Cooling system

Abstract

This cooling system comprises: a cooling device that cools a heat medium; an air conditioning means that is supplied with the heat medium and cools the interior of a room in which a load device is installed; a local cooling device that is supplied with the heat medium and cools the load device; and a heat medium loop that comprises a first line through which the heat medium flows from the cooling device via the air conditioning means, and a second line that branches from the first line and through which the heat medium flows via the local cooling device. The pressure loss in the first line is smaller than the pressure loss in the second line.

Description

Cooling system

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-108617, filed on June 30, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] For example, a cooling system is provided that includes a heat source device (chiller) that cools an indoor heat medium, and an air conditioner that cools the indoor space with the heat medium supplied from the heat source device, such as in a data center that is equipped with a large number of heat-generating load devices, such as IT equipment (servers, etc.) (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 6001375 Japanese Patent No. 6125836 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-181304

[0004] In recent years, cooling systems have come to include not only an air conditioner that cools the room but also a local cooling device (e.g., chip cooling) that cools high-heat-generating components such as CPUs and GPUs in load devices. Conventional technologies require both a heat source device for the air conditioner and a heat source device for the local cooling device, and the air conditioner and the local cooling device must be controlled separately. This increases the overall power consumption of the cooling system because each device consumes power even when the device is idle.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooling system that can cool both the room and the load equipment with a simple configuration and can reduce power consumption.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a cooling system includes a cooling device that cools a heat medium, an air conditioning means that supplies the heat medium to cool a room in which load equipment is installed, a local cooling device that supplies the heat medium to cool the load equipment, and a heat medium loop consisting of a first line that circulates the heat medium from the cooling device via the air conditioning means, and a second line that branches off from the first line and circulates the heat medium via the local cooling device, wherein the first line has a smaller pressure loss than the second line.

[0007] According to the above aspect, it is possible to cool both the room and the load equipment with a simple configuration, and to reduce power consumption.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a cooling system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a control command value of the control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a cooling system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a control command value of the control device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a cooling system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a cooling system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a second line and a local cooling device according to a fifth embodiment.

[0009] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0010] (Overall Configuration of Cooling System) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a cooling system according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the cooling system 1 is a system for cooling a room in a facility (such as a server room or a data center) in which multiple load devices L (L1, L2, L3, L4, ...) are installed, and the load devices L. The load devices L are devices that have heat-generating elements (such as a CPU or GPU), such as servers or communication devices.

[0011] The cooling system 1 includes a cooling device 2 , an air conditioning unit 3 , a local cooling device 4 , a heat medium loop 5 , a control device 6 , and a power supply 10 .

[0012] The cooling device 2 is, for example, an air-cooled chiller or a free-cooling cooling tower, and is installed outdoors. The cooling device 2 is equipped with a fan 21. The cooling device 2 takes in low-temperature outside air with the fan 21 and cools the heat medium R to be supplied to the air conditioning means 3 and the local cooling device 4. The heat medium R may be in any form, such as brine.

[0013] The air conditioning means 3 is an air conditioner 3A that cools the air in the room. The air conditioner 3A includes a heat exchanger 31 and an air conditioner fan 32. The heat exchanger 31 exchanges heat between the heat medium R cooled by the cooling device 2 and the air in the room that has been heated by the load equipment L. The air conditioner fan 32 blows the air cooled by the heat exchanger 31 into the room. Note that while FIG. 1 shows an example in which only one air conditioning means 3 is provided in the room, this is not limiting. In other embodiments, multiple air conditioning means 3 may be provided in the room.

[0014] The local cooling device 4 is a chip cooling device that cools each of the multiple load devices L. The local cooling device 4 includes a local cooling loop 41. The local cooling loop 41 takes in the heat medium R cooled by the cooling device 2 from the heat medium loop 5 and distributes it to each load device L, and also returns the heat medium R discharged from each load device L to the heat medium loop 5. The heat medium R distributed and supplied to each load device L cools the load devices L by removing heat from the heat-generating elements of the load devices L.

[0015] The heat medium loop 5 is made up of a first line 51 and a second line 52. The first line 51 is a flow path for circulating the heat medium R via the air conditioner 3A. The second line 52 branches off from the first line 51 and is a flow path for circulating the heat medium R via the local cooling device 4. A pump 53 is provided in the first line 51, and sucks in the heat medium R cooled by the cooling device 2 and sends it out downstream of the first line 51 (to the air conditioner 3A side).

