Liquid-cooled heat exchange unit
By directly connecting the high-temperature coolant receiver, heat exchanger, and low-temperature coolant output assembly, the resistance and space occupation problems caused by pipe connections in the liquid cooling distribution unit are solved, achieving more efficient coolant flow and space utilization.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-10
AI Technical Summary
The resistance loss and space occupation caused by the pipe connections in existing liquid cooling distribution units are particularly significant when multiple liquid cooling distribution units are operating simultaneously.
By directly connecting the high-temperature coolant receiver, heat exchanger, and low-temperature coolant output assembly, eliminating pipe connections, and employing a specific assembly location and drive component design, direct coolant flow is achieved.
It reduces pipe resistance loss, improves the liquid pushing efficiency of the drive unit, and saves installation space.
Smart Images
Figure CN223987304U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a heat exchange device, and more particularly to a liquid-cooled heat exchange unit that uses a working fluid for heat exchange. Background Technology
[0002] Generally, when cooling large devices such as server arrays, liquid cooling is typically used. Coolant flows through the server array, absorbing the heat generated by its operation. The high-temperature coolant is then introduced into existing cooling distribution units (CDUs). In the CDU, this high-temperature coolant exchanges heat with coolant in a reservoir to cool down. The cooled coolant then flows back to the server array to continue absorbing heat. Meanwhile, the coolant in the reservoir, heated by the heat exchange, flows out to another reservoir to dissipate heat. The cooled coolant in the reservoir then flows back to the CDU to exchange heat with the high-temperature coolant flowing from the server, thus forming a circulating liquid cooling system.
[0003] However, this liquid cooling distribution unit has multiple operating components, such as a high-temperature water zone for receiving high-temperature coolant, a low-temperature water zone for receiving water cooled by heat exchange, and a heat exchange working zone. These components are connected by numerous curved pipes to form a water flow path, creating significant pipe resistance and resulting in energy loss, i.e., increased energy consumption for pumping. Furthermore, when multiple liquid cooling distribution units need to operate (e.g., when a server is running at full capacity and generating a large amount of heat), the pipes of the multiple liquid cooling distribution units occupy a significant amount of placement space. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a liquid-cooled heat exchange unit that can avoid pipe resistance caused by pipe connections.
[0005] A secondary objective of this invention is to provide a liquid-cooled heat exchange unit that can reduce the space it occupies.
[0006] The directional terms or similar terms used throughout this utility model, such as "front", "back", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "side", etc., are mainly for reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Each directional term or similar term is only used to assist in explaining and understanding the various embodiments of this utility model and is not intended to limit this utility model.
[0007] The use of the quantifiers “a” or “an” for the elements and components described throughout this utility model is merely for convenience and to provide the general meaning of the scope of this utility model; in this utility model, it should be interpreted as including one or at least one, and a single concept also includes multiple cases, unless it clearly means otherwise.
[0008] The terms “first,” “second,” … and “Nth” used throughout this utility model are mainly used to distinguish different elements or features (such as components, directions, or steps, etc.) and do not indicate the maximum or minimum number of these elements or features possessed by a corresponding subject or method, nor do they limit the order of priority.
[0009] The terms "combination," "integration," or "assembly" used throughout this utility model mainly include those that allow for separation without damaging the components after connection, or those that make the components inseparable after connection. Those skilled in the art can choose the appropriate term based on the material of the components to be connected or the assembly requirements.
[0010] The liquid-cooled heat exchange unit of this utility model includes: a high-temperature coolant receiving component having a receiving port for receiving a high-temperature coolant, the high-temperature coolant receiving component having an output port for discharging the high-temperature coolant; a heat exchange component for forming a low-temperature coolant from the high-temperature coolant, the heat exchange component having a high-temperature coolant inlet connected to the output port of the high-temperature coolant receiving component, the heat exchange component having a low-temperature coolant outlet; and a low-temperature coolant output component having a low-temperature coolant receiving component having a low-temperature coolant receiving port connected to the low-temperature coolant outlet of the heat exchange component, the low-temperature coolant output component having a low-temperature coolant discharge component having a low-temperature coolant output port for discharging the low-temperature coolant.
[0011] Therefore, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit of this invention, by connecting the output port of the high-temperature coolant receiver to the high-temperature coolant inlet of the heat exchanger, and the low-temperature coolant outlet of the heat exchanger to the low-temperature coolant receiving port of the low-temperature coolant receiver, and by connecting the low-temperature coolant receiver to the low-temperature coolant discharge component via the drive component through at least one connection port, allows the connection between the above components to omit pipe fittings, reducing pipe losses and improving the liquid pushing efficiency of the drive component. Furthermore, the specific relative assembly positions of the high-temperature coolant receiver, the heat exchanger, and the low-temperature coolant output component allow the coolant to be directly driven into adjacent components, eliminating the need for pipe connections. This saves the volume occupied by pipe fittings and conserves space in the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit.
