Return air pre-cooling device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a return air pre-cooling device, comprising: a return air assembly configured to extract air at a first temperature from a predetermined area in a machine room; a cooling assembly configured to be connected with the return air assembly and arranged outside the machine room, and configured to cool the air at the first temperature to air at a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature; an air supply assembly configured to be connected with the cooling assembly and configured to send the air at the second temperature back to the machine room; and a control assembly configured to be electrically connected with the return air assembly, the cooling assembly and the air supply assembly, and configured to control the return air pre-cooling device to perform cooling. By extracting the high-temperature air in the machine room to the cooling assembly outside the machine room, and controlling the cooling assembly to pre-cool the high-temperature air to appropriate low-temperature air according to the actual temperature inside the machine room, and then sending the low-temperature air back to the machine room, the pre-cooling of the high-temperature air in the machine room is realized according to real-time temperature detection without direct contact with external air, and efficient and energy-saving uniform temperature control of the machine room is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of air conditioning control technology, and specifically to a return air pre-cooling device. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional communication equipment rooms often suffer from illogical rack arrangements and inflexible air conditioning controls, resulting in poor airflow and temperature regulation, and uneven heating and cooling, which negatively impacts the heat dissipation of communication equipment. To prevent insufficient cooling or airflow from causing elevated rack intake temperatures and affecting the safe operation of service equipment, current measures primarily involve lowering the equipment room's air conditioning settings, optimizing layout and isolation, and modifying hot and cold aisle systems.

[0003] However, lowering the air conditioning settings in the computer room leads to a decrease in air conditioning efficiency and violates energy-saving and low-consumption policies. In addition, computer rooms often lack the space for optimized layout and isolation, as well as hot and cold aisle modifications, which can easily lead to safety hazards such as equipment overheating. Utility Model Content

[0004] This disclosure is made in view of the above-mentioned problems. This disclosure provides a return air precooling device.

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a return air precooling device is provided, comprising: a return air assembly configured to draw air at a first temperature from a predetermined area within a computer room; a cooling assembly configured to be connected to the return air assembly and disposed outside the computer room, for cooling the air at the first temperature to air at a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature; a supply air assembly configured to be connected to the cooling assembly for supplying the air at the second temperature back to the computer room; and a control assembly configured to be electrically connected to the return air assembly, the cooling assembly, and the supply air assembly, for controlling the return air precooling device to perform cooling.

[0006] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return air pre-cooling device further includes: a first temperature sensing component configured to be electrically connected to the control component to sense a first temperature; a second temperature sensing component configured to be electrically connected to the control component to sense a second temperature, wherein the control component controls the cooling component and / or the air supply component based at least on the first temperature and the second temperature.

[0007] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return air pre-cooling device comprises a return air assembly, a cooling assembly, and a supply air assembly that are in a sealed connection with the air conditioning unit in the computer room.

[0008] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return air pre-cooling device has the return air assembly connected to the cooling assembly via a first duct assembly, and the cooling assembly connected to the air supply assembly via a second duct assembly.

[0009] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return air pre-cooling device includes a cooling box unit, a fan unit, a plate heat exchanger unit, an inlet air collection unit, and an outlet air collection unit. The fan unit, plate heat exchanger unit, inlet air collection unit, and outlet air collection unit are placed inside the cooling box unit. The inlet air collection unit is connected to a first air duct assembly, and the outlet air collection unit is connected to a second air duct assembly.

[0010] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return air precooling device includes an inlet subunit, a regulating valve subunit, a heat exchange plate unit, and an outlet subunit. Air at a first temperature exchanges heat with the coolant in the heat exchange plate unit to become air at a second temperature. The coolant flows into the heat exchange plate unit through the inlet subunit and the regulating valve subunit, and flows out through the outlet subunit.

[0011] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return air pre-cooling device includes an air supply assembly comprising an air valve unit, a silencer unit, a cooling water curtain unit, and an air outlet unit.

[0012] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the return air pre-cooling device of this disclosure, the control component controls the return air pre-cooling device to perform cooling, including: the control component controls one or more of a fan unit, a damper unit, a cooling water curtain unit, and an air outlet unit.