[0016] The first line 51 includes a first low-temperature line 51a that supplies the heat medium R to the air conditioner 3A and a first high-temperature line 51b that flows downstream the heat medium R that has completed heat exchange in the heat exchanger 31 of the air conditioner 3A. The second line 52 includes a second low-temperature line 52a that supplies the heat medium R to the local cooling device 4 and a second high-temperature line 52b that flows downstream the heat medium R that has been warmed by the heat generating element of the load device L. The second line 52 according to this embodiment is connected in series with the first line 51. The second low-temperature line 52a of the second line 52 branches off from the first high-temperature line 51b of the first line 51 at a branch point P1. The second high-temperature line 52b of the second line 52 then merges with the first high-temperature line 51b of the first line 51 at a merging point P2 downstream of the branch point P1. Typically, the heat generating elements of the load equipment L reach a temperature higher than the room temperature, so even if the heat medium R after heat exchange by the heat exchanger 31 of the air conditioner 3A is reused, the local cooling device 4 can sufficiently remove heat from the heat generating elements of the load equipment L. Therefore, by further utilizing the heat medium R used in the air conditioner 3A in the downstream local cooling device 4, it is not necessary to provide multiple cooling devices 2 for each of the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4, and the heat medium R cooled by a single cooling device 2 can be utilized to the maximum extent.

[0017] As described above, the second line 52 according to this embodiment includes the local cooling loop 41 in which the local cooling device 4 branches into multiple flow paths. The local cooling loop 41 uses piping with a smaller diameter than the piping of the first line 51. By differentiating the piping diameters in this manner, the pressure losses in the first line 51 and the second line 52 become unbalanced. That is, the first line 51 is designed to have a smaller pressure loss than the second line 52. By adjusting the difference in pressure loss between the first line 51 and the second line 52, for example, by differentiating the piping diameters, the flow rate of the heat transfer medium R bypassing from the first line 51 to the second line 52 can be adjusted. As long as it is possible to unbalance the pressure losses in the first line 51 and the second line 52, the second line 52 is not limited to the configuration in which the local cooling loop 41 has a small diameter, and various other configurations may be used. For example, in another embodiment, instead of or in addition to the local cooling loop 41, the diameter of the piping of at least one of the second low-temperature line 52a and the second high-temperature line 52b of the second line 52 may be smaller than the piping of the first line 51. In still another embodiment, the length of the piping of the second line 52 (local cooling loop 41, second low-temperature line 52a, and second high-temperature line 52b) may be made longer than the first line 51, or the piping may have more bends than the first line 51, so that a greater pressure loss occurs in the second line 52 than in the first line 51.

[0018] In this embodiment, an adjustment valve 54 is provided in the first line 51, which has a small pressure loss, as a means for further adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassing the second line 52. In this embodiment, the adjustment valve 54 is provided in the first line 51 between the branch point P1 and the junction point P2.

[0019] The aperture of the control valve 54 may be two values, maximum (e.g., fully open) or minimum (e.g., fully closed), or may be adjustable to any value within the range from maximum to minimum. Because the first line 51 has a smaller pressure loss than the second line 52, allowing the heat medium R to flow more easily, the larger the aperture of the control valve 54, the greater the flow rate of the heat medium R flowing downstream of the first line 51 (first high-temperature line 51b). Accordingly, the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassing from the branch point P1 of the first line 51 to the second line 52 decreases. When the aperture of the control valve 54 is maximum, only the minimum flow rate of the heat medium R corresponding to the difference in pressure loss bypasses to the second line 52. On the other hand, the smaller the aperture of the control valve 54, the smaller the flow rate of the heat medium R flowing downstream of the first line 51 (first high-temperature line 51b). Accordingly, the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassing from the branch point P1 of the first line 51 to the second line 52 increases. In other words, the flow rates in the first line 51 and the second line 52 can be adjusted by opening and closing the adjustment valve 54 .

[0020] The control device 6 outputs control signals for controlling the operations of the cooling device 2, the air conditioner 3A, the pump 53, and the adjustment valve 54. The control device 6 may be installed in the same room as the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4, or in another room within the facility. The control device 6 may also be built into the cooling device 2. The detailed functional configuration of the control device 6 will be described later.

[0021] The power supply 10 supplies power for operating each component of the cooling system 1. The power supply 10 is, for example, a power grid. Note that in other embodiments, the power supply 10 may be a power generation device that utilizes natural energy (such as a solar power generation device, a wind power generation device, a hydroelectric power generation device, or a geothermal power generation device).

[0022] (Functional configuration of control device) Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control device according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the control device 6 includes a processor 60, a memory 61, a storage 62, and a communication interface (I / F) 63.

[0023] The processor 60 operates in accordance with a predetermined program to function as an air conditioning load acquisition unit 601, a cooling load acquisition unit 602, and a control unit 603.

