A composite cooling system for a data center

CN224638361UActive Publication Date: 2026-08-14CLIMAVENETA CHATUNION REFRIGERATION EQUIP SHANGHAI
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-08-25
Publication Date
2026-08-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

[0002]数据中心空调系统能耗高,利用液冷技术对服务器芯片进行冷却成为越来越多高热密度机房的选择,高热功率密度的芯片一般可以通过液冷进行散热,但还有20~30%的低热密度功率电子元器件以及辅助用房仍需要传统风冷系统或冷冻水承担

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Abstract

This utility model discloses a composite cooling system for a data center, including an outdoor cold source module, an indoor air-cooled module, and an indoor liquid-cooled module. The outlet of the outdoor cold source module is connected in parallel to the inlets of the indoor air-cooled module and the indoor liquid-cooled module. The outlets of the indoor air-cooled module and the indoor liquid-cooled module are connected together to the inlet of the outdoor cold source module. The outdoor cold source module includes a condenser, a liquid receiver, a first compressor, a second compressor, and a refrigerant pump. The outlet of the condenser is connected to the liquid receiver, and the outlet of the liquid receiver is connected to the indoor air-cooled module through a liquid pipe manifold. The refrigerant pump is connected to the liquid pipe manifold. The inlet of the condenser is connected to a return gas manifold, and the other end of the return gas manifold is connected in parallel to the outlets of the first compressor and the second compressor. The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of existing systems and provide a composite cooling system for a data center that simultaneously meets multiple cooling needs.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a composite cooling system for a data center. Background Technology

[0002] Data center air conditioning systems consume a lot of energy. Liquid cooling technology is becoming the choice for cooling server chips in more and more high heat density computer rooms. High heat power density chips can generally be cooled by liquid cooling, but 20 to 30% of low heat density power electronic components and auxiliary rooms still need to be cooled by traditional air cooling systems or chilled water.

[0003] Most existing computer room cooling solutions are single solutions with either liquid cooling or air cooling. These air-liquid separation solutions have disadvantages such as multiple devices, difficult maintenance, and poor flexibility. Another solution is one where air and liquid are from the same source, which can provide both liquid cooling and air cooling. However, this solution also has the problem that liquid cooling and air cooling cannot be operated at the same time, or that relying on water-fluorine heat exchangers to use chilled water for intermediate heat exchange is inefficient.

[0004] Therefore, a composite cooling system for data centers is proposed to address the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing systems and provide a composite cooling system for data centers that can simultaneously meet multiple cooling needs.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a composite cooling system for a data center, comprising an outdoor cold source module, an indoor air-cooled module, and an indoor liquid-cooled module;

[0007] The outlet of the outdoor cold source module is connected in parallel to the inlet of the indoor air-cooled module and the indoor liquid-cooled module; the outlets of the indoor air-cooled module and the indoor liquid-cooled module are connected together to the inlet of the outdoor cold source module.

[0008] The outdoor cold source module includes a condenser, a liquid receiver, a first compressor, a second compressor, and a refrigerant pump;

[0009] The outlet of the condenser is connected to the liquid receiver, and the outlet of the liquid receiver is connected to the indoor air-cooled module through the liquid pipe main. The refrigerant pump is connected to the liquid pipe main.

[0010] The inlet of the condenser is connected to the return gas main pipe, and the other end of the return gas main pipe is connected in parallel to the outlets of the first compressor and the second compressor;

[0011] The first compressor inlet is connected to the indoor air-cooled module via a first suction pipe;

[0012] The inlet of the second compressor is connected to the indoor liquid cooling module through the second suction pipe.

[0013] Preferably, the indoor liquid cooling module includes a liquid cooling plate heat exchanger, the secondary side inlet and outlet of which are connected to a water supply assembly; the primary side outlet of the liquid cooling plate heat exchanger is connected to the second air intake pipe, and the inlet is connected to the indoor air cooling module through a pipeline assembly.

[0014] Preferably, the piping assembly includes a liquid pipe branch pipe, the middle part of which is connected to the lower end of the liquid pipe main pipe, the left end of which is connected to the indoor air-cooled module, and the right end of which is connected to the primary side inlet of the liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger.

[0015] Preferably, the piping assembly includes a liquid transfer pipe and a cooling plate heat exchanger. The cooling plate heat exchanger is connected to the side water supply assembly. The lower end of the main liquid pipe is connected in parallel to the liquid transfer pipe and the indoor air-cooled module. The other end of the liquid transfer pipe is connected in parallel to the primary side inlet of the cooling plate heat exchanger and the primary side inlet of the liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger.

