Arrangement for supplying electrical energy to a direct liquid cooling system

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for supplying electrical energy to a direct liquid cooling (DLC) system, wherein the arrangement comprises at least one IT rack (1) with a plurality of vertically arranged (z) slots (2) for plug-in devices (2.1) of a direct liquid cooling (DLC) system and / or an IT infrastructure, characterized in that the IT rack (1) has a DC power supply (3) for plug-in devices (2.1) received in the slots (2), with a rectifier (PSU) and a busbar (5) which runs along a rear side (R) of the IT rack (1) in the vertical direction (z) of the IT rack (1) and is supplied with a DC voltage by the rectifier (PSU), wherein at least one plug-in device (2.1) of a direct liquid cooling (DLC) system is received in one of the slots (2) and is electrically contacted with the busbar (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for supplying electrical energy to a direct liquid cooling system (DLC). The arrangement comprises at least one IT rack with a plurality of plug-in units for plug-in devices of a direct liquid cooling system and / or an IT infrastructure, arranged one above the other in the vertical direction of the IT rack. Such an arrangement is known from US 2007 / 10274043 A1 or US 2022 / 0210953 A1. Similar arrangements are described in US 11 395 443 B2, US 2023 / 0056298 A1, US 2022 / 0330459 A1, and US 2019 / 0037730 A1.

[0002] The known arrangements have the disadvantage that, in the event of a failure of one of the plug-in devices inserted into the slots, replacing the affected device is complex and, in particular, takes a considerable amount of time. During this time, the direct liquid cooling cannot operate or can only operate at reduced cooling capacity. This can lead, for example, to IT components installed in the IT racks, such as server slots, having to be taken out of service or operated at reduced power to prevent the devices from overheating. Establishing the necessary cabling for the plug-in devices and a power supply is particularly time-consuming.

[0003] It is therefore the object of the invention to further develop the arrangement described at the outset in such a way that it is prepared for the easy replacement of the plug-in devices.

[0004] This object is achieved by an arrangement having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] For this purpose, in an arrangement of the type described above, it is provided that the IT rack has a DC voltage supply for plug-in devices accommodated in the drawers, with a rectifier and a power distribution, for example a busbar, which runs along a rear side of the IT rack in the vertical direction of the IT rack and is supplied with a DC voltage by the rectifier, wherein at least one plug-in device of a direct liquid cooling system is accommodated in one of the drawers and is electrically contacted with the power distribution, in particular the busbar, wherein the at least one plug-in device of the direct liquid cooling system is a coolant distribution unit (CDU) or at least one module of a coolant distribution unit.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the power distribution is a busbar, for example a copper busbar, particularly preferably a busbar accommodated in a contact guard that has contact openings for electrically contacting the busbar. The power distribution, in particular the busbar, is particularly preferably designed as a straight strip.

[0007] The plug-in devices, in particular, but not exclusively, the plug-in devices for direct liquid cooling, can be operated with direct voltage. A direct voltage supply is provided in the IT rack, which extends at least in the vertical direction of the IT rack and with which plug-in devices inserted into the plug-in devices can be supplied with direct voltage. The direct voltage supply, in particular the power distribution, such as a busbar, can have self-contacting. Preferably, the power distribution, such as a busbar, and the plug-in devices have complementary contact elements on their rear side facing the power distribution, which engage when the plug-in devices are arranged in a position fully inserted into the plug-in devices, wherein the electrical contact is disengaged when the plug-in devices are inserted into the plug-in devices in an incompletely inserted position.

[0008] The arrangement can be part of an IT cabinet, a row of IT cabinets, or a data center. The arrangement can thus, in particular, be part of a control cabinet housing. In addition to direct liquid cooling, the control cabinet housing can, in a known manner, have air cooling for the components requiring cooling accommodated in the control cabinet. For this purpose, cooled air can be passed through the control cabinet housing. It can be provided that the control cabinet housing has an air-liquid heat exchanger on an air outlet side, for example on a front or rear side. The heat exchanger can be designed, for example, as a rear-door heat exchanger. This allows heated air flowing through the control cabinet to be released into the control cabinet environment as cooled air.Alternatively or additionally, for example, in a cabinet row in a cold aisle / warm aisle configuration, cooled air can enter the enclosure from a cold aisle via the front or rear of the cabinet and enter the warm aisle on the opposite side as heated air. The cooled air can be discharged into the cold aisle, for example, by an air-to-liquid heat exchanger located in a raised floor of the data center. The cooled air can also be provided in the cold aisle in other ways.