[0012] The high-temperature coolant receiving device has its receiving port and its output port facing a first direction. Thus, the high-temperature coolant receiving device can be connected to the heat exchanger from the first direction, ensuring that the receiving port, the heat exchanger inlet, and the heat exchanger output port all face the first direction, achieving a unified orientation for all openings.
[0013] The cryogenic coolant receiver and the high-temperature coolant receiver are arranged side-by-side in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. Thus, the cryogenic and high-temperature coolant receivers can be positioned within the irregular space formed by the distance between the high-temperature coolant inlet and the cryogenic coolant outlet, achieving better space utilization.
[0014] The cryogenic coolant receiver abuts against the high-temperature coolant receiver in the second direction. Thus, the cryogenic and high-temperature coolant receivers can be positioned within the irregular space formed by the distance between the high-temperature coolant inlet and the cryogenic coolant outlet, achieving better space utilization.
[0015] The cryogenic coolant output assembly includes at least one drive member. A suction port of the drive member is connected to at least one connection port of the cryogenic coolant receiving assembly, and a pump port of the drive member is connected to at least one connection port of the cryogenic coolant discharge assembly. Thus, the at least one drive member can be used to drive the flow of coolant.
[0016] The pumping port is connected to at least one connection port of the cryogenic coolant receiving component in a first direction, and the pumping port faces a third direction perpendicular to the first direction. Thus, the coolant flow path can be redirected from the first direction to the third direction without the need for piping, reducing pipe losses and improving the driving efficiency of the drive component.
[0017] The cryogenic coolant receiver has several connection ports arranged side-by-side at intervals in a second direction, allowing several drive components to connect to each port. The first, second, and third directions are perpendicular to each other. Thus, the connection ports can be used to connect several drive components, enabling simultaneous operation of the drive components to achieve better liquid drive efficiency, and ensuring normal operation can be maintained by the remaining drive components if one drive component fails.
[0018] Specifically, the cryogenic coolant discharge component is misaligned with the cryogenic coolant receiving component and the heat exchange component in the third direction, so that the cryogenic coolant outlet, a heat exchange fluid inlet, a heat exchange fluid outlet, and the receiving port face the same direction. This ensures that the orientation of all openings is consistent.
[0019] The liquid-cooled heat exchange unit of this invention further includes a housing with an accommodating space. The high-temperature coolant receiver, the heat exchanger, and the low-temperature coolant output assembly are housed within the accommodating space. The housing has an opening, with the low-temperature coolant output port and the receiver port facing the opening. Thus, the housing allows the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit to be modularized, facilitating easy installation and disassembly when installed in a cooling unit.
[0020] The heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet for the exchange fluid. The inlet and outlet, along with the high-temperature coolant inlet and the low-temperature coolant outlet, are located on opposite sides of the heat exchanger in a first direction. This allows the high-temperature coolant to flow into the heat exchanger from one side, while the exchange fluid flows into the heat exchanger from the other side, thus enabling heat exchange between the high-temperature coolant and the exchange fluid within the heat exchanger.
[0021] The cryogenic coolant outlet, the receiving port, the exchange fluid inlet, and the exchange fluid outlet all face the opening.
[0022] The connecting pipes of the cryogenic coolant outlet, the receiving port, the exchange fluid inlet, and the exchange fluid outlet protrude parallel to each other toward the opening of the housing. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 : An exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 2 : A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the following diagram;
[0025] Figure 3 This utility model is a preferred embodiment of a heat dissipation unit. (Combination diagram)
[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0027] 1: High-temperature coolant receiving component
[0028] 11: Receiver Port
[0029] 11a, 21a, 22a, 331: Takeover
[0030] 12: Output Port
[0031] 2: Heat exchange components
[0032] 21: Exchange fluid inlet
[0033] 22: Exchange fluid outlet
[0034] 23: High temperature coolant inlet
[0035] 24: Cryogenic coolant outlet
[0036] 3: Cryogenic coolant output assembly
[0037] 31: Cryogenic coolant receiver
[0038] 31a: Cryogenic coolant inlet
[0039] 31b, 33a: Connection ports
[0040] 32: Drive components
[0041] 32a: Liquid extraction port
[0042] 32b: Pump inlet
[0043] 33: Low-temperature coolant drain assembly
[0044] 33b: Cryogenic coolant outlet
[0045] 34: Control Unit
[0046] 4: Shell
[0047] 41: Opening
[0048] U: Liquid-cooled heat exchange unit
[0049] X: First direction
[0050] Y: Second direction
[0051] Z: Third direction
[0052] S: Storage space
[0053] M: Cooling rack assembly
[0054] T: Pipe Fittings Assembly
[0055] T1: Heat source output pipe
[0056] T2: Heat source return pipe
[0057] T3: Water return pipe
[0058] T4: Water source receiving pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0059] To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments of this utility model are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings; in addition, those symbols that are marked with the same symbols in different drawings are considered to be the same and their descriptions will be omitted.
