Cooling unit and data center
By designing a cooling unit with two internal circulation air inlets and one internal circulation air outlet, the problem that the existing cooling unit is not compatible with multiple data center layout requirements is solved, and the universality and cost reduction of the cooling unit is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421576073.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-07-04
AI Technical Summary
The existing data center cooling units are not compatible with the layout requirements of multiple data centers due to the fixed position of the internal circulation air intake, which requires customization and high cost.
A cooling unit is designed with two internal circulation air inlets and one internal circulation air outlet. The air inlet is located on different sides of the cooling unit. The air inlet and the air outlet are on the same side, allowing the cooling unit to be installed on the side, top or multi-layer installation of the data center, so as to be compatible with multiple layout requirements.
This design allows the cooling unit to adapt to a variety of data center layouts without additional customization, simplifying processes and reducing production costs.
Smart Images

Figure CN222996901U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of data center equipment, and particularly to a cooling unit and a data center. Background Art
[0002] A data center cooling unit is a device used to maintain a suitable internal temperature in the data center. Usually, an air conditioner or a cooling system is adopted to control the temperature and humidity to ensure the normal operation of servers and other devices.
[0003] However, the positions of the inner circulation air inlets of existing data center cooling units are mostly fixed. Therefore, they can only be applicable to the layout requirements of one type of data center and cannot be compatible with the layout requirements of multiple data centers. This leads to the need for existing cooling units to be customized according to the actual layout requirements of the data center, making them unable to be universal and resulting in higher costs. Summary of the Utility Model
[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a cooling unit and a data center that can be compatible with the layout requirements of multiple data centers and reduce production costs.
[0005] To achieve the above purpose, on the one hand, this application provides a cooling unit. The cooling unit at least includes a body and a first heat exchange component. The body has a first inner circulation air inlet, a second inner circulation air inlet, an inner circulation air outlet, an outer circulation air inlet, an outer circulation air outlet, an inner circulation channel, and an outer circulation channel. Among them, the first inner circulation air inlet and the second inner circulation air inlet are located on two different sides of the body. Both the first inner circulation air inlet and the second inner circulation air inlet are connected to the inner circulation air outlet through the inner circulation channel, and the inner circulation air outlet is located on the same side as the first inner circulation air inlet; the outer circulation air inlet is connected to the outer circulation air outlet through the outer circulation channel; the first heat exchange component is located at the intersection of the inner circulation channel and the outer circulation channel, and the first heat exchange component is used for heat exchange and isolation between the air flowing through the first heat exchange component in the inner circulation channel and the air flowing through the first heat exchange component in the outer circulation channel.
[0006] To achieve the above purpose, on the other hand, this application also provides a data center. The data center includes a region to be cooled and the above-mentioned cooling unit; the cooling unit is located on one side of the region to be cooled, the inner circulation air outlet and the first inner circulation air inlet are connected to the region to be cooled, and the second inner circulation air inlet is detachably connected with a closure member.
[0007] To achieve the above object, on the other hand, the present application also provides a data center, which includes a region to be cooled and the above-mentioned cooling unit; the cooling unit is located at the top of the region to be cooled, the inner circulation air outlet is communicated with the region to be cooled through an indoor air supply chamber, the second inner circulation air inlet is communicated with the region to be cooled through an indoor air return chamber, and a closure is detachably connected to the first inner circulation air inlet.
[0008] It can be seen that in the technical solution provided by the present application, the cooling unit has a first inner circulation air inlet, a second inner circulation air inlet, and an inner circulation air outlet. The first inner circulation air inlet and the second inner circulation air outlet are located on two different sides of the body, and the first inner circulation air inlet and the inner circulation air outlet are located on the same side. That is to say, the cooling unit is provided with two inner circulation air inlets and one inner circulation air outlet, and one of the two inner circulation air inlets is located on the same side as the inner circulation air outlet, and the other is located on another side. In this way, the cooling unit can be installed on the side, top surface of the region to be cooled in the data center or installed in multiple layers, so as to be compatible with the layout requirements of various data centers, without the need for additional separate customization, simplifying the process and reducing the production cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.
[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a cooling unit in an embodiment provided by the present application;
[0011] Figure 2 is a schematic semi-sectional structural diagram of a cooling unit in an embodiment provided by the present application;
[0012] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a data center in an embodiment provided by the present application;
[0013] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a data center in another embodiment provided by the present application;
[0014] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another perspective of a data center in another embodiment provided by the present application;
[0015] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a data center in yet another embodiment provided by the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following will further describe the embodiments of this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Terms indicating relative spatial positions used in this application, such as "upper", "above", "lower", "below", "first end", "second end", "one end", "the other end", etc., are used for the purpose of facilitating description of the relationship between one unit or feature and another unit or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. The terms of relative spatial positions may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, the unit described as being "below" or "beneath" other units or features will be located "above" other units or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both the upper and lower orientations. The device can be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatially related descriptive terms used herein can be interpreted accordingly.