[0009] To further increase the ease of maintenance of the DLC system, the DLC system can be designed in a modular manner, with several interconnected modules. This enables embodiments of the DLC system in which particularly failure-prone modules or assemblies are provided redundantly. For example, several pump modules can be provided for fluid transport. The pump modules can be connected in parallel. Each of the pump modules can have several pumps, which in turn are preferably connected in parallel.

[0010] In one embodiment, the direct liquid cooling system comprises at least one pump module, which is designed independently of other functional modules of the liquid cooling system. The at least one module, or one of the modules of the direct liquid cooling system, can be a plug-in device of the direct liquid cooling system, which is connected to the DC voltage supply in the manner described above.

[0011] If the arrangement for supplying a direct liquid cooling system (DLC) with electrical energy is part of a switch cabinet housing, a row of switch cabinets, or a data center and also provides air cooling with at least one air-liquid heat exchanger, it can be provided that a return line of the air-liquid heat exchanger is connected to a supply line of the direct liquid cooling system, in particular to a supply line of a liquid-liquid heat exchanger of the direct liquid cooling system. In this way, it is possible for the heated liquid exiting the air-liquid heat exchanger to still be used as a heat sink for recooling the cooling liquid of the primary circuit of the direct liquid cooling system.This is possible because liquid cooling systems can be operated with a higher flow temperature than the air passing through the control cabinet in order to enable, in particular, effective heat transfer from the component requiring cooling to the liquid in the primary circuit of the liquid cooling system.

[0012] In one embodiment, the return line of an air-to-liquid heat exchanger accommodated in a control cabinet door can be connected to a flow line of a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger of the direct liquid cooling system, in particular to the external circuit of the direct liquid cooling system. The air-to-liquid heat exchanger can also assume an alternative position relative to the control cabinet, a row of control cabinets, or a data center that includes the DLC. For example, the air-to-liquid heat exchanger can be arranged in a raised floor of a data center and configured to blow cooled air into a cold aisle, which was previously passed as heated air out of the warm aisle and through the raised floor and the air-to-liquid heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can also be part of an inline cooling device that is arranged in a row of control cabinets.For example, the switch cabinet row can separate a cold aisle from a hot aisle, with heated air being drawn in from the hot aisle via the rear of the inline cooling unit, passed through the air-liquid heat exchanger in the inline cooling unit, and blown out into the cold aisle at the front as cooled air.

[0013] In one embodiment, the arrangement is a component of a switch cabinet housing or an IT rack in which, in addition to the components of the arrangement according to the invention, only components of a liquid cooling system and optionally components of an air-liquid cooling system are arranged. Such a switch cabinet housing or such an IT rack can be a component of a switch cabinet row, for example, arranged in a row of switch cabinets or IT racks and configured to provide cooled liquid for liquid cooling of components housed in adjacent switch cabinet housings or IT racks. Optionally, the switch cabinet housing or IT rack comprising the arrangement can also have at least one air-liquid heat exchanger for providing cooled air for cooling the aforementioned components.The liquid circuit of the air-liquid heat exchanger can be connected to a liquid circuit of the external circuit of a liquid-liquid heat exchanger of the liquid cooling system in the manner described above, in particular such that the return of the air-liquid heat exchanger is connected to the flow of the external circuit of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger. The return of the external circuit of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger can be connected to a recooling system, for example, a chiller. The flow of the chiller can be connected to the flow of the air-liquid heat exchanger. However, the air-liquid heat exchanger and the liquid-liquid heat exchanger of the direct liquid cooling system can also be designed independently of one another and each connected to the recooler for providing chilled liquid.The air-liquid heat exchanger can also be omitted and only liquid cooling can be implemented.

