Liquid cooling system heat exchange unit with flow path switching and data center

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of liquid cooling system heat exchange unit with flow path switching and data center, and the heat exchange unit includes: heat exchanger, first three-way valve and second three-way valve;The first end of first three-way valve is connected with the primary side liquid inlet pipeline of liquid cooling system, and the second end of first three-way valve is connected with the primary side liquid inlet port of heat exchanger, and the third end of first three-way valve, the secondary side liquid outlet port of heat exchanger are connected with secondary side liquid supply pipeline;The first end of second three-way valve is connected with the secondary side liquid return pipeline of liquid cooling system, and the second end of second three-way valve is connected with the secondary side liquid inlet port of heat exchanger, and the third end of second three-way valve, the primary side liquid outlet port of heat exchanger are connected with primary side liquid outlet pipeline. The above-mentioned heat exchange unit can ensure that liquid cooling system continues to dissipate heat for equipment during maintenance stage of heat exchanger by adjusting valve switch of first three-way valve and second three-way valve, improve the reliability of liquid cooling system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of liquid cooling technology, and in particular to a heat exchange unit and data center for a liquid cooling system with flow path switching. Background Technology

[0002] Data center liquid cooling systems are a technology that uses liquid as a heat transfer medium to efficiently absorb and transfer heat generated during IT equipment operation through direct or indirect contact, ultimately achieving heat dissipation. Compared to traditional air-cooled systems, liquids (such as water-based coolants, mineral oils, and fluorinated liquids) have higher specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity, resulting in superior heat dissipation efficiency and the ability to meet the heat dissipation requirements of higher power densities.

[0003] Plate heat exchangers are efficient and compact heat exchange devices in liquid cooling systems. They transfer heat through the thermal conductivity of metal plates between two media at different temperatures, thereby fulfilling process requirements for heating or cooling. In existing technologies, when a plate heat exchanger experiences leaks, blockages, or other malfunctions, the liquid cooling system must be shut down before repairing the plate heat exchanger, rendering the liquid cooling system unable to cool the equipment. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model provides a liquid cooling system heat exchange unit and data center with flow path switching to solve the problem of equipment cooling interruption during plate heat exchanger maintenance.

[0005] In a first aspect, this utility model embodiment provides a liquid cooling system heat exchange unit with flow path switching, including: a heat exchanger, a first three-way valve, and a second three-way valve; The first end of the first three-way valve is connected to the primary side liquid inlet pipe of the liquid cooling system, the second end of the first three-way valve is connected to the primary side liquid inlet port of the heat exchanger, and the third end of the first three-way valve and the secondary side liquid outlet port of the heat exchanger are both connected to the secondary side liquid supply pipe of the liquid cooling system. The first end of the second three-way valve is connected to the secondary side return liquid pipeline of the liquid cooling system, the second end of the second three-way valve is connected to the secondary side inlet port of the heat exchanger, and the third end of the second three-way valve and the primary side outlet port of the heat exchanger are both connected to the primary side outlet pipeline of the liquid cooling system. When the heat exchange unit is in operation, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve are connected, and the third end is cut off; the first and second ends of the second three-way valve are connected, and the third end is cut off. When the heat exchange unit is under maintenance, the first and third ends of the first three-way valve are connected, and the second end is closed; the first and third ends of the second three-way valve are connected, and the second end is closed.

[0006] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a controller; The controller is used to control the operating status of the heat exchange unit.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a leakage sensor; The leakage sensor is installed at the bottom of the heat exchanger and connected to the controller; The leakage sensor is used to detect whether the heat exchanger is leaking liquid and outputs a leakage signal to the controller; The controller is used to control the operating status of the heat exchange unit based on the leakage signal.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a differential pressure sensor; The differential pressure sensor is connected to the controller and is used to detect the differential pressure signal between the primary side coolant and the secondary side coolant of the heat exchanger, and send the differential pressure signal to the controller. The controller is used to control the operating status of the heat exchange unit based on the differential pressure signal.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a display module; The display module is connected to the controller; The controller is used to trigger a leakage alarm when the leakage signal is detected to be high. The display module is used to display the leakage alarm information.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the heat exchanger includes a plate heat exchanger.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a regulating valve; The regulating valve is installed on the primary side inlet pipe.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a water pump; The water pump is installed on the secondary side return pipeline.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a bypass valve; The bypass valve is installed between the input and output ends of the water pump.