[0024] The air conditioning load acquisition unit 601 acquires the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 3A based on the temperature (indoor temperature) of the room in which the air conditioner 3A is installed. The indoor temperature is measured by a first thermometer T1 installed near the air conditioner 3A, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0025] The cooling load acquisition unit 602 acquires the load (cooling load) of the local cooling device 4 based on the temperature of the load device L or the temperature of the second line 52. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , a second thermometer T2 is installed near the load device L indoors (such as a server rack) to measure the temperature of the load device L. In another embodiment, the second thermometer T2 may be installed at each of the inlet (second low-temperature line 52a) and outlet (second high-temperature line 52b) of the local cooling device 4 to measure the temperature of the second line 52.

[0026] The control unit 603 controls the opening degree of the adjustment valve 54 based on the air conditioning load and the cooling load. The control unit 603 may also control the pump 53 and the air conditioner fan 32 of the air conditioner 3A based on the air conditioning load and the cooling load.

[0027] The predetermined program executed by the processor 60 is stored on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memories. The computer program may be distributed to a computer via a communication line, and the computer that receives the distribution may execute the program. The program may also be a program for implementing some of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0028] The memory 61 has a memory area necessary for the operation of the processor 60 .

[0029] The storage 62 is a so-called auxiliary storage device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage 62 stores data that each part of the processor 60 acquires, generates, and references during processing.

[0030] The communication I / F 63 transmits and receives signals (control command values, measurement values, etc.) to and from each device.

[0031] (Processing flow of the control device) Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the control device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of control command values ​​of the control device according to the first embodiment. The processing flow of the control device 6 will be described below with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

[0032] First, the air conditioning load acquisition unit 601 acquires the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 3A (step S01). For example, the air conditioning load according to this embodiment is the indoor temperature measured by the first thermometer T1.

[0033] Next, the cooling load acquisition unit 602 acquires the cooling load of the local cooling device 4 (step S02). For example, the cooling load according to this embodiment is the temperature of the load device L measured by the second thermometer T2.

[0034] In other embodiments, the cooling load may be the rate of increase in the temperature of the load device L per unit time, the difference between the temperature of the load device L and the room temperature, etc. In still other embodiments, the cooling load may be the temperature difference of the heat medium R at the inlet and outlet of the local cooling device 4, the rate of increase in the temperature difference of the heat medium R per unit time, etc.

[0035] Next, the control unit 603 controls the opening of the adjustment valve 54, the pumping flow rate of the heat medium R from the pump 53, and the air flow rate of the air conditioner fan 32 of the air conditioner 3A based on the air conditioning load and the cooling load (step S03).

[0036] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 603 determines the control command value for each unit based on the combination of the air conditioning load and the cooling load (load state).

[0037] (A1) Low Room Temperature and Low Load When the air conditioning load is below the air conditioning low-load threshold (low room temperature) and the cooling load is below the cooling low-load threshold (low load), the control unit 603 increases the aperture of the adjustment valve 54. At this time, the control unit 603 also reduces the pumping flow rate of the pump 53 and the airflow rate of the air conditioner fan 32. For example, the control unit 603 adjusts the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 so that the aperture is increased and the pumping flow rate of the pump 53 and the airflow rate of the air conditioner fan 32 are reduced as the cooling load decreases. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 , the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 may be maximized, the pumping flow rate of the pump 53 may be minimized, and the airflow rate of the air conditioner fan 32 may be minimized. This reduces the pressure loss of the entire cooling system 1 and the power consumption of the entire cooling system 1.

[0038] (A2) Low Room Temperature and Medium Load When the air conditioning load is less than the low-load air conditioning threshold (low room temperature) and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the low-load cooling threshold and less than the high-load cooling threshold (medium load), the control unit 603 increases the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassed to the second line 52 by reducing the aperture of the adjustment valve 54. For example, when the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 is limited to two values, maximum and minimum, the control unit 603 minimizes the aperture of the adjustment valve 54. When the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 can be adjusted to any value, the control unit 603 may adjust the aperture so that the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 decreases as the cooling load increases. Furthermore, the control unit 603 adjusts the pump pressure flow rate so that the pump pressure flow rate increases as the cooling load increases. Meanwhile, the control unit 603 does not increase the airflow rate of the air conditioner fan 32. Alternatively, the airflow rate of the air conditioner fan 32 may be minimized, as shown in FIG. 4 . This makes it possible to increase or decrease the cooling capacity of the local cooling device 4 in accordance with the cooling load while suppressing increases in the cooling capacity and power consumption of the air conditioner 3A.

