Machine room fan and temperature control system

Abstract

The utility model provides a machine room fan and a temperature control system, a machine room temperature sensor, a precision air conditioner and a controller are arranged in a machine room, and a return air temperature sensor is arranged at the return air position of the precision air conditioner; the fan is arranged at a wall hole or a ceiling hole of the machine room through a support, the fan is connected with one end of the air pipe, and the other end of the air pipe extends to the outside through the wall hole or the ceiling hole; an air outlet of the fan is provided with an adjustable flow guide device used for adjusting the air outlet angle. The controller is in communication connection with the machine room temperature sensor, the precise air conditioner, the return air temperature sensor and the draught fan. An outdoor natural cold source can be fully utilized, fresh and low-temperature air is introduced into the machine room when the external temperature is within a suitable range, equipment is directly cooled, energy is remarkably saved, and it is guaranteed that the performance of the equipment is not affected.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application relates to the energy-saving technical field, in particular to a machine room fan and a temperature control system. BACKGROUND

[0002] An operator machine room, usually refers to a professional place for placing communication equipment, network equipment, servers and other key facilities built and maintained by a telecommunications operator. These machine rooms are the core nodes of the communication network, responsible for processing and transmitting a large amount of data and information.

[0003] At present, the operator machine room relies on air conditioners to maintain the suitable temperature in the machine room. With the explosive growth of data business, the number of machine room equipment is rising, and the running time and load of the air conditioner are also increasing, and the power cost has become a heavy burden for the operation of the machine room.

[0004] Therefore, the existing machine room temperature control method will cause a large amount of energy consumption. INVENTION CONTENTS

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the application is to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] The application provides a machine room fan and a temperature control system, which comprises a machine room temperature sensor, a precision air conditioner, a return air temperature sensor, a controller and a fan and a wind pipe.

[0007] The machine room temperature sensor, the precision air conditioner and the controller are arranged in the machine room, and the return air temperature sensor is arranged at the return air of the precision air conditioner.

[0008] The fan is arranged at the wall hole or the ceiling hole of the machine room through a support, one end of the fan is connected with the wind pipe, and the other end of the wind pipe extends to the outdoor through the wall hole or the ceiling hole.

[0009] An adjustable flow guide device for adjusting the air outlet angle is arranged at the air outlet of the fan.

[0010] The controller is in communication connection with the machine room temperature sensor, the precision air conditioner, the return air temperature sensor and the fan respectively.

[0011] In some embodiments, the adjustable flow guide device is an angle-adjustable flow guide plate or a flow guide cover.

[0012] In some embodiments, the adjustable flow guide device can adjust the air outlet angle manually or electrically.

[0013] In some embodiments, the fan is connected with the power access point through a cable.

[0014] In some embodiments, the power access point comprises an electrical distribution box or an electrical outlet.

[0015] In some embodiments, the controller is communicatively connected with the computer room temperature sensor, the precision air conditioner, the return air temperature sensor and the fan through wired Ethernet.

[0016] In some embodiments, the controller is communicatively connected with the computer room temperature sensor, the precision air conditioner, the return air temperature sensor and the fan through wireless communication.

[0017] In some embodiments, the wireless communication comprises Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, mobile communication, NFC, LoRa, RFID, LTE-M or NB-IoT.

[0018] In some embodiments, the computer room temperature sensor is arranged at a device concentrated area and a return air duct of the computer room.

[0019] In some embodiments, the device concentrated area comprises a server cluster and a large switch area.

