Liquid cooling heat exchange unit

Abstract

A liquid cooling heat exchange unit is used to solve the problem that the conventional liquid cooling heat exchange unit has a large amount of pipe resistance and occupies space. Includes: a high-temperature coolant receiving component having a receiving port and an output port; a heat exchange component having a high-temperature coolant inlet, the high-temperature coolant inlet is combined with the output port of the high-temperature coolant receiving component, and the heat exchange component has a low-temperature coolant outlet; and a low-temperature coolant output component having a low-temperature coolant receiving component, the low-temperature coolant receiving component having a low-temperature coolant receiving port, the low-temperature coolant receiving port is combined with the low-temperature coolant outlet of the heat exchange component, the low-temperature coolant output component has a low-temperature coolant discharge component, the low-temperature coolant discharge component has a low-temperature coolant output port, and the liquid cooling output port is used to output the low-temperature coolant. This can improve the liquid pushing efficiency of the drive element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a heat exchange device, and more particularly to a liquid-cooled heat exchange unit that uses a working fluid for heat exchange. Prior Technology

[0002] Generally, when cooling large devices such as server arrays, liquid cooling is typically used. Coolant flows through the server array, absorbing the heat generated by its operation. The high-temperature coolant is then introduced into a conventional cooling distribution unit (CDU). In the CDU, the high-temperature coolant exchanges heat with coolant in a reservoir to cool down. The cooled coolant then flows back to the server array to continue absorbing heat. Meanwhile, the coolant in the reservoir, heated by the heat exchange, flows out to another reservoir to dissipate heat. The cooled coolant in the reservoir then flows back to the CDU to exchange heat with the high-temperature coolant flowing from the server, thus forming a circulating liquid cooling system.

[0003] However, this liquid cooling distribution unit has multiple operating components, such as a high-temperature water zone for receiving high-temperature coolant, a low-temperature water zone for receiving water cooled by heat exchange, and a heat exchange working zone. These components are connected by a large number of curved pipes to form a water flow path, resulting in a large amount of pipe resistance and thus energy loss, i.e., increased energy consumption of the pump. Furthermore, when multiple liquid cooling distribution units need to operate (for example, when a server is running at full capacity and generating a large amount of heat), the pipes of the multiple liquid cooling distribution units occupy a large amount of placement space. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a liquid-cooled heat exchange unit that can avoid pipe resistance caused by pipe connections.

[0005] A secondary objective of this invention is to provide a liquid-cooled heat exchange unit that can reduce the space required.

[0006] The directions or similar terms used throughout this invention, such as "front," "back," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," and "side," are primarily for reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings. These directions or similar terms are only used to assist in explaining and understanding the various embodiments of this invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0007] The use of the quantifiers "a" or "an" for the elements and components described throughout this invention is for convenience and to provide the general meaning of the scope of the invention; in this invention, it should be interpreted as including one or at least one, and the concept of a single also includes the case of a plural, unless it clearly means otherwise.

[0008] The terms "first," "second," ... and "Nth" used throughout this invention are primarily used to distinguish descriptions of different elements or features (such as elements, directions, or steps, etc.) and do not indicate the maximum or minimum number of such elements or features possessed by a corresponding subject or method, nor do they imply any order of precedence.

[0009] The terms "combination," "integration," or "assembly" used throughout this invention mainly include those that can be separated without damaging the components after connection, or those that make the components inseparable after connection. These are terms that those with ordinary knowledge in the art can choose based on the material of the components to be connected or the assembly requirements.

[0010] The liquid-cooled heat exchange unit of the present invention comprises: a high-temperature coolant receiving member having a receiving port for receiving a high-temperature coolant, the high-temperature coolant receiving member having an output port for discharging the high-temperature coolant; a heat exchange member for forming the high-temperature coolant into a low-temperature coolant, the heat exchange member having a high-temperature coolant inlet connected to the output port of the high-temperature coolant receiving member, the heat exchange member having a low-temperature coolant outlet; and a low-temperature coolant output assembly having a low-temperature coolant receiving member having a low-temperature coolant receiving port connected to the low-temperature coolant outlet of the heat exchange member, the low-temperature coolant output assembly having a low-temperature coolant discharge member having a low-temperature coolant output port for discharging the low-temperature coolant.

