Liquid cooling distribution unit system
By designing a liquid-cooling distribution unit system, using brazed heat exchanger and phase change refrigerant, efficient cooling of high-power density machine rooms is achieved, solving the problem of poor cooling effect of the liquid-cooling system under ambient temperature changes, and improving cooling efficiency and energy efficiency.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421959174.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-13
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-05
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-08-13
AI Technical Summary
The existing liquid cooling system cannot effectively respond to changes in ambient temperature in high-power density computer rooms, resulting in poor cooling effect and cannot meet the cooling needs of high-power density data computer rooms.
A liquid-cooled distribution unit system is designed, including a primary side circulation pipeline and a secondary side circulation pipeline. It adopts a brazed heat exchanger, a fluorine pump, a condenser and a throttling device, combined with a phase change refrigerant, and through frequency conversion operation and flow control, the efficient and stable operation of the cooling system is achieved.
It improves the heat exchange efficiency of the cooling system, can accurately control the cooling temperature, adapt to higher data room power density requirements, and reduces energy consumption.
Smart Images

Figure CN223195020U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of liquid cooling systems, and in particular to a liquid cooling distribution unit system. Background Art
[0002] Recirculating air cooling is the conventional cooling method for data center servers. As the industry evolves and power density increases, the cooling capacity of recirculating air alone is approaching its limits and cannot meet the cooling needs of high-density computer rooms. For example, cold plate liquid cooling typically removes 30-70% of the load, with recirculating air cooling the remainder, thus adapting to higher power densities in data centers.
[0003] However, in conventional plate-cooled liquid cooling systems, the supply of coolant is constant, and it cannot provide effective cooling effect for the ambient temperature changes in high-power density computer rooms. Moreover, the ambient temperature in high-power density computer rooms cannot be effectively controlled even with the circulating cooling air method. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a liquid cooling distribution unit system that can meet the cooling requirements of a high power density computer room layout.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a liquid cooling distribution unit system.
[0006] The liquid cooling distribution unit system provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a primary side circulation pipeline, wherein the primary side circulation pipeline is connected to at least one heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger is connected to the secondary side circulation pipeline;
[0007] The primary side circulation pipeline is provided with a condenser and a fluorine pump;
[0008] The heat exchange unit includes a brazed heat exchanger, the first medium inlet of the brazed heat exchanger is connected to a fluorine pump, a throttling device is provided on one side of the first medium inlet, the first medium outlet of the brazed heat exchanger is connected to a condenser, a throttling device is provided between the first medium inlet and the fluorine pump, and the second medium discharge outlet and the second medium inlet of the brazed heat exchanger are respectively connected to the secondary side circulation pipeline.
[0009] Optionally, the secondary side circulation pipeline includes a first pipeline and a second pipeline, the first pipeline is connected to the second medium outlet, the second pipeline is connected to the second medium inlet, a flow meter is provided on the first pipeline, and a liquid replenishing tank and a circulation pump are provided on the second pipeline along the flow direction of the medium in the second pipeline.
[0010] In addition, a liquid storage tank is provided on the primary side circulation pipeline at one side of the condenser drain port.
[0011] Through the above scheme, the gas phase change refrigerant flows into the liquid storage tank after being cooled and condensed in the condenser. The fluorine pump operates at a variable frequency according to the changes in the terminal load, and transports the liquid refrigerant in the liquid storage tank to the brazed heat exchanger, thereby completing the refrigeration cycle on the cold source side.
[0012] Optionally, a compressor is provided on the air inlet side of the condenser.
[0013] Through the above solution, when the outdoor temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature value, the compressor is turned on and a compressor refrigeration cycle is adopted.
[0014] Optionally, the refrigerant circulation system includes a one-way valve arranged in parallel with the fluorine pump.
[0015] Through the above solution, the one-way valves arranged in parallel can prevent the system from leaking after the pressure is reduced or closed. When the system stops running or other unexpected situations occur, the parallel one-way valves can prevent this situation from happening.
[0016] Optionally, an expansion tank is provided on the second pipeline on the liquid replenishment tank side facing the server liquid cooling side.
[0017] Through the above solution, the expansion tank is used to supplement the hydraulic pressure in the secondary side circulation pipeline, ensuring that the hydraulic pressure in the secondary side circulation pipeline remains in a relatively stable state.
[0018] Optionally, the condenser is an air-cooled condenser, an evaporative condenser, or a compound evaporative condenser.
[0019] In addition, the compound evaporative condenser includes a condensing coil, a first spray assembly is arranged above the condensing coil, an indirect evaporative cooler is arranged on the air inlet side of the compound evaporative condenser, a second spray assembly is arranged above the indirect evaporative cooler, and a water receiving pan is arranged below the indirect evaporative cooler and the condensing coil.