[0016] The primary outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the first suction pipe.

[0017] Preferably, a first compressor bypass pipe is connected between the first intake pipe and the return main pipe.

[0018] Preferably, a second compressor bypass pipe is connected between the second intake pipe and the return main pipe.

[0019] Preferably, a first electronic expansion valve is connected to the inlet of the indoor air-cooled module.

[0020] Preferably, a second electronic expansion valve is connected to the secondary side inlet of the liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger.

[0021] Preferably, a third electronic expansion valve is connected to the primary side inlet of the heat exchanger.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a connection diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a connection diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0026] In the diagram: 101, Outdoor cold source module; 102, Indoor air-cooled module; 103, Indoor liquid-cooled module; 1, Condenser; 2, Liquid receiver; 3, First compressor; 4, Second compressor; 5, Refrigerant pump; 61, First electronic expansion valve; 62, Second electronic expansion valve; 63, Third electronic expansion valve; 7, Liquid heat exchanger; 8, Liquid main pipe; 9, Liquid branch pipe; 10, First suction pipe; 11, Return main pipe; 12, Make-up heat exchanger; 13, First compressor bypass pipe; 14, Second compressor bypass pipe; 15, Second suction pipe; 16, Transfer liquid pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, a composite cooling system for a data center includes an outdoor cold source module 101, an indoor air-cooled module 102, and an indoor liquid-cooled module 103. The outlet of the outdoor cold source module 101 is connected in parallel to the inlets of the indoor air-cooled module 102 and the indoor liquid-cooled module 103. The outlets of the indoor air-cooled module 102 and the indoor liquid-cooled module 103 are connected in combination to the inlet of the outdoor cold source module 101. The outdoor cold source module 101 includes a condenser 1, a liquid receiver 2, a first compressor 3, a second compressor 4, and a refrigerant pump 5. The outlet of the condenser 1 is connected to the liquid receiver 2, and the outlet of the liquid receiver 2 is connected to the indoor air-cooled module 102 through a liquid pipe manifold 8. The refrigerant pump 5 is connected to the liquid pipe manifold 8. A first electronic expansion valve 61 is connected to the inlet of the indoor air-cooled module 102.

[0030] Specifically, the inlet of the condenser 1 is connected to the return gas main pipe 11, and the other end of the return gas main pipe 11 is connected in parallel to the outlet of the first compressor 3 and the second compressor 4; the inlet of the first compressor 3 is connected to the indoor air-cooled module 102 through the first suction pipe 10; a first compressor bypass pipe 13 is connected between the first suction pipe 10 and the return gas main pipe 11.

[0031] Specifically, the inlet of the second compressor 4 is connected to the indoor liquid cooling module 103 via the second suction pipe 15. A second compressor bypass pipe 14 is connected between the second suction pipe 15 and the return main pipe 11.

[0032] Specifically, the first compressor 3 and the second compressor 4 are oil-free compressors; the condenser 1 is an evaporative condenser, an air-cooled condenser, or a water-cooled condenser.

[0033] Specifically, the indoor air-cooled module 102 adopts a direct expansion evaporative indoor terminal, including but not limited to rack-mounted air conditioners, in-row air conditioners, computer room air conditioners, air walls, and back panel air conditioners.

[0034] Specifically, the indoor liquid-cooled module 103 includes a liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger 7, the secondary side inlet and outlet of which are connected to the water supply assembly; the primary side outlet of the liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger 7 is connected to the second suction pipe 15, and the inlet is connected to the indoor air-cooled module 102 through a piping assembly. The liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger 7 adopts a cold plate type liquid cooling system with fluorine-liquid heat exchange.

[0035] Specifically, the piping assembly includes a liquid pipe branch pipe 9, the middle of which is connected to the lower end of the liquid pipe main pipe 8. The left end of the liquid pipe branch pipe 9 is connected to the indoor air-cooled module 102, and the right end is connected to the primary side inlet of the liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger 7. A second electronic expansion valve 62 is connected to the primary side inlet of the liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger 7.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, when the outdoor ambient temperature is greater than or equal to the set value, the system operates in compressor mode. Both the indoor air-cooled module 102 and the indoor liquid-cooled module 103 use compressors for cooling. The refrigerant, after being condensed by the condenser 1, enters the liquid storage tank 2. The refrigerant pump 5 then powers the refrigerant to be transported to the indoor air-cooled module 102 and the indoor liquid-cooled module 103 for evaporation and heat absorption. The gaseous refrigerant exiting the indoor air-cooled module 102 and the indoor liquid-cooled module 103 is delivered to the first compressor 3 and the second compressor 4 via the first suction pipe 10 and the second suction pipe 15, respectively. The low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant, after being heated and pressurized by the compressor, returns to the condenser 1 for condensation and heat exchange, forming a complete refrigeration cycle.

