Direct liquid cooling system with a coolant distribution unit or reservoir-and-pump unit having an exchangeable sensor

Abstract

The invention relates to a direct liquid cooling system (DLC) for an IT infrastructure having at least one component (2) requiring cooling, wherein the direct liquid cooling system has a coolant distribution unit (CDU) or reservoir-and-pump unit (RPU) supplied with cooled liquid and at least one coolant distribution channel (7) which is supplied with cooled liquid by the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir-and-pump unit (RPU) and which has a plurality of liquid outlets for supplying cooled liquid to at least one component (2) requiring cooling, wherein the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir-and-pump unit (RPU) of the direct liquid cooling system (DLC) has a housing (13) and at least one sensor (300), with which at least one physical measured variable relating to the liquid in the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir-and-pump unit (RPU) is determined. The housing (13) has a fluidic transition (310) between an element (320) conducting the liquid inside the housing (13) and an outer side (18) of the housing (13), wherein the sensor (300) is connected to the fluidic transition (310) on an outer side (18) of the housing (13). The invention also relates to a coolant distribution unit (CDU) or reservoir-and-pump unit (RPU) for a direct liquid cooling system (DLC), preferably for a direct liquid cooling system (DLC) according to the invention.

Description

[0001] Direct liquid cooling with a coolant distribution unit or reservoir and pump unit with a replaceable sensor

[0002] The invention is based on direct liquid cooling (DLC) for an IT infrastructure with at least one component requiring cooling, wherein the direct liquid cooling comprises a cooling distribution unit (CDU) supplied with cooled liquid and at least one coolant distribution channel supplied with cooled liquid by the cooling distribution unit (CDU) and having a plurality of liquid outlets for supplying cooled liquid to at least one component requiring cooling. The cooling distribution unit (CDU) or a reservoir and pumping unit (RPU) of the direct liquid cooling (DLC) comprises a housing and at least one sensor with which at least one physical measured variable relating to the liquid in the cooling distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pumping unit (RPU) is determined.Such an arrangement is described in US 2007 / 0274043 Ai.

[0003] US 9,668,382 B2, US 11,310,939 B2 and US 11,395,443 B2 describe known coolant distribution units (CDU) in which the components required for providing and supplying the coolant distribution channel with cooled liquid are accommodated in a housing designed as a plug-in unit, including, for example, but not limited to: at least one pump, preferably several redundant pumps, a heat exchanger, an expansion tank, pressure, flow and / or temperature sensors, a three-way valve with bypass valve, an AC power supply, a control unit, a service valve, a filter, an automatic vent, a pressure relief valve or a flow control valve. For recooling, the coolant distribution unit can have a liquid-liquid heat exchanger and connections for the supply and return of a cooling liquid, e.g. water.The cooling liquid can be provided by a chiller, a chiller, or the like. Instead of a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger, an air-to-liquid heat exchanger can be provided, which is supplied with air from the surroundings of the coolant distribution unit by means of a fan, preferably a filter fan, for recooling the cooling liquid of the direct liquid cooling system.

[0004] The known coolant distribution units (CDUs) have the disadvantage that they are provided as a single assembly, for example, as a plug-in unit for installation in the frame of an IT rack, which combines a multitude of failure-prone components. If one of these components fails, especially one of the sensors mentioned, the entire coolant distribution unit must be replaced. This is often associated with an interruption of the cooling provided by the CDU. This, in turn, can cause the failure of the IT infrastructure, for example, servers.

[0005] To solve this problem, the subsequently published DE 10 2023 127316 Ai proposes that the coolant distribution channel have at least one sensor, which determines the at least one physical measured variable with respect to the liquid in the coolant distribution channel. However, this solution has the disadvantage that the at least one coolant distribution channel is often located in the rear area of ​​a housing accommodating the direct liquid cooling system, making it difficult to access for replacing the at least one sensor.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a direct liquid cooling system that is highly maintainable and, in particular, allows the replacement of CDU sensors. This object is achieved by a direct liquid cooling system (DLC) with the features of claim 1. The subordinate claim 13 relates to a corresponding coolant distribution unit (CDU) or reservoir and pump unit (RPU) for a direct liquid cooling system (DLC). The dependent claims each relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0007] Accordingly, it is provided that the housing has a fluidic transition between an element conducting the liquid inside the housing and an outside of the housing, wherein the sensor is connected to the fluidic transition on an outside of the housing. The invention thus allows the sensor to be accessible and replaceable from the outside of the housing. This offers the advantage that the sensor can be replaced without having to replace the entire coolant distribution unit. Furthermore, it is avoided that the sensor is arranged in a difficult-to-access rear region of a housing accommodating the direct liquid cooling. In this way, maintainability of the direct liquid cooling can be improved and / or downtime can be avoided or at least further reduced.

