Arrangement for direct liquid cooling of an IT infrastructure with modular control

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for direct liquid cooling (DLC) of an IT infrastructure, wherein the arrangement comprises at least one housing or an IT rack (1) with a plurality of plug-in units (2) for plug-in devices (2.1) of a direct liquid cooling (DLC) and / or an IT infrastructure, said plug-in units being arranged one above the other in the vertical direction (z) of the housing or the IT rack (1), characterized in that one of the plug-in units (2.1) is a control module which is inserted into one of the plug-in units (2) and is configured to control at least one second plug-in device (2.1) of the direct liquid cooling (DLC) which is inserted into another of the plug-in units (2).

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for the direct liquid cooling (DLC) of an IT infrastructure, wherein the arrangement has at least one housing or an IT rack with a plurality of inserts arranged one above the other in the height direction of the housing or the IT rack for insertion devices of a direct liquid cooling (DLC) and / or an IT infrastructure. Such an arrangement is known from US 2007 / 0274043 A1. A similar arrangement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 11 395 443 B2An arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 10 2023 127 312 B3. US 2017 / 004909 A1 describes a control device of a direct liquid cooling system which is designed as an insert device. US 2017 / 0047772A1 discloses an uninterrupted power supply designed as a plug-in device.Plug-in devices of direct liquid cooling (DLC) are, for example, coolant distribution units (CDU) and reservoir and pump units (RPU), of which a plurality of are provided identically for providing a required delivery rate and for redundancy reasons. The devices are autonomous and in particular each have their own control device. The function of distributing the coolant to devices of the IT infrastructure in need of cooling is assumed by the CDU. The CDU separates the coolant, e.g. water (primary circuit) and the liquid flowing through the IT infrastructure equipment (secondary circuit), provided by e.g. refrigerators / free cooling systems into two circuits. The CDU is also responsible for pumping the water from the secondary circuit at the correct temperature and pressure throughout the IT infrastructure.CDUs accommodated in IT racks, which are used in the data center industry, are difficult to repair or replace during operation. In addition to the CDU in rack, there are also other methods of direct liquid cooling of microchips, such as air assisted units, in which an RPU (reservoir pumping unit) and a liquid-air heat exchanger release the heat generated by the microchips to the air with the aid of the liquid which transports the heat.The known arrangements have the disadvantage that in the event of failure of one of the insertion devices inserted into the inserts, the replacement of the respective insertion device is complicated, in particular takes a certain time. During this time, the direct liquid cooling cannot be operated or only with reduced cooling capacity, which can result, for example, in IT components installed in the IT racks, for example server inserts, having to be taken out of operation or operated with reduced capacity in order to avoid overheating of the devices. The control units of the plug-in devices are particularly susceptible to faults, which are installed in a housing of the plug-in device and are inaccessible for simple replacement or repair.It is therefore the object of the invention to further develop the arrangement described at the beginning in such a way that it is prepared for the simple replacement of a control unit.This object is achieved by an arrangement having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are each the subject matter of the dependent claims.Accordingly, it is provided that one of the plug-in devices is a control module which is inserted into one of the plug-in devices and is configured to actuate at least one second plug-in device of the direct liquid cooling which is inserted into a further one of the plug-in devices, wherein the second plug-in device is connected to the control module for the signal transmission via a data bus. The control units previously installed in the various second plug-in devices, for example the control unit of a CDU or an RPU, can be omitted in one embodiment of the invention and their functionality can be taken over by the control module. The control module can have a further range of functions via its function to actuate the at least one second plug-in device and for this purpose can have, for example, sensor systems for monitoring the DLC system. However, the control module can be configured to read out sensors formed outside the control module, which are connected to the control module via a data bus, for the control of the second plug-in devices.To control the DLC system, the control module may be configured to acquire data from sensors, such as pressure, temperature and / or flow sensors. The sensors can be connected to the control module via a data bus, preferably a wired data bus. The control module can be configured to evaluate the data, for example using a device configuration of a second plug-in device controlled by the control module. The device configuration can be stored in a memory, preferably in a memory which is designed independently of the control module. Preferably, the memory is located outside the control module and coupled via a data bus or via a direct connection for the data transmission. The control module can be configured, for