[0013] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the return air pre-cooling device of this disclosure, when the first temperature is within a first predetermined temperature range, the control component controls the return air component to perform return air extraction, and when the second temperature is within a second predetermined temperature range, the control component controls the air conditioner in the computer room to stop working.

[0014] Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the return air pre-cooling device further includes: a humidity sensing component configured to be electrically connected to a control component to sense a first humidity in a predetermined area within the computer room; the control component controls one or more of a fan unit, a damper unit, a cooling water curtain unit, and an air outlet unit based on the first humidity, such that the first humidity is within a first predetermined humidity range.

[0015] As will be described in detail below, the return air pre-cooling device according to the embodiments of this disclosure draws high-temperature air from the computer room into a cooling component outside the computer room, and controls the cooling component to pre-cool the high-temperature air to an appropriate low-temperature air according to the actual temperature inside the computer room, and then sends the low-temperature air back to the computer room. In this way, the high-temperature air in the computer room is pre-cooled according to real-time temperature detection without direct contact with the outside air, thereby achieving efficient and energy-saving uniform temperature control of the computer room.

[0016] It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further illustration of the claimed technology. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the more detailed description of the embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided to further illustrate the embodiments of this disclosure and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this disclosure to explain the disclosure and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components or steps.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a return air precooling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a cooling component in a return air precooling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the air supply component in a return air precooling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent, exemplary embodiments according to this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments of this disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0022] First, refer to Figure 1 A return air precooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the return air pre-cooling device 1 according to an embodiment of this disclosure is used in a server room 2 with multiple server racks. Specifically, the return air pre-cooling device 1 includes at least a return air assembly 10, a cooling assembly 20, an air supply assembly 30, and a control assembly 40. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 As shown, the return air pre-cooling device 1 also includes a first temperature measuring component 50, a second temperature measuring component 60, a first air duct component 70, a second air duct component 80, and a humidity sensing component 90.

[0024] The return air assembly 10 is configured to extract air at a first temperature from a predetermined area within the machine room 2.

[0025] The cooling assembly 20 is configured to connect to the return air assembly 10 to cool air at a first temperature to a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the return air assembly 10 is connected to the cooling assembly 20 via a first duct assembly 70. More specifically, the cooling assembly 20 is located outside the equipment room 2, for example, in a separate building such as an electrical distribution room. Depending on the specific cooling conditions, a water-cooled or air-cooled system may be used as the cooling assembly 20.

[0026] The air supply assembly 30 is configured to connect to the cooling assembly 20, supplying air at a second temperature back to the computer room 2. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the cooling assembly 20 is connected to the air supply assembly 30 via a second duct assembly 80. Thus, the return air assembly 10, the cooling assembly 20, the air supply assembly 30, and the main air conditioning unit in the computer room form a sealed connection.

[0027] The control component 40 is configured to be electrically connected to the return air component 10, the cooling component 20, and the supply air component 30, and controls the return air pre-cooling device 1 to perform cooling. The first temperature sensing component 50 is configured to be electrically connected to the control component 40 to sense a first temperature, and the second temperature sensing component 60 is configured to be electrically connected to the control component 40 to sense a second temperature. Figure 1 As illustrated, the first temperature sensing component 50 includes, for example, multiple temperature sensors configured between server racks in the server room. The second temperature sensing component 60 includes, for example, multiple temperature sensors configured at the connection point between the air supply component 30 and the server room air conditioner.

[0028] Control component 40 controls cooling component 20 and / or air supply component 30 based at least on a first temperature and a second temperature. In one embodiment of this disclosure, when the first temperature is within a first predetermined temperature range (e.g., 30°C–35°C), control component 40 controls return air component 10 to perform return air extraction and controls air supply component 30 to perform air supply. When the second temperature is within a second predetermined temperature range (e.g., 25°C–30°C), control component 40 controls the air conditioning in the computer room to stop operating. In one embodiment of this disclosure, a programmable logic controller (PLC) is used as control component 40, which controls the power of return air component 10, as well as the opening and closing of air valves and cooling water curtains in air supply component 30, based on the collected temperature information (first temperature, second temperature), thereby achieving control of return air volume and the degree of cooling from the first temperature to the second temperature.

