Passive flow self-balancing liquid cooling manifold device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of liquid cooling heat dissipation, concretely is a kind of passive flow self-balancing liquid cooling distribution head device.The purpose is to provide a kind of passive flow self-balancing liquid cooling distribution head device, the device should have the characteristics such as simple structure, no external power, can self-adapting regulation parallel branch flow.The technical scheme is a kind of passive flow self-balancing liquid cooling distribution head device, characterized by: including the valve body for connecting distribution interface and distributor, the adjusting sleeve that can be positioned in the valve body axially slides, spring, limiting piece that controls the displacement distance of adjusting sleeve to the adjusting sleeve exert force;The adjusting sleeve and valve body keep certain gap to form conical annular distribution passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of liquid cooling heat dissipation, specifically a passive flow self-balancing liquid cooling distributor device. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid cooling technology is increasingly widely used in high heat density electronic devices, data center servers, and new energy battery packs. The uniformity of flow distribution in the liquid distribution head directly affects the system's heat dissipation efficiency and reliability. Existing liquid distribution heads are mainly divided into the following two categories:

[0003] 1. Active regulating flow distribution scheme: This typically uses electric ball valves or solenoid valves in conjunction with flow sensors and controllers to form a closed-loop regulating system. This type of scheme can achieve high-precision flow distribution, but its structure is complex and costly, and it relies on external power supply and signal transmission, making it completely ineffective in the event of a power outage or control unit failure. In addition, the mechanical life of the actuator (such as an electric ball valve) is usually only around 100,000 cycles, which is difficult to meet the requirements for long-term maintenance-free operation.

[0004] 2. Passive flow equalization liquid distribution scheme: This type of scheme often uses orifice plates with fixed orifice diameters, throttling plates, or designs based on flow resistance networks. This scheme requires no external power and has a relatively simple structure. However, its flow equalization effect heavily relies on the consistency of the initial flow resistance of each parallel branch. In practical applications, due to factors such as manufacturing errors, installation differences, gravity, local blockages during operation, or pipeline deformation, the flow resistance of each branch is prone to dynamic changes. This causes the fixed orifice diameter scheme to be unable to adaptively adjust, resulting in uneven flow distribution. The temperature difference at local heat dissipation nodes can exceed 8°C, seriously affecting system energy efficiency (increased PUE) and equipment safety.

[0005] Among existing products on the market, there is no mature, reliable, and maintenance-free liquid separator that achieves real-time self-balancing of flow entirely through mechanical structure without any external power input. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings in the above-mentioned background technology and provide a passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled distributor head device. This device should have the characteristics of simple structure, no need for external power, and ability to adaptively adjust the flow of parallel branches.

[0007] The technical solution of this utility model is:

[0008] A passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled dispensing head device, characterized in that: it includes a valve body for connecting the dispensing interface and the dispensing device, an adjusting sleeve that can be axially slidably positioned in the valve body, a spring that applies a thrust to the adjusting sleeve, and a limiting member for controlling the displacement distance of the adjusting sleeve; the adjusting sleeve and the valve body maintain a certain gap to form a conical annular dispensing channel;

[0009] When the flow rate of coolant flowing into the valve body increases, the adjusting sleeve compresses the spring, the cross-section of the liquid distribution channel decreases, and the flow rate of coolant flowing out of the valve body remains unchanged; when the flow rate of coolant flowing into the valve body decreases, the spring pushes the adjusting sleeve, the cross-section of the liquid distribution channel increases, and the flow rate of coolant flowing out of the valve body remains unchanged.

[0010] The adjusting sleeve is a cup-shaped structure that is closed at the front and open at the rear.

[0011] The outer wall of the adjusting sleeve is provided with an outer conical surface that is thinner at the front and thicker at the back; the inner wall of the valve body is provided with an inner conical surface that matches the outer conical surface and is thinner at the front and thicker at the back.

[0012] The front end of the adjusting sleeve is provided with a core rod.