example, to individually control or regulate an assembly of the second plug-in device, for example the rotational speed of at least one pump of a CDU or of an RPU. The control module may include quick connectors for both power supply and connection to a data bus. The quick connectors can be designed in particular as blind coupling plug connectors, preferably with a self-centering, so that when the control module is inserted into one of the inserts, when a fully inserted position of the control module is reached in the insert, a secure electrical contacting or data signal transmission is achieved between the control module and a power supply or a data supply, for example a data bus.The control module can be configured for the control of second plug-in devices which are arranged in a housing or IT rack different from the control module. For the data transmission between the housings or IT racks, a data bus can be provided, to which the control module and the second plug-in devices for the signal transmission are connected. In one embodiment, the IT rack or housing in which the control module is arranged is located in a different room or building than the IT rack or housing in which the second plug-in device is arranged. Alternatively or additionally, at least one sensor can be arranged outside the IT rack in which the control module is arranged. The at least one sensor can be connected to the control module for signal transmission via a data bus. The at least one sensor can be configured to monitor at least one measurement value, wherein the measurement value can be detected with respect to the housing or IT rack in which the control module is arranged, or with respect to any other housing or IT rack of the IT infrastructure. The at least one sensor can be configured to acquire a measurement value selected from: temperature, air humidity, flow rate, flow volume, electrical voltage, a water quality, for example pH value or electrical conductivity, acquisition of leaks by, for example, pressure loss measurement. The sensors may be provided for differential measurement. The two sensors can be arranged, for example, on opposite end faces of the control module. This enables, for example, the difference measurement in a hot-gear-cold-gear configuration, for example when arranging a plurality of housings or IT racks in which the opposite end faces of the control module each face one of the cold gear and the hot gear.The control module may include a data interface for communicating information with a central controller, such as a central controller of a data center. The information can include, for example, reporting detected failures and / or a service requirement to the central controller.The direct liquid cooling can have a plurality of assemblies, at least two of which are designed as different plug-in devices. The different plug-in devices may be functional assemblies of a coolant distribution unit (CDU). It is thus possible to resolve the functional assemblies from a combination known from the prior art of a coolant distribution unit into a single assembly housing, resulting in a plurality of assemblies which are configured independently of one another. In particular, the control device of a coolant distribution unit (CDU) can be replaced by the control module. Viewed functionally, the control module and the coolant distribution unit (CDU) having no dedicated control device thus form a classic CDU having a control device. The CDU having no control device can in turn be functionally constructed into different second plug-in devices and thus modular, whereby a further improvement of the serviceability is achieved. These assemblies of the CDU can each be designed as a plug-in device with its own housing.The assemblies, which are designed as different second plug-in devices, can complement one another functionally. In particular, the at least two different plug-in devices can have a different function with respect to direct liquid cooling, preferably a different function of a CDU or an RPU.The at least two modules, which are designed as different second plug-in devices, can cooperate in such a way that they jointly, including the control module, have the function of a CDU. For example, a first of the second plug-in devices can be a pump unit and a second a coolant distribution unit, which has all the functional assemblies of a coolant distribution unit, but no pump and no control device. The pump unit may have a plurality of redundant pumps. It also preferably has no control device of its own and is controlled by the control module and for this purpose is connected, for example, via a data bus to the control device for the signal transmission. A plurality of pump units can be provided, each of which forms a second insertion device. The plurality of pump units can be designed to be redundant, both with respect to one another and with respect to each pump unit, in that each pump unit has a plurality of pumps.The second plug-in device can be connected to the control module for signal transmission via a data bus, preferably a wired data bus. The second plug-in device preferably does not have its own control, in particular no control device.The at least one second plug-in device of direct liquid cooling can be selected, for example, from: a coolant distribution unit (CDU), a reservoir and pump unit (RPU), preferably with 2N redundant pumps, a heat exchanger, an expansion vessel, a pressure and / or temperature sensor, a three-way valve with bypass valve, an AC power supply, a further control device, a service valve, a filter, preferably a filter fan, an automatic breather, a pressure limiting valve. The second insertion device is not