[0020] The computer room fan and temperature control system provided by the present application comprises a computer room temperature sensor, a precision air conditioner, a return air temperature sensor, a controller and a fan and an air duct. The computer room temperature sensor, the precision air conditioner and the controller are arranged inside the computer room, and the return air temperature sensor is arranged at the return air of the precision air conditioner. The fan is arranged at a wall hole or a ceiling hole of the computer room through a support, and is connected with one end of the air duct. The other end of the air duct extends to the outside through the wall hole or the ceiling hole. An adjustable flow guide device for adjusting the air outlet angle is arranged at the air outlet of the fan. The controller is communicatively connected with the computer room temperature sensor, the precision air conditioner, the return air temperature sensor and the fan. The computer room fan and temperature control system provided by the present application can make full use of the natural cold source outside the room. When the temperature outside is in a suitable range, the modified fan is started to introduce fresh air with lower temperature into the computer room to directly cool the equipment. In this mode, the air conditioner is turned off to achieve significant energy saving, and the equipment in the computer room can still stably operate in a comfortable temperature environment to ensure that the equipment performance is not affected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and serve to explain the principles of the present application together with the specification.

[0022] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer room fan and temperature control system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 A partial entity schematic diagram of a machine room fan and temperature control system is provided for the embodiments of the present application.

[0024] Figure 3 An example diagram of an adjustable flow guide device is provided for the embodiments of the present application.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0026] 10, machine room temperature sensor; 20, precision air conditioner; 30, return air temperature sensor;

[0027] 40, controller; 50, fan; 60, air duct; 51, support; 52, adjustable flow guide device; 521, flow guide housing; 522, fixed column; 523, flow guide fin.

[0028] The specific embodiments of the present application have been shown through the above-described drawings, and will be described in more detail hereinafter. These drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present application in any way, but to illustrate the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order for those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present application, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0030] It can be understood that the specific embodiments and drawings described herein are merely intended to explain the present application, and not to limit the present application.

[0031] It can be understood that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0032] It can be understood that, for the purpose of description, only parts related to the present application are shown in the drawings of the present application, and parts unrelated to the present application are not shown in the drawings.

[0033] It can be understood that each unit and module involved in the embodiments of the present application can correspond to only one entity structure, or can be composed of multiple entity structures, or multiple units and modules can be integrated into one entity structure.

[0034] It can be understood that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish different objects, or to distinguish different processing of the same object, and are not used to describe the specific order of the objects.

[0035] It can be understood that the functions and steps marked in the flowcharts and block diagrams of the present application can occur in an order different from that marked in the drawings without conflict.

[0036] It can be understood that the flowcharts and block diagrams in the present application show the architecture, functions and operations of possible implementations of systems, apparatuses, devices, methods according to embodiments of the present application. Each block in the flowchart or block diagram can represent a unit, module, program segment, code, which contains executable instructions for implementing the specified function. Moreover, each block or combination of blocks in the block diagram and flowchart can be implemented by a hardware-based system that implements the specified function, or by a combination of hardware and computer instructions.

[0037] It can be understood that the units and modules involved in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in software or hardware, for example, the units and modules can be located in a processor.

[0038] At present, the energy consumption of the air conditioning system in the operator room accounts for even 40%-50% of the total energy consumption. This not only has a negative impact on the economic benefits of the enterprise, but also goes against the current global concept of energy saving and emission reduction and green development. Long-term dependence on air conditioning refrigeration also brings a series of other problems. On the one hand, overuse of air conditioners makes the operating environment of the equipment relatively single, lacks the adjustment of natural cold sources, and is not conducive to the equipment to adapt to different temperature changes, to some extent, affecting the service life and stability of the equipment. On the other hand, the long-term operation of the air conditioner is prone to failure, and frequent maintenance and repair not only increase the operating cost, but also may lead to the loss of control of the room temperature, threatening the normal operation of the equipment and data security. Moreover, in some areas where power supply is tight, the continuous high energy consumption refrigeration demand may face the risk of insufficient power supply, bringing potential risks to the stable operation of the room.

[0039] The present application provides a room fan and temperature control system, which can fully utilize the natural cold source outside by the fan. When the external temperature is in the appropriate range, the fan is turned on to introduce fresh and low-temperature air into the room to directly cool the equipment. Under this mode, significant energy savings are achieved, and the equipment in the room can still operate stably in a comfortable temperature environment.

