Deployable data center system

Abstract

This invention relates to a deployable data center system that may include a container and a plurality of cooling units for discharging heat from a cooling fluid to an environment outside the container. The cooling units may be housed within the container in a storage configuration. The cooling units may be converted from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration, in which they may be exposed to the environment outside the container. One or more servers and / or evaporators may be housed in one portion of the container, and the cooling units may be housed in another portion of the container.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 788,640, filed April 14, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to data centers, and more specifically to cooling systems for data centers. Background Technology

[0003] As data center services face increasingly broad demands, there is a growing expectation for rapid deployment of data centers to remote locations. Recent advancements in server technology have enabled increased information technology (IT) performance within limited footprints, such as standardized shipping containers. This increased IT performance density inevitably increases power density, and consequently, heat density generated by IT equipment. This heat must be dissipated from the data center. However, current cooling systems for rapidly deployable data centers are insufficient to adequately dissipate this increased heat without significantly increasing space requirements and / or otherwise complicating the rapid deployment of data centers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The applicant has created new and useful apparatus, systems, and methods for data center cooling systems. There is a need for deployable data centers to rapidly and / or provide IT capabilities in remote locations; however, such data center capabilities are limited by cooling requirements and space constraints for both IT equipment and cooling systems. The data center according to this disclosure can advantageously achieve adequate cooling of IT equipment in a modular data center format, enabling data center customers to more fully utilize advancements in server technology across many parts of the world, reducing data center construction costs, shortening data center deployment time, and accelerating / increasing data center profitability. In at least one embodiment, the data center according to this disclosure may include cooling units that can be easily deployed from the same standardized transport container that also houses data center servers and / or other IT equipment.

[0005] In at least one embodiment, the deployable data center system according to this disclosure may include a container, one or more servers disposed within the container, at least one evaporator disposed within the container for transferring heat from the servers to a cooling fluid, a plurality of cooling units for discharging heat from the cooling fluid to an environment outside the container, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the container may have a first portion, a second portion, and / or one or more other portions. In at least one embodiment, the servers and / or evaporators may be disposed in the first portion of the container. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units may be convertible from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units may be disposed within a second portion of the container and / or isolated from the environment when in a storage configuration. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units may be exposed to the environment outside the container when in a deployment configuration.

[0006] In at least one embodiment, the container may be or include standardized transport containers, such as those that meet ISO 668 as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). For example, in at least one embodiment, the container may be 8 feet wide and 40 or 45 feet long.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the evaporator may be or include one or more air-to-fluid heat exchangers for extracting heat from air within a container, such as a first portion of the container. In at least one embodiment, the evaporator may be or include one or more direct-to-chip heat exchangers thermally coupled to one or more servers. In at least one embodiment, the evaporator may include one or more fluid-to-fluid heat exchangers, such as brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs), for extracting heat from one or more direct-to-chip heat exchangers, such as brazed plate heat exchangers, via cooling fluid and / or another cooling fluid.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of cooling units may include one, two, or more rows of cooling units. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the cooling units may include at least one heat exchanger and at least one fan. In at least one embodiment, each row of cooling units may be or include at least one heat exchanger and a row of fans. For example, in at least one embodiment, each row of cooling units may include a row of heat exchangers and a row of fans, such as fans located above the heat exchangers. In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit may be or include a condenser, a dry cooler, a cooling tower, or any combination thereof.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, any or all cooling units within the cooling unit may be hingedly rotatable and / or (horizontally and / or vertically) slideable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, a first portion of the cooling unit may be hingedly rotatable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration, and a second portion of the cooling unit may slide between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, a first row of cooling units may be hingedly rotatable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration along a first direction, and a second row of cooling units may be hingedly rotatable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration along a second direction.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit may be disposed within the container's occupied area when in a storage configuration. In at least one embodiment, any or all cooling units within the cooling unit may be retained within the container's occupied area when in a deployment configuration and / or any or all cooling units within the cooling unit may extend beyond the container's occupied area when in a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, a first portion of the cooling unit may be retained within the container's occupied area when in a deployment configuration, and a second portion of the cooling unit is hingedly rotatable between a storage configuration and a deployment configuration, wherein in the deployment configuration, any or all second portions of the cooling unit may be retained within the container's occupied area and / or extend beyond the container's occupied area. In at least one embodiment, the deployment occupied area of ​​the cooling unit in the deployment configuration may be greater than the storage occupied area of ​​the cooling unit in the storage configuration. In at least one embodiment, the deployment occupied area of ​​the cooling unit in the deployment configuration may be twice the storage occupied area of ​​the cooling unit in the storage configuration.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit does not need to be disconnected from the evaporator once it is fluidly connected to it. In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit can remain fluidly connected to the evaporator when in a storage configuration, in a deployment configuration, when transitioning from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit can be fluidly connected to the evaporator via one or more flexible sections, such as one or more hoses, and / or one or more rotary couplings.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the deployable data center system according to this disclosure may include one or more containers, and each container may include a plurality of cooling units configured to selectively exhaust heat from a cooling fluid to an environment outside the container. The plurality of cooling units are capable of transitioning from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration. The plurality of cooling units may be housed within a container in a storage configuration and may be exposed to an environment outside the container in a deployment configuration.

