or more different building management systems 180; or any combination thereof.

[0042] In at least one embodiment, the recovery heat exchanger 212 may be located in the airflow path upstream or downstream of the exhaust heat exchanger 214. In at least one embodiment, the controller 150 may monitor one or more sensors 160 and / or control the flow control device 170 based at least in part on signals from the building management system 180 and information from the sensors 160. In at least one embodiment, the controller 150 may monitor one or more sensors 160, such as temperature sensors, and may control one or more flow control devices 170, such as heat recovery valves, when conditions support heat recovery operation. For example, in at least one embodiment, the controller 150 may open one or more heat recovery valves when the temperature difference between the inlet water temperature and the return air and / or supply air temperature allows heat exchange via the recovery heat exchanger 212. In at least one embodiment, the system 100 may be arranged for intermediate-temperature heat recovery, such as, for example, when the heat recovery temperature is higher than the water temperature circulating along the cooling water. In at least one embodiment, the system 100 may be arranged for low-temperature heat recovery, such as, for example, when the heat recovery temperature is lower than the water temperature circulating along the cooling water. In at least one embodiment, system 100 may be arranged to provide a constant supply air temperature to the equipment being cooled, and / or to improve power usage efficiency (PUE) by reducing the temperature of hot air within the system (i.e., the relatively warm air exhausted from the equipment being cooled).

[0043] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 may be located within the machine room 110 of building 130. In at least one embodiment, the recovery heat exchanger 212 may selectively transfer heat from air moving through the air cooling unit 200 to cooling fluid circulating in one or more cooling fluid loops 250. In at least one embodiment, the cooling fluid may circulate within building 130 and transfer heat from machine room 110 to different rooms within building 130. In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 may pre-cool the air moving through it.

[0044] In at least one embodiment, an existing air cooling unit 200 with an exhaust heat exchanger 214 can be retrofitted using one or more recovery heat exchangers 212. In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit 200 can be located in the machine room 110 of building 130, and / or the air cooling unit 200 can have one or more exhaust heat exchangers 214 for transferring heat from inside the machine room 110 to a first cooling fluid that can exhaust the heat to the outside of building 130. In at least one embodiment, a method for recovering heat from such an air cooling unit according to this disclosure can include: arranging the recovery heat exchangers 212 inside the air cooling unit 200, and / or connecting one or more of the heat exchangers 210, 212, 214 to a building management system 180, which can control the temperature of a portion of building 130 different from the machine room 110. In at least one embodiment, the method can include arranging the recovery heat exchangers 212 above or below and / or upstream or downstream of the exhaust heat exchangers 214 in an existing open space.

[0045] In at least one embodiment, the method may include a controller 150 configured to control the flow of a second cooling fluid through the recovery heat exchanger 212, based at least in part on signals from the building management system 180, such as demand signals. In at least one embodiment, the method may include a controller 150 configured to control the flow of the second cooling fluid through the recovery heat exchanger 212, based at least in part on signals from the building management system 180 and information from one or more sensors 160, such as those already used by the controller 150 for controlling heat emissions outside the building 130. In at least one embodiment, information from one or more sensors 160 may indicate whether heat (or excess heat) is available from the air cooling unit 200, for example by indicating whether there is a sufficient temperature difference across the air cooling unit 200, and / or whether the flow rate through the air cooling unit 200 is sufficient to support heat recovery operation.

[0046] In at least one embodiment, method 300 according to this disclosure may include determining whether a heating request exists from building management system 180, as shown in step 310. This request may take the form of a dry contact closure (or opening), a digital signal, an analog signal, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, method 300 may include determining whether the flow rate through air cooling unit 200 is sufficient, as shown in step 320. In at least one embodiment, method 300 may include determining whether a sufficient temperature difference exists across air cooling unit 200, as shown in step 330. In at least one embodiment, method 300 may include activating flow control device 170, such as a valve and / or pump, to direct cooling fluid circulation between air cooling unit 200 and building management system 180, as shown in step 340. In at least one embodiment, method 300 may include monitoring heat recovery, as shown in step 350.

[0047] In at least one embodiment, the system according to this disclosure may include an air cooling unit (or air processor) for supporting the cooling of computer equipment using one or more cooling media and supporting the discharge of heat to the external environment. For example, heat from computer cabinets in a room of a data center or other building may be extracted and transferred to the external environment via a cooling fluid, and discharged to the environment using a chiller and / or condenser. In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit may have: an airflow path; at least one heat exchanger in the airflow path; at least one fan, such as a blower, for moving air along the airflow path through the air cooling unit and through the at least one heat exchanger; or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the at least one heat exchanger may selectively recover heat from the air for use inside the building (e.g., different parts of the building) and / or for discharge to the outside of the building. In at least one embodiment, the at least one heat exchanger may selectively recover heat from the air for pre-cooling the air flowing through the air cooling unit.