[0040] The technical solutions of the present application and how the technical solutions of the present application solve the above technical problems will be described in detail below with specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes can not be described again in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a room fan and temperature control system provided by an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 A partial entity schematic diagram of a room fan and temperature control system provided by an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 1as well as Figure 2 As shown, the computer room fan and temperature control system provided in this application includes: a computer room temperature sensor 10, a precision air conditioner 20, a return air temperature sensor 30, a controller 40, a fan 50, and an air duct 60.

[0042] The computer room temperature sensor 10, the precision air conditioner 20, and the controller 40 are located inside the computer room, and the return air temperature sensor 30 is located at the return air of the precision air conditioner 20.

[0043] The fan 50 is mounted on a wall opening or ceiling opening in the machine room via a bracket 51. One end of the fan 50 is connected to the duct 60, and the other end of the duct 60 extends to the outside via the wall opening or ceiling opening.

[0044] The air outlet of the fan 50 is equipped with an adjustable air guide device 52 for adjusting the air outlet angle;

[0045] The controller 40 is communicatively connected to the computer room temperature sensor 10, the precision air conditioner 20, the return air temperature sensor 30, and the fan 50.

[0046] In some embodiments, the adjustable flow guide device 52 is an angle-adjustable flow guide plate or flow guide cover.

[0047] In some embodiments, the adjustable airflow guide device 52 can be adjusted in terms of airflow angle manually or electrically.

[0048] Figure 3 Example diagram of the adjustable flow guiding device provided in the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the adjustable airflow guiding device 52 includes an airflow guiding shell 521, a fixed column 522, and an airflow guiding plate 523. The airflow guiding shell 521 is located at the air outlet of the fan 50 and is fixedly connected to the fan 50. The fixed column 522 is fixedly installed inside the airflow guiding shell 521. The airflow guiding plate 523 is installed on the fixed column 522 and can be adjusted around the fixed column 522 to realize the adjustment of the airflow angle of the fan 50.

[0049] refer to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 When the adjustable guide device 52 is Figure 2 Figure 3 When the setup is as shown, when the guide vane 523 is adjusted to a horizontal position, the air outlet angle of the fan 50 is also horizontal. When the guide vane 523 is adjusted to be tilted relative to the horizontal position, the air outlet angle of the fan 50 changes accordingly.

[0050] In some embodiments, the fan 50 is connected to a power supply point via a cable.

[0051] In some embodiments, the power access point comprises an electrical distribution box or an electrical outlet.

[0052] In some embodiments, the controller 40 is connected to the computer room temperature sensor 10, the precision air conditioner 20, the return air temperature sensor 30 and the fan 50 through wired Ethernet, so as to facilitate data transmission and sending of control instructions.

[0053] In some embodiments, the controller 40 is connected to the computer room temperature sensor 10, the precision air conditioner 20, the return air temperature sensor 30 and the fan 50 through wireless communication, so as to facilitate data transmission and sending of control instructions.

[0054] In some embodiments, the wireless communication comprises Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, mobile communication, NFC (Near Field Communication), LoRa (Long Range), RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), LTE-M or NB-IoT. Among them, LTE-M and NB-IoT are low-power wide-area network (LPWA) technologies designed for Internet of Things applications, providing low-power, wide-coverage data transmission.

[0055] In some embodiments, the computer room temperature sensor 10 is arranged at the equipment concentrated area and the return air duct of the computer room.

[0056] In some embodiments, the equipment concentrated area comprises the area where the server cluster and the large switch are located.

[0057] Optionally, the fan can be a new fan or an old fan that is modified.

[0058] Among them, the modification process of the old fan is as follows:

[0059] (I) Fan disassembly and inspection

[0060] The scrapped water-cooled air conditioner fan is carefully disassembled from the original equipment, and the surface dust and debris of the fan are cleaned. Check whether the fan blades are damaged. If there is slight damage, it can be repaired; if the damage is serious, the blades need to be replaced. At the same time, check whether the motor is running normally, and replace the new suitable motor if there is a fault. In addition, check whether the fan shell is deformed or damaged, and repair or replace the shell if there is a problem to ensure the integrity of the overall structure of the fan.