[0013] A method for deploying a data center according to this disclosure may include fluidly connecting one or more cooling units to one or more evaporators disposed within a container while the cooling units are in a deployment configuration and testing the functionality and / or integrity of the cooling units, and converting the cooling units from a deployment configuration to a storage configuration while the cooling units remain fluidly connected to the evaporators. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units may be disposed within a container while in a storage configuration and / or exposed to an external environment while in a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, the method may include converting the cooling units from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration while the cooling units remain fluidly connected to the evaporators. In at least one embodiment, converting the cooling units from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration may include moving at least some of the cooling units from within the container's occupied area to outside the container's occupied area.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the method may include enclosing the cooling unit within a container when the cooling unit is in a storage configuration and / or moving the container to an installation position while the cooling unit is in a storage configuration and / or enclosed within the container. In at least one embodiment, the method may include, for example, opening at least a portion of the container while the cooling unit is in a storage configuration after the container has been moved to the installation position. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a front view of one embodiment of the cooling unit according to the present disclosure, which is one of many embodiments.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a simplified diagram of one of the many embodiments of the deployable data center system according to this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure in a collapsed configuration.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, in which some panels have been removed.

[0020] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4, in which some panels are unfolded.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, in which some of the arrays are raised.

[0022] Figure 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, wherein certain panels are unfolded.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 8, in which some arrays are unfolded.

[0024] Figure 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, in which certain panels are removed.

[0025] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 10, in which certain panels and arrays are unfolded.

[0026] Figure 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, wherein certain panels are unfolded.

[0027] Figure 13 is a perspective view of an implementation of Figure 12 at another deployment stage.

[0028] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the implementation of Figure 12 at another deployment stage.

[0029] Figure 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, wherein certain panels are unfolded.

[0030] Figure 16 is a perspective view of an implementation of Figure 15 at another deployment stage.

[0031] Figure 17 This is a perspective view of the implementation of Figure 15 at another deployment stage.

[0032] Figure 18 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, wherein certain panels are unfolded.

[0033] Figure 19 is a perspective view of an implementation of Figure 18 at another deployment stage.

[0034] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of the implementation of Figure 18 at another deployment stage.

[0035] Figure 21 This is a simplified diagram of one of many embodiments of a deployable data center system according to this disclosure, deployed adjacent to a building. Detailed Implementation

[0036] 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, the drawings and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention for which patent protection is sought. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that not all features of a commercial implementation of the invention are described or shown for clarity and understanding. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art 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, commercially relevant, governmental-related constraints, 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 will be routine tasks for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure. It must be understood that the invention disclosed and taught herein is readily adaptable to many and various modifications and alternative forms.