[0013] The spring is a disc spring fitted onto the core rod.

[0014] The limiting member is annular, with its outer ring fixed to the inner wall of the valve body, and its inner ring having a limiting plate.

[0015] The outer wall of the adjusting sleeve is provided with a stepped surface that cooperates with the limiting piece.

[0016] The valve body has an internal thread for connecting to the liquid separator at the inlet and an external thread for connecting to the liquid separator at the outlet.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0018] 1. Completely passive and highly reliable: This invention eliminates all electrical components and external controllers, and only uses the mechanical balance of back pressure and spring force to achieve adjustment, fundamentally eliminating the risk of system paralysis caused by power failure, circuit failure or sensor failure. It is particularly suitable for scenarios such as data centers and communication base stations with extremely high reliability requirements.

[0019] 2. Excellent adaptive and flow equalization performance: Each branch independently responds to its own back pressure changes and adjusts the flow area in real time, which can effectively compensate for the differences in branch flow resistance caused by factors such as processing, installation, and operation blockage; actual measurements at a set point of 0.15MPa show that the flow unevenness is ≤3%, which significantly improves the heat dissipation uniformity.

[0020] 3. Maintenance-free and long lifespan: The entire adjustment mechanism is a pure mechanical friction pair, and the disc spring has an extremely high fatigue life. Only the adjustment sleeve moves axially. Tests have shown that its mechanical life far exceeds 100,000 cycles, truly achieving a "install and forget" maintenance-free design, which significantly reduces the total lifespan maintenance cost.

[0021] 4. Convenient installation and high maintenance efficiency: The device adopts a modular or integrated design. When replacement is needed, a single person can complete the disassembly and assembly within 1 minute, which greatly shortens the system maintenance window and avoids the long business interruption required by traditional solutions. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The following describes some specific embodiments of the present invention in a detailed manner by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts or components.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the right-side structure of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the left-side structure of this utility model.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the limiting ring of this utility model.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the valve body of this utility model.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the adjusting sleeve of this utility model.

[0030] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of this utility model.

[0031] Figure label:

[0032] Valve body 1, first valve hole 1-1, second valve hole 1-2, third valve hole 1-3, baffle 1-4, adjusting sleeve 2, first sleeve 2-1, second sleeve 2-2, third sleeve 2-3, fourth sleeve 2-4, stepped surface 2-5, spring 3, limiting component 4, limiting piece 4-1, notch 4-2, core rod 5, liquid distribution channel A. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0034] Among existing products: active solutions rely on electrical systems, have multiple points of failure, and pose a risk of single-point failure, making them unsuitable for high-reliability applications and resulting in poor reliability; passive solutions cannot respond to dynamic changes in the flow resistance of each branch during operation, making it difficult to fundamentally solve the problem of uneven flow and exhibiting weak adaptability; whether it is active circuit repair and sensor calibration, or passive manual replacement of adjustment components (such as orifice plates), all require professional personnel, and the maintenance process usually leads to system downtime, affecting business continuity. A typical maintenance downtime can reach 30 minutes, resulting in high maintenance costs.

[0035] This utility model adopts a purely mechanical structure, requiring no external power supply or signal. It can automatically adjust the flow area according to the actual back pressure of each branch, thereby realizing a liquid distribution head device with self-balancing flow between parallel branches. This solves the problems of local overheating, low system reliability, and cumbersome maintenance caused by uneven flow distribution in the prior art.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, a passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled distributor device includes a valve body 1, an adjusting sleeve 2, a spring 3, and a limiting member 4. The valve body connects the dispensing interface to the distributor. The adjusting sleeve is axially slidably positioned within the valve body, maintaining a certain gap between the valve body and the adjusting sleeve to form a conical annular dispensing channel A. The spring applies a thrust to the adjusting sleeve. The limiting member controls the displacement distance of the adjusting sleeve.