[0011] Accordingly, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit of the present invention connects the high-temperature coolant receiving component's output port to the high-temperature coolant inlet of the heat exchange component, the heat exchange component's low-temperature coolant outlet to the low-temperature coolant receiving port of the low-temperature coolant receiving component, and the low-temperature coolant receiving component is connected to the low-temperature coolant discharge component via the drive component through at least one connection port. This eliminates the need for pipework in the connections between the components, reducing pipe losses and improving the liquid delivery efficiency of the drive component. Furthermore, the high-temperature coolant receiving component, the heat exchange component, and the low-temperature coolant output component are assembled in specific relative positions, allowing the coolant to be directly driven into adjacent components without requiring pipework connections. This saves the volume occupied by pipework and conserves space in the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit.

[0012] The high-temperature coolant receiving device has its receiving port and its output port facing a first direction. Thus, the high-temperature coolant receiving device can be connected to the heat exchanger from the first direction, ensuring that the receiving port, the heat exchanger inlet, and the heat exchanger outlet all face the first direction, achieving a unified orientation for all openings.

[0013] The cryogenic coolant receiver and the high-temperature coolant receiver are arranged side-by-side in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. Thus, the cryogenic coolant receiver and the high-temperature coolant receiver can be positioned within the irregular space formed by the distance between the high-temperature coolant inlet and the cryogenic coolant outlet, achieving better space utilization.

[0014] The low-temperature coolant receiver abuts against the high-temperature coolant receiver in the second direction. Thus, the low-temperature coolant receiver and the high-temperature coolant receiver can be positioned within the irregular space formed by the distance between the high-temperature coolant inlet and the low-temperature coolant outlet, achieving better space utilization.

[0015] The cryogenic coolant output assembly includes at least one drive member. A suction port of the drive member is connected to at least one connection port of the cryogenic coolant receiving assembly, and a pump port of the drive member is connected to at least one connection port of the cryogenic coolant discharge assembly. Thus, the at least one drive member can be used to drive the flow of coolant.

[0016] The pump port is connected to at least one connection port of the cryogenic coolant receiving component in a first direction, and the pump port faces a third direction perpendicular to the first direction. Thus, by using this drive unit without pipes, the coolant flow path can be redirected from the first direction to the third direction, which has the advantages of eliminating pipes, reducing pipe losses, and improving the drive unit's driving efficiency.

[0017] The cryogenic coolant receiver has several connection ports arranged side-by-side at intervals in a second direction, such that several drive components are respectively connected to each of these connection ports. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other. Thus, these connection ports can be used to connect several drive components, enabling simultaneous operation of the drive components to achieve better liquid driving efficiency, and ensuring that if one drive component fails, the others can maintain normal operation.

[0018] Specifically, the cryogenic coolant discharge component is misaligned with the cryogenic coolant receiving component and the heat exchange component in the third direction, so that the cryogenic coolant outlet, a heat exchange fluid inlet, a heat exchange fluid outlet, and the receiving port all face the same direction. This ensures that the orientation of all openings is consistent.

[0019] The liquid-cooled heat exchange unit of the present invention further includes a housing with an accommodating space. The high-temperature coolant receiver, the heat exchanger, and the low-temperature coolant output assembly are housed in the accommodating space. The housing has an opening, with the low-temperature coolant output port and the receiver port facing the opening. Thus, the housing allows the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit to be modularized, facilitating easy installation and removal when the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit is installed in a heat dissipation unit.

[0020] The heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet for the exchange fluid. The inlet and outlet, along with the high-temperature coolant inlet and the low-temperature coolant outlet, are located on opposite sides of the heat exchanger in a first direction. Thus, the high-temperature coolant can flow into the heat exchanger from one side, while the exchange fluid can flow into the heat exchanger from the other side, thereby enabling heat exchange between the high-temperature coolant and the exchange fluid within the heat exchanger.

[0021] The cryogenic coolant outlet, the receiving port, the exchange fluid inlet, and the exchange fluid outlet all face the opening.

[0022] The connecting pipes of the cryogenic coolant outlet, the receiving outlet, the exchange fluid inlet, and the exchange fluid outlet protrude parallel to each other toward the opening of the housing. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0023] [Figure 1] An exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A combination diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in a diagram of a heat dissipation unit. Implementation

[0024] To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in addition, those symbols that are used in different drawings are considered to be the same and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0025] The present invention defines a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z, wherein the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are perpendicular to each other.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a preferred embodiment of the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U of the present invention. It includes a high-temperature coolant receiving component 1, a heat exchange component 2, and a low-temperature coolant output component 3. The high-temperature coolant receiving component 1 can be used to receive a high-temperature coolant and introduce the high-temperature coolant into the heat exchange component 2 and then output it through the low-temperature coolant output component 3.