[0020] Through the above solution, the conventional evaporative condenser has a closed structure, and a water collection tray is provided under the coil, which is connected to the spray pipe for circulating spraying, thereby reducing the condensation temperature. In addition, for scenarios with high outdoor wet-bulb temperatures, an indirect evaporative cooler can be added to further improve the condensation effect of the evaporative condenser.
[0021] In addition, a third pipeline is provided between the first pipeline and the second pipeline. The third pipeline is used as a maintenance pipeline for the secondary side circulation pipeline. A maintenance valve group is provided on the first pipeline, the second pipeline and the third pipeline. The maintenance valve group includes a solenoid valve and / or a manual valve.
[0022] According to the above solution, when a fault occurs in the secondary-side circulation pipeline, the inspection valve assembly facilitates the staff to inspect and repair the secondary-side circulation pipeline.
[0023] Optionally, phase change refrigerant is used in the refrigerant circulation system.
[0024] Through the above scheme, the use of phase change refrigerant relies on its phase change latent heat, not only will there be no supply and return temperature difference of the medium, but the cooling capacity carried by unit mass of phase change refrigerant (taking R134a as an example) is about 9 times that of water (the supply and return temperature difference is 5°C), that is, the mass flow rate of phase change refrigerant is only 1 / 9 of that of water, and the mass flow rate is greatly reduced. Therefore, the transportation energy consumption of phase change refrigerant is much less than that of water or ethylene glycol solution.
[0025] The liquid cooling distribution unit provided in the embodiment of the present application improves the heat exchange efficiency of the cooling system and accurately controls the cooling temperature, thereby achieving the effect of adapting to a higher power density of the data center. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.
[0027] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a liquid cooling distribution unit system provided in an embodiment of the present application;
[0028] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of another embodiment provided in the present application;
[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the compound evaporative condenser provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0030] Description of reference numerals:
[0031] 1. Primary side circulation pipeline; 101. Condenser; 102. Fluorine pump; 103. Liquid storage tank; 104. Check valve; 105. Throttling device; 106. Compressor;
[0032] 2. Brazed heat exchanger;
[0033] 3. Secondary side circulation pipeline; 310. First pipeline; 320. Second pipeline; 330. Third pipeline; 311. Flow meter; 321. Expansion tank; 322. Fluid replenishing tank; 323. Circulation pump; 331. Solenoid valve; 332. Manual valve;
[0034] 4. Compound evaporative cooler; 401. Condensing coil; 402. Water receiving tray; 403. First spray assembly; 404. Indirect evaporative cooler; 405. Second spray assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments.
[0036] Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.
[0037] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a liquid cooling distribution unit system provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a cooling system arranged in a high power density computer room. Figure 1 This is used as an example to illustrate, but this application by cadre representatives is limited to this.
[0038] See also Figure 1 As shown, the liquid cooling distribution unit system includes a primary side circulation pipeline 1, the primary side circulation pipeline 1 is connected to at least one heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger is connected to the secondary side circulation pipeline 3;
[0039] The primary side circulation pipeline 1 includes a condenser 101 and a fluorine pump 102 connected by a pipeline;
[0040] The heat exchange unit includes a brazed heat exchanger 2, the first medium inlet of the brazed heat exchanger 2 is connected to the fluorine pump 102, a throttling device 105 is provided on one side of the first medium inlet, the first medium outlet of the brazed heat exchanger 2 is connected to the condenser 101, a throttling device 105 is provided between the first medium inlet and the fluorine pump 102, and the second medium discharge outlet and the second medium inlet of the brazed heat exchanger 2 are respectively connected to the secondary side circulation pipeline 3.
[0041] The secondary side circulation pipeline 3 includes a first pipeline 310 and a second pipeline 320. The first pipeline 310 is connected to the second medium outlet, and the second pipeline 320 is connected to the second medium inlet. A liquid replenishing tank 322 and a circulation pump 323 are provided on the second pipeline 320 along the flow direction of the medium in the second pipeline 320.
[0042] During use, the liquid storage tank 103 is located on the drain port of the condenser 101 on the primary-side circulation line 1. The liquid phase-change refrigerant absorbs heat from the terminal within the brazed heat exchanger 2, vaporizes, and enters the condenser 101. Due to its high evaporation temperature, the corresponding condensation temperature is high. After cooling and condensing in the condenser 101, the gaseous phase-change refrigerant flows into the liquid storage tank 103. The fluorine pump 102 operates at a variable frequency according to the terminal load, transporting the liquid refrigerant in the liquid storage tank 103 to the brazed heat exchanger 2, thus completing the cold source-side refrigeration cycle.