[0014] Along the power distribution system, in particular the busbar, a plurality of first dummy coupling connectors can be arranged vertically spaced from one another for the tool-free connection of direct liquid cooling modules and / or IT infrastructure to the power distribution system, for example, a busbar. The plug-in devices to be accommodated in the drawers can have connectors complementary to the first dummy coupling connectors. The mutually complementary connectors can be self-centering, so that when the plug-in devices are inserted into the drawers and a fully inserted position is reached, secure contact is achieved between the plug-in devices and the busbar.

[0015] The direct liquid cooling system may comprise at least one coolant distribution channel running along the rear side of the IT rack in the vertical direction of the IT rack, wherein a plurality of second blind coupling connectors are arranged along the coolant distribution channel at a distance from one another in the vertical direction for the tool-free connection of assemblies of the direct liquid cooling system and / or an IT infrastructure to the coolant distribution channel.

[0016] The inserts may have a linear guide for direct liquid cooling assemblies and / or an IT infrastructure, wherein the linear guide extends parallel to a plug-in direction of the first and / or second dummy coupling connectors.

[0017] The direct liquid cooling system can comprise multiple plug-in units, each of which is housed in one of the slots, and of which at least two plug-in units are configured as redundant plug-in units, preferably redundant pumping units, for example, each as a reservoir pumping unit (RPU). All of the plug-in units, but preferably at least one of the plug-in units of the direct liquid cooling system, can be connected to the power distribution system, in particular a busbar, in particular via a blind coupling plug connection, so that easy replacement is possible in the event of a failure.

[0018] The rectifier can be designed as one of the plug-in units. The rectifier can be designed, for example, as a power supply unit (PSU) that is housed as a plug-in unit in one of the units. The PSU can have a dummy coupling connector on a rear side facing the power distribution unit, via which the PSU is electrically connected to the power distribution unit in order to apply the DC voltage to the power distribution unit, for example, a busbar of the power distribution unit.

[0019] The coolant distribution unit preferably comprises a plurality of independently configured modules. The coolant distribution unit can preferably comprise at least two redundant modules. The redundant modules can be configured as identical components and connected in parallel. Particularly preferably, the coolant distribution unit comprises at least two modules with different functionalities. The modules can each be configured as a plug-in device for insertion into one of the modules.

[0020] Components of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) can be, for example: at least one pump unit for coolant, preferably with 2N redundant pumps, at least one heat exchanger, at least one expansion tank, at least one pressure and / or temperature sensor, at least one three-way valve with bypass valve, at least one AC power supply, at least one control unit, at least one service valve, at least one filter, preferably a filter fan, at least one automatic vent, at least one pressure relief valve. Individual components can be designed as a separate plug-in unit. Several components can form a common plug-in unit. The components can be designed to be hot-swappable, preferably with regard to a connection to a coolant circuit, if available, and / or a connection to a power supply, if available.

[0021] It can be provided that the pump unit of the CDU is designed as a separate plug-in device. The pump unit preferably has a plurality of plug-in devices. The plurality of plug-in devices of the pump unit can be identical parts. The plurality of plug-in devices of the pump unit can be connected in series with regard to their pumping capacity for the coolant. The plurality of pump units can be configured such that even if one of the plurality of pump units fails, the required pumping capacity can be provided by the remaining pump units. For this purpose, it can be provided that the plurality of pump units are operated at a reduced pumping capacity during normal operation, i.e. if none of the plurality of pump units has failed. If one of the pump units fails, the remaining pump units can increase their pumping capacity so that the pumping capacity lost due to the failure is compensated.After the failed pump unit has been replaced, the multiple pump units can return to normal operation.

[0022] In the prior art coolant distribution units (CDUs), all of the aforementioned components, as far as they are required for the respective application, are often arranged in the same housing, thus forming a single device. If one of the aforementioned components fails, the entire CDU must be replaced. This leads to an interruption of the cooling capacity provided by the CDU and thus, potentially, to the failure of the IT infrastructure cooled by the CDU.