[0017] In addition, the terms "installed", "set up", "provided with", "connected", "slidably connected", "fixed", "socketed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or there can be internal communication between two devices, components, or parts. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.
[0018] A data center cooling unit is a device used to maintain a suitable temperature inside the data center. Usually, an air conditioner or a cooling system is used to control the temperature and humidity, effectively reducing the temperature of the data center and ensuring the normal operation of servers and other devices.
[0019] However, there is only one inner circulation air inlet in the existing data center cooling units, and most of their positions are fixed. Therefore, it can only be applicable to the layout requirements of one type of data center and cannot be compatible with the layout requirements of multiple data centers. This has led to the need to customize the existing cooling units according to the actual layout requirements of the data center, making them unable to be universal and resulting in higher costs. For example, the inner circulation air inlet and the inner circulation air outlet of the cooling unit are located on the side of the cooling unit, and the cooling unit is used to be arranged on the side of the area to be cooled and communicate with the area to be cooled. When faced with a multi-layer data center or when the cooling unit is arranged above the area to be cooled, this cooling unit is not applicable.
[0020] Therefore, how to improve the structures of the cooling unit and the data center, and furthermore, be able to be compatible with the layout requirements of multiple data centers and reduce the production cost has become an urgent issue to be solved in this field.
[0021] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.
[0022] The present application provides a cooling unit A, which can be applied to a data center and is used to communicate with a to-be-cooled area in the data center to cool the to-be-cooled area, so as to ensure the temperature requirement in the to-be-cooled area.
[0023] Specifically, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, in an implementable embodiment, the cooling unit A may at least include a main body 100 and a first heat exchange component 200. The main body 100 has a first internal circulation air inlet 110, a second internal circulation air inlet 120, an internal circulation air outlet 130, an external circulation air inlet 140, an external circulation air outlet 150, an internal circulation channel 160, and an external circulation channel 170. Among them, the first internal circulation air inlet 110 and the second internal circulation air inlet 120 are located on two different sides of the main body 100. Both the first internal circulation air inlet 110 and the second internal circulation air inlet 120 are connected to the internal circulation air outlet 130 through the internal circulation channel 160. That is to say, whether the air entering the internal circulation channel 160 from the first internal circulation air inlet 110 or the air entering the internal circulation channel 160 from the second internal circulation air inlet 120 can flow out through the internal circulation air outlet 120. The internal circulation air outlet 130 and the first internal circulation air inlet 110 are located on the same side; the external circulation air inlet 140 is connected to the external circulation air outlet 150 through the external circulation channel 170; the first heat exchange component 200 is located at the intersection of the internal circulation channel 160 and the external circulation channel 170. The first heat exchange component 200 is used for heat exchange and isolation between the air flowing through the first heat exchange component 200 in the internal circulation channel 160 and the air flowing through the first heat exchange component 200 in the external circulation channel 170.
[0024] It is worth mentioning that the present application precisely sets two internal circulation air inlets on the cooling unit A, and sets the first internal circulation air inlet 110 and the second internal circulation air outlet 120 on two different sides of the main body 100. The first internal circulation air inlet 110 and the internal circulation air outlet 130 are located on the same side. In this way, the cooling unit A can be installed on the side, top surface of the to-be-cooled area 500 in the data center or used for multi-layer installation by using the first internal circulation air inlet 110 and the second internal circulation air outlet 120 located on different sides, so as to be compatible with the layout requirements of various data centers, without the need for additional separate customization, simplifying the process and reducing the production cost.
[0025] In practical applications, the inner circulation channel 160 and the outer circulation channel 170 can be formed by the internal components of the main body 100 and the first heat exchange component 200 surrounding them. For example, sheet metal parts are connected inside the main body 100, and the sheet metal parts, the outer shell of the main body 100, and the first heat exchange component 200 surround to form channels, thereby forming the inner circulation channel 160 and the outer circulation channel 170.
[0026] In this embodiment, according to the temperature of the air in the inner circulation channel 160, the inner circulation channel 160 can include a hot flow channel and a cold flow channel. Similarly, the outer circulation channel 170 also includes a hot flow channel and a cold flow channel. Among them, the hot flow channel of the inner circulation channel 160 and the hot flow channel of the outer circulation channel 170 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, effectively utilizing the internal space of the main body 100, thereby reducing the volume of the main body 100.