[0037] 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,” “below,” “above,” and “side” is used in the written description 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 “for example” are illustrative, not restrictive. The terms “connected,” “linked,” “connecting,” “connecting element,” and similar terms are used extensively herein and may include any method or means for securing, bonding, joining, fastening, attaching, connecting, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, communicating together, or otherwise associating one or more components together, for example mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably, 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 an integral manner. Connections can occur in any direction, including rotationally. Furthermore, all parts and components inherently achievable in this disclosure include both hypothetical and real features, regardless of whether such features are explicitly described herein. These features include, but are not limited to, features such as axis, ends, inner and outer surfaces, internal spaces, top, bottom, sides, boundaries, dimensions (e.g., height, length, width, thickness), mass, weight, volume, and density. As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, relational terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., are used only as arbitrary identifiers for reference and understanding and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure or the claims.

[0038] Any process flowcharts discussed herein illustrate the operation of possible implementations of systems and methods according to various embodiments of this disclosure. Each box in the flowchart may represent a module, segment, or portion of one or more such implementations. In some implementations, the subjects 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.

[0039] The applicant has created new and useful apparatus, systems, and methods for data center cooling systems. There is a need for deployable data centers to rapidly and / or provide IT capabilities in remote locations; however, such data center capabilities are limited by cooling requirements and space constraints for both IT equipment and cooling systems. The data center according to this disclosure can advantageously achieve adequate cooling of IT equipment in a modular data center format, enabling data center customers to more fully utilize advancements in server technology across many parts of the world, reducing data center construction costs, shortening data center deployment time, and accelerating / increasing data center profitability. In at least one embodiment, the data center according to this disclosure may include cooling units that can be easily deployed from the same standardized transport container that also houses data center servers and / or other IT equipment.

[0040] Figure 1 This is a front view of one embodiment of the cooling unit according to the present disclosure, which is one of many embodiments. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure. Figure 3 Figure 4 is a simplified diagram of one embodiment of the deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, among many embodiments thereof. Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the deployable data center system according to the present disclosure in a collapsed configuration. Figure 5 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, in which some panels have been removed. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4, in which some panels have been unfolded. Figure 7 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown, in which some arrays are raised. Figure 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, in which some panels are unfolded. Figure 9 Figure 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown, in which some arrays are deployed. Figure 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, in which some panels are removed. Figure 11Figure 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 10, wherein some panels and arrays are deployed. Figure 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, wherein some panels are deployed. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 12 at another deployment stage. Figure 14 Figure 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of Figure 12 at another deployment stage. Figure 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a plurality of embodiments of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, wherein certain panels are unfolded. Figure 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of Figure 15 at another deployment stage. Figure 17 Figure 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of FIG15 at another deployment stage. Figure 18 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a plurality of embodiments of a deployable data center system according to the present disclosure, wherein certain panels are unfolded. Figure 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of FIG18 at another deployment stage. Figure 20 This is a perspective view of the implementation of Figure 18 at another deployment stage. Figure 21 This is a simplified diagram of one of many embodiments of a deployable data center system according to this disclosure, deployed adjacent to a building. Figures 1 to 21 They are described in combination.

[0041] In at least one embodiment, the deployable data center system 100 according to this disclosure may include one or more containers 110, one or more servers 120 disposed within the containers 110, one or more evaporators 130 disposed within the containers 110 for transferring heat from the servers 120 to a cooling fluid, one or more cooling units 140 for discharging heat from the cooling fluid to an environment outside the containers 110, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the containers 110 may have multiple segments or sections, such as a first section 112 and a second section 114, and / or one or more other sections. In at least one embodiment, the servers 120 and / or evaporators 130 may be disposed within the first section 112 of the containers 110. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units 140 may be convertible from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units 140 may be disposed within a second section 114 of the containers 110 and / or isolated from the environment when in a storage configuration. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units 140 may be exposed to the environment outside the containers 110 when in a deployment configuration. The term “server” is used extensively in this document and may be or include other actively cooled IT equipment, such as one or more computer processing units (CPUs) and / or graphics processing units (GPUs).

[0042] In at least one embodiment, container 110 may be or include standardized transport containers, such as those conforming to ISO 668 issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). For example, in at least one embodiment, container 110 may be 8 feet wide and 40 or 45 feet long. As another example, in at least one embodiment, container 110 may be at least 7 feet wide and at least 35 feet long. In at least one embodiment, container 110 or its first portion 112 may accommodate information technology (IT) equipment with a power of 1 MW or greater and / or liquid cooling equipment, such as heat exchangers, pumps, manifolds, pipes, fluid control components, or any combination thereof.