[0008] In particular, it can be provided that the sensor replaces a sensor or is a sensor that would otherwise have to be provided within the CDU or RPU, in particular in a housing of the CDU or RPU, without accessibility from the outside of the housing. The sensor can, for example, be a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, a sensor for determining electrical conductivity and / or a pH sensor. However, the sensor is not limited to these embodiments. The sensor can, in particular, be any possible sensor of a CDU or RPU that is configured to determine a physical measured variable related to the cooling fluid, for example, related to a supply line and / or a return line of an internal circuit of the CDU or RPU, which forms a fluid circuit with the coolant distribution channel.

[0009] Preferably, the fluid-conducting element is an active or passive element of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU). In particular, the fluid-conducting element can be a fluid-conducting line. However, a heat exchanger, a pump, or a reservoir, for example, can also be a fluid-conducting element.

[0010] The sensor can extend through an outer wall of the housing, which has the outer side. This allows for particularly advantageous attachment of the sensor to the outer wall. The sensor can be screwed to the outer wall, which has the outer side, or can be detachably attached in another way, allowing for easy replacement from the outside. This can be achieved, for example, using a clip or snap-in connection, even without tools.

[0011] Furthermore, the sensor can be provided with a signal line connection protruding from the outside. This not only makes the sensor accessible for replacement from outside the housing, but also allows access to the sensor from outside to tap the sensor signal. This can be particularly advantageous if, for example, the sensor itself is not defective, but merely a signal disturbance and / or a signal line connected to the sensor is defective. With the signal line connection protruding from the outside, such a defect can be remedied from outside without opening or replacing the CDU or RPU housing.

[0012] Preferably, the sensor is connected to the fluidic interface without tools and can be removed from the fluidic interface without tools. This simplifies sensor replacement and reduces potential downtime of the CDU or RPU.

[0013] The sensor can be connected to the fluidic interface via a drip-free quick-release coupling on the outside of the housing. The invention thus enables particularly simple and largely leak-free assembly and disassembly of the sensor. Preferably, at least one coupling half of the quick-release coupling is attached to the housing wall and accessible from the outside.

[0014] Furthermore, it can be provided that the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) is configured to control an operating parameter of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU), preferably a cooling capacity for cooling the liquid and / or a pumping capacity of at least one pump for supplying the coolant distribution channel with the liquid, depending on a physical measurement variable determined by the at least one sensor. The invention thus enables optimized operation of the CDU or RPU, so that cooling of the component requiring cooling can be carried out more precisely and / or efficiently.

[0015] Preferably, the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) can have more than one sensor. For example, a first sensor can be assigned to a fluid-carrying element associated with the supply line, and a second sensor can be assigned to a fluid-carrying element associated with the return line. The control of the CDU or RPU can then be based on a difference between the measured values ​​determined by the two sensors.

[0016] Preferably, both the supply and return lines have similar sensors, enabling a differential measurement with respect to a measured variable. For example, the pumping capacity of a pump unit of the CDU or RPU, the cooling capacity of a heat exchanger of the CDU or RPU, the opening cross-section of a valve of the CDU or RPU, or another variable operating parameter of the CDU or RPU can depend on the specific measured value difference.

[0017] Furthermore, the direct liquid cooling (DLC) can be configured to predetermine a standard operating parameter for the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) when the sensor is disconnected from the fluidic interface. The invention thus enables continued operation of the liquid cooling when the sensor is removed, for example, during replacement.

[0018] The direct liquid cooling (DLC) system can have at least one further sensor with which at least one further physical measurement variable is determined with respect to the liquid in the coolant distribution channel. The further sensor can, for example, be a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor and / or a sensor for determining the electrical conductivity of the liquid. However, the sensor is not limited to these embodiments. The further sensor can, in particular, be any possible sensor of a CDU or RPU that is configured to determine a physical measurement variable with respect to the cooling liquid, for example with respect to a supply line and / or a return line of an internal circuit of the CDU or RPU, which forms a liquid circuit with the coolant distribution channel.