[0043] Furthermore, a throttling device 105 is provided on one side of the first throttling inlet of the brazed heat exchanger 2. When the fluorine pump 102 simultaneously supplies refrigerant to multiple brazed heat exchangers 2, the throttling device 105 can accurately control the amount of refrigerant supplied to the brazed heat exchanger 2, thereby maximizing the overall efficiency of the cooling distribution unit and ensuring the stable operation of the cooling distribution unit system.
[0044] A liquid replenishing tank 322 and a circulation pump 323 are sequentially arranged on the second pipeline 320 along the direction of medium flow in the second pipeline 320. A flow meter 311 is arranged on the first pipeline 310. During the circulation cooling of the coolant on the liquid cooling side of the server, since the ambient temperature of the server room is in a changing state, the flow meter 311 is used to monitor the coolant supply flow on the liquid cooling side of the server, and the circulation pump 323 is adjusted according to the real-time monitoring data of the flow meter 311 to meet the temperature change state of the liquid cooling side of the server, thereby realizing precise control of the temperature change of the liquid cooling side of the server.
[0045] The second pipeline 320 is also provided with the expansion tank 321. Due to the variable frequency operation of the circulation pump 323, the hydraulic pressure in the secondary side circulation pipeline 3 will also change with the flow rate. Therefore, the expansion tank 321 is provided on the second pipeline 320. The expansion tank 321 is used to supplement the hydraulic pressure to ensure that the hydraulic pressure in the secondary side circulation pipeline 3 remains in a relatively stable state, thereby achieving stable heat exchange efficiency of the brazed heat exchanger 2.
[0046] A third pipeline 330 is provided between the first pipeline 310 and the second pipeline 320. The installation position of the third pipeline 330 on the first pipeline 310 is located on the inlet side of the flow meter 311. The installation position of the third pipeline 330 on the second pipeline 320 is located on the side of the expansion tank 321 away from the liquid replenishing tank 322. A maintenance valve group is provided on the first pipeline 310, the second pipeline 320 and the third pipeline 330. The maintenance valve group includes a solenoid valve 331 and / or a manual valve 332. The manual valve 332 is provided on the inlet and outlet side of the solenoid valve 331 and is kept in a normally closed state. At least one manual valve 332 is provided on the first pipeline 310 and the second pipeline 320 respectively. When various components of the secondary side circulation pipeline 3 fail or other situations occur, resulting in instability in operation, the staff can open the manual valve 332 and the solenoid valve 331 of the third pipeline 330, and close the manual valve 332 on the first pipeline 310 and the second pipeline 320 before performing maintenance work to ensure that the secondary side pipeline is maintained in a safe environment.
[0047] Furthermore, a one-way valve 104 is provided on the primary side circulation pipeline 1 in parallel with the fluorine pump 102. In the hydraulic system, if the flow flows in the opposite direction, it will cause the system signal transmission to fail or some functions to fail, affecting the normal operation of the system. The parallel one-way valve 104 can prevent backflow and ensure the normal and stable operation of the hydraulic system.
[0048] The following describes primary circulation pipeline 1 based on specific operating conditions. The coolant supply and return temperatures for the cold plate liquid-cooled server are 40°C / 45°C, and the saturated evaporation temperature of the phase-change refrigerant in primary circulation pipeline 1 of brazed heat exchanger 2 is 38°C. Operating under the full fluorine pump 102, the saturated condensing temperature of the evaporative condenser is 38°C. Considering the pressure drop from the evaporator to the condenser 101, it is estimated that the equivalent saturated evaporation temperature is reduced by 1.5°C, resulting in an outdoor condensing temperature of 36.5°C.
[0049] There are two types of condensers 101 to be used: first, an air-cooled condenser. The heat exchange temperature difference of an air-cooled condenser is generally 8 to 15°C. If the air-cooled condenser is designed based on a heat exchange temperature difference of 10°C, the condensation process can be achieved without starting the compressor 106 when the outdoor dry-bulb temperature is lower than 26.5°C or the wet-bulb temperature is lower than 25.5°C.
[0050] If an evaporative condenser is used, the condensation approach temperature is usually 3 to 6°C. If calculated at 5°C, that is, the outdoor wet-bulb temperature does not exceed 31.5°C, there is no need to start the compressor 106, and only the fluorine pump 102 is needed to realize the refrigeration cycle.
[0051] Both of the above solutions can be applied to areas with low outdoor environment, further simplifying the control and operation costs of conventional cooling source systems.
[0052] See also Figure 3 As shown, the condenser 101 can also adopt a compound evaporative condenser 4, which includes a condensing coil 401, a first spray assembly 403 is arranged above the condensing coil 401, an indirect evaporative cooler 404 is arranged on the air inlet side of the compound evaporative condenser 4, a second spray assembly 405 is arranged above the indirect evaporative cooler 404, and a water receiving tray 402 is arranged below the indirect evaporative cooler 404 and the condensing coil 401.