limited thereto. The second plug-in device can also be, in particular, a device which cannot be operated autonomously, for example because it does not have its own control device. The second plug-in device can be, for example, a functional assembly of a coolant distribution unit (CDU), for example a pump unit which merely has the function of providing a pump power between a forward flow and a return flow.The plug-in devices can be designed to be at least partially hot-swap capable, preferably with respect to a fluidic connection to a coolant circuit of direct liquid cooling (DLC) and / or an electrical connection to a power supply and / or a connection to a data bus. The plug-in devices and the plugs can have mating blind coupling plug-in connectors. The plug connectors complementary to one another can have a self-centering, so that when the plug-in devices are inserted into the plug connectors, when a fully inserted position of the plug-in devices is reached in the plug connectors, a secure connection between the complementary blind coupling plug connectors is achieved, for example for the fluidic, electrical or signal connection of the plug-in device. Thus, for example, a data bus of the arrangement can be connectable to the control module via a multipolar blind coupling plug connector. The blind coupling plug connector can have a male and a female part, which are particularly preferably guided relative to one another via a self-centering.The blind coupling connector can be arranged on an exposed housing side of the control module, preferably on an end side of the housing, which, when the control module is inserted into one of the inserts, faces a rear side of the housing or of the IT rack. On the rear side of the housing or of the IT rack, a blind coupling connector complementary to the blind coupling connector of the control module can be arranged. The two blind coupling plug connectors can assume a plug connection when the control module assumes a position completely inserted into the plug-in unit.The control module can have a drawer arrangement with a drawer body, which can preferably be accommodated in one of the drawers or is installed separately in the housing or IT rack or outside the housing or IT rack. The drawer arrangement can furthermore have a drawer which can be pushed into the drawer body, wherein at least one control device is preferably accommodated in the drawer.The drawer body and the drawer can have complementary multipolar blind coupling plug connectors, wherein the blind coupling plug connector of the drawer body is connected to the data bus, and wherein the blind coupling plug connector of the drawer is connected to the control device, wherein preferably the complementary blind coupling plug connectors assume a plug connection when the control module assumes a position completely inserted into the insert.The drawer arrangement can have at least one sensor on opposite end sides for determining a measurement variable relating to the environment of the drawer arrangement, preferably a sensor of the same type for determining the same physical measurement variable. With the sensors arranged on the opposite end sides, a difference measurement can be provided, preferably an air pressure difference measurement or an air temperature difference measurement. Other differential measurements may also be performed.The control module can have a power supply for the at least one second plug-in device of direct liquid cooling or for a further electrical consumer of direct liquid cooling. The second plug-in device or the further electrical load does not necessarily have to be arranged in the same housing or IT rack as the control module.The arrangement can have a plurality of second plug-in devices, wherein the control module has a memory or is communicatively connected to a memory which is formed independently of the control module and in which a configuration for controlling the plurality of second plug-in devices is contained, wherein the plurality of second plug-in devices is connected via a data bus to the control module for the data transmission and has no dedicated control.A configuration, preferably one configuration file or a plurality of configuration files, for controlling a multiplicity of the second plug-in devices can be stored in a memory. The memory may be located external to the control module and connected to the control module for communication. The control module can be configured to take over the configuration from the memory at least for its first configuration.The second plug-in devices and, if appropriate, at least one further electrical assembly controlled by the control module, for example a fan, can have a unique device identifier. The configuration can have a device configuration assigned via the unique device identifier for at least some of the second plug-in devices. The control module can be configured to read out the unique device identifier from the second plug-in device or the at least one further electrical assembly controlled by the control module. The control module can be configured to provide the second plug-in device or the assembly with a configuration respectively assigned to the unique device identifier or to take it into account when controlling the second plug-in device or the assembly.The at least one second plug-in device or a further electrical assembly, for example a fan of the direct liquid cooling (DLC), can be connected to the control module for signal transmission via a data bus. In this case, the second plug-in device or the further electrical module can be configured to assume a default operating state in the event of an interruption of the signal transmission via