[0037] When the flow rate of coolant into the valve body increases, the adjusting sleeve compresses the spring (the adjusting sleeve moves towards the valve body). Figure 2 (Moving to the right), the cross-section of the liquid distribution channel decreases, and the flow rate of coolant flowing out of the valve body remains constant; when the flow rate of coolant flowing into the valve body decreases, the spring pushes the adjusting sleeve (the adjusting sleeve moves to the right). Figure 2 (Move to the left), the cross-section of the liquid distribution channel increases, and the flow rate of coolant flowing out of the valve body remains unchanged.

[0038] The valve body is a cavity structure made of metal (such as copper or stainless steel). One end of the valve body is the inlet ( Figure 2 The left end of the valve body is used to connect to the liquid distribution interface, and the other end of the valve body is the outlet. Figure 2 The right end of the valve body is used to connect to the distributor. The inlet of the valve body is provided with an internal thread for connecting to the distributor interface, and the outlet of the valve body is provided with an external thread for connecting to the distributor.

[0039] The valve body is provided with an axially extending valve orifice, the valve orifice including parts along the coolant flow direction ( Figure 6 (In the direction of the arrow) the first valve hole 1-1, the second valve hole 1-2 and the third valve hole 1-3 are connected in sequence; the inner diameter of the first valve hole is larger than the inner diameter of the third valve hole; the inner wall of the second valve hole is an inner conical surface that is thinner at the front and thicker at the back, and the inner conical surface faces the inlet of the valve body.

[0040] The adjusting sleeve adjusts the cross-sectional size of the liquid distribution channel by axial displacement, thereby linearly adjusting the effective flow area of ​​the branch. The adjusting sleeve is cup-shaped, with a closed front end and an open rear end, and the opening of the adjusting sleeve faces the inlet of the valve body.

[0041] like Figure 7 As shown, the regulating sleeve includes a first sleeve body 2-1, a second sleeve body 2-2, a third sleeve body 2-3, and a fourth sleeve body 2-4 arranged sequentially along the coolant flow direction. The first, second, and fourth sleeve bodies are cylindrical. The outer diameter of the second sleeve body is larger than that of the first sleeve body. A stepped surface 2-5 is formed between the first and second sleeve bodies. The outer diameter of the first sleeve body is larger than that of the fourth sleeve body. The third sleeve body is frustum-shaped, and its outer wall is a tapered surface that is thinner at the front and thicker at the back, with the tapered surface facing the valve body outlet. A conical annular liquid distribution channel is formed between the outer and inner conical surfaces.

[0042] The spring provides a restoring force to the adjusting sleeve, thereby increasing the cross-section of the dispensing channel. The spring is a disc spring, and the front end of the adjusting sleeve is also provided with an axially extending core rod 5. The spring is fitted onto the core rod, and one end of the spring ( Figure 2 The left end of the spring presses against the front end of the adjusting sleeve, while the other end of the spring ( Figure 2 The right end of the spring presses against the baffles 1-4 at the front end of the valve body, allowing coolant to flow out through the gaps between the baffles. The core rod extends out from the front end of the valve body (the baffles are arranged around the core rod). The stiffness of the spring is matched to the working pressure range of the liquid distribution system.

[0043] The limiting component is used to prevent the adjusting sleeve from falling off. The limiting component is annular, with its outer ring fixed to the inner wall of the valve body. The inner ring of the limiting component is provided with several limiting plates 4-1, which prevent the adjusting sleeve from falling off by blocking the stepped surface of the adjusting sleeve.

[0044] The inner diameter of the limiting member is larger than the outer diameter of the adjusting sleeve. When the adjusting sleeve moves to the left to its extreme position ( Figure 2 As shown, the limiting component will not block the liquid distribution channel, and the notches 4-2 on both sides of the limiting piece can still be used for coolant flow.