[0039] (A3) Low Room Temperature and High Load When the air conditioning load is below the low-load threshold (low room temperature) and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the high-load threshold (high load), the control unit 603 reduces the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 as the cooling load increases. In this way, the control unit 603 reduces the difference in pressure loss between the first line 51 and the second line 52 and increases the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassed to the second line 52. The control unit 603 also increases the pump pressure flow rate and reduces the air flow rate of the air conditioner fan 32. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 , the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 may be minimized, the pump pressure flow rate of the pump 53 may be maximized, and the air conditioner fan 32 may be stopped. This reduces the amount of power consumed by the air conditioner 3A. Furthermore, the cooling capacity of the local cooling device 4 can be increased by the amount of the reduced flow rate of the heat medium R used by the air conditioner 3A.

[0040] (B1) Medium Room Temperature and Low Load When the air conditioning load is equal to or greater than the low-load threshold and less than the high-load threshold (medium room temperature), and the cooling load is less than the low-load threshold (low load), the control unit 603 increases the aperture of the adjustment valve 54. For example, the control unit 603 may adjust the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 so that the aperture increases as the cooling load decreases, or may maximize the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 as shown in the example of FIG. 4 . Furthermore, the control unit 603 adjusts the control command values ​​of the pump 53 and the air flow rate of the air conditioner fan 32 so that the aperture increases as the air conditioning load increases. This reduces the pressure loss of the entire cooling system 1 and reduces the load on the pump 53 by the amount corresponding to the reduction in the flow rate of the heat medium R to the local cooling device 4. Furthermore, the cooling capacity and power consumption of the air conditioner 3A can be appropriately adjusted according to the room temperature.

[0041] (B2) Medium Room Temperature and Medium Load When the air conditioning load is equal to or greater than the low-load threshold and less than the high-load threshold (medium room temperature), and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the low-load threshold and less than the high-load threshold (medium load), the control unit 603 increases the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassed to the second line 52 by reducing the aperture of the adjustment valve 54. For example, when the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 is limited to two values, maximum and minimum, the control unit 603 minimizes the aperture of the adjustment valve 54. When the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 is adjustable to any value, the control unit 603 may adjust the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 so that the aperture decreases as the cooling load increases. Furthermore, the control unit 603 adjusts the pump pressure flow rate to increase as the air conditioning load or cooling load increases, and adjusts the air flow rate of the air conditioner fan 32 to increase as the air conditioning load increases. This allows the cooling capacity of the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4 to be appropriately adjusted while reducing the power used by the entire cooling system 1.

[0042] (B3) Medium Room Temperature and High Load When the air conditioning load is equal to or greater than the low-load air conditioning threshold and less than the high-load air conditioning threshold (medium room temperature), and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the high-load cooling threshold (high load), the control unit 603 reduces the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 to reduce the difference in pressure loss between the first line 51 and the second line 52 and increase the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassed to the second line 52. The control unit 603 also adjusts the pumping flow rate of the pump 53 and the air flow rate of the air conditioner fan 32 so that the greater the air conditioning load, the greater the flow rate. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 , the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 may be minimized and the pumping flow rate of the pump 53 may be maximized. This increases the cooling capacity of the local cooling device 4 and allows the cooling capacities of the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4 to be appropriately adjusted.

[0043] (C1) High Room Temperature and Low Load When the air conditioning load is equal to or greater than the high-load air conditioning threshold (high room temperature) and the cooling load is less than the low-load cooling threshold (low load), the control unit 603 increases the aperture of the adjustment valve 54. For example, the control unit 603 adjusts the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 so that the aperture increases as the cooling load decreases. The control unit 603 also increases the pumping flow rate of the pump 53 to increase the airflow rate of the air conditioner fan 32. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 , the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 may be maximized. This reduces the pressure loss of the entire cooling system 1 and reduces the load on the pump 53 by the amount corresponding to the reduction in the flow rate of the heat medium R to the local cooling device 4. Furthermore, the cooling capacity of the air conditioner 3A can be increased.

[0044] (C2) High Room Temperature and Medium Load When the air conditioning load is equal to or greater than the high-load air conditioning threshold (high room temperature) and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the low-load cooling threshold but less than the high-load cooling threshold (medium load), the control unit 603 reduces the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 to increase the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassed to the second line 52. For example, when the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 is limited to two values, maximum and minimum, the control unit 603 minimizes the aperture of the adjustment valve 54. When the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 can be adjusted to any value, the control unit 603 may adjust the aperture so that the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 decreases as the cooling load increases. The control unit 603 may also increase the pumping flow rate of the pump 53 to increase the airflow rate of the air conditioner fan 32. As shown in FIG. 4 , the pumping flow rate of the pump 53 and the airflow rate of the air conditioner fan 32 may be maximized. This increases the cooling capacity of the air conditioner 3A and appropriately adjusts the cooling capacity of the local cooling device 4.