[0043] In at least one embodiment, the evaporator 130 may be or include one or more air-to-fluid heat exchangers for extracting heat from air within container 110, such as the first portion 112 of container 110. In at least one embodiment, the evaporator 130 may be or include one or more direct-to-chip heat exchangers thermally coupled to one or more servers in server 120. In at least one embodiment, the evaporator 130 may include one or more fluid-to-fluid heat exchangers, such as brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs), for extracting heat from one or more direct-to-chip heat exchangers, such as brazed plate heat exchangers, via cooling fluid and / or another cooling fluid.

[0044] In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit 140 may include one, two, or more rows of cooling units 140. In at least one embodiment, any or all cooling units of the cooling unit 140 may include at least one heat exchanger 142 and at least one fan 144. In at least one embodiment, each row of cooling units 140 may be or include at least one heat exchanger 142 and a row of fans 144. For example, in at least one embodiment, each row of cooling units 140 may include a row of heat exchangers 142 and a row of fans 144, such as fans 144 located above the heat exchangers 142. In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit 140 may be or include a condenser, a dry cooler, a cooling tower, or any combination thereof.

[0045] In at least one embodiment, any or all cooling units of the cooling units 140 may be hingedly rotated and / or (horizontally and / or vertically) slid between a storage configuration and a deployment configuration, individually or collectively, in a group or array of two or more cooling units 140. In at least one embodiment, any or all cooling units of the cooling units 140 may be hingedly rotated about one or more hinges 150. In at least one embodiment, any or all hinges of the hinges 150 may be configured to be adjacent to the first portion 112 of the container 110 along the proximal end of the second portion 114 of the container 110 and / or furthest from the first portion 112 of the container 110 at the distal end of the second portion 114 of the container 110. In at least one embodiment, any or all hinges of the hinges 150 may be disposed between the proximal and distal ends of the second portion 114 of the container 110 along the lower and / or upper edge of the second portion 114 of the container 110.

[0046] In at least one embodiment, any or all cooling units of the cooling unit 140 may slide horizontally and / or vertically along one or more tracks or sliders 160, which may be positioned adjacent to a corner of any or all rows of cooling units 140. In at least one embodiment, the slider 160 may elevate any or all cooling units of the cooling unit 140 into a deployment configuration and / or allow airflow into the cooling unit 140, such as the heat exchanger 142 of the cooling unit 140, and / or allow airflow below the cooling unit 140, such as the heat exchanger 142 of the cooling unit 140. In at least one embodiment, the slider 160 may extend / retract and / or support any or all the weight of the cooling unit 140.

[0047] In at least one embodiment, a first portion of the cooling unit 140 is hingedly rotatable between a storage configuration and a deployment configuration, and a second portion of the cooling unit 140 is slidable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration. For example, as shown in Figures 12 to... Figure 14 As shown in the exemplary embodiment, a portion of the cooling unit 140 is hingedly rotatable between a storage configuration and a deployment configuration. In the storage configuration, the cooling unit 140 can be inverted within the second portion 114 of the container 110, and in the deployment configuration, the cooling unit 140 can be rotated back above the first portion 112 of the container 110. Also as shown in Figures 12 to... Figure 14 As shown in the exemplary embodiment, a portion of the cooling unit 140 can slide vertically between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration.

[0048] In at least one embodiment, the first row of cooling units 140 is hingedly rotatable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration along a first direction, and the second row of cooling units 140 is hingedly rotatable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration along a second direction. For example, as shown in Figures 15 to... Figure 17 As shown in the exemplary embodiment, one row of cooling units 140 is hingedly rotatable clockwise between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration, and another row of cooling units 140 is hingedly rotatable counterclockwise between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration. Also as shown in Figures 15 to... Figure 17 As shown in the exemplary embodiment, some or all of the cooling units in the cooling unit 140 can slide vertically between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration.