[0048] In at least one embodiment, at least one heat exchanger may be a single heat exchanger that can transfer heat from air to one or more cooling fluids circulating in one or more cooling fluid loops. In at least one embodiment, a first portion of the cooling fluid may selectively circulate within the building, such that the heat is distributed within the building. In at least one embodiment, a second portion of the cooling fluid may selectively circulate at least partially outside the building, such that the heat is discharged to the exterior of the building. In at least one embodiment, the second portion of the cooling fluid may exchange heat with another cooling fluid, which may selectively circulate at least partially outside the building. In at least one embodiment, the cooling fluid may selectively circulate within the building and exchange at least a portion of its heat with another cooling fluid, which may selectively circulate at least partially outside the building.

[0049] In at least one embodiment, at least one heat exchanger may include: a first heat exchanger that can transfer at least a first portion of heat from air to a first cooling fluid that can selectively circulate in a first cooling fluid loop within a building; and / or a second heat exchanger that can transfer at least a second portion of heat to a second cooling fluid that can selectively circulate in a second cooling fluid loop at least partially outside a building, regardless of whether a third heat exchanger and / or fluid loop is present between the second heat exchanger and the air. In at least one embodiment, air moving along an airflow path may contact the first heat exchanger before or after the second heat exchanger. In at least one embodiment, the first heat exchanger may be located in an airflow path upstream of the second heat exchanger. In at least one embodiment, the first heat exchanger may be located in an airflow path downstream of the second heat exchanger.

[0050] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit may include at least one flow control device, such as one or more valves, pumps, compressors, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit may include at least one controller for controlling the flow control device, for example, based at least in part on signals from different building management systems. In at least one embodiment, the controller may monitor at least one sensor, such as a temperature sensor, a differential pressure sensor, or a flow sensor. In at least one embodiment, the controller may control the flow control device based at least in part on signals from the building management system and information from the sensors.

[0051] In at least one embodiment, an air cooling unit, such as an air cooling unit for use in a data center, may include: at least one fan for moving air along an airflow path through the air cooling unit; a first heat exchanger in the airflow path for selectively extracting heat from the air for use in different parts of the building housing the air cooling unit; a flow control device for controlling the flow of cooling fluid through the first heat exchanger; a second heat exchanger in the airflow path for selectively extracting heat from the air for exhaust to the exterior of the building; a controller that controls the flow control device based at least in part on signals from different building management systems; or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the first heat exchanger may be located in the airflow path upstream or downstream of the second heat exchanger. In at least one embodiment, the controller may monitor at least one sensor and / or control the flow control device based at least in part on signals from the building management system and information from the sensor.

[0052] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit may be located within the building's machine room. In at least one embodiment, a first heat exchanger may selectively transfer heat from air moving through the air cooling unit to a cooling fluid. In at least one embodiment, the cooling fluid may circulate within the building and transfer heat from the machine room to different rooms within the building.

[0053] In at least one embodiment, the air cooling unit may be located within the building's equipment room and / or may have a first heat exchanger for transferring heat from inside the equipment room to a first cooling fluid that can dissipate the heat to the exterior of the building. In at least one embodiment, a method for recovering heat from such an air cooling unit may include: arranging a second heat exchanger within the air cooling unit, and / or connecting one or more heat exchangers to a building management system capable of controlling the temperature of a portion of the building different from the equipment room. In at least one embodiment, the method may include arranging the second heat exchanger above or below and / or upstream or downstream of the first heat exchanger within an existing open space.

[0054] In at least one embodiment, the method may include a controller configured to operate an air-cooling unit to control the flow of a second cooling fluid through a second heat exchanger, based at least in part on signals from a building management system. In at least one embodiment, the method may include a controller configured to operate an air-cooling unit to control the flow of a second cooling fluid through a second heat exchanger, based at least in part on signals from a building management system and at least one sensor (e.g., an existing sensor used by the controller to control the emission of heat to the exterior of the building).

[0055] Without departing from the spirit of the applicant's disclosure, other and additional embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of this disclosure are conceivable. For example, apparatuses, systems, and methods can be implemented for many different types and sizes in many different industries. Furthermore, various methods and embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods can be combined with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. Discussion of singular elements can include plural elements, and vice versa. Unless otherwise specifically limited, the order of steps can occur in various orders. The individual steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interspersed with the steps described, and / or broken down into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been functionally described and can be implemented as individual components or combined into components with multiple functions.