[0023] At least one of the components of the coolant distribution unit, preferably a control unit and / or an expansion tank of the coolant distribution unit, can be arranged outside a housing of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) and inside or outside the IT rack. For example, an expansion tank of the coolant distribution unit can be arranged on a roof of the IT rack.

[0024] The at least one assembly of the coolant distribution unit can be a control device of the coolant distribution unit, which is electrically connected to the power supply, in particular the busbar, and is preferably designed as a plug-in device that is accommodated in one of the plug-in units.

[0025] The at least one component of the coolant distribution unit can be an expansion tank that is fluidically connected, preferably directly, to a coolant distribution channel of the direct liquid cooling system. The expansion tank can particularly preferably be arranged outside the IT rack, for example, on the roof of the IT rack.

[0026] Multiple assemblies of the coolant distribution unit can be housed as individual plug-in units, each in a rack. The assemblies of the coolant distribution unit, designed as independent plug-in units, can comprise at least two identical or structurally identical assemblies, preferably several identical or structurally identical pump units, for example, RPUs, of the coolant distribution unit. For example, at least two of the identical or structurally identical pump units can be designed as redundant pump units. To achieve redundancy, the pump units can be connected in parallel.

[0027] The at least one plug-in unit can be a direct liquid cooling assembly, in which the plug-in unit has a housing in which at least two redundant, preferably parallel-connected, pumps are arranged. The housing can also be free of at least one compressor, one expansion means, and one condenser. Preferably, the housing can be free of all other active components of a refrigeration machine. In this way, an embodiment of the invention can be provided in which the particularly failure-prone pump units can be replaced easily and during operation. This can be further optimized by providing not just one of the plug-in units with at least two redundant pumps, but several of these plug-in units, which particularly preferably supply a coolant distribution channel with cooled coolant in a fluidically parallel manner.

[0028] In one embodiment, in addition to the at least two redundant pumps, a heat exchanger can be accommodated in the housing. For component cooling of an IT infrastructure, the redundant pumps can be used to convey or pump coolant through an inner circuit of the heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger is a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, an outer circuit of the liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger can be connected or connectable to a cooling liquid cooler. Alternatively, the outer circuit of the liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger can be connected to the return of an air-to-liquid heat exchanger of an existing IT infrastructure, as already described.

[0029] The housing can have at least one supply line and a first return line on an outer side for connecting the inner circuit to a coolant distribution channel of the direct liquid cooling system. Furthermore, a single-pole or double-pole electrical contact for the electrical connection to the power distribution system, such as a busbar, can be provided on the outer side, preferably on a rear side of the housing facing the power distribution system. If the heat exchanger is a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, a second supply line and a second return line can preferably be provided for connecting the outer circuit to a recooler. Preferably, all of the supply lines and returns, as well as the electrical contact, can be designed as blind coupling plug connectors.

[0030] At least one additional plug-in device can be accommodated or receivable in at least one additional slot. The at least one additional plug-in device can be a server or an uninterruptible power supply (backup battery unit - BBU).

[0031] The direct liquid cooling system can comprise at least one additional plug-in unit, preferably a coolant-carrying assembly of a coolant distribution unit of the direct liquid cooling system. The plug-in unit can be or comprise a heat exchanger. Furthermore, the plug-in unit can be or comprise an expansion tank. The additional plug-in unit should be accommodated in one of the plug-in units without making contact with the busbar.

[0032] The withdrawable devices and the additional withdrawable devices can have standardized housings that have the same dimensions, particularly with regard to their depth direction, i.e., in the direction of insertion of the withdrawable devices into the drawers. Furthermore, the first dummy coupling connectors formed on the rear sides facing the busbar are preferably designed identically regardless of the withdrawable device type.

[0033] The IT rack's slots can accommodate only plug-in units for direct liquid cooling. This means that the IT rack can be integrated into a switch cabinet row containing components requiring cooling. For this purpose, the IT rack that exclusively accommodates plug-in units for liquid cooling can have suitable interfaces, such as baying connectors, to adjacent IT racks in the switch cabinet row, including fluidic transitions between the IT rack that exclusively accommodates plug-in units for liquid cooling and the adjacent IT racks in the switch cabinet row, which can accommodate, for example, servers requiring cooling.