[0049] In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit 140 may be disposed within the occupied area of ​​the container 110 in a storage configuration. In at least one embodiment, any or all cooling units of the cooling unit 140 may remain within the occupied area of ​​the container 110 in a deployment configuration and / or any or all cooling units of the cooling unit 140 may extend beyond the occupied area of ​​the container 110 in a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, the deployment occupied area of ​​the cooling unit 140 in a deployment configuration may be the same as the storage occupied area of ​​the cooling unit 140 in a storage configuration. As shown in Figures 12 to... Figure 14 As can be seen in the exemplary embodiments, all cooling units in the cooling unit 140 can remain within the occupied area of ​​the container 110 when in a storage configuration and / or deployment configuration.

[0050] In at least one embodiment, any or all of the cooling units 140 may extend beyond the occupied area of ​​the container 110 when in a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, the deployment occupied area of ​​the cooling unit 140 in the deployment configuration may be greater than the storage occupied area of ​​the cooling unit 140 in the storage configuration. In at least one embodiment, the deployment occupied area of ​​the cooling unit 140 in the deployment configuration may be twice the storage occupied area of ​​the cooling unit 140 in the storage configuration. For example, as shown in Figures 4 to 5 Figure 7 As can be seen in the exemplary embodiments, the cooling unit 140 may extend on both sides of the area occupied by the container 110, and in the depicted example, the deployment area occupied by the cooling unit 140 in the deployment configuration may be twice the storage area occupied by the cooling unit 140 in the storage configuration. As shown in Figures 4 to 5 Figure 7As can be seen in the exemplary embodiments, the area occupied by the system 100 when the cooling unit 140 is in the deployment configuration can be twice (e.g., at least about twice) the area occupied by the container 110 when the cooling unit 140 is in the storage configuration.

[0051] As shown in Figure 15 to Figure 17 As can be seen in the exemplary embodiments, any or all of the cooling units 140 may extend at least partially beyond the occupied area of ​​the container 110 when in a deployment configuration, and in the depicted example, the deployment occupied area of ​​the cooling units 140 in the deployment configuration may be greater than twice the storage occupied area of ​​the cooling units 140 in the storage configuration. As shown in Figures 15 to... Figure 17 As can be seen in the exemplary embodiments, the area occupied by the system 100 when the cooling unit 140 is in the deployment configuration can be more than twice the area occupied by the container 110 when the cooling unit 140 is in the storage configuration. In at least one embodiment, a first portion of the cooling unit 140 may be held within the area occupied by the container 110 when in the deployment configuration, and a second portion of the cooling unit 140 may hingedly rotate and / or slide between the storage and deployment configurations, wherein in the deployment configuration, any or all of the second portions of the cooling unit 140 may be held within and / or extend beyond the area occupied by the container 110.

[0052] In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit 140 does not need to be disconnected from the evaporator 130 once it is fluidly connected to it. In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit 140 may remain fluidly connected to the evaporator 130 when in a storage configuration, in a deployment configuration, when transitioning from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit 140 may be fluidly connected to the evaporator 130 via one or more flexible sections, such as one or more hoses, and / or one or more swivel connections. In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit 140 and / or the evaporator 130 may be fully charged with refrigerant and tested for integrity and / or functionality, and then transitioned to a storage configuration for storage and / or transport, only needing to be reconnected and ready for operation in the field, without requiring reconnection and / or recharging.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4 to Figure 7As can be seen in the exemplary embodiments, one or more rows of cooling units 140 may be stored in the second portion 114 of the container 110. In at least one embodiment, such as when positioned in the mounting position, one or more panels 116 may be removed from the second portion 114 of the container 110, thereby exposing the rows of cooling units 140. In at least one embodiment, the rows of cooling units 140 may be folded down or rotated down about the hinge 150 to either side of the container 110. In at least one embodiment, the rows of cooling units 140 may be raised or may slide along the slider 160 to a raised position into a deployment configuration.

[0054] As shown in Figure 8 to Figure 9 As can be seen in the exemplary embodiments, one or more rows of cooling units 140 may be stored in the second portion 114 of the container 110. In at least one embodiment, such as when positioned in the mounting location, one or more panels 116 may be removed from the second portion 114 of the container 110, thereby exposing each row of cooling units 140. In at least one embodiment, each row of cooling units 140 may be folded upward or rotated upward around the hinge 150 to reach an elevated position on both sides of the container 110 for deployment.