[0027] The high-temperature coolant receiver 1 has a receiving port 11 for receiving high-temperature coolant, which is a coolant that absorbs heat energy from a heat source such as a server and is heated. Preferably, the receiving port 11 can be connected to a pair of connecting pipes 11a, which can be used to connect to the cooling water pipes of the heat source such as the server. The high-temperature coolant receiver 1 also has an output port 12 for discharging the high-temperature coolant. Specifically, the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 may have a flow path for the high-temperature coolant to flow through, for example, the flow path may be formed by a chamber or a channel, and the flow path may connect both the receiving port 11 and the output port 12. In this embodiment, the opening orientation of the receiving port 11 and the opening orientation of the output port 12 are respectively located in the first direction X.

[0028] The heat exchanger 2 can be connected to a liquid storage device, which can be, for example, a water tower. The exchange liquid in the liquid storage device can circulate between the heat exchanger 2 and the liquid storage device. Furthermore, the heat exchanger 2 has an exchange liquid inlet 21 and an exchange liquid outlet 22. The exchange liquid can pass through the heat exchanger 2 via the exchange liquid inlet 21 and the exchange liquid outlet 22, so that the exchange liquid can perform heat exchange operations within the heat exchanger 2. In addition, the exchange liquid inlet 21 can have a pair of connecting pipes 21a, and the exchange liquid outlet 22 can have a pair of connecting pipes 22a. The connecting pipes 21a and 22a are used for connecting the exchange liquid water pipe of the liquid storage device. In detail, the heat exchanger 2 has a high-temperature coolant inlet 23, which can be connected to the outlet 12 of the high-temperature coolant receiver 1. More specifically, the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 is directly connected to the outlet 12. The high-temperature coolant from the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 can enter the heat exchanger 2 through the high-temperature coolant inlet 23, allowing the high-temperature coolant to exchange heat with the exchange fluid in the heat exchanger 2. It is particularly noteworthy that the flow channels of the exchange fluid and the high-temperature coolant are not interconnected. The exchange fluid and the high-temperature coolant can flow through, for example, several metal plates within the heat exchanger 2, to transfer heat via these metal plates. In this way, the heat energy of the high-temperature coolant can be transferred to the exchange fluid to form a low-temperature coolant.

[0029] The heat exchanger 2 has a cryogenic coolant outlet 24 through which the cryogenic coolant can flow out. In this embodiment, the coolant inlet 21 and the coolant outlet 22, and the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 and the cryogenic coolant outlet 24, are respectively located on opposite sides of the heat exchanger 2 in the first direction X. This allows the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 and the cryogenic coolant outlet 24 to be in opposite directions relative to the coolant inlet 21 and the coolant outlet 22. Furthermore, the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 and the cryogenic coolant outlet 24 are respectively adjacent to opposite sides of the heat exchanger 2 in the second direction Y, so that there can be a distance between the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 and the cryogenic coolant outlet 24.

[0030] The cryogenic coolant output assembly 3 has a cryogenic coolant receiver 31 for receiving the cryogenic coolant from the heat exchanger 2. The cryogenic coolant receiver 31 has a cryogenic coolant inlet 31a, which can be directly connected to the cryogenic coolant outlet 24 of the heat exchanger 2, allowing the cryogenic coolant from the heat exchanger 2 to enter the cryogenic coolant receiver 31 through the cryogenic coolant inlet 31a.

[0031] In this embodiment, the low-temperature coolant receiver 31 and the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 are respectively coupled to the heat exchanger 2 in the first direction X, and the low-temperature coolant receiver 31 and the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 are arranged side by side in the second direction Y. Preferably, the low-temperature coolant receiver 31 can abut against the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 in the second direction Y. In this way, the low-temperature coolant receiver 31 and the high-temperature coolant receiver 1 can be disposed in the irregular space formed by the distance between the high-temperature coolant inlet 23 and the low-temperature coolant outlet 24, so as to have better space utilization.

[0032] The cryogenic coolant receiver 31 has at least one connection port 31b, which can be used to connect to at least one drive member 32, so that the cryogenic coolant can be discharged by the drive member 32. The cryogenic coolant receiving port 31a and the at least one connection port 31b can be located on opposite sides of the cryogenic coolant receiver 31 in the first direction X. The at least one drive member 32 can be a pump, and the at least one drive member 32 can have a suction port 32a, which is connected to the at least one connection port 31b. More specifically, the suction port 32a is connected to the at least one connection port 31b in the first direction X. The at least one drive member 32 can have a pump port 32b, which is used to pump out the cryogenic coolant. In this embodiment, the pump port 32b can face the third direction Z.