[0027] In an implementable embodiment, the first inner circulation air inlet 110 and the second inner circulation air inlet 120 are located on two opposite sides of the main body 100. The outer circulation air inlet 140 and the second inner circulation air inlet 120 are located on the same side, and the outer circulation air outlet 150 is located at the top of the main body 100.
[0028] Of course, the above-mentioned first inner circulation air inlet 110 and second inner circulation air inlet 120 can also be located on two adjacent sides of the main body 100.
[0029] In order to avoid air leakage at the other inner circulation air inlet when using a single inner circulation air inlet, in this embodiment, a sealing member is detachably connected to the first inner circulation air inlet 110 to seal the first inner circulation air inlet 110. Alternatively, a sealing member is detachably connected to the second inner circulation air inlet 120 to seal the second inner circulation air inlet 120.
[0030] In an implementable embodiment, the first heat exchange component 200 can adopt an air-to-air heat exchange core and has an inner heat exchange channel and an outer heat exchange channel. The inner heat exchange channel is connected in series to the inner circulation channel 160, and the outer heat exchange channel is connected in series to the outer circulation channel 170. The air in the inner heat exchange channel can exchange heat with the air in the outer heat exchange channel to achieve heat exchange between the external air and the internal air.
[0031] Preferably, the cooling unit further includes a spray assembly 300. The spray assembly 300 is located in the outer circulation channel 170. Along the gas flow direction in the outer circulation channel 170, the spray assembly 300 is located in front of and / or behind the first heat exchange component 200. In practical applications, the specific structure of the spray assembly 300 can refer to the prior art and will not be elaborated here. The spray assembly 300 is mainly used to spray water on the air-to-air heat exchange core for evaporation and heat absorption. This can effectively reduce the temperature of the air-to-air heat exchange core, thereby playing a cooling role. This method can help maintain the temperature of the data center and ensure the normal operation of the equipment.
[0032] Taking the example that the spray assembly 300 has two, and the two spray assemblies are respectively located in front of and / or behind the first heat exchange component 200, the two spray assemblies 300 spray water simultaneously, or water spraying can be alternatively performed according to the temperature control within the area to be cooled.
[0033] In an implementable embodiment, the cooling unit further includes a mechanical refrigeration assembly 400; the mechanical refrigeration assembly 400 is located within the internal circulation passage 160, and along the gas flow direction within the internal circulation passage 160, the mechanical refrigeration assembly 400 is located behind the first heat exchange component 200.
[0034] In this embodiment, the mechanical refrigeration assembly 400 is used to participate in refrigeration when the gas-gas heat exchange core cannot achieve effective heat exchange. The mechanical refrigeration assembly 400 generally refers to an air conditioning system or a refrigeration device. These devices use a refrigerant to absorb heat through a compression cycle or an absorption cycle, etc., thereby reducing the air temperature within the cold flow path of the internal circulation passage 160, and further reducing the temperature of the data center.
[0035] Regarding the specific manner in which the above cooling unit A is applied to a data center, the present application provides three implementable embodiments for reference.
[0036] Embodiment 1: As Figure 3 shown, the cooling unit A is located on the side of the area to be cooled 500. Specifically, the data center at least includes the area to be cooled 500 and the above-mentioned cooling unit A. The cooling unit A is located on one side of the area to be cooled 500, and the internal circulation air outlet 130 and the first internal circulation air inlet 110 are in communication with the area to be cooled 500, and the second internal circulation air inlet 120 is detachably connected with a closure member.
[0037] In this embodiment, the hot air within the area to be cooled 500 enters the cooling unit A through the first internal circulation air inlet 110, flows through the first heat exchange component 200 for heat exchange to form cold air, and the cold air flows back to the area to be cooled 500 through the internal circulation air outlet 130.
[0038] Embodiment 2: As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, when the data center has a multi-layer space, each layer of space is provided with an area to be cooled 500 and a cooling unit A, and the internal circulation air outlet 130 and the first internal circulation air inlet 110 of the cooling units located in the same layer of space are in communication with the area to be cooled 500 located in the same layer of space.
[0039] Furthermore, the data center further includes an outdoor exhaust shaft 600, the exhaust shaft 600 spans multiple layers of space, and the external circulation air outlet 150 of the cooling units within each layer of space is in communication with the outdoor exhaust shaft 600.
[0040] Embodiment 3: As Figure 6 shown, the data center includes a to-be-cooled area 500 and the above-mentioned cooling unit A; the cooling unit is located at the top of the to-be-cooled area 500, the inner circulation air outlet 130 communicates with the to-be-cooled area 500 through the indoor air supply bin 700, the second inner circulation air inlet 120 communicates with the to-be-cooled area 500 through the indoor air return bin 800, and the first inner circulation air inlet 110 is detachably connected with a closure member.