[0060] This utility model defines a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z, wherein the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are perpendicular to each other.
[0061] Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, it is a preferred embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U of the present invention, including a high-temperature coolant receiving component 1, a heat exchange component 2 and a low-temperature coolant output component 3. The high-temperature coolant receiving component 1 can be used to receive a high-temperature coolant and introduce the high-temperature coolant into the heat exchange component 2 and then output it through the low-temperature coolant output component 3.
[0062] The high-temperature coolant receiver 1 has a receiving port 11 for receiving high-temperature coolant, which is a coolant that absorbs heat from a heat source such as a server and is heated. Preferably, the receiving port 11 can be connected to a pair of connecting pipes 11a, which can be used to connect to the cooling water pipes of the heat source such as the server. The high-temperature coolant receiver 1 also has an output port 12 for discharging the high-temperature coolant. Specifically, the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 may have a flow path for the high-temperature coolant to flow through, for example, the flow path may be formed by a chamber or a channel, and the flow path may connect both the receiving port 11 and the output port 12. In this embodiment, the opening orientation of the receiving port 11 and the opening orientation of the output port 12 are respectively located in the first direction X.
[0063] The heat exchanger 2 can be connected to a liquid storage device, which can be, for example, a water tower. The exchange liquid in the liquid storage device can circulate between the heat exchanger 2 and the liquid storage device. Furthermore, the heat exchanger 2 has an exchange liquid inlet 21 and an exchange liquid outlet 22. The exchange liquid can pass through the heat exchanger 2 through the exchange liquid inlet 21 and the exchange liquid outlet 22, so that the exchange liquid can perform heat exchange operations within the heat exchanger 2. In addition, the exchange liquid inlet 21 can have a pair of connecting pipes 21a, and the exchange liquid outlet 22 can have a pair of connecting pipes 22a. The connecting pipes 21a and 22a are used to connect the exchange liquid water pipe of the liquid storage device. In detail, the heat exchanger 2 has a high-temperature coolant inlet 23, which can be connected to the outlet 12 of the high-temperature coolant receiver 1. More specifically, the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 is directly connected to the outlet 12. The high-temperature coolant from the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 can enter the heat exchanger 2 through the high-temperature coolant inlet 23, allowing the high-temperature coolant to exchange heat with the exchange fluid in the heat exchanger 2. It is particularly noteworthy that the flow channels of the exchange fluid and the high-temperature coolant are not interconnected. The exchange fluid and the high-temperature coolant within the heat exchanger 2 can flow through, for example, several metal plates to transfer heat. Thus, the heat energy of the high-temperature coolant can be transferred to the exchange fluid to form a low-temperature coolant.
[0064] The heat exchanger 2 has a cryogenic coolant outlet 24 through which the cryogenic coolant can flow out. In this embodiment, the coolant inlet 21 and the coolant outlet 22, and the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 and the cryogenic coolant outlet 24, are located on opposite sides of the heat exchanger 2 in the first direction X. This allows the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 and the cryogenic coolant outlet 24 to be in opposite directions relative to the coolant inlet 21 and the coolant outlet 22. Furthermore, the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 and the cryogenic coolant outlet 24 are located adjacent to opposite sides of the heat exchanger 2 in the second direction Y, allowing a distance between them.
[0065] The cryogenic coolant output assembly 3 has a cryogenic coolant receiver 31 for receiving the cryogenic coolant from the heat exchanger 2. The cryogenic coolant receiver 31 has a cryogenic coolant inlet 31a, which can be directly connected to the cryogenic coolant outlet 24 of the heat exchanger 2, allowing the cryogenic coolant from the heat exchanger 2 to enter the cryogenic coolant receiver 31 through the cryogenic coolant inlet 31a.