[0033] Furthermore, there can be multiple drive components 32. When one drive component 32 fails, normal operation can be maintained by the other drive components 32. Alternatively, multiple drive components 32 can operate simultaneously to achieve better liquid driving efficiency. Moreover, the cryogenic coolant receiver 31 can have multiple connection ports 31b, which can be arranged side-by-side at intervals in the second direction Y, allowing each drive component 32 to connect to each connection port 31b.

[0034] The cryogenic coolant output assembly 3 has a cryogenic coolant discharge component 33, which is connected to at least one drive component 32. The at least one drive component 32 can pump the cryogenic coolant to the cryogenic coolant discharge component 33. The cryogenic coolant discharge component 33 may have at least one connection port 33a, which is connected to the pump port 32b of the at least one drive component 32. More specifically, the at least one connection port 33a is connected to the pump port 32b in a third direction. Furthermore, when there are multiple drive components 32, the cryogenic coolant discharge component 33 may have multiple connection ports 33a, which can be connected to each of the drive components 32 respectively.

[0035] The cryogenic coolant discharge component 33 has a cryogenic coolant outlet 33b, which can be used to return cryogenic coolant to a heat source such as a server to continue absorbing heat energy from the heat source. Preferably, the cryogenic coolant outlet 33b can be connected to a pair of connecting pipes 331, which can be used to connect to the cooling water pipes of the heat source such as the server. It is worth noting that the cryogenic coolant discharge component 33 can be misaligned with the cryogenic coolant receiver 31 and the heat exchanger 2 in the third direction Z, that is, the cryogenic coolant discharge component 33 is not aligned with the cryogenic coolant receiver 31 and the heat exchanger 2 in the first direction X. In this way, the cryogenic coolant outlet 33b can face the same direction (first direction X) as the heat exchanger inlet 21, the heat exchanger outlet 22 and the receiver 11. In addition, the cryogenic coolant output component 3 may have a control unit 34, which may be electrically connected to, for example, the at least one drive member 32, so as to control, for example, the number of actuations or the actuation power of the at least one drive member 32.

[0036] Please continue referring to Figures 1 and 2. The liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U of the present invention may further include a housing 4. The housing 4 has an accommodating space S, in which the high-temperature coolant receiver 1, the heat exchanger 2, and the low-temperature coolant output assembly 3 can be accommodated. The housing 4 may have an opening 41 in the first direction X. The low-temperature coolant output port 33b, the heat exchanger inlet 21, the heat exchanger outlet 22, and the receiver 11 may all face the opening 41. Preferably, each of the connecting pipes 11a, 21a, 22a, and 331 may protrude parallel to each other from the opening 41. In this way, the housing 4 allows the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U to be modularized, and when the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U is installed in a heat dissipation unit, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U can be easily installed and disassembled.

[0037] Please continue referring to Figures 2 and 3. The liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U of the present invention is detachably located within a heat dissipation frame assembly M. The liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U can be connected to a pipe assembly T. The pipe assembly T can be used to output coolant from the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U to the heat source, or to input coolant from the heat source into the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U. For example, the pipe assembly T may include a heat source output pipe T1 connected to the receiving port 11 of the high-temperature coolant receiving device 1, and a heat source return pipe T2 connected to the low-temperature coolant output port 33b of the low-temperature coolant discharge device 33. Furthermore, the pipe assembly T can be used to output the exchange fluid from the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U to the liquid storage device, or to input coolant from the liquid storage device into the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U. For example, the pipe assembly T may include a water source return pipe T3 connected to the exchange fluid input port 21 of the heat exchange component 2, and a water source receiving pipe T4 connected to the exchange fluid output port 22 of the heat exchange component 2. In this way, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit U can dissipate heat from the heat source.

[0038] In summary, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit of the present invention, by connecting the output port of the high-temperature coolant receiver to the high-temperature coolant inlet of the heat exchanger, and the low-temperature coolant outlet of the heat exchanger to the low-temperature coolant receiving port of the low-temperature coolant receiver, and by connecting the low-temperature coolant receiver to the low-temperature coolant discharge component via the drive component through at least one connection port, allows the connection between the above components to omit pipe fittings, thereby reducing pipe losses and improving the liquid pushing efficiency of the drive component. Furthermore, the specific relative assembly positions of the high-temperature coolant receiver, the heat exchanger, and the low-temperature coolant output component allow the coolant to be directly driven into adjacent components, eliminating the need for pipe connections. This saves the volume occupied by pipe fittings and achieves the effect of saving space in the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit.