[0019] The IT rack can comprise a switch cabinet frame consisting of four vertical struts and eight horizontal struts. Several IT racks can form a switch cabinet row. The DLC can be designed as a single-cabinet solution or as a solution for supplying a row of switch cabinets with chilled liquid. The DLC can be located in the same IT rack as the components requiring cooling, such as server bays. The DLC can also be configured to occupy an entire IT rack with its components, such as pump units, heat exchangers, control units, etc., provided these are not part of a CDU, or at least one CDU, etc., thus functioning as a cooling rack. The cooling unit can be integrated into a row of switch cabinets or IT racks and supply chilled liquid to components requiring cooling, such as server bays, installed in the adjacent IT racks.Each of the IT racks supplied with coolant can have a coolant distribution channel supplied with chilled liquid by a CDU of the cooling rack. In a data center, the switchgear row can separate a hot aisle from a cold aisle.

[0020] The coolant distribution channel can be arranged vertically in an IT rack, for example, in the area of ​​a rear side of the IT rack. The coolant distribution channel can be arranged on a vertical strut of the IT rack, in particular on a rear vertical strut of the IT rack. The IT infrastructure in the IT rack can be provided in the form of plug-in devices, for example, as server racks mounted in a mounting frame. The CDU and / or the RPU can also be designed as a plug-in device.

[0021] The coolant distribution channel can be arranged on a front, a rear, or a vertical side wall of an IT rack, in particular accessible from one of the aforementioned sides of the IT rack. This in turn requires that the additional sensor provided with the coolant distribution channel is particularly easily accessible, for example, to enable it to be replaced particularly easily in the event of a failure. The additional sensor can be mounted on the coolant distribution channel, for example, using a quick-release coupling, preferably a drip-free quick-release coupling, and, in the installed state, its measured variable sensor is in sensory contact with the coolant distribution channel, in particular with a liquid conveyed in the coolant distribution channel, for example, in a supply line or a return line of the coolant distribution channel.The additional sensor can be integrated into the coolant distribution channel, but is preferably accessible from an outside of the coolant distribution channel and thus easily replaceable. The additional sensor can, in particular, be mounted directly on an outside of or through an outside of the coolant distribution channel on or in the coolant distribution channel, for example, in a supply line or a return line.

[0022] However, the additional sensor can also be arranged in a connecting line of the coolant distribution channel, preferably immediately before the connecting line enters the coolant distribution channel. The connecting line can be configured to fluidically connect the coolant distribution channel to the CDU. A connecting line can be provided for a supply line and a return line of the coolant distribution channel. At least one connection fitting can be provided, via which the connecting line is connected to the coolant distribution channel, in particular to a supply line or a return line of the coolant distribution channel, wherein the additional sensor can be integrated into the fitting.Preferably, a separate connection fitting is provided for connecting a first connection line to a flow line of the coolant distribution channel and a second connection fitting is provided for connecting a second connection line to a return line of the coolant distribution channel.

[0023] The fitting can be integrated into the connecting line or connected to it using quick-release couplings. Alternatively, the fitting can be connected to the coolant distribution channel, in particular a supply line and / or a return line, on the one hand, and to the connecting line on the other hand using quick-release couplings. However, the fitting can also be connected to the coolant distribution channel without a quick-release coupling, for example, via a screw connection or a material-to-material joint. In this case, it is preferred that the additional sensor be connected to the fitting via a quick-release coupling.

[0024] The coolant distribution channel can be designed in multiple parts, in particular having a supply line and a return line, which are designed as separate lines or channels. It can be provided that the two separate lines or channels are arranged on opposite vertical struts of an IT rack, in particular are fastened thereto, for example on the rear of an IT rack. The lines or channels can be fastened, for example screwed, to a system perforation of a vertical strut. At least one of the supply line and the return line can have the additional sensor. Preferably, both lines each have an additional sensor, for example a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, and / or a sensor for determining the electrical conductivity of the coolant.The control of the CDU or RPU can depend on a difference between the measured values ​​determined by the two additional sensors. Preferably, both the supply line and the return line have additional sensors of the same type, enabling a differential measurement with respect to a measured variable. For example, the pumping capacity of a pump unit of the CDU or RPU, the cooling capacity of a heat exchanger of the CDU or RPU, the opening cross-section of a valve of the CDU or RPU, or another variable operating parameter of the CDU or RPU can depend on the determined difference in measured values.