[0037] When the outdoor ambient temperature is lower than one set value and higher than another set value, the system operates in hybrid mode. The refrigerant is condensed by the condenser 1 and enters the liquid storage tank 2. Then, the refrigerant is delivered by the refrigerant pump 5 to the indoor air-cooled module 102 and liquid-cooled module 103 for evaporation and heat absorption. The gaseous refrigerant coming out of the indoor heat dissipation terminal is collected by the first compressor 3 and the second compressor bypass pipe 14 and then returns to the outdoor condenser 1 for condensation and heat dissipation. The first compressor 3 can be frequency-controlled to load or unload according to the total load of the air-cooled side and the liquid-cooled side. When the capacity of the first compressor 3 is insufficient, the system returns to compressor mode.

[0038] When the outdoor ambient temperature is lower than the set value, the system operates in natural cooling mode. The refrigerant is condensed by condenser 1 and enters the liquid storage tank 2. Then, via refrigerant pump 5, the refrigerant is delivered to the indoor air-cooled module 102 and liquid-cooled module 103 for evaporation and heat absorption. The gaseous refrigerant exiting from the indoor heat dissipation terminal is collected via the first compressor bypass pipe 13 and the second compressor bypass pipe 14, then returns to the outdoor condenser 1 for condensation and heat dissipation. The refrigerant pump 5 adjusts its frequency according to the total load of the indoor air-cooled module 102 and the indoor liquid-cooled module 103.

[0039] Example 2

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, this connection method is used when the application scenario involves a long-term high-temperature environment or a large load variation rate inside the computer room. The piping assembly includes a transmission liquid pipe 16 and a cooling plate heat exchanger 12. The cooling plate heat exchanger 12 is connected to the side water supply assembly. The lower end of the liquid pipe main pipe 8 is connected in parallel to the transmission liquid pipe 16 and the indoor air-cooled module 102. The other end of the transmission liquid pipe 16 is connected in parallel to the primary side inlet of the cooling plate heat exchanger 12 and the secondary side inlet of the liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger 7. The primary side outlet of the cooling plate heat exchanger 12 is connected to the first suction pipe 10. A third electronic expansion valve 63 is connected to the primary side inlet of the cooling plate heat exchanger 12.

[0041] The system compressor mode and natural cooling mode are similar to those in Example 1, and will not be described in detail here.

[0042] In the system's hybrid mode, when the outdoor ambient temperature is consistently below the set value but greater than or equal to the minimum value, and the cooling capacity of the first compressor 3 meets the combined load of the indoor air-cooled module 102 and the indoor liquid-cooled module 103, the system operates in hybrid mode. The refrigerant passes through the condenser 1 into the liquid storage tank 2, and is then pumped by the refrigerant pump 5 to the indoor air-cooled module 102 and the indoor liquid-cooled module 103 for evaporation and heat absorption. The gaseous refrigerant exiting the indoor air-cooled module 102 is heated and pressurized by the first compressor 3, and then mixes with the gaseous refrigerant exiting the indoor liquid-cooled module 103 via the second compressor bypass pipe 14 in the return gas main pipe 11, before jointly entering the condenser 1 for heat dissipation.

[0043] When the secondary side water supply temperature of the indoor liquid cooling module 103 is too high and does not meet the liquid cooling water temperature requirements in the computer room, that is, when the cooling capacity of natural cooling is insufficient to remove the heat inside the liquid cooling computer room, the circulation loop of the indoor liquid cooling module 103 can also start the supplementary cooling plate heat exchanger 12 according to the load size. The third electronic expansion valve 63 adjusts the number of steps according to the evaporation requirements. The supplementary cooling plate heat exchanger 13 is supplied with cooling capacity by the first compressor 3 through the transmission liquid pipe 16 to obtain mechanical cooling capacity.