[0029] Furthermore, the humidity sensing component 90 is configured to be electrically connected to the control component 40 to sense a first humidity level in a predetermined area within the server room 2. Based on the first humidity level, the control component 40 controls the cooling component 20 and / or the air supply component 30 to bring the first humidity level within a first predetermined humidity range.

[0030] By drawing high-temperature air from the computer room into a cooling system outside the computer room, and controlling the cooling system to pre-cool the high-temperature air to a suitable low-temperature air based on the actual temperature inside the computer room, and then returning the low-temperature air to the computer room, the high-temperature air inside the computer room is pre-cooled based on real-time temperature monitoring without direct contact with outside air. This achieves efficient and energy-saving uniform temperature and humidity control in the computer room. For a computer room with a space size of 200 square meters and a height of 5 meters, the return air pre-cooling flow rate of the return air sealed primary pre-cooling device 1 according to this embodiment is 20,000 cubic meters per hour; for computer rooms with a space size exceeding 200 square meters, the return air sealed primary pre-cooling flow rate increases by 10,000 cubic meters per hour for every additional 100 square meters.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a cooling component in a return air precooling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, in the return air pre-cooling device 1 according to the embodiments of this disclosure, the cooling component 20 includes a cooling box unit 21, a fan unit 22, a plate heat exchanger unit 23, an air inlet collection unit 24, and an air outlet collection unit 25.

[0033] The fan unit 22, the plate heat exchanger unit 23, the air inlet collection unit 24 and the air outlet collection unit 25 are placed inside the cooling box unit 21. The air inlet collection unit 24 is connected to the first air duct assembly 70 and the air outlet collection unit 25 is connected to the second air duct assembly 80.

[0034] More specifically, the heat exchanger unit 23 includes an inlet subunit 231, a regulating valve subunit 232, a heat exchange plate subunit 233, and an outlet subunit 234. Air at a first temperature (e.g., 30°C–35°C) exchanges heat with the coolant in the heat exchange plate subunit 233, becoming air at a second temperature (e.g., 25°C–30°C). The coolant flows into the heat exchange plate subunit 233 through the inlet subunit 231 and the regulating valve subunit 232, and flows out through the outlet subunit 234.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the air supply component in a return air precooling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] like Figure 3As shown, the air supply assembly 30 in the return air pre-cooling device 1 according to an embodiment of this disclosure includes an air valve unit 31, a silencer unit 32, a cooling water curtain unit 33, and an air outlet unit 34. The control assembly 40 controls the return air pre-cooling device 1 to perform cooling, including controlling one or more of the fan unit 22, air valve unit 31, cooling water curtain unit 33, and air outlet unit 34. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the silencer unit 32 is constructed from 20 mm thick double-sided color-coated steel foil phenolic boards.

[0037] The above description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes a return air pre-cooling device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This device extracts high-temperature air from the computer room into a cooling assembly outside the computer room, and controls the cooling assembly to pre-cool the high-temperature air to a suitable low-temperature air based on the actual temperature inside the computer room. The low-temperature air is then returned to the computer room. This achieves pre-cooling of the high-temperature air inside the computer room without direct contact with outside air, based on real-time temperature monitoring, thus enabling efficient and energy-saving uniform temperature and humidity control of the computer room.

[0038] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0039] The basic principles of this disclosure have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the advantages, benefits, and effects mentioned in this disclosure are merely examples and not limitations, and should not be considered as essential features of each embodiment of this disclosure. Furthermore, the specific details disclosed above are for illustrative and facilitative purposes only, and are not limitations. These details do not limit the scope of this disclosure to the necessity of employing the aforementioned specific details for implementation.

[0040] The block diagrams of devices, apparatuses, devices, and systems disclosed herein are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that they must be connected, arranged, or configured in the manner shown in the block diagrams. As those skilled in the art will recognize, these devices, apparatuses, devices, and systems can be connected, arranged, and configured in any manner. Words such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” etc., are open-ended terms meaning “including but not limited to,” and are used interchangeably with them. The terms “or” and “and” as used herein refer to the terms “and / or,” and are used interchangeably with them unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “such as” as used herein refers to the phrase “such as but not limited to,” and is used interchangeably with it.