[0025] All functional components of the CDU or RPU can be incorporated into a single unit. This allows the use of coolant distribution units (CDUs) or reservoir and pump units (RPUs) that incorporate all the required components of a CDU or RPU. This allows for a compact design. Furthermore, if necessary or appropriate, the CDU or RPU can be completely replaced without requiring work at various points in the direct liquid cooling system.

[0026] At least one functional component of a CDU or an RPU can be provided as a component independent of the rest of the CDU or RPU, in particular a housing of the CDU or RPU. This can be, for example, but not limited to, a heat exchanger, a reservoir for coolant, a control unit, a power supply (power pack), or at least one pumping unit. For example, it is possible to provide at least one pumping unit, preferably several pumping units, independently of the CDU / RPU. Several pumping units can have redundancy so that if one of the several pumping units fails, the DLC can continue to operate, possibly with reduced pumping capacity. Replacing a defective pumping unit does not require interrupting the operation of the DLC and thus the IT infrastructure, for example, servers.

[0027] Optionally, the IT rack can be provided with a power distribution system. If the coolant distribution duct is arranged on a rear side of the IT rack, it can be arranged in the same mounting plane as the power distribution of the IT rack, in particular like a busbar for providing a DC voltage for installed components of the IT rack, for example, plug-in devices, for example servers and / or plug-in devices for direct liquid cooling, for example a CDU / RPU. Instead of being arranged in the same mounting plane, the coolant distribution duct and the busbar can also be arranged in closely adjacent, in particular parallel, planes on the rear side of the IT rack. The busbar can extend parallel to the coolant distribution duct. In particular, the busbar and the coolant distribution duct can extend vertically.If the coolant distribution channel has a supply line and a return line that are designed as separate lines, the busbar can be arranged between the two lines of the coolant distribution channel, in particular in the same mounting plane. The two lines can be arranged on opposite vertical struts of the IT rack, in particular on rear vertical struts of the IT rack, while the busbar is arranged centrally between them. A connecting line of the coolant distribution channel can be arranged in the same mounting plane as the coolant distribution channel, or a supply line and a return line of the coolant distribution channel can be arranged, optionally also in the same mounting plane as a busbar for a voltage supply of the IT rack, in particular a DC voltage supply.

[0028] The coolant distribution channel can have a supply line with a plurality of outlets for cooled coolant and a return line with a plurality of inlets for heated coolant. At least one of the supply line and the return line can have the at least one further sensor. Preferably, both the supply line and the return line each have a further sensor. Particularly preferably, the two further sensors are configured for a differential measurement of a measured value. For this purpose, the further sensors can preferably be of the same type, at least with regard to the specific measured variable. A determined difference between the measured values ​​can be taken into account for controlling or regulating the DLC / RPU, in particular a cooling capacity provided by the CDU / RPU. For example, a pump capacity and / or a coolant volume flow through the coolant distribution channel can be adjusted depending on the measured difference value.

[0029] If the at least one additional sensor is arranged in or on a supply line of the coolant distribution channel, a measured variable sensor of the at least one additional sensor can be configured to record a measured variable relating to a cooled coolant in the supply line. If the at least one additional sensor is arranged in or on a return line of the coolant distribution channel, the measured variable sensor can be configured to record a measured variable relating to a heated coolant in the return line.

[0030] The supply line may have a first temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of the cooling fluid conveyed in the supply line. The return line may have a second temperature sensor configured to determine the temperature of the cooling fluid conveyed in the return line.

[0031] The at least one further sensor can be arranged at a coolant inlet of the supply line of the coolant distribution channel or at a coolant outlet of the return line of the coolant distribution channel. Preferably, a first further sensor is provided at the coolant inlet of the supply line and a second further sensor is provided at the coolant outlet of the return line, preferably for the previously described control of the DLC, in particular a CDU / RPU, depending on a determined measured value difference.

[0032] The at least one further sensor can be arranged at a coolant inlet of the supply line of the coolant distribution channel or at a coolant outlet of the return line of the coolant distribution channel. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one further sensor can be arranged on or on an outer side of the coolant distribution channel or can be accessible from the outer side of the coolant distribution channel.