[0055] As shown in Figure 10 to Figure 11 As can be seen in the exemplary embodiments, one or more rows of cooling units 140 may be stored in the second portion 114 of the container 110, for example, in an alternating arrangement. In at least one embodiment, for example, when positioned in the mounting location, one or more panels 116 may be removed from the second portion 114 of the container 110, thereby exposing each row of cooling units 140. In at least one embodiment, each row of cooling units 140 may be folded down or up (or both) to the sides of the container 110 into a deployment configuration or rotated down or up (or both) about the hinge 150 to the sides of the container 110 into a deployment configuration.

[0056] As shown in Figure 18 to Figure 20As can be seen in the exemplary embodiments, one or more rows of cooling units 140 may be stacked within the second portion 114 of the container 110. In at least one embodiment, such as when positioned in the mounting location, one or more panels 116 may be removed from the second portion 114 of the container 110, thereby exposing each row of cooling units 140. In at least one embodiment, each row of cooling units 140 may be rotated outward from the storage configuration in different orientations and / or at different angles to the deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units 140 may be rotated about the hinge 150 from 0 to 90 degrees, 90 to 180 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and any combination thereof, as shown in Figures 18 to 1990. Figure 20 This can be seen in exemplary implementations.

[0057] In at least one embodiment, the method for deploying a data center or data center system according to this disclosure may include, for example, fluidly connecting one or more cooling units 140 to one or more evaporators 130 disposed within a container 110 while the cooling units 140 are in a deployment configuration and testing the functionality and / or integrity of the cooling units 140. In at least one embodiment, the method may include, for example, changing the cooling units 140 from a deployment configuration to a storage configuration while the cooling units 140 remain fluidly connected to the evaporators 130. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units 140 may be disposed within the container 110 while in a storage configuration and / or exposed to an environment outside the container 110 while in a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, the method may include changing the cooling units 140 from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration while the cooling units 140 remain fluidly connected to the evaporators 130. In at least one embodiment, changing the cooling units 140 from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration may include moving at least some of the cooling units 140 from within the occupied area of ​​the container 110 to outside the occupied area of ​​the container 140.

[0058] In at least one embodiment, the method may include enclosing the cooling unit 140 within the container 110 when the cooling unit 140 is in a storage configuration and / or moving the container 110 to a mounting position when the cooling unit 140 is in a storage configuration and / or enclosed in the container 110. In at least one embodiment, the method may include, for example, opening at least a portion, such as a second portion 114, of the container 110 when the cooling unit 114 is in a storage configuration after the container 110 has been moved to the mounting position (and / or removing a panel 116 from at least a portion, such as the second portion 114, of the container 110).

[0059] In at least one embodiment, the deployable data center system 100 according to this disclosure does not need to include any servers 120 and / or evaporators 130, and may include, for example, only one or more cooling units 140 (and associated equipment, if applicable). In such an embodiment, system 100 may include one or more containers 110 and one or more cooling units 140 disposed within each container 110 for selectively discharging heat from cooling fluid to an environment outside the container 110. Furthermore, as discussed elsewhere in this disclosure, one or more cooling units 140 of each container 110 may be arranged for transitioning from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration, such as wherein the cooling units 140 are disposed within the container 110 in a storage configuration and wherein the cooling units 140 are exposed to an environment outside the container 110 in a deployment configuration. Each container 110 may be arranged for easy connection to one or more other components of a cooling system or cooling loop, such as one or more servers 120, evaporators 130, coolant distribution units (CDUs), or other components disposed within building 170, such as a data center. For example, each container 110 may include, in addition to one or more deployable cooling units 140, any support equipment 180 required or desired according to a given implementation of this disclosure, such as fluid conduits, fluid connections, electrical components, compressors, generators, valves, expansion valves, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), other equipment for supporting operation, or any combination thereof. In this way, each container 110 can advantageously provide a readily deployable and / or modular cooling unit arrangement structure, which can be efficiently installed in locations such as data centers with minimal on-site assembly.