[0066] In this embodiment, the low-temperature coolant receiver 31 and the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 are respectively coupled to the heat exchanger 2 in the first direction X, and the low-temperature coolant receiver 31 and the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y. Preferably, the low-temperature coolant receiver 31 can abut against the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 in the second direction Y. In this way, the low-temperature coolant receiver 31 and the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 can be disposed in the irregular space formed by the distance between the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 and the low-temperature coolant outlet 24, so as to have better space utilization.
[0067] The cryogenic coolant receiver 31 has at least one connection port 31b, which can be used to connect to at least one drive member 32, so that the cryogenic coolant can be discharged by the drive member 32. The cryogenic coolant receiving port 31a and the at least one connection port 31b can be located on opposite sides of the cryogenic coolant receiver 31 in the first direction X. The at least one drive member 32 can be a pump, and the at least one drive member 32 can have a suction port 32a connected to the at least one connection port 31b. More specifically, the suction port 32a is connected to the at least one connection port 31b in the first direction X. The at least one drive member 32 can have a pumping port 32b for pumping out the cryogenic coolant. In this embodiment, the pumping port 32b can face the third direction Z.
[0068] Furthermore, there can be multiple driving components 32. When one driving component 32 fails, normal operation can be maintained by the other driving components 32. Alternatively, multiple driving components 32 can operate simultaneously to achieve better liquid driving efficiency. Moreover, the cryogenic coolant receiving component 31 can have multiple connection ports 31b, which can be arranged side-by-side at intervals in the second direction Y, allowing each driving component 32 to connect to a different connection port 31b.
[0069] The cryogenic coolant output assembly 3 has a cryogenic coolant discharge member 33, which is connected to the at least one drive member 32. The at least one drive member 32 can pump the cryogenic coolant to the cryogenic coolant discharge member 33. The cryogenic coolant discharge member 33 may have at least one connection port 33a, which is connected to the pump port 32b of the at least one drive member 32. More specifically, the at least one connection port 33a is connected to the pump port 32b in a third direction Z. Furthermore, when there are multiple drive members 32, the cryogenic coolant discharge member 33 may have multiple connection ports 33a, which can be connected to each drive member 32 respectively.
[0070] The cryogenic coolant discharge component 33 has a cryogenic coolant outlet 33b, which can be used to return cryogenic coolant to a heat source such as a server to continue absorbing heat energy from the heat source. Preferably, the cryogenic coolant outlet 33b can be connected to a pair of connecting pipes 331, which can be used to connect to the cooling water pipes of the heat source such as the server. It is worth noting that the cryogenic coolant discharge component 33 can be misaligned with the cryogenic coolant receiver 31 and the heat exchanger 2 in the third direction Z, that is, the cryogenic coolant discharge component 33 is not aligned with the cryogenic coolant receiver 31 and the heat exchanger 2 in the first direction X. In this way, the cryogenic coolant outlet 33b can face the same direction (first direction X) as the heat exchanger inlet 21, the heat exchanger outlet 22 and the receiver 11. In addition, the cryogenic coolant output component 3 may have a control unit 34, which may be electrically connected to, for example, the at least one drive member 32, so as to control, for example, the number of actions or the power of action of the at least one drive member 32.
[0071] Please continue reading. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U of this utility model may further include a housing 4, which has an accommodating space S. The high-temperature coolant receiving component 1, the heat exchange component 2, and the low-temperature coolant output component 3 can be accommodated in the accommodating space S. The housing 4 may have an opening 41 in the first direction X. The low-temperature coolant output port 33b, the heat exchanger inlet 21, the heat exchanger outlet 22, and the receiving port 11 may all face the opening 41. Preferably, the connecting pipes 11a, 21a, 22a, and 331 may protrude parallel to each other from the opening 41. In this way, the housing 4 allows the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U to be modularized, and when the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U is installed in a heat dissipation unit, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U can be easily installed and disassembled.
[0072] Please continue reading. Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U of this invention is detachably located in a heat dissipation frame assembly M. The liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U can be connected to a pipe assembly T. The pipe assembly T can be used to output coolant from the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U to the heat source, or to input coolant from the heat source into the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U. For example, the pipe assembly T may include a heat source output pipe T1 connected to the receiving port 11 of the high-temperature coolant receiving device 1, and a heat source return pipe T2 connected to the low-temperature coolant output port 33b of the low-temperature coolant discharge device 33. Furthermore, the pipe assembly T can be used to output the exchange fluid from the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U to the liquid storage device, or to input coolant from the liquid storage device into the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U. For example, the pipe assembly T may include a water source return pipe T3 connected to the exchange fluid input port 21 of the heat exchange component 2, and a water source receiving pipe T4 connected to the exchange fluid output port 22 of the heat exchange component 2. In this way, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U can dissipate heat from the heat source.