[0033] The coolant distribution channel preferably has a supply line with a plurality of outlets for cooled coolant and a return line with a plurality of inlets for heated coolant. Preferably, at least one of the supply line and the return line has a fitting via which the respective line is fluidically connected to the coolant distribution unit. The fitting can have the at least one further sensor. The at least one further sensor can be detachably connected to the fitting, for example via a quick-release coupling. However, the further sensor can also be permanently connected to the fitting. In this embodiment, the fitting should be detachably connected to the supply line and / or return line, preferably via a quick-release coupling, in order to enable rapid replacement of the fitting in the event of maintenance, for example if the at least one further sensor fails.The fitting can be arranged directly at the inlet of the supply line and / or at the outlet of the return line. The fitting can be fluidically connected directly to the inlet and / or the outlet using a quick-release coupling. The at least one further sensor can be fluidically connected to the fitting via a quick-release coupling. Preferably, at least one further sensor, particularly preferably at least one pressure sensor, is installed on the coolant distribution channel using a quick-release coupling. Particularly preferably, at least one further sensor, preferably a pressure sensor, is installed on a supply line and on a return line of the coolant distribution channel, each using a quick-release coupling.

[0034] The coolant distribution channel can have a cable guide, preferably a cable duct, through which a sensor cable of the at least one additional sensor is routed along the coolant distribution channel, preferably on an outer side of the coolant distribution channel. This allows for easy replacement of the sensor cable during maintenance, as well as the replacement of the additional sensor, and thus a signal line that may be the cause of a malfunction in the direct liquid cooling system.

[0035] The direct liquid cooling described above proposes a maintenance-friendly, highly reliable system that can supply coolant, approximately 24 / 7 / 365, to IT components requiring cooling, such as plate heat exchangers for cooling CPUs, GPUs, and the like, or built-in devices of an IT infrastructure, such as server installations.

[0036] The CDU (Cooling Distribution Unit) is responsible for distributing the cooling fluid to the IT infrastructure equipment. The CDU separates the coolant provided by a chiller, such as a chiller or a free cooling system (e.g., facility water - primary circuit) and the cooling fluid flowing through the IT infrastructure equipment (secondary circuit) into two circuits. The CDU is typically configured to supply the cooling fluid in the secondary circuit at a target temperature and pressure to the components requiring cooling, such as the IT infrastructure equipment, and to guide it through them. CDUs used in data centers are often difficult to repair and lack flexibility when it comes to increasing the CDU's performance.Instead of integrating the at least one sensor, such as a temperature, pressure, flow or other sensor, within the CDU or RPU (reservoir and pump unit), in particular within a housing of the CDU or RPU, it is proposed to provide the at least one sensor on an outer side of the housing of the CDU or RPU so that it is easily accessible from the outside of the housing, whereby the sensor is easily accessible and thus easy to replace in the event of maintenance.

[0037] In one embodiment, at least one temperature sensor and / or at least one pressure sensor can be provided in a fitting or on a fitting in the flow direction of the coolant upstream of a coolant inlet or downstream of a coolant outlet of the coolant distribution channel.

[0038] The at least one additional sensor, in particular at least one pressure sensor, can be installed on the coolant distribution channel or in a fitting or on a fitting using a (leak-proof) quick-connect coupling or a so-called non-spill quick-release coupling. In one embodiment, this enables simple and quick replacement of the additional sensors, possibly without having to interrupt the direct liquid cooling.

[0039] A further aspect of the invention relates to a coolant distribution unit (CDU) or reservoir and pump unit (RPU) for direct liquid cooling (DLC), preferably for direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to the invention, wherein the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) has a housing and at least one sensor with which at least one physical measurement variable is determined in relation to a cooled liquid conveyed by the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) in the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU). The housing has a fluidic transition between an element carrying the cooled liquid in the interior of the housing and an outer side of the housing, wherein the sensor is connected to the fluidic transition on an outer side of the housing.

[0040] The invention thus enables the provision of a CDU or RPU, preferably with all components required for a CDU or RPU within the housing, so that the CDU or RPU can be provided compactly and as a single unit, while the sensor is easily accessible. This allows the sensor to be replaced, maintained, or repaired without having to disassemble and / or open the CDU or RPU as a whole. This simplifies the maintainability of a CDU or RPU, and potential downtimes due to maintenance can be avoided or at least reduced.