the data bus and / or in the event of a failure of the control module.Further details of the invention are explained with reference to the following figures. The following shows: FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a direct liquid cooling system; FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a direct liquid cooling with additional back door air cooling; FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of an insertion device designed as a pump unit; FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an insertion device designed as a control module, having a drawer arrangement with a drawer body and a drawer; FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention in front view (a) and side view (b); and FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention in a side view of the IT rack.FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a 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 refrigerating 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 supplied to a coolant distribution unit (CDU), in particular via the flow line of an outer circuit of the CDU. Via a return of the outer circuit, the liquid provided by the recooler leaves the CDU as heated liquid and the outer circuit of the CDU, which at the same time forms the liquid circuit of the recooler 16, is marked with the reference numeral 17.The coolant distribution unit CDU has, in particular, a liquid-liquid heat exchanger and at least one pump in order to transport 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 a plurality of connections spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, and therefore 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 plugs 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 refrigerant, flows over the components requiring cooling, for example CPUs or GPUs, or another component which has a high power loss and otherwise a high temperature sensitivity, so that air cooling is unsuitable on account of the lower thermal conductivity of air compared to liquid.FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the arrangement according to the invention is accommodated in a switchgear cabinet housing which is designed in the manner of an IT cabinet having a plurality of 19-inch inserts which are arranged vertically one above the other. The plug-in devices 2.1 in the plug-in devices 2 of the IT rack 1 are partially occupied by servers and partially by plug-in devices 2.1 for direct liquid cooling. For example, an uppermost slot 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 lower insert 2 is occupied by a coolant distribution unit (CDU). On a rear side of the IT rack 1, a coolant distribution channel 7 is arranged with its feed line and its return line. The feed line and the 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 side of the IT rack 1. This has an air-liquid heat exchanger and a plurality of fans. With the aid of the back door heat exchanger, cooled air is drawn in via the front side of the IT rack 1 through the IT rack 1, past the server inserts 2.1 in need of cooling into the back door heat exchanger 200, where the heated air passes the air-liquid heat exchanger and is blown out as cooled air into the environment of the housing. The flow of the air-liquid heat exchanger of the back door cooling device 200 is fed by a back cooler 16, for example a chiller. The return line of the air-liquid heat exchanger of the back door cooling device 200 is connected to a forward line of an outer circuit of the CDU. The heated liquid discharged from the air-liquid heat exchangers thus serves as a heat sink with respect to 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, by means of which the CDU is connected to the coolant distribution channel 7, to the outer circuit of the CDU.All plug-in devices 2.1, except for the DC voltage supply 3 itself, can be designed as DC devices which are operated, for example, at an operating voltage of 48 V. The entire current distribution within the IT rack can thus take place at a DC voltage level which is less dangerous in comparison to the mains voltage, whereby the operational reliability of the IT rack is increased.The modular construction of direct liquid cooling also allows the expansion vessel 10 to be arranged, for example, in a manner advantageous for operation on an upper side of the IT rack 1, that is to say in particular above the coolant distribution channel 7.The uppermost plug-in device 2.1 having the DC voltage supply 3 is a control module. This is configured to actuate at least one second plug-in device 2.1 of direct liquid cooling (DLC), here the CDU which is inserted into a further one of the plugs 2. This can achieve the advantage that repair or maintenance can be carried out more easily in the event of a failure of the control module, since this is arranged separately and therefore a complex unit such as a CDU or RPU does not have to be opened for maintenance or repair.The CDU is connected to the control module for signal transmission via a data bus, here a wired data bus not shown. The CDU furthermore does not have its own control, in particular no control device, so that the control can be carried out centrally via the control module.The second plug-in device 2.1 of direct liquid cooling (DLC) can be a coolant distribution unit (CDU), as in FIG. 2. Alternatively or additionally, the second plug-in device 2.1 can be a reservoir and pump unit (RPU), preferably with 2N redundant pumps, a heat exchanger, an expansion vessel, a pressure and / or temperature sensor, a three-way valve with bypass valve, an AC power supply, a further control device, a service valve, a filter, preferably a filter