[0053] For scenarios where the outdoor wet-bulb temperature is high, the condensing temperature of the cooler is lowered by setting the composite evaporative condenser 4. After the outdoor fresh air is cooled by the indirect evaporative cooler 404, its corresponding wet-bulb temperature is reduced. Under the condition that the approaching temperature of the condenser 101 remains unchanged, the condensing temperature can be lowered.
[0054] See also Figure 2 As shown, in order to expand the adaptation scenarios of the liquid cooling distribution unit system, the compressor 106 is set on the air inlet side of the condenser 101. In areas with high outdoor wet-bulb temperatures, in high temperature seasons, the compressor 106 is used for refrigeration cycle to ensure the stable operation of the liquid cooling distribution unit system.
[0055] The primary-side circulation pipeline 1 uses a phase-change refrigerant. Due to its latent heat, the phase-change refrigerant not only eliminates the supply and return temperature difference when transporting the same amount of heat, but also carries approximately nine times the cooling capacity per unit mass of phase-change refrigerant (using R134a as an example) as water (assuming a 5°C supply and return temperature difference). This significantly reduces the mass flow rate of the phase-change refrigerant to just one-ninth that of water. Therefore, the energy consumption of transporting a phase-change refrigerant is far lower than that of water or ethylene glycol solutions.
[0056] Among them, the terms "upper" and "lower" are used to describe the relative position relationship of each structure in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of description and is not used to limit the scope of implementation of this application. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships should also be regarded as the scope of implementation of this application without substantially changing the technical content.
[0057] It should be noted that, in this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.
[0058] Furthermore, in this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connected," "fixed," and the like should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; they may refer to direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they may refer to internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0059] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.
[0060] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.
Claims
1. A liquid cooling distribution unit system, characterized in that: It comprises a primary-side circulation pipeline (1), wherein the primary-side circulation pipeline (1) is connected to at least one heat exchange unit, and the heat exchange unit is connected to a secondary-side circulation pipeline (3); The primary side circulation pipeline (1) is provided with a condenser (101) and a fluorine pump (102); The heat exchange unit comprises a brazed heat exchanger (2), a first medium inlet of the brazed heat exchanger (2) is connected to a fluorine pump (102), a throttling device (105) is provided on one side of the first medium inlet, a first medium outlet of the brazed heat exchanger (2) is connected to a condenser (101), a throttling device (105) is provided between the first medium inlet and the fluorine pump (102), and a second medium discharge outlet and a second medium inlet of the brazed heat exchanger (2) are respectively connected to a secondary side circulation pipeline (3).
2. The liquid cooling distribution unit system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The secondary side circulation pipeline (3) comprises a first pipeline (310) and a second pipeline (320), wherein the first pipeline (310) is connected to the second medium outlet, and the second pipeline (320) is connected to the second medium inlet. A flow meter (311) is provided on the first pipeline (310), and a liquid replenishing tank (322) and a circulation pump (323) are provided on the second pipeline (320) along the flow direction of the medium in the second pipeline (320).
3. The liquid cooling distribution unit system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A liquid storage tank (103) is provided on the primary side circulation pipeline (1) at one side of the liquid discharge port of the condenser (101).
4. The liquid cooling distribution unit system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A compressor (106) is provided on the primary side circulation pipeline (1) at one side of the air inlet of the condenser (101).
5. The liquid cooling distribution unit system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The primary side circulation pipeline (1) is provided with a one-way valve (104) arranged in parallel with the fluorine pump (102).
6. The liquid cooling distribution unit system according to claim 2, characterized in that: An expansion tank (321) is provided on the second pipeline (320) at the liquid replenishment tank (322) facing the server liquid cooling side.
7. The liquid cooling distribution unit system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The condenser (101) includes an air-cooled condenser, an evaporative condenser, and a compound evaporative condenser (4).
8. The liquid cooling distribution unit system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The compound evaporative condenser (4) comprises a condensing coil (401), a first spray assembly (403) is provided above the condensing coil (401), an indirect evaporative cooler (404) is provided on one side of the air inlet of the compound evaporative condenser (4), a second spray assembly (405) is provided above the indirect evaporative cooler (404), and a water receiving pan (402) is provided below the indirect evaporative cooler (404) and the condensing coil (401).
9. The liquid cooling distribution unit system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A third pipeline (330) is provided between the first pipeline (310) and the second pipeline (320), and the third pipeline (330) is used as a maintenance pipeline for the secondary side circulation pipeline (3). A maintenance valve group is provided on the first pipeline (310), the second pipeline (320) and the third pipeline (330), and the maintenance valve group includes a solenoid valve (331) and / or a manual valve (332).
10. The liquid cooling distribution unit system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: Phase-change refrigerant is used in the primary side circulation pipeline (1).