[0045] (C3) High Room Temperature and High Load When the air conditioning load is equal to or greater than the high air conditioning load threshold (high room temperature) and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the high cooling load threshold (high load), the control unit 603 reduces the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 to reduce the difference in pressure loss between the first line 51 and the second line 52 and increase the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassed to the second line 52. The control unit 603 also increases the pumping flow rate of the pump 53 and the airflow rate of the air conditioner fan 32. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 , the aperture of the adjustment valve 54 may be minimized and the pumping flow rate of the pump 53 and the airflow rate of the air conditioner fan 32 may be maximized. This increases the cooling capacity of the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4.

[0046] While the cooling system 1 is operating, the control device 6 executes the series of processes shown in Figure 3 at predetermined intervals, thereby appropriately controlling the power consumption of the entire cooling system 1 and adjusting the cooling capacity of the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4.

[0047] (Actions and Effects) As described above, the cooling system 1 according to this embodiment includes the cooling device 2 that cools the heat medium R, air conditioning means (air conditioner 3A) that receives the heat medium R and cools a room in which load equipment L is installed, the local cooling device 4 that receives the heat medium R and cools the load equipment L, and the heat medium loop 5 that includes a first line 51 that circulates the heat medium R from the cooling device 2 via the air conditioner 3A, and a second line 52 that branches off from the first line 51 and circulates the heat medium R via the local cooling device 4. The first line 51 has a smaller pressure loss than the second line 52.

[0048] Because the heat-generating elements of the load equipment L typically reach a temperature higher than the room temperature, even if the heat transfer medium R after heat exchange by the heat exchanger 31 of the air conditioner 3A is reused, the local cooling device 4 can sufficiently remove heat from the heat-generating elements of the load equipment L. Therefore, by further utilizing the heat transfer medium R used by the air conditioner 3A in the downstream local cooling device 4, it is not necessary to provide multiple cooling devices 2 for each of the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4, and the heat transfer medium R cooled by a single cooling device 2 can be maximized. In other words, with a simple configuration that only requires the installation of a single cooling device 2, both the room and the load equipment L can be cooled and the power consumption of the entire cooling system 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, the flow rate of the heat transfer medium R bypassed from the first line 51 to the second line 52 can be adjusted by adjusting the difference in pressure loss, for example by differentiating the diameters of the piping used in the first line 51 and the second line 52, depending on the number of load equipment L and their loads (heat generation amounts). In other words, the cooling system 1 has a simple configuration having a first line 51 and a second line 52 with different pressure losses, and is able to adjust the flow rate and cooling capacity of the heat medium R supplied from one cooling device 2 to the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4.

[0049] Further, the first line 51 is provided with an adjustment valve 54 that can adjust the flow rate of the heat medium R in the first line 51 and the second line 52 .

[0050] In this way, the cooling system 1 can adjust the flow rates in the first line 51 and the second line 52 by opening and closing the adjustment valve 54, and adjust the cooling capacity of the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4.

[0051] The cooling system 1 further includes an air conditioning load acquisition unit 601 that acquires the air conditioning load of the air conditioner 3A based on the indoor temperature, a cooling load acquisition unit 602 that acquires the cooling load of the local cooling device 4 based on the temperature of the load equipment L or the temperature of the second line 52, and a control unit 603 that controls the opening degree of the adjustment valve 54 based on the air conditioning load and the cooling load.

[0052] By doing this, the cooling system 1 can appropriately adjust the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassed to the second line 52 according to the air conditioning load required by the air conditioner 3A to cool the room and the cooling load required by the local cooling device 4 to cool the load equipment L.

[0053] Furthermore, the control unit 603 reduces the opening of the adjustment valve 54 when the air conditioning load is less than the air conditioning low load threshold (low room temperature) and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the cooling high load threshold (high load).

[0054] In this way, the cooling system 1 can increase the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassed to the second line 52 and increase the cooling capacity of the local cooling device 4.

[0055] The control unit 603 increases the opening of the adjustment valve 54 when the air conditioning load is equal to or greater than the air conditioning high-load threshold (high room temperature) and the cooling load is less than the cooling low-load threshold (low load).

[0056] In this way, the cooling system 1 can reduce the pressure loss in the entire system and increase the cooling capacity of the air conditioner 3A.

[0057] In addition, the air conditioning means is an air conditioner 3A having an air conditioner fan 32, and the control unit 603 stops the air conditioner fan 32 when the air conditioning load is less than the air conditioning low load threshold (low room temperature) and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the cooling high load threshold (high load).

[0058] In this way, the cooling system 1 can minimize the amount of power used by the air conditioner 3A when cooling of the room is not required.

[0059] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Components common to the above-described embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0060] 5 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a cooling system according to a second embodiment. In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the heat medium loop 5 has a first line 51 and a second line 52 that are connected in series. In contrast, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the heat medium loop 5 has a first line 51 and a second line 52 that are connected in parallel.