[0034] At least one of the plug-in devices may be or comprise a heat exchanger, preferably a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, an expansion tank, a pump unit, a control unit or a DC voltage supply.

[0035] Further details of the invention are explained with reference to the following figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of direct liquid cooling; Fig. 2 an exemplary embodiment of a plug-in device designed as a pump unit; Fig. 3 an exemplary embodiment of a direct liquid cooling system with additional rear door air cooling; Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a plug-in device; Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a plug-in device; Fig. 6 shows yet another embodiment of a plug-in device; Fig. 7 an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention in front view (a) and side view (b); and Fig. 8 shows yet another embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention in a side view of the IT rack.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of direct liquid cooling (DLC). Cooled liquid is provided by a recooler 16, which can be designed, for example, as a chiller, with or without a refrigeration machine. For this purpose, the recooler 16 has, in particular, an air-liquid heat exchanger and at least one fan, with which ambient air is transported through the air-liquid heat exchanger. The cooled liquid provided by the recooler is fed to a coolant distribution unit (CDU), in particular via the supply line of an external circuit of the CDU. The liquid provided by the recooler leaves the CDU as heated liquid via a return line of the external circuit, and the external circuit of the CDU, which simultaneously forms the liquid circuit of the recooler 16, is designated by reference numeral 17.

[0037] The coolant distribution unit CDU has, in particular, a liquid-liquid heat exchanger and at least one pump for transporting liquid through the inner circuit 15 of the CDU. The flow of the inner circuit of the CDU is connected to a return of a coolant distribution channel, and the return of the inner circuit 15 of the CDU is connected to a flow of the coolant distribution channel 7. The coolant distribution channel 7 can have several connections spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the vertical direction: on the one hand, to a flow of the coolant distribution channel 7, via which cooled coolant is provided, and on the other hand, to a return of the coolant distribution channel 7, via which heated coolant is discharged. The plug-in devices 2 can be, for example, server plug-ins of an IT infrastructure, which are connected to the distribution channel 7, for example, in the manner known from US 2007 / 0274043 A1.In the plug-in devices, the cooling liquid, which is preferably an electrically non-conductive coolant, flows over the components that require cooling, for example CPUs, GPUs, or other components that have a high power loss and, moreover, a high temperature sensitivity, so that air cooling is unsuitable due to the lower thermal conductivity of air compared to liquid.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a plug-in device that can be used in an arrangement according to the invention. The plug-in device 2.1 has a housing 13, which can be standardized, for example, with regard to its dimensions, for example at least to the extent that, upon insertion of the plug-in device 2.1 into a slot of an IT rack, both the first and the second dummy coupling plug connections 6.1, 6.2 for the electrical contacting of the power distribution, on the one hand, and the fluidic connection to the direct liquid cooling, in particular a coolant distribution channel, can be made automatically, i.e., in particular without tools. Three redundant pumps 14 are arranged in the housing 13, which are connected in particular in parallel to one another. A heat exchanger 12, in particular a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, is also arranged in the housing 13.The only active components within the housing 13 are therefore the pumps 14, which are provided in triplicate and connected in parallel.

[0039] The Fig. The pump unit shown in Figure 2 thus exhibits a very high degree of failure resistance. Due to the use of the first and second dummy coupling connectors 6.1, 6.2, the entire unit, i.e., the plug-in unit 2.1, can be replaced quickly and without significant downtime in the event of failure of all pumps or a decrease in pump performance. Further redundancy of the direct liquid cooling (DLC) can be achieved by using several of the Fig. 2 are provided, which in turn are connected in parallel with one another, so that even if all of the three pumps 14 in the present case fail, one of the several plug-in devices 2.1 ensures continued operation of the DLC and downtimes can be essentially completely avoided.