[0060] In at least one embodiment, the deployable data center system according to this disclosure may include one or more containers, and each container may include a plurality of cooling units configured to selectively exhaust heat from a cooling fluid to an environment outside the container. The plurality of cooling units are capable of transitioning from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration. The plurality of cooling units may be housed within a container in a storage configuration and may be exposed to an environment outside the container in a deployment configuration.

[0061] In at least one embodiment, the deployable data center system according to this disclosure may include a container, one or more servers disposed within the container, at least one evaporator disposed within the container for transferring heat from the servers to a cooling fluid, a plurality of cooling units for discharging heat from the cooling fluid to an environment outside the container, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the container may have multiple segments or portions, such as a first portion, a second portion, and / or one or more other portions. In at least one embodiment, the servers and / or evaporators may be disposed in a first portion of the container. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units may be convertible from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units may be disposed within a second portion of the container and / or isolated from the environment when in a storage configuration. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units may be exposed to the environment outside the container when in a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, the system may include one or more additional segments or portions, such as, for example, a third portion, a fourth portion, and / or other portions adjacent to or otherwise disposed of with respect to the first and second portions and / or with respect to other portions that are adjacent to or otherwise disposed with respect to each other. In at least one embodiment, the system may include one or more end segments or portions, such as for accommodating or otherwise supporting a cooling device at one or more ends of a container.

[0062] In at least one embodiment, the container may be or include standardized transport containers, such as those that meet ISO 668 as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). For example, in at least one embodiment, the container may be 8 feet wide and 40 or 45 feet long.

[0063] In at least one embodiment, the evaporator may be or include one or more air-to-fluid heat exchangers for extracting heat from air within a container, such as a first portion of the container. In at least one embodiment, the evaporator may be or include one or more direct-to-chip heat exchangers thermally coupled to one or more servers. In at least one embodiment, the evaporator may include one or more fluid-to-fluid heat exchangers, such as brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs), for extracting heat from one or more direct-to-chip heat exchangers, such as brazed plate heat exchangers, via cooling fluid and / or another cooling fluid.

[0064] In at least one embodiment, the plurality of cooling units may include one, two, or more rows of cooling units. In at least one embodiment, any or all of the cooling units may include at least one heat exchanger and at least one fan. In at least one embodiment, each row of cooling units may be or include at least one heat exchanger and a row of fans. For example, in at least one embodiment, each row of cooling units may include a row of heat exchangers and a row of fans, such as fans located above the heat exchangers. In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit may be or include a condenser, a dry cooler, a cooling tower, or any combination thereof.

[0065] In at least one embodiment, any or all cooling units within the cooling unit may be hingedly rotatable and / or (horizontally and / or vertically) slideable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, a first portion of the cooling unit may be hingedly rotatable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration, and a second portion of the cooling unit may slide between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, a first row of cooling units may be hingedly rotatable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration along a first direction, and a second row of cooling units may be hingedly rotatable between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration along a second direction.

[0066] In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit may be disposed within the container's occupied area when in a storage configuration. In at least one embodiment, any or all cooling units within the cooling unit may be retained within the container's occupied area when in a deployment configuration, and / or any or all cooling units within the cooling unit may extend beyond the container's occupied area when in a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, a first portion of the cooling unit may be retained within the container's occupied area when in a deployment configuration, and a second portion of the cooling unit is hingedly rotatable between a storage configuration and a deployment configuration, wherein in the deployment configuration, any or all second portions of the cooling unit may be retained within the container's occupied area and / or extend beyond the container's occupied area. In at least one embodiment, the deployment occupied area of ​​the cooling unit in the deployment configuration may be greater than the storage occupied area of ​​the cooling unit in the storage configuration. In at least one embodiment, the deployment occupied area of ​​the cooling unit in the deployment configuration may be twice the storage occupied area of ​​the cooling unit in the storage configuration.

[0067] In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit does not need to be disconnected from the evaporator once it is fluidly connected to it. In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit can remain fluidly connected to the evaporator when in a storage configuration, in a deployment configuration, when transitioning from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the cooling unit can be fluidly connected to the evaporator via one or more flexible sections, such as one or more hoses, and / or one or more rotary couplings.