[0014] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a liquid cooling system, characterized in that it includes: a liquid cooling system heat exchange unit with flow path switching as described in the first aspect above.

[0015] This utility model provides a liquid cooling system heat exchange unit and data center with flow path switching. The heat exchange unit includes a heat exchanger, a first three-way valve, and a second three-way valve. The first end of the first three-way valve is connected to the primary side liquid inlet pipe of the liquid cooling system, the second end of the first three-way valve is connected to the primary side liquid inlet port of the heat exchanger, and the third end of the first three-way valve and the secondary side liquid outlet port of the heat exchanger are both connected to the secondary side liquid supply pipe of the liquid cooling system. The first end of the second three-way valve is connected to the secondary side liquid return pipe of the liquid cooling system, the second end of the second three-way valve is connected to the secondary side liquid inlet port of the heat exchanger, and the third end of the second three-way valve and the primary side liquid outlet port of the heat exchanger are both connected to the primary side liquid outlet pipe of the liquid cooling system. In the working state, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve are connected, and the third end is closed; the first and second ends of the second three-way valve are connected, and the third end is closed. In the maintenance state, the first and third ends of the first three-way valve are connected, and the second end is closed; the first and third ends of the second three-way valve are connected, and the second end is closed. By adjusting the valve opening and closing of the first three-way valve and the second three-way valve, when the heat exchanger malfunctions and needs maintenance, the flow paths of the primary side coolant and the secondary side coolant can be changed, allowing the primary side coolant to bypass the heat exchanger and flow directly to the secondary side load equipment. This ensures continuous heat dissipation of the equipment during the heat exchanger maintenance phase and improves the reliability of the liquid cooling system. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat exchange unit of a liquid cooling system with flow path switching provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid cooling system provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand this solution, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this solution will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this solution, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this solution, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of this solution.

[0019] The term "comprising" and any other variations thereof in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention mean "including but not limited to," and are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, not limited to the examples listed herein. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second," etc., are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order.

[0020] The implementation of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the specific accompanying drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a heat exchange unit in a liquid cooling system with flow path switching, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The heat exchange unit of the liquid cooling system with flow path switching includes: heat exchanger 10, first three-way valve K1 and second three-way valve K2; The first end A of the first three-way valve K1 is connected to the primary side liquid inlet pipe of the liquid cooling system, the second end B of the first three-way valve K1 is connected to the primary side liquid inlet port of the heat exchanger 10, and the third end C of the first three-way valve K1 and the secondary side liquid outlet port of the heat exchanger 10 are both connected to the secondary side liquid supply pipe of the liquid cooling system. The first end A of the second three-way valve K2 is connected to the secondary side return liquid pipeline of the liquid cooling system, the second end B of the second three-way valve K2 is connected to the secondary side inlet port of the heat exchanger 10, and the third end C of the second three-way valve K2 and the primary side outlet port of the heat exchanger 10 are both connected to the primary side outlet pipeline of the liquid cooling system. When the heat exchange unit is in operation, the first end A and the second end B of the first three-way valve K1 are connected, and the third end C is cut off; the first end A and the second end B of the second three-way valve K2 are connected, and the third end C is cut off. When the heat exchange unit is under maintenance, the first end A and the third end C of the first three-way valve K1 are connected, and the second end B is closed; the first end A and the third end C of the second three-way valve K2 are connected, and the second end B is closed.

[0021] In this embodiment, Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the liquid cooling system provided in this embodiment is shown, as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the liquid cooling system also includes a cold source, a circulating pump, and load equipment. The cold source is the equipment that provides cooling capacity, including a chiller unit or cooling tower, and includes a cold source outlet and a cold source return outlet. The circulating pump is the power component that drives the flow of coolant, and consists of a primary side pump and a secondary side pump, corresponding to the load side and the cold source side for circulation, respectively.