[0061] 5, the second low-temperature line 52a of the second line 52 branches off from the first low-temperature line 51a of the first line 51 at a branch point P1. Then, the second high-temperature line 52b of the second line 52 merges with the first high-temperature line 51b of the first line 51 at a merge point P2.

[0062] The adjustment valve 54 is provided between the branch point P1 and the junction point P2, as in the first embodiment. When the adjustment valve 54 is fully closed, the heat medium R stops flowing through the first line 51 and flows only through the second line 52. In other words, all of the heat medium R is supplied to the local cooling device 4.

[0063] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of control command values ​​of the control device according to the second embodiment. Moreover, the control unit 603 of the control device 6 according to the present embodiment determines the control command values ​​as shown in Fig. 6 instead of Fig. 4 .

[0064] 6, when the air conditioning load is less than the low-load threshold (low room temperature), the control unit 603 minimizes the opening of the adjustment valve 54 (fully closed). The control unit 603 also stops the air conditioner fan 32.

[0065] In this manner, when indoor cooling is not required, for example, in winter, the cooling system 1 can supply the heat medium R only to the local cooling device 4, without supplying it to the air conditioner 3A. This eliminates the need to flow the heat medium R to unnecessary locations (air conditioner 3A), thereby reducing the amount of power consumed by the pump 53 and the like. Furthermore, by stopping the air conditioner fan 32, power consumption can be further reduced. In addition, since the heat medium R cooled by the cooling device 2 is directly supplied to the local cooling device 4, the cooling capacity of the local cooling device 4 can be greatly improved compared to the first embodiment.

[0066] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Components common to the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a cooling system according to a third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the air conditioning means 3 according to this embodiment is a fin tube 3B.

[0068] 7 shows an example in which the air conditioner 3A in the first embodiment is replaced with the fin tubes 3B, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the air conditioner 3A in the second embodiment (FIG. 5) may be replaced with the fin tubes 3B.

[0069] Furthermore, the control unit 603 of the control device 6 according to this embodiment does not perform the process of determining the control command value for the air conditioner fan 32 shown in FIGS.

[0070] For example, in facilities located in high-latitude regions, indoor temperatures may be low throughout the year. In such cases, it is expected that equipment with high cooling capacity such as the air conditioner 3A will no longer be necessary. In this case, by replacing the air conditioner 3A with the finned tubes 3B as the air conditioning means 3, the amount of power consumed by the cooling system 1 can be significantly reduced while ensuring indoor cooling capacity through the flow rate of the heat medium R flowing through the finned tubes 3B.

[0071] Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Components common to the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0072] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a cooling system according to a fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the opening degree of the adjustment valve 54 has two values: maximum (fully open) and minimum (fully closed). As shown in Fig. 8, the first line 51 is provided with a first valve 55 capable of adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium R flowing through the first line 51 (supplied to the air conditioning unit 3). The second line 52 is provided with a second valve 56 capable of adjusting the flow rate of the heat medium R flowing through the second line 52 (supplied to the local cooling device 4).

[0073] 8 shows an example in which the first valve 55 and the second valve 56 are added to the configuration of the first embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the first valve 55 and the second valve 56 may be added to the configuration of the second embodiment (FIG. 5) or the third embodiment (FIG. 7).

[0074] In addition, in the cases of (A2), (B2), and (C2) in Figure 4 or the cases of (B2) and (C2) in Figure 6, the control unit 603 of the control device 6 adjusts the opening of the first valve 55 and the second valve 56 in accordance with the air conditioning load and the cooling load while minimizing the opening of the adjustment valve 54.

[0075] In this way, the cooling system 1 can precisely adjust the flow rate of the heat medium R in the first line 51 and the second line 52 while using a simple configuration for the adjustment valve 54 .

[0076] Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Components common to the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0077] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a second line and local cooling devices according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, one local cooling device 4 may be provided for each load device L. Fig. 9 shows an example in which one local cooling device 4A to 4D is provided for each of four load devices L1 to L4.

[0078] Furthermore, the second low-temperature line 52a of the second line 52 branches off and is connected to each of the local cooling devices 4 (4A to 4D). Furthermore, a local cooling valve 42 (42A to 42D) is provided on each branch of the second low-temperature line 52a to each of the local cooling devices 4. The local cooling valve 42 adjusts the flow rate of the heat medium R supplied from the second line 52 (second low-temperature line 52a) to each of the local cooling devices 4.

[0079] Furthermore, the heat transfer medium R discharged from each of the local cooling devices 4A to 4D joins the second high temperature line 52b of the second line 52.