[0068] A method for deploying a data center according to this disclosure may include: fluidly connecting one or more cooling units to one or more evaporators disposed within a container while the cooling units are in a deployment configuration and testing the functionality and / or integrity of the cooling units; and converting the cooling units from a deployment configuration to a storage configuration while the cooling units remain fluidly connected to the evaporators. In at least one embodiment, the cooling units may be disposed within a container while in a storage configuration and / or exposed to an environment outside the container while in a deployment configuration. In at least one embodiment, the method may include converting the cooling units from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration while the cooling units remain fluidly connected to the evaporators. In at least one embodiment, converting the cooling units from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration may include moving at least some of the cooling units from within the container's occupied area to outside the container's occupied area.

[0069] In at least one embodiment, the method may include: enclosing the cooling unit within a container when the cooling unit is in a storage configuration, and / or moving the container to an installation position while the cooling unit is in a storage configuration and / or enclosed within the container. In at least one embodiment, the method may include, for example, opening at least a portion of the container while the cooling unit is in a storage configuration after the container has been moved to the installation position.

[0070] Other and additional embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of this disclosure are conceivable without departing from the spirit of the applicant's disclosure. For example, apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented for many different types and sizes across many different industries. Furthermore, various methods and embodiments of apparatus, systems, and methods can be included in combination with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. Discussion of singular elements can include plural elements, and discussion of plural elements can include singular elements. Unless otherwise specifically limited, the order of steps can occur in various sequences. The individual steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interspersed with stated steps, and / or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been functionally described and can be implemented as individual components or combined into components with multiple functions.

[0071] The 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 variations of the described embodiments will be available to those skilled in the art who will benefit from this disclosure. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived 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. A deployable data center system, comprising: container; Multiple cooling units, wherein the multiple cooling units are configured to selectively discharge heat from the cooling fluid to the environment outside the container; Among them, multiple cooling units are configured to transition from a storage configuration to a deployment configuration; In this configuration, multiple cooling units are disposed within the container; and In this configuration, multiple cooling units are exposed to the environment outside the container.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The container has a first part and a second part, and further includes: One or more servers, wherein the one or more servers are disposed in the first portion of the container; and At least one evaporator is disposed in the first portion of the container and configured to transfer heat from the one or more servers to the cooling fluid; In this configuration, a plurality of the cooling units are disposed within the second portion of the container.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The container is at least 7 feet wide and at least 35 feet long.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one evaporator includes one or more air-to-fluid heat exchangers configured to extract heat from air within the first portion of the container.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one evaporator includes one or more direct-to-chip heat exchangers thermally connected to the one or more servers.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein, The at least one evaporator includes one or more fluid-to-fluid heat exchangers configured to extract heat from the one or more direct-to-chip heat exchangers.

7. The system according to claim 2, wherein, The cooling unit is fluidly connected to the at least one evaporator when it is in the storage configuration, in the deployment configuration, and when it is transitioning from the storage configuration to the deployment configuration.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling unit is located within the area occupied by the container when in the deployment configuration.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling unit, when in the deployment configuration, is at least partially located outside the area occupied by the container.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein, A first portion of the cooling unit is disposed within the occupied area of ​​the container when in the deployment configuration, wherein a second portion of the cooling unit is configured to rotate between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration, and wherein the second portion of the cooling unit is at least partially disposed outside the occupied area of ​​the container when in the deployment configuration.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling unit is configured to rotate hingedly between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling unit is configured to be slidably disposed between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The first portion of the cooling unit is configured to pivot hingedly between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration, and the second portion of the cooling unit is configured to slide between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein, At least a portion of the cooling unit is configured to be hinged between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration and to move in a slidable manner.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling unit is isolated from the environment when in the storage configuration.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The area occupied by the cooling unit in the deployment configuration is at least twice the storage area occupied by the cooling unit in the storage configuration.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of cooling units include at least two rows of cooling units.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein, Each row of cooling units includes at least one heat exchanger and a row of fans.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein, Each row of cooling units includes a row of heat exchangers and a row of fans.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein, The first row of cooling units is configured to pivotally rotate between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration along a first direction, and the second row of cooling units is configured to pivotally rotate between the storage configuration and the deployment configuration along a second direction.

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