[0022] Specifically, the cold source outputs low-temperature coolant through the cold source outlet, which is connected to the first end of the first three-way valve K1 through the primary side inlet pipe. The second end of the first three-way valve K1 is connected to the primary side inlet port of the heat exchanger 10. The third end of the first three-way valve K1 is connected to the secondary side outlet port of the heat exchanger 10 and the secondary side supply pipe, respectively. The secondary side supply pipe is connected to the inlet port of the load device. The primary side outlet port of the heat exchanger 10 is connected to the inlet port of the cold source through the primary side outlet pipe. The first port of the second three-way valve K2 is connected to the outlet port of the load device through the secondary side return pipe. The second port of the second three-way valve K2 is connected to the secondary side inlet port of the heat exchanger 10. The third end of the second three-way valve K2 is connected to the primary side outlet pipe.

[0023] Specifically, when heat exchanger 10 is in operation, the first and second ports of the first three-way valve K1 are connected, and the third port is closed. The first and second ports of the second three-way valve K2 are connected, and the third port is closed. The cold source outputs low-temperature coolant from the outlet, which flows into the primary side flow channel inside heat exchanger 10 through the primary side inlet pipe, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve K1, and exchanges heat with the high-temperature coolant in the secondary side flow channel. Then, it flows out through the primary side outlet of heat exchanger 10 and returns to the cold source through the primary side outlet pipe. At the same time, the coolant cooled by heat exchange flows out from the secondary side outlet of heat exchanger 10, flows into the load equipment through the secondary side supply pipe to cool the load equipment, and then flows out from the outlet of the load equipment, carrying away the heat of the load equipment. After passing through the secondary side return pipe, the first and second ends of the second three-way valve K2, it enters the secondary side flow channel of heat exchanger 10 for heat exchange again.

[0024] When heat exchanger 10 is under maintenance, the first and third ports of the first three-way valve K1 are connected, and the second port is closed. Similarly, the first and third ports of the second three-way valve K2 are connected, and the second port is closed. The cold source outputs low-temperature coolant from the outlet, which flows through the primary side inlet pipe, the first and third ends of the first three-way valve K1, and directly into the supply end of the load equipment via the secondary side supply pipe. After cooling the load equipment, the low-temperature coolant flows out from the load equipment outlet, then flows back to the cold source through the secondary side return pipe, the first and third ends of the second three-way valve K2, and the primary side outlet pipe. Therefore, when heat exchanger 10 is under maintenance, it can bypass heat exchanger 10 to achieve direct liquid cooling of the load equipment, thus ensuring continuous heat dissipation of the liquid cooling system when heat exchanger 10 is under maintenance.

[0025] The primary circulation pump is installed on the primary liquid outlet pipe near the cold source outlet. It pressurizes the low-temperature coolant output from the cold source and pumps it into the primary liquid inlet port of the heat exchanger 10 to maintain the circulation power on the cold source side.

[0026] The secondary side circulation pump is installed on the secondary side return liquid pipeline to pump the high-temperature return liquid flowing out of the load equipment into the heat exchanger to maintain the load side circulation power.

[0027] As can be seen from the above embodiments, this embodiment, by adjusting the valve opening and closing of the first three-way valve K1 and the second three-way valve K2, can change the flow path of the primary-side coolant and the secondary-side coolant when the heat exchanger 10 malfunctions and needs maintenance. This allows the primary-side coolant to bypass the heat exchanger 10 and flow directly to the secondary-side load equipment, ensuring continuous heat dissipation of the load equipment during the maintenance phase of the heat exchanger 10 and improving the reliability of the liquid cooling system. In addition, the heat exchange unit of this embodiment, by directly connecting the primary-side pipeline and the secondary-side pipeline, can realize direct heat exchange between the cold source and the heat source, reducing the number of indirect heat exchangers and improving the cooling efficiency of the external cold source. Under the premise of ensuring water quality, it enables the external cold source to support the CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) to exceed its rated design heat exchange capacity, supporting the overclocking operation of the load equipment in the short term.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a controller; The controller is used to control the operating status of the heat exchange unit.

[0029] In this embodiment, the controller is connected to the first three-way valve K1 and the second three-way valve K2, and can adjust the conduction state of the first three-way valve K1 and the second three-way valve K2 when a working state conversion command is received.

[0030] Specifically, the controller can be a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or a microcontroller, which controls the electric actuators of the first three-way valve K1 and the second three-way valve K2 through digital signals, thereby realizing the on and off control of each port in the first three-way valve K1 and the second three-way valve K2.