[0040] The Fig. Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the arrangement according to the invention is accommodated in a switch cabinet housing designed in the manner of an IT cabinet with several 19-inch rack units arranged vertically one above the other. The rack units 2.1 in the rack units 2 of the IT rack 1 are partially occupied by servers and partially by built-in devices 2.1 of the direct liquid cooling system. For example, a top rack unit 2 of the IT rack 1 is occupied by a DC voltage supply 3, which is provided as a built-in device 2.1. A bottom rack unit 2 is occupied by a coolant distribution unit (CDU). A coolant distribution channel 7 with its supply line and return line is arranged at the rear of the IT rack 1. The supply line and return line of the coolant distribution channel 7 are connected to the coolant distribution unit CDU. A rear door heat exchanger 200 is connected to the rear of the IT rack 1.This unit has an air-to-liquid heat exchanger and several fans. With the help of the rear door heat exchanger, cooled air is drawn through the front of the IT rack 1, past the server bays 2.1 requiring cooling, and into the rear door heat exchanger 200, where the heated air passes through the air-to-liquid heat exchanger and is discharged as cooled air into the enclosure's surroundings. The supply line of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger of the rear door cooling unit 200 is fed by a recooler 16, for example, a chiller. The return line of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger of the rear door cooling unit 200 is connected to a supply line of an external circuit of the CDU. The heated liquid discharged by the air-to-liquid heat exchanger thus serves as a heat sink for the CDU.A liquid-liquid heat exchanger 12 is arranged in the CDU, via which heat is transferred from an inner circuit of the CDU, with which the CDU is connected to the coolant distribution channel 7, to the outer circuit of the CDU.

[0041] All plug-in devices 2.1, except for the DC power supply 3 itself, can be designed as DC devices, operating, for example, at an operating voltage of 48 V. The entire power distribution within the IT rack can thus be carried out at a DC voltage level that is less hazardous than the mains voltage, thereby increasing the operational reliability of the IT rack.

[0042] The modular design of the direct liquid cooling further allows, for example, the expansion tank 10 to be arranged on an upper side of the IT rack 1, that is to say in particular above the coolant distribution channel 7, in a manner that is advantageous for operation.

[0043] The Fig. 4 to 6 show different stages of expansion of a plug-in device 2.1, which is used as a pump unit (RPU) in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 is formed. The Fig. The RPU shown in Figure 4 has only two pumps 14 connected in parallel, which are accommodated in a housing 13 with two power supplies 19, one for each of the pumps 14. A first dummy coupling connector 6.1 is used for the connection to the DC voltage source and a pair of second dummy coupling connectors 6.2 are used for the connection to the internal circuit of the DLC, so that with the Fig. The coolant distribution channel (not shown) of the DLC can be supplied with cooled coolant using the pump unit (RPU) shown in Figure 4.

[0044] In extension of the Fig. 4 is shown in the embodiment shown in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, not only is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger 12 provided, but the pumps 14 are also designed with triple redundancy. Accordingly, three power supplies 19 are provided for the independent supply of the three pumps 14. Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 is suitable, for example, for use in a control cabinet according to Fig. 3, in which the external circuit of the CDU is connected to an air-liquid heat exchanger, for example to such a heat exchanger of a rear door cooling unit 200.

[0045] From the embodiment according to Fig. 5 is again different in the embodiment in Fig. 6, instead of a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger for recooling the coolant, an air-to-liquid heat exchanger 12 and a pair of fans 20 are provided. An expansion tank 10 is also arranged in the housing. A pair of redundant pumps 14 are fed by a pair of independent power supplies 19.

[0046] Fig. Figure 7 shows, in front view (a) and side view (b), an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement for supplying a direct liquid cooling system with electrical energy. The arrangement comprises an IT rack 1 having a plurality of plug-in units 2 for plug-in devices 2.1 of a direct liquid cooling system, arranged one above the other in the vertical direction z. In addition to the plug-in units 2.1 for direct liquid cooling, further plug-in units 2.1 are also provided, which in this case are designed as servers. The rectifier PSU is also designed as a plug-in unit 2.1. Extending along the rear R of the IT rack 1 as the power distribution 5 is a busbar of a DC voltage supply 3 for the plug-in units 2 or the plug-in devices 2.1 accommodated therein. The busbar is fed by the rectifier PSU, in particular supplied with a DC voltage. The plug-in units 2.1 of the direct liquid cooling DLC, insofar as they require a supply of electrical energy, are each accommodated in one of the plug-in units 2 and electrically contacted with the busbar. The expansion tank 10, which does not require an electrical power supply, is arranged in a physically advantageous position on the top side, i.e., outside the IT rack 1. A control unit 9 is designed as a separate plug-in unit, independent of other DLC components, and is directly contacted with the DC voltage supply 3, in particular with the busbar of the power distribution 5. The plug-in units 2.1 have first dummy coupling connectors 6.1 for the tool-free connection of the plug-in units 2.1 to the busbar. Complementary dummy coupling connectors can be arranged on the rear side of the housings of the plug-in units 2.1 facing the busbar.In an analogous manner, second blind coupling connectors, which are fluid-conducting, can be arranged on the rear side for connection to a supply line and a return line of the coolant distribution channel 7.