[0039] Although the present invention has been disclosed using the above preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications and alterations made by those skilled in the art to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technology protected by the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall include all changes within the meaning and equivalent scope of the appended claims.

[0040] 1: High-temperature coolant receiving component 11: Receiver Port 11a, 21a, 22a, 331: Takeover 12: Output port 2: Heat exchange components 21: Exchange fluid inlet 22: Exchange fluid outlet 23:High temperature coolant inlet 24: Cryogenic coolant outlet 3: Cryogenic coolant output component 31: Cryogenic coolant receiver 31a: Cryogenic coolant inlet 31b, 33a: Connection ports 32: Drive components 32a: Liquid extraction port 32b: Pump inlet 33: Low-temperature coolant drain component 33b: Cryogenic coolant outlet 34: Control Unit 4: Shell 41: Opening U: Liquid-cooled heat exchange unit X: First direction Y: Second direction Z: Third-party direction S: Storage space M: Heat dissipation rack assembly T: Pipe Fittings Assembly T1: Heat source output pipe T2: Heat source return pipe T3: Water return pipe T4: Water source receiving pipe

Claims

1. A liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, comprising: a high-temperature coolant receiving member having a receiving port for receiving a high-temperature coolant, the high-temperature coolant receiving member having an output port for discharging the high-temperature coolant; a heat exchange member for forming a low-temperature coolant from the high-temperature coolant, the heat exchange member having a high-temperature coolant inlet connected to the output port of the high-temperature coolant receiving member, the heat exchange member having a low-temperature coolant outlet; and a low-temperature coolant output assembly having a low-temperature coolant receiving member having a low-temperature coolant receiving port connected to the low-temperature coolant outlet of the heat exchange member, the low-temperature coolant output assembly having a low-temperature coolant discharge member having a low-temperature coolant output port for discharging the low-temperature coolant.

2. As in request item 1, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, wherein, The opening of the receiving port and the opening of the output port of the high-temperature coolant receiving device are respectively oriented in a first direction.

3. As in request item 2, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, wherein, The low-temperature coolant receiver and the high-temperature coolant receiver are arranged side by side in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction.

4. As in request item 3, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, wherein, The low-temperature coolant receiver abuts against the high-temperature coolant receiver in the second direction.

5. As in request item 1, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, wherein, The cryogenic coolant output assembly has at least one drive member, a liquid extraction port of the at least one drive member is connected to at least one connection port of the cryogenic coolant receiving member, and a liquid pumping port of the at least one drive member is connected to at least one connection port of the cryogenic coolant discharge member.

6. As in request item 5, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, wherein, The pump port is connected to at least one connection port of the cryogenic coolant receiver in a first direction, and the pump port faces a third direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

7. As in request item 6, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, wherein, The cryogenic coolant receiver has several connection ports arranged side-by-side at intervals in a second direction, such that several drive components are respectively connected to each of the connection ports, and the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

8. As in request item 6, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, wherein, The cryogenic coolant discharge component is misaligned with the cryogenic coolant receiving component and the heat exchange component in the third direction, so that the cryogenic coolant outlet faces the same direction as a heat exchange fluid inlet, a heat exchange fluid outlet and the receiving port.

9. The liquid-cooled heat exchange unit of claim 1 or 5 further includes a housing having a receiving space in which the high-temperature coolant receiver, the heat exchanger and the low-temperature coolant output assembly are housed, and the housing has an opening in which the low-temperature coolant output port and the receiver port face.

10. As in request item 9, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, wherein, The heat exchanger has an exchange liquid inlet and an exchange liquid outlet. The exchange liquid inlet and the exchange liquid outlet are located on opposite sides of the heat exchanger in a first direction, along with the high-temperature coolant inlet and the low-temperature coolant outlet.

11. As in request item 10, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, wherein, The cryogenic coolant outlet, the receiving port, the exchange fluid inlet, and the exchange fluid outlet all face the opening.

12. As in request item 11, the liquid-cooled heat exchange unit, wherein, The connecting pipes of the cryogenic coolant outlet, the receiving outlet, the exchange fluid inlet, and the exchange fluid outlet protrude parallel to each other toward the opening of the housing.

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