[0061] The application achieves the purpose of waste utilization and ingenious optimization by modifying the external fan of the original water-cooled unit, thereby introducing natural cooling sources from the outdoor to cool the equipment in the machine room, closing the air conditioner compressor, and achieving the goal of energy saving.

[0062] (II) Install new support and connect air duct

[0063] According to the selected installation position, use a drill to punch holes in the wall or ceiling of the machine room (according to the actual situation), and install a new fan support. Ensure that the support is securely installed and can withstand the weight of the fan and the vibration during operation. Connect one end of the air duct to the fan outlet, and the other end to the outdoor cold air introduction position. During connection, use sealant to seal the interface to prevent air leakage and ensure that all cold air can pass through the air duct into the room. When connecting the air duct, adjust the air duct direction according to the actual situation on site, try to reduce the number of bends, and reduce air resistance.

[0064] (III) Fan power connection

[0065] 1. Determine the power access point: Find a suitable power access point in the machine room, generally choose a distribution box or power socket near the fan installation location and meet the electrical safety specifications. Use a multimeter to measure the power voltage to ensure that it is consistent with the rated voltage of the fan motor, to avoid damage to the motor due to voltage mismatch.

[0066] 2. Lay the cable: According to the distance between the fan and the power access point, cut the appropriate length of the cable. Along the pre-planned path, lay the cable in the machine room. To ensure the safety and neatness of the cable, you can use a wire slot to fix it. The wire slot should be installed firmly to avoid shaking or falling off. Thread the cable into the wire slot and leave a suitable length at both ends for wiring.

[0067] 3. Connect the terminal: Open the terminal cover at the fan motor terminal box and the power access point. Strip the insulation of the cable at one end to expose a certain length of metal wire. According to the markings in the motor terminal box, connect the wire to the corresponding terminal, generally three phase lines (L1, L2, L3) and one neutral line (N), if there is a grounding requirement, also need to connect the grounding line (PE). Use a screwdriver to tighten the screws on the terminal to ensure that the wire connection is firm and the contact is good, to prevent loose contact resistance from overheating or sparking. At the power access point, connect the other end of the cable to the corresponding terminal of the distribution box or socket in the same way.

[0068] 4. Insulation and Inspection: After wiring is completed, use insulation tape to insulate each terminal, ensuring that the wire connection is not exposed, preventing short circuits or electric shock accidents. Carefully check all wiring for correctness and firmness, and check the cable in the wire slot for damage or compression. Again, use a multimeter to measure the resistance between the motor terminal, determine if the motor is normal, and check if there is a short circuit or open circuit in the circuit. Confirm that there is no error, close the fan motor terminal box cover and the power access point distribution box door or socket cover.

[0069] (Four) Fan installation and debugging

[0070] Install the repaired or replaced fan on the new bracket, and use screws and nuts to secure it firmly. Install the transmission belt (if any), adjust the belt tightness to ensure that the motor can effectively drive the fan to run. Connect the power supply, start the fan, check if the fan runs in the correct direction, and if there is any abnormal noise and vibration. If there is a problem, stop the machine in time for adjustment.

[0071] (Five) Adjust the fan outlet direction and optimize air flow organization

[0072] 1. Determine the air flow optimization target: According to the wind speed data obtained from the previous site survey and the heat dissipation requirements of the equipment in the machine room, determine the target of the optimized air flow organization. For example, to ensure that cold air can evenly cover the equipment heat generating area and avoid local hot spots.

[0073] 2. Install adjustable guide device: Install adjustable guide plates or guide covers at the fan outlet. These devices can be adjusted in angle by hand or electrically. Use screws to fix the guide device at the edge of the fan outlet, ensuring firm installation and flexible angle adjustment.

[0074] 3. Initial angle adjustment: Start the fan and use an anemometer to measure the wind speed at different locations in the machine room. According to the measurement results, initially adjust the angle of the guide device to make the cold air flow towards the equipment concentration area and the location that needs to be cooled. During the adjustment process, pay attention to the changes in anemometer data and the coverage of cold air to ensure the correct adjustment direction.