[0080] In this way, the cooling system 1 can appropriately and efficiently cool each load device L using the multiple local cooling devices 4. In this way, when the heat generation amount of each load device L differs, it is possible to prevent some load devices L from being overcooled or some load devices L from being insufficiently cooled.

[0081] Other Embodiments Although one embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design modifications are possible. That is, in other embodiments, the order of the above-described processes may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, some processes may be executed in parallel.

[0082] <Additional Notes> The cooling system described in the above embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0083] (1) According to a first aspect, a cooling system 1 includes a cooling device 2 that cools a heat medium R, an air conditioning unit 3 that receives the heat medium R and cools a room in which a load device L is installed, a local cooling device 4 that receives the heat medium R and cools the load device L, and a heat medium loop 5 that includes a first line 51 that circulates the heat medium R from the cooling device 2 via the air conditioning unit 3, and a second line 52 that branches off from the first line 51 and circulates the heat medium R via the local cooling device 4. The first line 51 has a smaller pressure loss than the second line 52.

[0084] As described above, the heat-generating elements of the load equipment L typically reach a temperature higher than the room temperature. Therefore, even if the heat transfer medium R after heat exchange by the heat exchanger 31 of the air conditioner 3A is reused, the local cooling device 4 can sufficiently remove heat from the heat-generating elements of the load equipment L. Therefore, by further utilizing the heat transfer medium R used by the air conditioner 3A in the downstream local cooling device 4, it is not necessary to provide multiple cooling devices 2 for each of the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4, and the heat transfer medium R cooled by a single cooling device 2 can be maximized. In other words, with a simple configuration that requires only one cooling device 2, both the room and the load equipment L can be cooled and the power consumption of the entire cooling system 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, the flow rate of the heat transfer medium R bypassed from the first line 51 to the second line 52 can be adjusted by adjusting the difference in pressure loss, for example, by varying the diameter of the piping used in the first line 51 and the second line 52, depending on the number of load equipment L and the load (heat generation amount). In other words, the cooling system 1 has a simple configuration having a first line 51 and a second line 52 with different pressure losses, and is able to adjust the flow rate and cooling capacity of the heat medium R supplied from one cooling device 2 to the air conditioner 3A and the local cooling device 4.

[0085] (2) According to the second aspect, in the cooling system 1 relating to the first aspect, the first line 51 is provided with an adjustment valve 54 that, when the opening degree decreases, increases the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium R that branches off and flows into the second line 52 to the flow rate of the heat medium R that flows without branching off into the second line 52.

[0086] By doing this, the cooling system 1 can adjust the proportion of heat medium R flowing to the second line 52 out of the total amount of heat medium R by increasing or decreasing the opening degree of the adjustment valve 54, and thereby adjust the cooling capacity of the air conditioning means 3 and the local cooling device 4.

[0087] (3) According to the third aspect, the cooling system 1 according to the second aspect further includes an air conditioning load acquisition unit 601 that acquires the air conditioning load of the air conditioning means 3 based on the temperature in the room, a cooling load acquisition unit 602 that acquires the cooling load of the local cooling device 4 based on the temperature of the load equipment L or the temperature of the second line 52, and a control unit 603 that controls the opening degree of the adjustment valve 54 based on the air conditioning load and the cooling load.

[0088] By doing this, the cooling system 1 can appropriately adjust the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassed to the second line 52 according to the air conditioning load required by the air conditioner 3A to cool the room and the cooling load required by the local cooling device 4 to cool the load equipment L.

[0089] (4) According to the fourth aspect, in the cooling system 1 relating to the third aspect, the control unit 603 reduces the opening degree of the adjustment valve 54 when the air conditioning load is less than the air conditioning low load threshold and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the cooling high load threshold.

[0090] In this way, the cooling system 1 can increase the flow rate of the heat medium R bypassed to the second line 52 and increase the cooling capacity of the local cooling device 4.

[0091] (5) According to the fifth aspect, in the cooling system 1 relating to the third or fourth aspect, the control unit 603 increases the opening degree of the adjustment valve 54 when the air conditioning load is equal to or greater than the air conditioning high load threshold and the cooling load is less than the cooling low load threshold.

[0092] In this way, the cooling system 1 can reduce the pressure loss in the entire system and increase the cooling capacity of the air conditioner 3A.

[0093] (6) According to the sixth aspect, in the cooling system 1 relating to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the first line 51 and the second line 52 are connected in parallel, and the control unit 603 closes the adjustment valve 54 to stop the supply of the heat medium R to the air conditioning means 3.