[0041] Preferably, the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or reservoir and pump unit (RPU) is designed as a plug-in unit for installation in a mounting frame of an IT rack. The invention thus enables uncomplicated insertion of the CDU or RPU into the IT rack and uncomplicated removal of the CDU or RPU from the IT rack. This makes replacing or retrofitting the CDU or RPU very easy. In particular, the plug-in unit can be designed so that the replacement or retrofitting can be performed without tools and / or by a single person.

[0042] The plug-in device can have a standardized housing configured to automatically contact a first dummy coupling plug connection for a fluidic connection to a coolant distribution channel and / or a second dummy coupling plug connection for electrically contacting a power distribution when the plug-in device is inserted into a slot in an IT rack. The invention can thus further simplify replacement or retrofitting. In particular, the electrical and / or fluidic connection of the plug-in device to the coolant distribution channel can be simplified, preferably without the use of tools.

[0043] Further details of the invention are explained with reference to the figures. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown in the figures, which may have features that go beyond those essential to the invention. Herein:

[0044] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of direct liquid cooling;

[0045] Figure 2 shows a coolant distribution unit (CDU) with a sensor connected to a fluidic transition on an outside of a housing;

[0046] Figure 3 shows an IT rack with direct liquid cooling (DLC) installed inside;

[0047] Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a coolant distribution channel; and Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of a coolant distribution channel.

[0048] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of direct liquid cooling (DLC). Cooled liquid is provided by a recooler 16, which can be designed, for example, as a chiller, with or without a refrigeration machine. For this purpose, the recooler 16 has, for example, an air-liquid heat exchanger and at least one fan with which ambient air is transported through the air-liquid heat exchanger. The cooled liquid provided by the recooler is fed to a coolant distribution unit (CDU), in particular via the supply line of an external circuit of the CDU. The liquid provided by the recooler leaves the CDU as heated liquid via a return line of the external circuit. The external circuit of the CDU, which simultaneously forms the liquid circuit of the recooler 16, is designated by the reference numeral 17.

[0049] The coolant distribution unit CDU has, in particular, a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and at least one pump for transporting liquid through the inner circuit 15 of the CDU. The flow of the inner circuit of the CDU is connected to a return of a coolant distribution channel 7, and the return of the inner circuit 15 of the CDU is connected to a flow of the coolant distribution channel 7. The coolant distribution channel 7 can have, spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, thus in the vertical direction, several connections, on the one hand, to a flow of the coolant distribution channel 7, via which cooled coolant is provided, and on the other hand, to a return of the coolant distribution channel 7, via which heated coolant is discharged. The plug-in devices 2 can be, for example, server plug-ins of an IT infrastructure, which are connected to the coolant distribution channel 7, for example, in the manner known from US 2007 / 0274043 Ai.In the plug-in devices, the cooling liquid, which is preferably an electrically non-conductive coolant, flows over the components that require cooling, for example CPUs, GPUs, or other components that have a high power loss and, moreover, a high temperature sensitivity, so that air cooling is unsuitable due to the lower thermal conductivity of air compared to liquid.

[0050] Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a CDU. The plug-in device 2.1 has a housing 13, which can be standardized, for example, with regard to its dimensions, for example at least to the extent that, when the plug-in device 2.1 is inserted into a slot of an IT rack, both the first dummy coupling plug connection 6.1 for a fluidic connection to the direct liquid cooling system, in particular a coolant distribution channel, and the second dummy coupling plug connection 6.2 for an electrical contact to a power distribution system can be made automatically, i.e., in particular without tools. The dummy coupling plug connections 6.1, 6.2 for the electrical and / or fluidic connection of the device are optional. Three redundant pumps 14 are arranged in the housing 13 and are connected in parallel to one another.Furthermore, a heat exchanger 12, in particular a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, is arranged in the housing 13.

[0051] The embodiment according to Figure 2 has a sensor system for detecting at least one physical measurement variable related to the cooling liquid. For this purpose, the housing 13 has three fluidic transitions 310 between elements 320 conducting the cooled liquid inside the housing 13 and an outer side 18 of the housing 13. The fluidic transitions 310 are designed here as openings in the outer side 18 and enable sensory contact with the liquid contained in the liquid-conducting elements 320. It can be provided that the fluidic transitions 310 have sealing means in order to prevent or at least reduce leakage. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the fluidic transitions 310 can be designed as a line or a hose or can comprise such a line or hose.

