Cooling system

Abstract

To enable the cooling of a room where computers are installed while also allowing the cooling inside the computers.SOLUTION: A cooling system 1 cools a room R where a server S is installed. The system is provided with a first heat exchange unit 11 for cooling the air in room R through heat exchange with a refrigerant, a second heat exchange unit 12 for cooling components P of the server S, and a circulation pipe 15 connecting the first heat exchange unit 11 and the second heat exchange unit 12, through which a refrigerant that undergoes heat exchange at both the first heat exchange unit 11 and the second heat exchange unit 12 flows. The system is characterized in that the heat exchange in the second heat exchange unit 12 is performed by the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling system for cooling a room in which a computer is installed. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, in server rooms where computers are installed, the temperature inside the room would rise as the computers operated. This could lead to malfunctions in the computers. For this reason, technologies for cooling server rooms have been known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an air conditioning device for a server system that includes a heat exchanger, an outside air duct that supplies outside air to the heat exchanger, and an exhaust duct that supplies hot exhaust air outside the building, and the heat exchanger is composed of an outside air-cooled first heat exchanger that uses heat pipes as heat transfer elements, a water-cooled second heat exchanger, an air conditioning case, a blower fan, a circulation fan, and water supply equipment, etc., and that supplies outside air to the heat exchanger using the blower fan and conditions the air inside the server rack using the first heat exchanger, and when the outside temperature is high, supplies cooling water to the second heat exchanger using the water supply equipment, and conditions the air inside the server rack using the first and second heat exchangers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-23837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the computers installed in the computer room have internal CPUs (Central Processing Units) and GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), and these components generate heat during use. This heat causes the temperature in rooms such as server rooms to rise, so they need to be cooled using the technology described in Patent Document 1, for example.

[0006] However, even if the room is cooled, the components (CPU and GPU) arranged inside the computer must be cooled separately from the room, and the technology described in Patent Document 1 cannot cool the inside of the computer. For this reason, the room and the computer components are cooled with different refrigerants, and the refrigerant used to cool the room is not used effectively.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to cool the interior of a computer while cooling the room in which the computer is installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A cooling system for cooling a room in which a computer is installed, a first heat exchange unit that cools the air in the room by heat exchange with a refrigerant; a second heat exchange unit that cools the inside of the computer by heat exchange with a refrigerant; a circulation pipe connected to the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit, through which a refrigerant that is subjected to heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit flows; A cooling system, characterized in that the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the first heat exchange section performs heat exchange in the second heat exchange section.

[0009] In the invention (1), the cooling system includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a circulation pipe, and cools a room in which a computer is installed. The first heat exchanger cools the air in the room by exchanging heat with the refrigerant. The second heat exchanger cools the inside of the computer by exchanging heat with the refrigerant. The flow pipe is connected to the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section, and a refrigerant that undergoes heat exchange in the first heat exchange section and the second heat exchange section flows through the flow pipe. In the cooling system, the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the first heat exchange section performs heat exchange in the second heat exchange section.

[0010] According to the invention of (1), the cooling system cools the inside of the computer by heat exchange with the refrigerant that has cooled the room in which the computer is installed. Therefore, it is possible to cool the inside of the computer while cooling the room in which the computer is installed.

[0011] (2) The heat exchanger further includes a third heat exchanger connected to the circulation pipe between the second heat exchanger and the first heat exchanger, The third heat exchange unit cools the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the second heat exchange unit by heat exchange with a liquid circulating outside the room, and warms the liquid; The cooling system according to (1), wherein the refrigerant cooled by the third heat exchange section is used for heat exchange in the first heat exchange section.

[0012] In the invention (2), the cooling system further includes a third heat exchanger. The third heat exchange unit is connected to the circulation pipe between the second heat exchange unit and the first heat exchange unit, and cools the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the second heat exchange unit by exchanging heat with a liquid circulating outside the room, thereby warming the liquid. The refrigerant cooled by the third heat exchange section is then used for heat exchange in the first heat exchange section.

[0013] According to the invention of (2), the cooling system uses the refrigerant that has cooled the room in which the computer is installed to cool the inside of the computer through heat exchange with the refrigerant. Next, the refrigerant that has cooled the inside of the computer is cooled through heat exchange with a liquid circulating outside the room, warming the liquid. The cooled refrigerant then cools the room in which the computer is installed.

[0014] The liquid heated by the refrigerant used to cool the room in which the computer is installed and the inside of the computer can be used in facilities outside the room that use hot water (for example, baths, swimming pools, footbaths, etc.). Therefore, it is possible to cool the room in which the computer is installed while also cooling the inside of the computer, and use the heat obtained from this cooling to warm liquid outside the room, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.