[0094] In this way, when indoor cooling is not required, for example, in winter, the cooling system 1 can supply the heat medium R only to the local cooling device 4, without supplying it to the air conditioning means 3. This eliminates the need to flow the heat medium R to unnecessary locations (air conditioning means 3), thereby reducing the amount of power consumed by the pump 53 and the like. Furthermore, by stopping the air conditioner fan 32, power consumption can be further reduced. In addition, the heat medium R cooled by the cooling device 2 is directly supplied to the local cooling device 4, so the cooling capacity of the local cooling device 4 can be greatly improved.

[0095] (7) According to a seventh aspect, in the cooling system 1 relating to any one of the third to sixth aspects, the air conditioning means 3 is an air conditioner 3A having an air conditioner fan 32, and the control unit 603 stops the air conditioner fan 32 when the air conditioning load is less than the air conditioning low-load threshold and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the cooling high-load threshold.

[0096] In this way, the cooling system 1 can minimize the amount of power used by the air conditioner 3A when cooling of the room is not required.

[0097] (8) According to an eighth aspect, in the cooling system 1 according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the air conditioning means 3 is a fin tube 3B.

[0098] For example, in facilities located in high-latitude regions, indoor temperatures may be low throughout the year. In such cases, it is expected that equipment with high cooling capacity such as the air conditioner 3A will no longer be necessary. In this case, by replacing the air conditioner 3A with the finned tubes 3B as the air conditioning means 3, the amount of power consumed by the cooling system 1 can be significantly reduced while ensuring indoor cooling capacity through the flow rate of the heat medium R flowing through the finned tubes 3B.

[0099] (9) According to a ninth aspect, in the cooling system 1 according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, a plurality of local cooling devices 4 are provided corresponding to a plurality of load devices L.

[0100] In this way, the cooling system 1 can appropriately and efficiently cool each load device L using the multiple local cooling devices 4. In this way, when the heat generation amount of each load device L differs, it is possible to prevent some load devices L from being overcooled or some load devices L from being insufficiently cooled.

[0101] According to the above aspect, it is possible to cool both the room and the load equipment with a simple configuration, and to reduce power consumption.

[0102] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Cooling system 2 Cooling device 21 Fan 3 Air conditioning means 3A Air conditioner 31 Heat exchanger 32 Air conditioner fan 3B Fin tube 4, 4A to 4D Local cooling device 41 Local cooling loop 42, 42A to 42D Local cooling valve 5 Heat medium loop 51 First line 51a First low temperature line 51b First high temperature line 52 Second line 52a Second low temperature line 52b Second high temperature line 53 Pump 54 Adjustment valve 55 First valve 56 Second valve 6 Control device 60 Processor 61 Memory 62 Storage 63 Communication interface (I / F) 601 Air conditioning load acquisition unit 602 Cooling load acquisition unit 603 Control unit 10 Power supply L, L1 to L4 Load equipment R Heat medium T1 First thermometer T2 2nd thermometer

Claims

1. A cooling system comprising: a cooling device that cools a heat medium; air conditioning means that cools a room in which a load device is installed by being supplied with the heat medium; a local cooling device that cools the load device by being supplied with the heat medium; and a heat medium loop consisting of a first line that circulates the heat medium from the cooling device via the air conditioning means, and a second line that branches off from the first line and circulates the heat medium via the local cooling device, wherein the first line has a smaller pressure loss than the second line.

2. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the first line is provided with an adjustment valve which, when its opening degree is reduced, increases the ratio of the flow rate of the heat medium branched off into the second line to the flow rate of the heat medium not branched off into the second line.

3. The cooling system of claim 2, further comprising: an air conditioning load acquisition unit that acquires the air conditioning load of the air conditioning means based on the temperature inside the room; a cooling load acquisition unit that acquires the cooling load of the local cooling device based on the temperature of the load equipment or the temperature of the second line; and a control unit that controls the opening degree of the adjustment valve based on the air conditioning load and the cooling load.

4. The cooling system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit reduces the opening of the adjustment valve when the air conditioning load is less than an air conditioning low-load threshold and the cooling load is equal to or greater than a cooling high-load threshold.

5. The cooling system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit increases the opening of the adjustment valve when the air conditioning load is equal to or greater than an air conditioning high-load threshold and the cooling load is less than a cooling low-load threshold.

6. The cooling system according to claim 3, wherein the first line and the second line are connected in parallel, and the control unit closes the adjustment valve to stop the supply of the heat medium to the air conditioning means.

7. The cooling system according to claim 4, wherein the air conditioning means is an air conditioner having an air conditioner fan, and the control unit stops the air conditioner fan when the air conditioning load is less than the air conditioning low-load threshold and the cooling load is equal to or greater than the cooling high-load threshold.

8. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning means is a fin tube.

9. The cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a plurality of the local cooling devices are provided corresponding to a plurality of the load devices.

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