[0047] While the Fig. 7 shown embodiment has both server installations and thus cooling-requiring components as well as various assemblies of a direct liquid cooling DLC ​​for cooling the servers, in the case of the Fig. 8, the IT rack 1 is equipped exclusively with components of a direct liquid cooling system (DLC). In particular, several of the plug-in units 2.1 are designed as redundant pump units (RPU). These can, for example, be implemented as one of the embodiments according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. The two plug-in units 2.1 form the heat exchanger 12 and the expansion tank 10. The DC voltage supply 3 is also designed as a plug-in unit, as is the control unit 9. The DC voltage supply 3 is the only component of the Fig. 8, which is supplied with mains voltage. Furthermore, the arrangement ensures that all components and devices for power distribution, in particular the busbar 5, are at a low DC voltage, for example, 48 V.

[0048] The features given in the above description may be relevant in any combination for the realization of embodiments of the invention, the scope of protection being determined solely by the claims. List of reference symbols: 1 IT rack 2 slots 2.1 Plug-in device 3 DC power supply 5 Busbar 6.1 first blind coupling connector 6.2 second dummy coupling connector 7 Coolant distribution channel 8 Linear guide 9 Control unit 10 Expansion tank 11 additional plug-in device 12 heat exchangers 13 housings 14 Pump 15 inner circle 16 dry coolers 17 Outer circle 19 Power supply 20 fans 200 rear door cooling unit BBU Uninterruptible Power Supply CDU coolant distribution unit DLC direct liquid cooling PSU rectifier RPU pump unit R back x Plug-in direction z Altitude direction