[0045] Preferably, the valve body has a cavity size of 46mm × 46mm and a wall thickness of 2mm to provide sufficient structural strength and installation space; the spring stiffness is 0.8N / mm, which matches the set equalization pressure of the 0.15MPa liquid distribution system; the adjusting sleeve is made of copper alloy, which has good wear resistance and thermal conductivity, and the stroke of the adjusting sleeve is designed to be 3mm, matching the working compression of the spring; the gap is designed to be variable, for example from a maximum of 4mm to a minimum of 1.5mm, to achieve a flow area adjustment ratio of approximately 7:1; at the set equalization pressure point of 0.15MPa, the flow unevenness between branches can be controlled within the range of ≤3%.

[0046] The working principle of this utility model is as follows:

[0047] This utility model is installed between the liquid distribution interface and the liquid distributor of each branch; the coolant flows in from the main inlet, is distributed to each branch, and then enters the liquid distributor through the liquid distribution interface of the branch via this utility model; the coolant enters the regulating sleeve through the inlet of the valve body, the cup-shaped structure of the regulating sleeve bears the coolant pressure, directly senses the back pressure downstream of the branch outlet, the coolant then flows back along the inner wall of the regulating sleeve and overflows into the liquid distribution channel, and finally flows out of the outlet of the valve body through the liquid distribution channel and enters the liquid distributor;

[0048] When the flow rate of a branch decreases due to increased downstream flow resistance, the back pressure at the outlet of that branch decreases accordingly. At this time, the restoring force of the disc spring is greater than the back pressure acting on the regulating sleeve, pushing the regulating sleeve to move in the direction of increasing the flow area. Figure 2 (on the left side), thereby increasing the flow rate of that branch and causing it to tend to return to the set value; conversely, when the flow rate of a branch tends to increase, the back pressure at the outlet of that branch decreases accordingly, pushing the regulating sleeve compression spring to move in the direction of reducing the flow area (to the left). Figure 2 (on the right side), thereby suppressing the increase in flow in that branch and causing it to tend to return to the set value;

[0049] Through this purely mechanical closed-loop regulation based on back pressure feedback, each parallel branch can automatically and dynamically balance the flow rate around the set point by means of the coordination of the spring characteristic curve, i.e., it works around a common equilibrium pressure point (such as 0.15MPa) under the condition of system pressure fluctuation or uneven branch flow resistance.

[0050] The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled distributor head device, characterized in that: It includes a valve body (1) for connecting the liquid dispensing interface and the liquid dispenser, an adjusting sleeve (2) that is axially slidably positioned in the valve body, a spring (3) that applies a thrust to the adjusting sleeve, and a limiting member (4) that controls the displacement distance of the adjusting sleeve; the adjusting sleeve and the valve body maintain a certain gap to form a conical annular liquid dispensing channel (A); When the flow rate of coolant flowing into the valve body increases, the adjusting sleeve compresses the spring, the cross-section of the liquid distribution channel decreases, and the flow rate of coolant flowing out of the valve body remains unchanged; when the flow rate of coolant flowing into the valve body decreases, the spring pushes the adjusting sleeve, the cross-section of the liquid distribution channel increases, and the flow rate of coolant flowing out of the valve body remains unchanged.

2. The passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled distributor head device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjusting sleeve is a cup-shaped structure that is closed at the front and open at the rear.

3. The passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled distributor head device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer wall of the adjusting sleeve is provided with an outer conical surface that is thinner at the front and thicker at the back; the inner wall of the valve body is provided with an inner conical surface that matches the outer conical surface and is thinner at the front and thicker at the back.

4. The passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled distributor head device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The front end of the adjusting sleeve is provided with a core rod (5).

5. The passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled distributor head device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The spring is a disc spring fitted onto the core rod.

6. The passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled distributor head device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The limiting member is annular, with its outer ring fixed to the inner wall of the valve body, and its inner ring provided with a limiting piece (4-1).

7. A passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled distributor head device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer wall of the adjusting sleeve is provided with a stepped surface (2-5) that cooperates with the limiting piece.

8. A passive flow self-balancing liquid-cooled distributor head device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The valve body has an internal thread for connecting to the liquid separator at the inlet and an external thread for connecting to the liquid separator at the outlet.

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