[0073] In summary, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit of this invention, through the connection of the high-temperature coolant receiver's output port to the high-temperature coolant inlet of the heat exchanger, the connection of the heat exchanger's low-temperature coolant outlet to the low-temperature coolant receiver's inlet, and the connection of the low-temperature coolant receiver to the low-temperature coolant discharge component via at least one connection port and a drive component, eliminates the need for piping connections between the aforementioned components, reducing pipe losses and improving the liquid delivery efficiency of the drive component. Furthermore, the specific relative assembly positions of the high-temperature coolant receiver, the heat exchanger, and the low-temperature coolant output component allow the coolant to be directly driven into adjacent components, eliminating the need for piping connections. This saves space occupied by piping and conserves the installation space of the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit.
[0074] Although the present invention has been disclosed using the above preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications and alterations made by those skilled in the art to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention shall still fall within the technical scope protected by the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall include all changes within the meaning and equivalent scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, characterized by, The application relates to a cooling liquid output assembly, comprising: a high-temperature cooling liquid receiving member having a receiving port for receiving a high-temperature cooling liquid, the high-temperature cooling liquid receiving member having an output port for outputting the high-temperature cooling liquid; a heat exchange member for forming the high-temperature cooling liquid into a low-temperature cooling liquid, the heat exchange member having a high-temperature cooling liquid inlet port coupled to the output port of the high-temperature cooling liquid receiving member, the heat exchange member having a low-temperature cooling liquid outlet port; a low-temperature cooling liquid receiving member having a low-temperature cooling liquid receiving port coupled to the low-temperature cooling liquid outlet port of the heat exchange member, the low-temperature cooling liquid receiving member having at least one connecting port, the low-temperature cooling liquid output assembly having a low-temperature cooling liquid discharging member having at least one connecting port, the at least one connecting port of the low-temperature cooling liquid receiving member being connected to the at least one connecting port of the low-temperature cooling liquid discharging member by a driving member having a pumping port and a pumping-out port, the pumping port being connected to the at least one connecting port of the low-temperature cooling liquid receiving member in a first direction, the pumping-out port being directed in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction. The receiving port of the high-temperature cooling liquid receiving member and the output port are respectively directed in a first direction.
2. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 1, wherein, The low-temperature cooling liquid receiving member and the high-temperature cooling liquid receiving member are arranged side by side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
3. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 2, wherein, The low-temperature cooling liquid receiving member abuts against the high-temperature cooling liquid receiving member in the second direction.
4. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 3, wherein, The low-temperature cooling liquid output assembly has at least one driving member, a pumping port of the at least one driving member being connected to at least one connecting port of the low-temperature cooling liquid receiving member, a pumping-out port of the at least one driving member being connected to at least one connecting port of the low-temperature cooling liquid discharging member.
5. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 1, wherein, The pumping port is connected to the at least one connecting port of the low-temperature cooling liquid receiving member in a first direction, the pumping-out port being directed in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.
6. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 5, wherein, The low-temperature cooling liquid receiving member has a plurality of connecting ports arranged side by side in a second direction, a plurality of driving members being respectively coupled to the connecting ports, the first direction, the second direction and the third direction being perpendicular to each other.
7. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 6, wherein, The low-temperature cooling liquid discharging member is misaligned with the low-temperature cooling liquid receiving member and the heat exchange member in the third direction, so that the low-temperature cooling liquid output port, an exchange liquid input port, an exchange liquid output port and the receiving port are directed in the same direction.
8. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 6, wherein, The application further relates to a cooling liquid output assembly, comprising:
9. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 1 or 5, wherein, a housing having a receiving space, the high-temperature cooling liquid receiving member, the heat exchange member and the low-temperature cooling liquid output assembly being accommodated in the receiving space, the housing having an opening, the low-temperature cooling liquid output port and the receiving port being directed towards the opening.
10. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 9, wherein, The heat exchange member has an exchange liquid input port and an exchange liquid output port, the exchange liquid input port and the exchange liquid output port being respectively located on opposite sides of the heat exchange member in a first direction, the high-temperature cooling liquid inlet port and the low-temperature cooling liquid outlet port being respectively located on opposite sides of the heat exchange member in the first direction.
11. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 10, wherein, The low-temperature cooling liquid output port, the receiving port, the exchange liquid input port and the exchange liquid output port are all directed towards the opening.
12. The liquid cooling heat exchange unit of claim 11, wherein, The docking pipe of the low-temperature cooling liquid output port, the docking pipe of the receiving port, the docking pipe of the exchange liquid input port and the docking pipe of the exchange liquid output port are parallelly protruded towards the opening of the housing.