[0075] 4. Simulation and optimization: Use the previous air flow test data, the size of the machine room, the layout of the equipment, the angle of the fan and the current guide device, etc. Analyze the air flow distribution in the machine room by smoke. Further optimize the angle of the guide device. For example, if the air flow speed in a certain area is too low, the angle of the guide device towards that area can be appropriately increased to enhance the delivery of cold air.

[0076] Real-time data update mechanism: Temperature sensors collect data in real time and transmit it to the controller via a data transmission network (such as wired Ethernet, wireless Wi-Fi, etc.). After receiving the data, the controller's software system uses real-time data as feedback, such as equipment heating power and airflow speed, to ensure model accuracy if the deviation between the actual and predicted temperatures exceeds a set threshold (e.g., [data not specified]).

[0077] Regular Calibration: Set a regular calibration cycle, such as weekly or bi-weekly. During calibration, comprehensively collect information on the operating status of computer room equipment and environmental conditions, and recalibrate boundary conditions and parameters. Utilize a large amount of historically accumulated temperature data for data analysis and adjustments.

[0078] Rapid Adaptation Mechanism: When a sudden situation occurs in the computer room, such as a sudden increase in local temperature due to equipment failure, or a rapid change in the external ambient temperature, the system immediately activates the rapid adaptation mechanism. It quickly analyzes the area and degree of temperature anomalies and rapidly adjusts the operating parameters of the fans and air conditioners according to preset rules. If the temperature in a certain area rises by 5 degrees Celsius in a short period, an on-site inspection is immediately conducted, and the air dampers are manually closed while the air conditioning is turned on for cooling.

[0079] 5. Fine-tuning during actual operation: During actual operation, continuously monitor the temperature distribution within the computer room. Temperature data is acquired in real time using temperature sensors installed at different locations. If an area is found to be excessively hot, it indicates that the airflow organization in that area still needs optimization. Readjust the angle of the airflow guiding device, with each adjustment not being too large, generally controlled between 5-10 degrees. Then observe the temperature changes until the temperature distribution within the computer room is uniform, achieving the optimization goal.

[0080] The temperature control process in this application is as follows:

[0081] (I) Temperature Sensor Installation

[0082] Temperature sensors are installed in key locations within the computer room (such as areas with concentrated equipment and return air ducts) to monitor the room temperature in real time. Return air temperature sensors are also installed at the return air vents of the precision air conditioning system to accurately monitor the return air temperature. Ensure that the temperature sensors are installed in appropriate locations that accurately reflect the actual temperature and do not interfere with the normal operation of other equipment. During installation, use dedicated sensor mounting brackets or tape to secure the temperature sensors in suitable positions to prevent interference or damage.

[0083] In a computer room, temperature distribution is affected by a variety of factors such as equipment layout, heat dissipation characteristics, and airflow direction. Determining the reasonable distribution of temperature sensors is crucial for accurate temperature monitoring.

[0084] Layout based on device heat characteristics: Classify the equipment in the computer room, and divide it into levels according to its power and heat intensity. Place sensors densely near high-heat devices such as server clusters and large switches, such as at the air inlet and outlet of the server rack, and the key chip cooling area of the switch. Place a sensor every 1-2 devices to ensure accurate capture of temperature changes around the devices. For auxiliary devices with lower heat, you can appropriately expand the sensor spacing, placing one sensor for every 3-5 devices to ensure accurate capture of temperature changes around the devices.

[0085] Combine with airflow distribution: Use anemometers and other means to determine the airflow direction in the computer room. Place sensors at key airflow nodes such as cold air inlets, hot air outlets, and airflow intersections. Place sensors at the fresh air inlet to monitor the temperature of the incoming air, at the hot aisle exhaust outlet to monitor the temperature of the outgoing air, and at airflow bends and mixing areas to monitor the temperature changes caused by airflow changes.

[0086] Consider spatial uniformity: Divide the computer room into multiple grid areas, with each area's size determined by the size of the computer room and the density of the equipment. Generally, the area of each grid is 5-10 square meters. Place sensors at the center or diagonal intersection of each grid to ensure that there are no dead zones in the temperature monitoring and to accurately reflect the overall temperature distribution of the computer room.