fan, an automatic breather and / or a pressure limiting valve.FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a plug-in device 2.1, which can be used in an arrangement according to the invention and is designed here as a CDU. The plug-in device 2.1 has a housing 13 which can be standardized, for example, with respect to its dimensions, for example at least to the effect that, when the plug-in device 2.1 is inserted into a plug-in of an IT rack, both the first and the second blind coupling plug connection 6.1, 6.2 can be contacted automatically, that is to say in particular without tools, for the electrical contacting of the current distribution on the one hand and the fluidic connection to the direct liquid cooling, in particular a coolant distributor channel. Three redundant pumps 14 are arranged in the housing 13, which are in particular connected in parallel to one another. A heat exchanger 12, in particular a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, is furthermore arranged in the housing 13. The only active components within the housing 13 are thus the pumps 14 which are provided in triplicate and connected in parallel. The pump unit shown in FIG. 2 thus has a very high degree of insensitivity to failure. Due to the use of the first and the second blind coupling plug connectors 6.1, 6.2, the entire unit, i.e. the plug-in device 2.1, can be replaced quickly and without relevant downtime in the event of failure of all pumps or with a decreasing pump output. A further redundancy of direct liquid cooling (DLC) can be achieved by providing a plurality of the plug-in devices 2.1 shown in FIG. 2 which are in turn connected in parallel with one another, so that even in the event of failure of all of the presently three pumps 14 of one of the plurality of plug-in devices 2.1, the continued operation of the DLC is ensured and downtime can be substantially completely avoided.The plug-in device 2.1 shown in FIG. 3 does not have a control unit, but instead is connected to the control module for signal transmission via a data bus, not shown, so that the plug-in device 2.1, in particular a cooling capacity of the heat exchanger 12 and / or a pumping capacity of at least one of the pumps 14, can be controlled centrally via the control module. If a plurality of plug-in devices 2.1 of the DLC connected in parallel are provided to increase redundancy, it can be provided in particular that none of the plug-in devices 2.1 of the DLC has a control device. Instead, the control module can be designed and configured to centrally control all plug-in devices 2.1 of the DLC, in particular those without a control device.FIG. 4 schematically shows a top view of a plug-in device 2.1 designed as a control module. The control module has a drawer arrangement with a drawer body 21, which can be accommodated in one of the drawers 2, and a drawer 22, which can be pushed into the drawer body 21. In FIG. 4, the drawer 22 is in a fully inserted position.The drawer 22 comprises two regions 22.1 and 22.2, which both have a rectangular basic shape, wherein the drawer 22 is preferably embodied in one piece. The second region 22.2 is smaller than the first region 22.1 here, so that a rear region 21.1 of the drawer body 21 facing a rear side of the housing is not taken up or covered by the drawer 22. In this region 21.1, the DC voltage supply 3, a DC connection 3.1 and a first blind coupling plug connector 6.1 for connecting the drawer body 21 to a busbar are arranged.By providing the area 21.1, the invention makes it possible that, when the drawer 22 is moved into an at least partially extended position, for example for maintenance or replacement of a component accommodated in the drawer 22, the components arranged in the area 21.1 are still fully functional, in particular still in electronic contact and / or signal connection with further insertion devices 2.1 or other components of the housing.The DC voltage supply 3 can thus, independently of the position of the drawer 22, supply on the one hand direct current to the busbar 5 and thus to further plug-in devices 2.1 via the first blind coupling plug connector 6.1, and can supply via the DC connection 3.1 different systems or components which are not connected to the busbar 5. These systems and components can be, for example, the back door cooling device 200, a fan or heat exchanger unit arranged next to the housing or IT rack 1, but also electrical consumers not arranged in an insertion device 2.1, for example direct liquid cooling, such as pumps of a CDU or RPU.The drawer 22 has in particular a control device 9 and three CMC modules 29 for connecting sensors, redundant power supplies or DC-DC converters 24. The CMC modules 29 are analogous components for connecting different sensor types (pressure, temperature, pH, conductivity, leakage, etc.). Thus, measured values from sensors which are arranged outside the control module can also be detected, passed on to the control unit 9 and used for the control.The drawer 22 can be connected to a data bus of the arrangement via a third blind coupling plug connector 6.3, which has a male and a female part, which are guided relative to one another via a self-centering 31. The blind coupling plug connector 6.3 of the drawer body 21 is connected to the data bus and the blind coupling plug connector 6.3 of the drawer 22 is connected to the control device 9. The blind coupling plug connector 6.3 is arranged such that the complementary blind coupling plug connectors 6.3 assume a plug connection when the drawer 22 is completely inserted into the drawer body 21. In this way, a tool-free connection of the drawer 22 to the data bus can be achieved, since the contact