[0052] Furthermore, the CDU here comprises three sensors 300, which are connected to the fluidic transitions 310 on the outer side 18 of the housing 13. The sensors 300 are designed here as pressure sensors and a temperature sensor, respectively. Due to the connection on the outer side 18, the sensors 300 are easily accessible from the outside, so that the sensors 300 can be replaced or serviced without having to disassemble and / or open the CDU as a whole.

[0053] The sensors 300 are connected here such that they extend through an outer wall of the housing 13, which has the outer side 18. This allows the sensors, on the one hand, to be accessible from the outside, and, on the other hand, to make sensory contact with the liquid of the liquid-conducting elements 320 within the housing via the fluidic transitions 310. The unit 2.1 shown in Figure 2 is thus highly service-friendly, as the sensors 300 are easily accessible from the outside for maintenance or replacement. However, due to the use of the first and second dummy coupling connectors 6.1, 6.2, the entire unit, i.e., the plug-in device 2.1, can also be replaced quickly and without significant downtime, for example, in the event of failure of all pumps or a decrease in pump performance.Further redundancy of the direct liquid cooling (DLC) can be achieved by providing several of the plug-in units 2.1 shown in Figure 2, which in turn are connected in parallel with one another, so that even if all of the three pumps 14 in one of the several plug-in units 2.1 fail, the continued operation of the DLC is ensured and downtimes can be essentially completely avoided.

[0054] The sensors 300 can alternatively be designed as a flow sensor, a sensor for determining electrical conductivity and / or a pH sensor.

[0055] The liquid-conducting elements 320 can be an active or passive element of the coolant distribution unit (CDU). Here, the liquid-conducting elements 320 are particularly designed as liquid-conducting lines. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid-conducting elements 320 can also be the heat exchanger 12, one or more pumps 14, or even valves.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2, the pressure sensors 300 are connected to the fluidic transition 310 via a drip-free quick-release coupling 340 on the outer side 18 of the housing 13. This allows for tool-free assembly and disassembly of the pressure sensors 300. The quick-release couplings 340 comprise two coupling halves 341, with at least one coupling half 341 of the quick-release coupling 340 being fastened to the housing wall and accessible on the outer side 18. Thus, the pressure sensors 300 can be easily connected or removed by opening or closing the quick-release couplings 340. In particular, it can be provided that the second coupling half 341 can be fastened to a sensor 300, for example a pressure sensor, so that, particularly during maintenance, the second coupling half 341 and the sensor 300 form a structural unit and simplify disassembly and assembly accordingly.The sensors 300 are connected to the outer side 18 of the housing 13 in such a way that they protrude from the outer side 18 with a signal line connection 330. Thus, connecting the sensors 300 to a signal line from outside the housing is also easy.

[0057] The temperature sensor 300 can also be connected to the fluidic transition 310 without tools and can be separated from the fluidic transition 310 without tools. Thus, the fluidic transition 310 can be designed as a snap-in connection into which the temperature sensor 300 can be inserted and removed. For the extension, a trigger mechanism, for example in the form of a button, can be actuated to prevent unwanted extension and, in particular, unwanted leakage.

[0058] The coolant distribution unit (CDU) is configured here to control an operating parameter of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) depending on the physical measured variables of pressure and temperature determined by the sensors 300, preferably a cooling capacity for cooling the liquid and / or a pumping capacity of at least one pump 14 for supplying the coolant distribution channel 7 with the liquid. Since two pressure sensors 300 are provided, a pressure difference in particular can be used for control. The temperature detected by the temperature sensor 300 can then be included in the control system as a correction variable, for example. Alternatively or additionally, a different operating parameter can be controlled based on the pressure difference than on the temperature difference. The two pressure sensors 300 are connected here such that one can detect a supply pressure and the other a return pressure.The CDU or the DLC can include a control unit for control purposes.

[0059] Furthermore, the direct liquid cooling (DLC) can be configured to predetermine a default operating parameter for the coolant distribution unit (CDU) when one or more of the sensors 300 are disconnected from the fluidic transition 310. This allows the direct liquid cooling (DLC) to continue operating even during maintenance of a sensor 300.

[0060] Figure 2 shows an example of a coolant distribution unit (CDU). Alternatively, the

[0061] Plug-in device 2.1 can also be designed as a reservoir and pump unit (RPU) with a sensor (300) connected to a fluidic transition (310) on the outside (18) of the housing (13).