[0031] In this embodiment, the controller can control the opening degree of the first three-way valve K1 and the second three-way valve K2 based on the load rate of the load device, and the opening degree of the first three-way valve K1 and the second three-way valve K2 is positively correlated with the load rate.

[0032] As can be seen from the above embodiments, this embodiment uses a controller to automatically control the operating status of the heat exchange unit. The controller can switch the state of the three-way valve through preset logic or external commands to achieve unattended operation.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a leakage sensor; The leakage sensor is installed at the bottom of the heat exchanger 10 and connected to the controller; The leakage sensor is used to detect whether the heat exchanger 10 is leaking liquid and outputs a leakage signal to the controller; The controller is used to control the operating status of the heat exchange unit based on the leakage signal.

[0034] In this embodiment, the bottom of the heat exchanger 10 may include a liquid collection tank, and a leakage sensor is located in the liquid collection tank to detect whether there is leakage at the bottom of the heat exchanger 10. The leakage sensor can output a digital signal. For example, if leakage is detected, the leakage sensor outputs a high-level signal; if no leakage is detected, the leakage sensor outputs a low-level signal. When the leakage sensor outputs a low-level signal, the heat exchange unit continues to operate in the working state. When the controller detects a high-level signal, it controls the heat exchange unit to switch to maintenance mode. For example, the leakage sensor can be a photoelectric leakage sensor or a capacitive leakage sensor.

[0035] In this embodiment, the leakage sensor can also be a sensor that outputs an analog signal. When the leakage sensor is a sensor that outputs an analog signal, after receiving the leakage signal, the controller compares the leakage signal with a preset leakage threshold. If the leakage signal is greater than the preset leakage threshold, it is determined that the heat exchanger 10 has leaked, and the heat exchange unit is controlled to enter the maintenance state. Otherwise, the heat exchange unit is kept in the working state.

[0036] Furthermore, the preset leakage threshold may include a first preset leakage threshold and a second preset leakage threshold, wherein the first preset leakage threshold is less than the second preset leakage threshold. When the leakage signal is greater than the first preset leakage threshold but less than the second preset leakage threshold, the controller triggers a leakage alarm signal to remind the user that the heat exchanger 10 is leaking and to repair it in time. When the leakage signal is greater than or equal to the second preset leakage threshold, the controller directly switches the operating state of the heat exchange unit.

[0037] In one possible implementation, this embodiment may also arrange distributed leakage sensors between the plates of the heat exchanger 10 to accurately identify the location of the leak.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a differential pressure sensor; The differential pressure sensor is connected to the controller and is used to detect the differential pressure signal between the primary side coolant and the secondary side coolant of the heat exchanger 10, and send the differential pressure signal to the controller. The controller is used to control the operating status of the heat exchange unit based on the differential pressure signal.

[0039] Specifically, a differential pressure sensor is a sensing device used to measure the pressure difference between two different locations or media. Its core function is to convert the detected pressure difference into an electrical signal, such as voltage, current or digital signal, that can be recognized by the subsequent controller, thereby realizing the monitoring, analysis and control of the pressure difference.

[0040] In this embodiment, the differential pressure sensor is used to detect the differential pressure signal between the primary side coolant and the secondary side coolant of the heat exchanger 10, and sends the differential pressure signal to the controller. If the absolute value of the differential pressure signal is greater than the first pressure threshold, it is determined that the heat exchanger 10 is dirty and clogged and needs to be repaired. Therefore, the controller can control the heat exchange unit to enter the maintenance state when it detects that the absolute value of the differential pressure signal is greater than the first pressure threshold.

[0041] In one possible implementation, this embodiment can also calculate the flow difference by detecting the coolant flow rate at different locations, and determine whether there is dirt or blockage at the corresponding location based on the flow difference.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a display module; The display module is connected to the controller; The controller is used to trigger a leakage alarm when the leakage signal is detected to be high. The display module is used to display the leakage alarm information.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the heat exchanger 10 includes a plate heat exchanger.

[0044] In this embodiment, the heat exchanger 10 can also be a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. A shell-and-tube heat exchanger consists of two tubes, an inner tube and an outer tube. One type of liquid flows through the inner tube, and the other flows through the gap between the tubes, exchanging heat through the tube walls.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a regulating valve K3; The regulating valve K3 is installed on the primary side inlet pipe.