is established as soon as the drawer 22 is completely inserted.The drawer 22 also has a sensor system. This has the advantage that components of the sensor system can also be easily exchanged or maintained and a cable path to the control unit can be kept short, so that complicated cable laying can be avoided or at least reduced.A temperature and humidity sensor 23 is provided on the front side of the drawer 22, and an air differential pressure sensor 26 is provided on one side of the drawer 22. The air differential pressure sensor 26 has an air hose 27 which is guided to the rear along the drawer 22 and is connected there via hollow centering pins 28 for measuring the air pressure at the rear side of the IT rack 1. On the basis of the air difference pressure and / or a detected temperature or humidity, the control device 9 can control at least one second plug-in device 2.1.Alternatively or additionally, the drawer arrangement can have at least one sensor on opposite end sides for determining a measurement variable relating to the environment of the drawer arrangement, preferably a sensor of the same type for determining the same physical measurement variable. Thus, with the sensors arranged on the opposite end sides, a difference measurement can be provided, preferably an air pressure difference measurement or an air temperature difference measurement. This is advantageous in particular when the IT rack is set up between a cold and a warm gear, since a differential measurement between cold and warm gear can be carried out in this way and the DLC can be controlled in such a way that desired conditions can be provided.As indicated by the connection 30, the components accommodated in the drawer 22 are both connected to one another and in contact with the blind coupling plug connector 6.3. This includes electrical contacting and signal transmission. The connection 30 can therefore represent both an electrical conductor and a signal line. For example, the CMC modules 29 communicate with the control device 9 via a Can bus, but are simultaneously electrically connected to the blind coupling plug connector 6.3 for the purpose of supplying power.Furthermore, the drawer can have communication interfaces 25, such as USB, USB-C or also Bluetooth, for example, in order to enable external access to the control device 9 and / or to provide information on external devices. Thus, in the event of a fault or an abnormality in the IT rack, the control device 9 can output a message, for example on a mobile terminal or a central server station.The plug-in device 2.1 of FIG. 4, which is designed as a drawer arrangement, can be designed to be capable of hot-swap, in particular with respect to an electrical connection to a power supply and / or a connection to a data bus. As a result, the IT rack 1 can be operated further even when the drawer 22 is removed or exchanged from the IT rack 1.In the drawer arrangement, the hot-swap capability is implemented primarily by the blind coupling plug connectors 6.1, 6.3 in that no short circuit or other electrical fault is caused in the IT rack 1 during contacting or removal.Furthermore, the control module can have a memory or be communicatively connected to a memory which is formed independently of the control module and in which a configuration for controlling a plurality of second plug-in devices 2.1 is contained, wherein the plurality of second plug-in devices 2.1 is connected to the control module for the data transmission via a data bus and does not have its own controller. The configuration stored in the memory allows the plurality of second plug-in devices 2.1 to continue operation even if the control device 9 is defective or out of operation. The storage can be arranged, for example, in the region 21.2, so that it is usable independently of a positioning of the drawer 22. Alternatively or additionally, an external memory can also be contacted via the communication interface 25.The control module can likewise be configured to take over the configuration from the memory at least for its first configuration, i.e. the control device 9 can be configured on the basis of the first configuration. As a result, after an exchange of the control unit 9, an operability of the control unit can be achieved almost immediately.Alternatively or additionally, the second plug-in devices 2.1 can have a unique device identifier, wherein the configuration has a device configuration assigned via the unique device identifier for at least some of the second plug-in devices 2.1.Finally, it can also be provided that at least one second plug-in device 2.1 or a further electrical assembly, for example a fan, of the direct liquid cooling system (DLC) is connected via a data bus to the control device 9 for a signal transmission, wherein the second plug-in device 2.1 or the further electrical assembly is configured to assume a default operating state in the event of an interruption of the signal transmission via the data bus and / or in the event of a failure of the control module. Thus, for example, it can be provided that a microchip is arranged in a plug-in device 2.1 of the DLC, which microchip contains a standard configuration for components contained in the plug-in device 2.1, so that uninterrupted operation of the IT rack 1 is possible.FIG. 5 shows in front view (a) and in side view (b) an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement for supplying direct liquid cooling with electrical energy. The arrangement has an IT rack 1, which has a plurality of inserts 2 for insert devices 2.1 of direct liquid cooling, which inserts are arranged one above the other in the height direction z. In addition to the plug-in