[0087] (2) Controller connection and settings

[0088] Connect the temperature sensors to the controller to ensure that the connection is correct and not loose. Set the temperature threshold on the controller based on the requirements and actual situation of the computer room equipment. For example, when the temperature in the computer room is higher than [X] degrees, start the modified fan to introduce outdoor cold air; when the temperature is lower than [X-2] degrees, stop the fan. For the return air temperature of the precision air conditioner, set the temperature to be lower than [Y] degrees when the compressor does not start, and higher than [Y+1] degrees when the compressor starts. When setting the controller parameters, fully consider the actual environment of the computer room and the heat dissipation characteristics of the equipment to ensure the accuracy and stability of the temperature control.

[0089] (3) System linkage test

[0090] After completing the above installation and settings, perform a system linkage test. Simulate different temperature environments and observe whether the fan and precision air conditioner operate as expected. For example, increase the temperature in the computer room and observe whether the fan can start in time to introduce cold air; when the temperature drops, the fan should stop normally. At the same time, check whether the compressor of the precision air conditioner starts and stops accurately when the return air temperature changes. If problems are found, adjust the controller settings or check the device connection in a timely manner. During the test, record the operating data of the equipment under various temperature changes to provide a reference for subsequent optimization.

[0091] The application provides a machine room fan and temperature control system, which can fully utilize the natural cold source of the outside, when the outside temperature is in a suitable range, the modified fan is started to introduce fresh and low-temperature air into the machine room to directly cool the equipment. In this mode, the air conditioner is turned off to achieve significant energy saving, and the equipment in the machine room can still stably run in a comfortable temperature environment to ensure that the equipment performance is not affected.

[0092] It can be understood that the above embodiments are only exemplary embodiments for illustrating the principles of the application, and the application is not limited thereto. Various modifications and improvements can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and essence of the application, and these modifications and improvements are also considered as the protection scope of the application.

Claims

1. A machine room fan and temperature control system, comprising: The system comprises a machine room temperature sensor, a precision air conditioner, a return air temperature sensor, a controller, and a fan and a duct; The machine room temperature sensor, the precision air conditioner, and the controller are arranged inside the machine room, and the return air temperature sensor is arranged at the return air of the precision air conditioner; The fan is arranged at a wall hole or a ceiling hole of the machine room through a support, and one end of the fan is connected with the duct, and the other end of the duct extends to the outside through the wall hole or the ceiling hole; An adjustable guide device for adjusting the air outlet angle is arranged at the air outlet of the fan; The controller is in communication connection with the machine room temperature sensor, the precision air conditioner, the return air temperature sensor, and the fan respectively.

2. The machine room fan and temperature control system of claim 1, wherein, The adjustable guide device is an angle-adjustable guide plate or a guide cover.

3. The machine room fan and temperature control system of claim 1, wherein, The adjustable guide device can adjust the air outlet angle manually or electrically.

4. The machine room fan and temperature control system of claim 1, wherein, The fan is connected with a power access point through a cable.

5. The machine room fan and temperature control system of claim 4, wherein, The power access point comprises a distribution box or a power socket.

6. The machine room fan and temperature control system of claim 1, wherein, The controller is in communication connection with the machine room temperature sensor, the precision air conditioner, the return air temperature sensor, and the fan through wired Ethernet respectively.

7. The machine room fan and temperature control system of claim 1, wherein, The controller is in communication connection with the machine room temperature sensor, the precision air conditioner, the return air temperature sensor, and the fan through wireless communication respectively.

8. The machine room fan and temperature control system of claim 7, wherein, The wireless communication comprises Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, mobile communication, NFC, LoRa, RFID, LTE-M, or NB-IoT.

9. The machine room fan and temperature control system of claim 1, wherein, The machine room temperature sensor is arranged at a device concentration area and a return air duct of the machine room.

10. The machine room fan and temperature control system of claim 9, wherein, The device concentration area comprises a server cluster and a large switch area.

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