[0041] Additionally, as used herein, the “or” used in a list of items beginning with “at least one” indicates a separate list, such that a list of, for example, “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, the word “exemplary” does not imply that the described example is preferred or better than other examples.

[0042] It should also be noted that in the systems and methods of this disclosure, the components or steps can be decomposed and / or recombined. These decompositions and / or recombinations should be considered as equivalent solutions to this disclosure.

[0043] Various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the technology described herein without departing from the teachings defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the scope of the claims of this disclosure is not limited to the specific aspects of the processes, machines, manufactures, events, means, methods, and actions described above. Currently existing or later-developed processes, machines, manufactures, events, means, methods, or actions that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding aspects described herein can be utilized. Therefore, the appended claims include such processes, machines, manufactures, events, means, methods, or actions within their scope.

[0044] The above description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to be carried out within the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0045] The above description has been given for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, this description is not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure to the forms disclosed herein. Although numerous exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain variations, modifications, alterations, additions, and sub-combinations therein.

Claims

1. A return air pre-cooling device (1), characterized in that, include: Return air assembly (10) is configured to draw air at a first temperature from a predetermined area within the computer room; A cooling assembly (20), configured to be connected to the return air assembly (10) and disposed outside the machine room, cools air at the first temperature to air at the second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature; An air supply assembly (30) is configured to connect to the cooling assembly (20) to return air at the second temperature to the machine room; as well as A control component (40) is configured to be electrically connected to the return air component (10), the cooling component (20) and the supply air component (30) to control the return air precooling device (1) to perform cooling.

2. The return air pre-cooling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: A first temperature sensing component (50) is configured to be electrically connected to the control component (40) to sense the first temperature. The second temperature sensing component (60) is configured to be electrically connected to the control component (40) to sense the second temperature. The control component (40) controls the cooling component (20) and / or the air supply component (30) based at least on the first temperature and the second temperature.

3. Return air pre-cooling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The return air assembly (10), the cooling assembly (20), and the air supply assembly (30) are connected in a sealed manner to the air conditioning unit in the computer room.

4. The return air precooling device (1) as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The return air assembly (10) is connected to the cooling assembly (20) via the first duct assembly (70), and the cooling assembly (20) is connected to the air supply assembly (30) via the second duct assembly (80).

5. The return air precooling device (1) as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The cooling assembly (20) includes a cooling box unit (21), a fan unit (22), a plate heat exchanger unit (23), an air inlet collection unit (24), and an air outlet collection unit (25). The fan unit (22), plate heat exchanger unit (23), air inlet unit (24) and air outlet unit (25) are placed inside the cooling box unit (21). The air inlet unit (24) is connected to the first air duct assembly (70), and the air outlet unit (25) is connected to the second air duct assembly (80).

6. The return air precooling device (1) as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The heat exchanger unit (23) includes an inlet subunit (231), a regulating valve subunit (232), a heat exchange plate unit (233), and an outlet subunit (234). In this process, the air at the first temperature exchanges heat with the coolant in the heat exchange plate subunit (233) to become air at the second temperature. The coolant flows into the heat exchange plate subunit (233) through the inlet subunit (231) and the regulating valve subunit (232) and flows out through the outlet subunit (234).

7. The return air precooling device (1) as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The air supply assembly (30) includes an air valve unit (31), a noise reduction unit (32), a cooling water curtain unit (33), and an air outlet unit (34).

8. The return air precooling device (1) as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The control component (40) controls the return air precooling device (1) to perform cooling, including: The control component (40) controls one or more of the fan unit (22), the air valve unit (31), the cooling water curtain unit (33), and the air outlet unit (34).

9. The return air pre-cooling device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the first temperature is within the first predetermined temperature range, the control component (40) controls the return air component (10) to perform return air extraction, and when the second temperature is within the second predetermined temperature range, the control component (40) controls the air conditioner in the computer room to stop working.

10. The return air pre-cooling device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that Also includes: A humidity sensing component (90) is configured to be electrically connected to the control component (40) to sense a first humidity level in a predetermined area within the computer room. The control component (40) controls one or more of the fan unit (22), the air valve unit (31), the cooling water curtain unit (33), and the air outlet unit (34) based on the first humidity, such that the first humidity is within a first predetermined humidity range.

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