[0046] In this embodiment, the controller can adjust the opening of the regulating valve K3 on the primary side inlet pipe according to the secondary side coolant temperature, and the higher the secondary side coolant temperature, the larger the opening of the regulating valve K3.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a water pump B2; The water pump B2 is installed on the secondary side return pipeline.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the heat exchange unit further includes a bypass valve K4; The bypass valve K4 is installed between the input and output ends of the water pump B2.

[0049] In this embodiment, the controller can automatically adjust the opening of the bypass valve K4 according to the outlet pressure signal of water pump B2: when the pressure is too high, the valve opens, allowing some water to flow back to the inlet of water pump B2 (or the secondary side return water pipe) through the bypass, reducing the pressure of the main circuit; when the pressure is too low, the opening of the bypass valve K4 is reduced to decrease the diversion, ensuring the flow and pressure of the main circuit, thereby maintaining the stability of the system pressure and avoiding pressure fluctuations from affecting the normal operation of other equipment (such as heat exchangers and terminal cooling components).

[0050] Secondly, this utility model provides a liquid cooling system, characterized in that it includes: the heat exchange unit as described in the first aspect above.

[0051] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A heat exchange unit for a liquid cooling system with flow path switching, characterized in that, include: Heat exchanger, first three-way valve and second three-way valve; The first end of the first three-way valve is connected to the primary side liquid inlet pipe of the liquid cooling system, the second end of the first three-way valve is connected to the primary side liquid inlet port of the heat exchanger, and the third end of the first three-way valve and the secondary side liquid outlet port of the heat exchanger are both connected to the secondary side liquid supply pipe of the liquid cooling system. The first end of the second three-way valve is connected to the secondary side return liquid pipeline of the liquid cooling system, the second end of the second three-way valve is connected to the secondary side inlet port of the heat exchanger, and the third end of the second three-way valve and the primary side outlet port of the heat exchanger are both connected to the primary side outlet pipeline of the liquid cooling system. When the heat exchange unit is in operation, the first and second ends of the first three-way valve are connected, and the third end is cut off; the first and second ends of the second three-way valve are connected, and the third end is cut off. When the heat exchange unit is under maintenance, the first and third ends of the first three-way valve are connected, and the second end is closed; the first and third ends of the second three-way valve are connected, and the second end is closed.

2. The heat exchange unit of the liquid cooling system with flow path switching according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit also includes a controller; The controller is used to control the operating status of the heat exchange unit.

3. The heat exchange unit of the liquid cooling system with flow path switching according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit also includes a leakage sensor; The leakage sensor is installed at the bottom of the heat exchanger and connected to the controller; The leakage sensor is used to detect whether the heat exchanger is leaking liquid and outputs a leakage signal to the controller; The controller is used to control the operating status of the heat exchange unit based on the leakage signal.

4. The heat exchange unit of the liquid cooling system with flow path switching according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit also includes a differential pressure sensor; The differential pressure sensor is connected to the controller and is used to detect the differential pressure signal between the primary side coolant and the secondary side coolant of the heat exchanger, and send the differential pressure signal to the controller. The controller is used to control the operating status of the heat exchange unit based on the differential pressure signal.

5. The heat exchange unit of the liquid cooling system with flow path switching according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit also includes a display module; The display module is connected to the controller; The controller is used to trigger a leakage alarm when the leakage signal is detected to be high. The display module is used to display the leakage alarm information.

6. The heat exchange unit of the liquid cooling system with flow path switching according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchanger includes a plate heat exchanger.

7. The heat exchange unit of the liquid cooling system with flow path switching according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit also includes a regulating valve; The regulating valve is installed on the primary side inlet pipe.

8. The heat exchange unit of the liquid cooling system with flow path switching according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit also includes a water pump; The water pump is installed on the secondary side return pipeline.

9. The heat exchange unit of the liquid cooling system with flow path switching according to claim 8, characterized in that, The heat exchange unit also includes a bypass valve; The bypass valve is installed between the input and output ends of the water pump.

10. A data center, characterized in that, include: The heat exchange unit of the liquid cooling system with flow path switching as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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