[0041] In practical applications, both the cooling unit A and the to-be-cooled area 500 can be located inside the data center, and the cooling unit A and the to-be-cooled area 500 are arranged vertically. The cooling unit A can also be located outside the data center. For example, the data center can be a containerized data center, and the cooling unit A is arranged on the top of the container. Or, the data center is a single-story building, the to-be-cooled area 500 is located inside the single-story building, and the cooling unit A is located on the top of the single-story building.
[0042] It can be seen that for the technical solution provided by this application, the cooling unit has a first inner circulation air inlet, a second inner circulation air inlet, and an inner circulation air outlet. The first inner circulation air inlet and the second inner circulation air outlet are located on two different sides of the body, and the first inner circulation air inlet and the inner circulation air outlet are located on the same side. That is to say, the cooling unit is provided with two inner circulation air inlets and one inner circulation air outlet, and one of the two inner circulation air inlets is located on the same side as the inner circulation air outlet, and the other is located on other sides. In this way, the cooling unit can be installed on the side, top surface of the to-be-cooled area in the data center or installed in multiple layers, so as to be compatible with the layout requirements of various data centers, without the need for additional separate customization, simplifying the process and reducing the production cost.
[0043] The above are only the preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of this application shall be included within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A cooling unit, characterized in that: The cooling unit at least comprises a body and a first heat exchange component, wherein the body has a first internal circulation air inlet, a second internal circulation air inlet, an internal circulation air outlet, an external circulation air inlet, an external circulation air outlet, an internal circulation channel and an external circulation channel, wherein: The first internal circulation air inlet and the second internal circulation air inlet are located on two different sides of the body, the first internal circulation air inlet and the second internal circulation air inlet are both connected to the internal circulation air outlet through an internal circulation channel, and the internal circulation air outlet and the first internal circulation air inlet are located on the same side; The external circulation air inlet passes through the external circulation channel and the external circulation air outlet; The first heat exchange component is located at the intersection of the inner circulation channel and the outer circulation channel, and is used to exchange heat and isolate the air flowing through the first heat exchange component in the inner circulation channel and the air flowing through the first heat exchange component in the outer circulation channel.
2. The cooling unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first internal circulation air inlet and the second internal circulation air inlet are located on two opposite sides of the main body.
3. The cooling unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer circulation air inlet and the second inner circulation air inlet are located on the same side, and the outer circulation air outlet is located on the top of the body.
4. The cooling unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: A closing member is detachably connected to the first internal circulation air inlet to close the first internal circulation air inlet; Alternatively, a closing piece is detachably connected to the second internal circulation air inlet to close the second internal circulation air inlet.
5. The cooling unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first internal circulation air inlet and the second internal circulation air inlet are located on two adjacent side surfaces of the main body.
6. The cooling unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heat exchange component is an air-to-air heat exchange core having an inner heat exchange channel and an outer heat exchange channel; The inner heat exchange channel is connected in series to the inner circulation channel, and the outer heat exchange channel is connected in series to the outer circulation channel.
7. The cooling unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling unit also includes a spray assembly; The spray assembly is located in the outer circulation channel, and along the gas flow direction in the outer circulation channel, the spray assembly is located in front of and / or behind the first heat exchange component; The cooling unit also includes a mechanical refrigeration component; The mechanical refrigeration component is located in the internal circulation channel, and along the gas flow direction in the internal circulation channel, the mechanical refrigeration component is located behind the first heat exchange component.
8. A data center, characterized in that: The data center comprises an area to be cooled and a cooling unit according to claim 3; The cooling unit is located at one side of the area to be cooled, the internal circulation air outlet and the first internal circulation air inlet are in communication with the area to be cooled, and the second internal circulation air inlet is detachably connected with a closure member.
9. The data center according to claim 8, characterized in that: The data center has multiple floors; Each layer of space is provided with the area to be cooled and the cooling unit, and the internal circulation air outlet and the first internal circulation air inlet of the cooling unit located in the same layer of space are connected to the area to be cooled located in the same layer of space; The data center further comprises an outdoor exhaust shaft, and the external circulation air outlet of the cooling unit in each layer of space is connected to the outdoor exhaust shaft.
10. A data center, characterized in that: The data center comprises an area to be cooled and a cooling unit according to claim 3; The cooling unit is located at the top of the area to be cooled, the internal circulation air outlet is connected to the area to be cooled through an indoor air supply bin, the second internal circulation air inlet is connected to the area to be cooled through an indoor return air bin, and the first internal circulation air inlet is detachably connected to a closure.