[0015] (3) Further comprising a control unit that controls at least the first heat exchange unit, The control unit The first heat exchanger cools the room using electricity generated by sunlight, The cooling system described in (1) or (2) is characterized in that the first heat exchanger further cools the room using surplus electricity generated after the room has reached a predetermined room temperature.

[0016] In the invention (3), the cooling system further includes a control unit. The control unit controls at least the first heat exchange unit. The control unit then causes the first heat exchange unit to cool the room using electricity generated by sunlight, and then causes the first heat exchange unit to further cool the room using surplus electricity generated after the room has reached a predetermined room temperature.

[0017] According to the invention of (3), the room in which the computer is installed is cooled by electricity generated by sunlight, and the room is further cooled by the surplus electricity generated after the room has reached a predetermined temperature. In other words, the surplus electricity can be used to store cool air in the room. This cool air can be used to prevent the temperature in the room from rising, and can also be used to cool other rooms, for example. Therefore, surplus solar power can be effectively utilized, further improving overall energy efficiency. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to cool the room in which the computer is installed while also cooling the inside of the computer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure forming a room cooled by a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure forming a room cooled by a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cooling process flow executed by a control unit of the cooling system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following figures, the same or similar elements are designated by the same numbers or symbols throughout the description of the embodiments.

[0021] [Basic concept / basic configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A cooling system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed inside a structure 100, and cools a room R (for example, a server room) in which a server S, which is an example of a computer, is installed.

[0022] The structure 100 has a floor, walls, and ceiling made of a material with relatively high thermal insulation properties (for example, concrete), and a plurality of servers S are arranged in a room R, which is an internal space.

[0023] The server S is connected to external devices via a network and is an AI (Artificial Intelligence)-enabled server equipped with a GPU, which serves as the core of various services provided via the network. The server S includes components P, such as a CPU and a GPU, for executing various processes to provide the services.

[0024] 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating an example of a structure forming a room cooled by a cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in Fig. 2 and 3, the cooling system 1 is also arranged as shown in Fig. 1, but is not shown in Fig. 2 and 3.

[0025] 2 (integrated with a building), the structure 100 is made of a concrete skeleton (RC, SRC, HRC, etc.) and has multiple floors. The structure 100 has multiple floors, with a room R located on an intermediate floor between which other rooms and other spaces are located above and below.

[0026] In the example shown in Figure 2, if structure 100 not only functions as a server room but also has other functions (e.g., commercial facilities, residential facilities, office facilities, etc.), by separating the traffic flow leading to room R from the traffic flow for using the other functions, it is possible to prevent cool air from room R from escaping due to the entry and exit of users using the other functions.

[0027] 3 (park type), the structure 100 is placed underground. In this case, it is desirable that the floor line of the room R is placed at a position higher than the expected height of flooding in the event of a disaster in the area where the structure 100 is installed.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 3, the structure 100 is placed inside an embankment in a park, for example, so that the floor, walls, and ceiling are covered with soil, making it possible to suppress the temperature rise in the room R due to the environment (for example, exposure to sunlight, etc.).

[0029] Returning to FIG. 1, the cooling system 1 mainly includes a first heat exchange section 11, a second heat exchange section 12, a third heat exchange section 13, a circulation pipe 15, and a power generation section 21.

[0030] The circulation pipe 15 is connected between the first heat exchange section 11 and the second heat exchange section 12, between the second heat exchange section 12 and the third heat exchange section 13, and between the third heat exchange section 13 and the first heat exchange section 11, so that the refrigerant flows through the first heat exchange section 11, the second heat exchange section 12, and the third heat exchange section 13 in this order. The refrigerant that flows out of the third heat exchange section 13 flows back into the first heat exchange section 11. This refrigerant is used for heat exchange in the first heat exchange section 11, the second heat exchange section 12, and the third heat exchange section 13.

[0031] The first heat exchanger 11 uses electricity generated by the power generation unit 21 (e.g., a solar panel, etc.) or electricity supplied from the outside to cool the air in the room R by heat exchange with a refrigerant, which is a liquid (e.g., water, etc.) flowing through the circulation pipe 15.

[0032] The temperature of the refrigerant used by the first heat exchange section 11 and discharged to the circulation pipe 15 is 25° C. to 35° C. (medium temperature water). This refrigerant flows through the circulation pipe 15 and is supplied to the second heat exchange section 12.

[0033] The second heat exchange unit 12 includes a component circulation pipe 151 through which a coolant for cooling the components P (e.g., CPU, GPU, etc.) of the server S flows, and the coolant absorbs heat generated by the components P, thereby cooling the components P inside the server S. The coolant flowing through the component circulation pipe 151 is cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant flowing through the circulation pipe 15.