devices 2.1 for direct liquid cooling, further plug-in devices 2.1 are also provided, which are designed as servers in the present case. The rectifier PSU is also designed as a plug-in device 2.1. Along the rear side R of the IT rack 1, a busbar of a DC voltage supply 3 for the inserts 2 or insert devices 2.1 accommodated therein extends as the current distribution 5. The busbar is fed by the rectifier PSU, in particular supplied with a DC voltage. The plug-in devices 2.1 of the direct liquid cooling system DLC, insofar as they require a supply of electrical energy, are accommodated in one of the plug-in devices 2 in each case and are electrically contacted with the busbar. The expansion vessel 10, which does not require an electric power supply, is arranged at a position which is advantageous from a physical point of view on the upper side, that is to say otherwise outside the IT rack 1. A control module with a control unit 9, which can be designed as a drawer arrangement according to FIG. 4, is designed as a separate plug-in unit 2.1 independently of other assemblies of the DLC and is contacted directly at the DC voltage supply 3, in particular at the busbar of the power distribution 5. The plug-in devices 2.1 have first blind coupling plug-in connectors 6.1 for the tool-free connection of the plug-in devices 2.1 to the busbar. Complementary blind coupling plug connectors can be arranged on the rear side of housings of the plug-in devices 2.1 facing the busbar. In an analogous manner, for the connection to a feed line and a return line of the coolant distribution channel 7, second blind coupling plug connectors, which are liquid-conducting, can be arranged on the rear side.While the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has both server installations and components requiring cooling and also various assemblies of a direct liquid cooling system DLC for cooling the servers, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the IT rack 1 is equipped exclusively with components of a direct liquid cooling system DLC. In particular, a plurality of the plug-in devices 2.1 are designed as redundant pump units RPU. The two plug-in devices 2.1 form the heat exchanger 12 and the expansion vessel 10. The DC voltage supply 3 is also designed as a plug-in device, as is the control module with the control device 9. Moreover, the arrangement ensures that all components and devices for the current distribution, in particular the busbar 5, are at a low DC voltage, for example 48 V.In FIGS. 4 and 5, the possibility can thus be used to control a plurality of plug-in devices 2.1 with one control device 9. In particular, it is provided that the plug-in devices 2.1 of the DLC do not have separate control units. Thus, a total number of control units can be reduced and, in particular when the control module is designed as a drawer arrangement, maintenance or replacement of the control unit can be simplified.In a further embodiment, not shown, it can be provided that an arrangement has more than one IT rack 1. For example, both at least one arrangement according to FIG. 4 and at least one arrangement according to FIG. 5 can be provided. In particular, these at least two IT racks 1 can form a row arrangement. In this case, it is then provided according to the inventive concept that a control module with a control device 9 is provided only in an IT rack 1 of the row arrangement. The control module of the arrangement 1 according to FIG. 5, which is designed as a plug-in device 2.1, then therefore controls not only the CDU 13 but also the RPU modules 8, the heat exchanger 12 and the expansion vessel 10 in the arrangement according to FIG. 6. The invention thereby enables a plurality of IT racks 1 and the components of a direct liquid cooling system DLC accommodated therein to be controlled by a central control module. As a result, a number of control units 9 can be reduced and, at the same time, maintainability can be simplified.The features given in the aforementioned 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 numbers:1 IT rack 2 plug-in 2.1 plug-in device 3 DC voltage supply 3.1 DC connection 5 busbar 6.1 first blind coupling plug-in connector 6.2 second blind coupling plug-in connector 6.3 third blind coupling plug-in connector 7 coolant distribution channel 8 linear guide 9 control device 10 expansion vessel 11 further plug-in device 12 heat exchanger 13 housing 14 pump 15 inner circuit 16 recooler 17 outer circuit 19 power supply unit 20 fan 21 drawer body 21.1 rear region of the drawer body 22 drawer 22.1 first region of the drawer 22.2 second region of the drawer 23 temperature and moisture sensor 24 power supplies, DCDC converter 25 communication interfaces 26 air differential pressure sensor 27 air hose 28 hollow centering pins 29 CMC modules 30 electrical conductor, Signal line 31 Self-centering 200 Back door cooling device BBU Open power supply interruption CDU Coolant distribution unit DLC Direct liquid cooling PSU Rectifier RPU Pump unit R Rear side x Plug-in direction z Height direction

Claims