[0056] This invention has been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments, and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be useful to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or constrain the scope or applicability of the invention as envisioned by the applicant, but rather, in accordance with patent law, the applicant intends to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that fall within the scope or range of equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air cooling unit having an airflow path, the air cooling unit comprising: At least one heat exchanger in the airflow path; as well as At least one fan, the at least one fan being configured to move air along the airflow path through the air cooling unit and through the at least one heat exchanger. The at least one heat exchanger is configured to selectively extract heat from the air for use inside the building housing the air cooling unit. The at least one heat exchanger is configured to selectively extract heat from the air for discharge to the exterior of the building.

2. The air cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one heat exchanger includes a single heat exchanger configured to transfer the heat from the air to at least one cooling fluid circuit. The at least one cooling fluid circuit is configured to selectively dissipate heat within the building, and The at least one cooling fluid circuit is configured to selectively discharge heat to the exterior of the building.

3. The air cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one heat exchanger includes a single heat exchanger configured to transfer the heat from the air to a first cooling fluid circuit. The first cooling fluid circuit is configured to selectively circulate a first portion of the first cooling fluid within the building. The first cooling fluid circuit is configured to transfer heat from a second portion of the first cooling fluid to a second cooling fluid circuit, the second cooling fluid circuit being configured to selectively circulate the second cooling fluid at least partially outside the building.

4. The air cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one heat exchanger includes a single heat exchanger configured to transfer the heat from the air to a first cooling fluid circuit. The first cooling fluid circuit is configured to selectively circulate the first cooling fluid within the building, and The first cooling fluid circuit is configured to exchange at least a portion of the heat with a second cooling fluid circuit, the second cooling fluid circuit being configured to selectively circulate the second cooling fluid at least partially outside the building.

5. The air cooling unit according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger configured to transfer at least a first portion of the heat from the air to a first cooling fluid circuit configured to selectively circulate the first cooling fluid within the building. The at least one heat exchanger includes a second heat exchanger configured to transfer at least a second portion of the heat from the air to a second cooling fluid circuit configured to selectively circulate the second cooling fluid at least partially outside the building.

6. The air cooling unit according to claim 5, wherein, The first heat exchanger is located in the airflow path upstream of the second heat exchanger.

7. The air cooling unit according to claim 5, wherein, The first heat exchanger is located in the airflow path downstream of the second heat exchanger.

8. The air cooling unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one flow control device and at least one controller, the at least one controller being configured to control the flow control device at least in part based on signals from a building management system.

9. The air cooling unit according to claim 8, wherein, The controller is configured to monitor at least one sensor and to control the flow control device based at least in part on the signals from the building management system and the information from the sensors.

10. An air cooling unit having an airflow path, the air cooling unit comprising: At least one fan, the at least one fan being configured to move air along the airflow path through the air cooling unit; A first heat exchanger, which is in the airflow path and configured to selectively extract heat from the air, is for use inside the building housing the air cooling unit; A flow control device configured to control the flow of cooling fluid through the first heat exchanger; A second heat exchanger, located in the airflow path and configured to selectively extract heat from the air for discharge to the exterior of the building; as well as A controller configured to control the flow control device based at least in part on signals from a building management system.

11. The air cooling unit according to claim 10, wherein, The first heat exchanger is located in the airflow path upstream of the second heat exchanger.

12. The air cooling unit according to claim 10, wherein, The first heat exchanger is located in the airflow path downstream of the second heat exchanger.

13. The air cooling unit according to claim 10, wherein, The controller is configured to monitor at least one sensor and to control the flow control device based at least in part on the signals from the building management system and the information from the sensors.

14. The air cooling unit according to claim 10, wherein, The air cooling unit is configured to be installed in the machine room of the building. The first heat exchanger is configured to selectively transfer heat from the air moving through the air cooling unit to the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid circulates in a cooling fluid loop, which is configured to transfer heat from the machine room to different rooms in the building.

15. A method for recovering heat from an air-cooled unit disposed in a machine room of a building, the air-cooled unit having a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from inside the machine room to a first cooling fluid configured to discharge the heat to the outside of the building, the method comprising: The second heat exchanger is installed inside the air cooling unit; as well as The second heat exchanger is connected to a building management system configured to control the temperature of parts of the building other than the machine room.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring a controller for the air cooling unit to control the flow of the second cooling fluid through the second heat exchanger, at least in part based on signals from the building management system.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising configuring a controller for the air cooling unit to control the flow of the second cooling fluid through the second heat exchanger, based at least in part on signals from the building management system and at least one sensor used by the controller to control the emission of heat to the outside of the building.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein, Setting the second heat exchanger within the air cooling unit includes setting the second heat exchanger within the existing open space above the first heat exchanger.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein, Setting the second heat exchanger within the air cooling unit includes setting the second heat exchanger within the existing open space below the first heat exchanger.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein, Placing the second heat exchanger within the air cooling unit includes placing the second heat exchanger in the existing open space upstream or downstream of the first heat exchanger in the airflow path through the air cooling unit.

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