[0034] The refrigerant used by the second heat exchange section 12 (exchanges heat with the coolant flowing through the component flow pipe 151) and discharged to the flow pipe 15 has a temperature of 45°C to 55°C (hot water). This refrigerant flows through the flow pipe 15 and is supplied to the third heat exchange section 13.

[0035] The third heat exchange section 13 heats the liquid flowing through the external circulation pipe 16 extending from the outside. The liquid flowing through the external circulation pipe 16 is heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing through the circulation pipe 15, and the refrigerant flowing through the circulation pipe 15 is cooled.

[0036] The temperature of the refrigerant cooled by the third heat exchange section 13 and discharged into the circulation pipe 15 is 5° C. to 15° C. (cold water). This refrigerant flows through the circulation pipe 15 and is supplied to the first heat exchange section 11.

[0037] The liquid flowing through the external flow pipe 16 is, for example, well water, which is heated by the third heat exchange section 13 and used, for example, as a footbath.

[0038] [Function Configuration] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the cooling system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The cooling system 1 includes a first heat exchange unit 11, a second heat exchange unit 12, a third heat exchange unit 13, a refrigerant circulation means 14, a circulation pipe 15, a control unit 20, a power generation unit 21, and a storage battery 22.

[0039] The first heat exchange unit 11 is controlled by the control unit 20 and is composed of an air conditioning system that cools air by heat exchange with a refrigerant using electricity generated by a power generation unit 21 (e.g., a solar panel, etc.) or electricity supplied from the outside, and draws in air from within room R, cools the drawn-in air by heat exchange with the refrigerant using a liquid (e.g., water, etc.) circulating through the circulation pipe 15 as the refrigerant, and releases the cooled air into room R.

[0040] For example, the first heat exchange unit 11 includes an evaporator, compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and other components of an air conditioning system. The evaporator evaporates a refrigerant in a low-pressure environment. The air in room R is cooled as heat is transferred to the refrigerant as it passes through a coil through which the refrigerant flows. The compressor compresses the evaporated gaseous refrigerant, causing the refrigerant to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gas. The condenser condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a liquid. The expansion valve reduces the pressure of the refrigerant. The refrigerant then flows into the circulation pipe 15 and heads toward the second heat exchange unit 12.

[0041] The second heat exchange section 12 is equipped with a cooling device that cools the components P inside the computer, and is equipped with a component circulation pipe 151 that supplies coolant to the inside of a member (such as a water block) that abuts the component P (e.g., a CPU, a GPU, etc.), and cools the component P inside the computer by absorbing the heat generated by the component P with the coolant.

[0042] The second heat exchange unit 12 includes, for example, a cooling device such as a water-cooled block, a radiator, and a pump. The water-cooled block is attached to the surface of the component P (e.g., a CPU, a GPU, etc.) and is connected to a component circulation pipe 151 (see FIG. 1 ). The water-cooled block transfers heat from the component P to the coolant flowing through the component circulation pipe 151. The radiator transfers heat from the coolant flowing through the component circulation pipe 151 to the refrigerant supplied from the circulation pipe 15. The pump circulates the coolant through the component circulation pipe 151. The refrigerant to which the heat of the coolant has been transferred flows into the circulation pipe 15 and heads toward the third heat exchange unit 13. Note that the cooling device may be of any configuration, such as an air-cooled type, as long as it can transfer heat generated by the component P to the refrigerant supplied from the circulation pipe 15.

[0043] The third heat exchange section 13 is composed of a heat exchanger that heats a liquid (for example, water) and heats the liquid circulating in the external circulation pipe 16 extending from the outside. The liquid circulating in the external circulation pipe 16 is heated by heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the circulation pipe 15, and the refrigerant circulating in the circulation pipe 15 is cooled.

[0044] The refrigerant circulation means 14 is controlled by the control unit 20 and is composed of a pump or a motor driven by electricity generated by the power generation unit 21 (for example, a solar panel or the like) or electricity supplied from the outside, and circulates the refrigerant through the circulation pipe 15. Note that the refrigerant circulation means 14 can be provided at any position as long as it can circulate the refrigerant through the circulation pipe 15.

[0045] The control unit 20 is configured by a computer and controls the first heat exchange unit 11, the second heat exchange unit 12, the third heat exchange unit 13, and the refrigerant circulation means 14. The control unit 20 also controls the storage of electricity generated by the power generation unit 21 in the storage battery 22.

[0046] The control unit 20 has an internal CPU (Central Processing Unit) that reads computer programs (e.g., core software, software to be executed by the CPU, etc.) stored in a storage device (storage means) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, SSD (Solid State Drive), or hard disk, and controls other components using the computer program executed by the CPU to perform the cooling process of the cooling system 1.