Arrangement for the direct liquid cooling (DLC) of an IT infrastructure, wherein the arrangement has at least one housing or an IT rack (1) with a plurality of inserts (2) for insertion devices (2.1), a direct liquid cooling (DLC) and / or an IT infrastructure, which inserts are arranged one above the other in the height direction (z) of the housing or the IT rack (1), wherein one of the insertion devices (2.1) is a control module which is inserted into one of the inserts (2) and is configured to actuate at least one second insertion device (2.1) of the direct liquid cooling (DLC) which is inserted into a further one of the inserts (2), characterized in that the second insertion device (2.1) is connected via a data bus to the control module for the signal transmission.Arrangement according to Claim 1, in which the second plug-in device (2.1) is connected to the control module for signal transmission via a data bus, preferably a wired data bus, wherein the second plug-in device (2.1) preferably has no dedicated controller, in particular no control device.Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one second plug-in device (2.1) of the direct liquid cooling (DLC) is selected from: a coolant distribution unit (CDU), a reservoir and pump unit (RPU), preferably with 2N redundant pumps, a heat exchanger, an expansion vessel, a pressure and / or temperature sensor, a three-way valve with bypass valve, an AC power supply, a further control device, a service valve, a filter, preferably a filter fan, an automatic breather, a pressure limiting valve.Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the plug-in devices (2.1) are designed to be capable of hot-swap, preferably with respect to a fluidic connection to a coolant circuit of direct liquid cooling (DLC) and / or an electrical connection to a power supply and / or a connection to a data bus.Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which a data bus of the arrangement can be connected to the control module via a multipolar blind coupling plug connector (6.1), wherein the blind coupling plug connector (6.1) preferably has a male and a female part, which are particularly preferably guided relative to one another via a self-centering.Arrangement according to claim 5, in which the blind coupling connector (6.1) is arranged on an exposed housing side of the control module, preferably on an end side of the housing, which, when the control module is inserted into one of the inserts (2), faces a rear side of the housing or of the IT rack (1), wherein preferably on the rear side of the housing or of the IT rack (1) a blind coupling connector (6.1) complementary to the blind coupling connector (6.1) of the control module is arranged, wherein the two blind coupling connectors (6.1) assume a plug connection when the control module assumes a position completely inserted into the insert (2).Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control module has a drawer arrangement having a drawer body (21) which is accommodated in one of the drawers (2) and a drawer (22) which is insertable into the drawer body (21), at least one control device (9) being accommodated in the drawer (22).Arrangement according to claim 7, in which the drawer body (21) and the drawer (22) have complementary multipolar blind coupling plug connectors (6.3), wherein the blind coupling plug connector (6.3) of the drawer body (21) is connected to the data bus, and wherein the blind coupling plug connector (6.3) of the drawer (22) is connected to the control device (9), wherein preferably the complementary blind coupling plug connectors (6.3) assume a plug connection when the control module assumes a position completely inserted into the insert (2).Arrangement according to Claim 7 or 8, in which the drawer arrangement has, preferably on opposite end faces, at least one sensor (23, 26) for determining a measurement variable relating to the environment of the drawer arrangement, preferably a sensor (23, 26) of the same type for determining the same physical measurement variable.Arrangement according to claim 9, in which a difference measurement is provided with the sensors (23, 26), preferably arranged on the opposite end sides, preferably an air pressure difference measurement or an air temperature difference measurement.Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control module has a power supply (3.1) for the at least one second plug-in device (2.1) of direct liquid cooling (DLC) or for a further electrical load of direct liquid cooling (DLC).Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, which has a plurality of second plug-in devices (2.1), wherein the control module has a memory or is communicatively connected to a memory which is formed independently of the control module and in which a configuration for controlling the plurality of second plug-in devices (2.1) is contained, wherein the plurality of second plug-in devices (2.1) is connected via a data bus to the control module for the data transmission and has no dedicated control.Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which a configuration for controlling a plurality of the second plug-in devices (2.1) is stored in a memory which is arranged outside the control module and is connected to the control module for the data transmission.Arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the control module is configured to take over the configuration from the memory at least for its initial configuration.Arrangement according to one of Claims 12 to 14, in which the second plug-in devices (2.1) have a unique device identifier, the configuration having a device configuration assigned via the unique device identifier for at least some of the second plug-in devices.Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one second plug-in device (2.1) or a further electrical assembly, for example a fan, of the direct liquid cooling system (DLC) is connected via a data bus to the control module for the signal transmission, wherein the second plug-in device (2.1) or the further electrical assembly is configured to assume a default operating state in the event of an interruption of the signal transmission via the data bus and / or in the event of a failure of the control module.

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