Claims

[1] Arrangement for supplying a direct liquid cooling system (DLC) with electrical energy, wherein the arrangement comprises at least one IT rack (1) with a plurality of inserts (2) arranged one above the other in the vertical direction (z) of the IT rack (1) for insert devices (2.1) of a direct liquid cooling system (DLC) and / or an IT infrastructure, characterized byin that the IT rack (1) has a DC voltage supply (3) for plug-in devices (2.1) accommodated in the plug-in units (2), with a rectifier (PSU) and a power distribution (5), preferably a busbar, which runs along a rear side (R) of the IT rack (1) in the height direction (z) of the IT rack (1) and is supplied with a DC voltage by the rectifier (PSU), wherein at least one plug-in device (2.1) of a direct liquid cooling system (DLC) is accommodated in one of the plug-in units (2) and is electrically contacted with the power distribution (5), wherein the plug-in device (2.1) of a direct liquid cooling system (DLC) is a coolant distribution unit (CDU) or at least one module of a coolant distribution unit. [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, in which a plurality of first blind coupling connectors (6.1) for the tool-free connection of direct liquid cooling (DLC) assemblies and / or an IT infrastructure to the power distribution (5) are arranged spaced apart from one another along the power distribution (5) in the height direction (z). [3] Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the direct liquid cooling (DLC) has at least one coolant distribution channel (7) which runs along the rear side (R) of the IT rack (1) in the height direction (z) of the IT rack (1), wherein a plurality of second blind coupling connectors (6.2) for the tool-free connection of assemblies of the direct liquid cooling (DLC) and / or an IT infrastructure to the coolant distribution channel (7) are arranged at a distance from one another along the coolant distribution channel (7) in the height direction (z). [4] Arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inserts (2) have a linear guide (8) for direct liquid cooling (DLC) and / or IT infrastructure assemblies, wherein the linear guide (8) extends parallel to a plug-in direction (x) of the first and / or second blind coupling connectors (6.1, 6.2). [5] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the direct liquid cooling (DLC) comprises a plurality of plug-in units (2.1), each of which is accommodated in one of the plug-in units (2), and of which at least two plug-in units (2.1) are designed as redundant plug-in units (2.1), preferably redundant pump units (RPU). [6] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the rectifier (PSU) is designed as a plug-in device (2.1) which is accommodated in one of the plug-in units (2). [7] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one plug-in device (2.1) of the direct liquid cooling (DLC) is a coolant distribution unit (CDU) or at least one assembly of a coolant distribution unit (CDU). [8] Arrangement according to claim 7, wherein at least one assembly of the coolant distribution unit (CDU), preferably a control unit (9) and / or an expansion vessel (10) of the coolant distribution unit (CDU), is arranged outside a housing (13) of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) and inside or outside the IT rack (1). [9] Arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the at least one assembly of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) is a control unit (9) of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) which is electrically connected to the power distribution (5) and is preferably designed as a plug-in device which is accommodated in one of the plug-in units (2). [10] Arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the at least one assembly of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) is an expansion vessel (10) which is fluidically connected, preferably directly, to a coolant distribution channel (7) of the direct liquid cooling (DLC), wherein the expansion vessel (10) is particularly preferably arranged outside the IT rack (1). [11] Arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 10, in which several assemblies of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) are accommodated as individual plug-in devices (2.1) in each plug-in unit. [12] Arrangement according to claim 11, in which the assemblies of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) designed as individual plug-in devices (2.1) have at least two identical or identically constructed assemblies, preferably several identical or identically constructed pump units (RPU) of the coolant distribution unit (CDU), of which particularly preferably at least two of the identical or identically constructed pump units (RPU) are designed as redundant pump units (RPU). [13] Arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the at least one plug-in device (2.1) is a direct liquid cooling (DLC) assembly, wherein the plug-in device (2.1) has a housing (13) in which at least two redundant, preferably parallel-connected, pumps (14) are arranged, wherein the housing (13) is otherwise free of at least one compressor, one expansion means and one condenser, and preferably free of all other active components of a refrigeration machine. [14] Arrangement according to claim 13, wherein furthermore at least one heat exchanger (12) is accommodated in the housing (13), wherein for the component cooling of an IT infrastructure with the redundant pumps (14) cooling liquid is conveyed or can be conveyed through an inner circuit (15) of the heat exchanger (12), and wherein, if the heat exchanger (12) is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, preferably an outer circuit (17) of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger is connected or can be connected to a recooler (16) for cooling liquid. [15] Arrangement according to claim 13 or 14, in which the housing (13) has on an outer side at least a first flow and a first return for connecting the inner circuit (15) to a coolant distribution channel (7) of the direct liquid cooling (DLC), an electrical contact for the electrical connection to the power distribution (5), and, if the heat exchanger (12) is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, preferably a second flow and a second return for connecting the outer circuit to a recooler, wherein preferably all of the flow and return lines as well as the electrical contact are designed as blind coupling plug connectors (6). [16] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which at least one further plug-in device is accommodated or receivable in at least one further of the plug-in units (2), wherein the at least one further plug-in device is a server or an uninterruptible power supply (BBU). [17] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the direct liquid cooling (DLC) has at least one further plug-in device (11), preferably a coolant-carrying assembly of a coolant distribution unit (CDU) of the direct liquid cooling (DLC), particularly preferably a heat exchanger (12) or an expansion vessel (10), wherein the further plug-in device (11) is accommodated in one of the plug-in units (2) without contact with the power distribution (5), preferably a busbar. [18] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the drawers (2) of the IT rack (1) exclusively accommodate drawer devices (2.1, 11) of the direct liquid cooling (DLC). [19] Arrangement according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the plug-in devices (2.1, 11) is a heat exchanger (12), preferably a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, an expansion vessel (10), a pump unit (RPU), a control device (9) or a DC voltage supply (3).

Images