[0047] The power generation unit 21 is configured, for example, by a solar panel, is installed on the roof of the structure 100, generates electricity using sunlight, and supplies the generated electricity to the first heat exchange unit 11, etc. The power generation unit 21 has a known configuration, and receives sunlight using, for example, a silicon semiconductor to generate electricity.

[0048] The storage battery 22 stores the power determined to be surplus power under the control of the control unit 20. The storage battery 22 has a known configuration, and is, for example, a lithium ion battery.

[0049] [Processing flow] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cooling process flow executed by the control unit of the cooling system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] In step S1, based on the operation and settings of the administrator of the cooling system 1, the control unit 20 controls the first heat exchange unit 11, the second heat exchange unit 12, and the refrigerant circulation means 14 to circulate the refrigerant through the circulation pipe 15 as normal cooling, and cools each of the components P of the server S in the room R to a preset temperature range. Also in this step, the control unit 20 controls the third heat exchange unit 13 to cool the refrigerant that has passed through the third heat exchange unit 13 to a preset temperature range (heats the liquid circulating through the external circulation pipe 16 to a preset temperature range).

[0051] In step S2, the control unit 20 determines whether the room R has reached a predetermined room temperature, and if it determines that the room R has reached the predetermined room temperature, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S3, whereas if it determines that the room R has not reached the predetermined room temperature, the control unit 20 returns to step S1 and cools the room R to the predetermined room temperature. After the room R has reached the predetermined room temperature, the power supplied from the power generation unit 21 becomes surplus power.

[0052] In step S3, the control unit 20 charges the storage battery 22 with the power supplied from the power generation unit 21 (surplus power).

[0053] In step S4, the control unit 20 determines whether the storage battery 22 is fully charged or not, and if it is determined that it is fully charged, proceeds to step S5, and if it is determined that it is not fully charged, return to step S3.

[0054] In step S5, the control unit 20 supercools the room R (to a temperature lower than the specified room temperature) using the power supplied from the power generation unit 21 (surplus power, specifically, surplus power after the storage battery 22 is fully charged).

[0055] According to such a cooling system 1, the inside of the server S is cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant that has cooled the room R in which the server S is installed. Therefore, it is possible to cool the components P (for example, CPU, GPU, etc.) of the server S while cooling the room in which the server S is installed.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the cooling system 1, the components P (e.g., CPU, GPU, etc.) of the server S are cooled by the refrigerant that has cooled the room R in which the server S is installed. Next, the refrigerant that has cooled the components P of the server S is cooled by heat exchange with a liquid circulating outside the room R, thereby warming the liquid. Then, the cooled refrigerant cools the room R in which the server S is installed.

[0057] The refrigerant used to cool the room R in which such a server S is installed and the components P of the server S is used to heat the liquid, which can then be used in facilities outside the room R that use hot water (for example, baths, swimming pools, footbaths, etc.). Therefore, it is possible to cool the room R in which the server S is installed while also cooling the components P of the server S, and use the heat obtained from this cooling to warm the liquid outside the room R, thereby improving overall energy efficiency.

[0058] Furthermore, according to the cooling system 1, the room R in which the server S is installed is cooled by power generated by sunlight, and the room R is further cooled by surplus power generated after the room R reaches a predetermined room temperature. In other words, the surplus power can be used to store cold air in the room R. This cold air can suppress a temperature rise in the room R, and can also be used to cool other rooms, for example. Therefore, surplus solar power can be effectively utilized, further improving overall energy efficiency.

[0059] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Cooling system 11 1st heat exchange section 12 Second heat exchange section 13 Third heat exchange section 14 Refrigerant distribution means 15 Flow pipe 16 External flow pipe 20 Control Unit 21 Power Generation Department 22 Storage battery 100 structures 151 Parts circulation pipe

Claims

1. A cooling system for cooling a room in which a computer is installed, comprising: a first heat exchange unit that cools the air in the room by heat exchange with a refrigerant; a second heat exchange unit that cools the inside of the computer by heat exchange with a refrigerant; a circulation pipe connected to the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit, through which a refrigerant that is subjected to heat exchange in the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit flows, A cooling system, characterized in that the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the first heat exchange section performs heat exchange in the second heat exchange section.

2. a third heat exchange unit connected to the circulation pipe between the second heat exchange unit and the first heat exchange unit, The third heat exchange unit cools the refrigerant that has undergone heat exchange in the second heat exchange unit by heat exchange with a liquid circulating outside the room, and warms the liquid; 2. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant cooled by the third heat exchanger is used for heat exchange in the first heat exchanger.

3. Further comprising a control unit that controls at least the first heat exchange unit, The control unit The first heat exchanger cools the room using electricity generated by sunlight, 3. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger is configured to further cool the room using surplus power generated after the room temperature has reached a predetermined temperature.

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