[0044] The data center's hybrid cooling system allows users to operate in various modes, such as using only the air-cooling system, using only the liquid-cooling module, or operating both the air-cooling and liquid-cooling modules simultaneously, to adapt to diverse application scenarios.

[0045] The system employs two separate compressor systems for liquid cooling and air cooling, allowing simultaneous operation of both. This eliminates the limitation of operating only in either air or liquid cooling mode, thus meeting diverse cooling needs. Each compressor is oil-free, improving efficiency and preventing oil return issues during operation. The system supports early entry into natural cooling mode for the liquid-cooled module. When set requirements are met, the liquid-cooled compressor can be stopped prematurely, allowing the air-cooled module to supply the load exceeding natural cooling capacity, resulting in excellent energy savings. The outdoor cooling module uses evaporative, air-cooled, or water-cooled condensers to adapt to different outdoor environments, significantly expanding the system's application range. The indoor air-cooled module allows for flexible configurations based on various terminal scenarios, enhancing system flexibility and application scope. The outdoor cooling module features dual compressors, increasing the cooling capacity range of the refrigeration system, and the dual-compressor system offers adjustable air-liquid ratios.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that the above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the utility model. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A hybrid refrigeration system for a data center, comprising: It includes an outdoor cold source module (101), an indoor air-cooled module (102), and an indoor liquid-cooled module (103); The outlet of the outdoor cold source module (101) is connected in parallel to the inlet of the indoor air-cooled module (102) and the indoor liquid-cooled module (103); the outlets of the indoor air-cooled module (102) and the indoor liquid-cooled module (103) are connected in combination to the inlet of the outdoor cold source module (101). The outdoor cold source module (101) includes a condenser (1), a liquid receiver (2), a first compressor (3), a second compressor (4), and a refrigerant pump (5); The outlet of the condenser (1) is connected to the liquid receiver (2), and the outlet of the liquid receiver (2) is connected to the indoor air-cooled module (102) through the liquid pipe manifold (8). The refrigerant pump (5) is connected to the liquid pipe manifold (8). The inlet of the condenser (1) is connected to the return gas main pipe (11), and the other end of the return gas main pipe (11) is connected in parallel to the outlets of the first compressor (3) and the second compressor (4); The inlet of the first compressor (3) is connected to the indoor air-cooled module (102) through the first suction pipe (10); The inlet of the second compressor (4) is connected to the indoor liquid cooling module (103) through the second suction pipe (15).

2. The hybrid chiller system of claim 1, wherein, The indoor liquid cooling module (103) includes a liquid cooling plate heat exchanger (7), the secondary side inlet and outlet of the liquid cooling plate heat exchanger (7) are connected to a water supply assembly; the primary side outlet of the liquid cooling plate heat exchanger (7) is connected to the second air intake pipe (15), and the inlet is connected to the indoor air cooling module (102) through a pipeline assembly.

3. The hybrid chiller system of claim 2, wherein, The piping assembly includes a liquid pipe branch (9), the middle part of which is connected to the lower end of the liquid pipe main (8), the left end of which is connected to the indoor air-cooled module (102), and the right end of which is connected to the primary side inlet of the liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger (7).

4. The hybrid chiller system of claim 2, wherein, The piping assembly includes a liquid transfer pipe (16) and a cooling plate heat exchanger (12). The cooling plate heat exchanger (12) is connected to the side water supply assembly. The lower end of the main liquid pipe (8) is connected in parallel to the liquid transfer pipe (16) and the indoor air-cooled module (102). The other end of the liquid transfer pipe (16) is connected in parallel to the primary side inlet of the cooling plate heat exchanger (12) and the primary side inlet of the liquid cooling plate heat exchanger (7). The primary outlet of the heat exchanger (12) is connected to the first suction pipe (10).

5. The hybrid chiller system of claim 2, wherein, A first compressor bypass pipe (13) is connected between the first intake pipe (10) and the return main pipe (11).

6. The hybrid chiller system of claim 2, wherein, A second compressor bypass pipe (14) is connected between the second intake pipe (15) and the return main pipe (11).

7. The hybrid chiller system of claim 2, wherein, The indoor air-cooled module (102) is connected to a first electronic expansion valve (61) at its inlet.

8. The hybrid chiller system of claim 2, wherein, A second electronic expansion valve (62) is connected to the primary side inlet of the liquid-cooled plate heat exchanger (7).

9. The hybrid chiller system of claim 4, wherein, A third electronic expansion valve (63) is connected to the primary side inlet of the heat exchanger (12).