[0062] Figure 3 shows an exemplary IT rack 1 in a perspective front view. The IT rack 1 has a frame consisting of four vertical struts and eight horizontal struts, each forming a rectangular profile frame. A coolant distribution channel 7 is arranged on the opposite vertical struts on a rear profile frame, in particular a supply line 7.1 on a first of the opposite vertical struts and a return line 7.2 on a second of the opposite vertical struts. Due to the spatial separation, there is no thermal short circuit between the supply and return lines, thereby increasing the efficiency of the coolant distribution channel 7.

[0063] The embodiment shown in Figure 3 further shows a DC voltage supply 5 with a busbar that extends along the rear of the IT rack 1, thus at the rear where the coolant distribution channel 7 is also arranged. In particular, the voltage supply 5, in particular the busbar, is arranged between the supply line 7.1 and the return line 7.2, in particular centrally between the aforementioned lines. While the supply line 7.1 and the return line 7.2 are each attached to a vertical profile, the busbar can be fixed with its opposite ends and electrically insulated to a roof-side and a floor-side frame, in particular to respective horizontal struts.

[0064] The supply line 7.1 (and analogously the return line 7.2, but not shown) has a plurality of outlets 7.3 (and the return line analogously a plurality of inlets 7.4 - compare Figures 4 and 5). Both the components 2 requiring cooling, in this case server racks, and the CDU are designed as plug-in devices. An uninterruptible power supply BBU, which supplies the busbar 5 with a DC voltage, is also designed as a plug-in device. In addition to the plug-in devices 2, CDU, BBU shown in Figure 3, further plug-in devices can be installed across the entire height of the IT rack 1. Cooled liquid can be provided across the entire height via the outlets 7.3 or the inlets (not shown) of the return line 7.2. Exemplary embodiments of a coolant distribution channel 7 are shown in Figures 4 and 5. The coolant distribution channel 7 is designed in two parts and has a supply line 7.1 and a return line 7.2. The supply line 7.1 has coolant outlets 7.3 distributed at regular or irregular intervals along its entire length, and the return line 7.2 has coolant inlets 7.4 in a similar manner. The supply line 7.1 and the return line 7.2 can be attached to a vertical strut of a frame, for example, in the manner shown with reference to Figure 3.

[0065] The supply line and the return line 7.1, 7.2 each have a connecting line 7.7, via which they can be fluidically connected to a CDU (see Figure 3). In particular, the supply line can be connected to the return of the CDU's inner circuit. The connecting line 7.7 of the return line 7.2 can be connected to a supply line of the CDU's inner circuit.

[0066] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, a further sensor 300 is arranged in the area of ​​a coolant outlet 7.6 of the connecting line 7.7 into the supply line 7.1. A further sensor 300 is arranged at a coolant outlet 7.6, at which a further connecting line 7.7 opens into the return line 7.2. The further sensors 300 can be, for example, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, flow sensors, or sensors for determining an electrical conductivity of a coolant conveyed in the supply line 7.1 or the return line 7.2. However, the further sensors 300 are not limited to the described embodiments and can be any sensors 300 that are suitable for determining a physical measured variable related to a cooling liquid, which are suitable for controlling a CDU or RPU.

[0067] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the additional sensors 300 are arranged in a fitting 400 instead of on or in the supply line 7.1 or the return line 7.2. The respective connecting line 7.7 from the supply line 7.1 and the return line 7.2 is connected to the respective supply line 7.1 or the return line 7.2 via the fitting 400. The additional sensor 300 can be permanently connected to the fitting 400 or can be exchangeable, for example via a quick-release coupling. Analogously, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the respective additional sensor 300 can also be connected to the supply line 7.1 or the return line 7.2 via a quick-release coupling, for example through an outer wall of the respective line 7.1, 7.2 and preferably in fluid communication with the coolant carried in the respective line 7.1, 7.2.

[0068] The features given in the above description may be relevant in any combination for the realization of embodiments of the invention, the scope of protection being determined solely by the claims.

[0069] List of reference symbols:

[0070] 1 IT rack

[0071] 2 Plug-in unit / component requiring cooling

[0072] 2.1 Slot-in device, CPU, RPU

[0073] 5 Busbar

[0074] 6.1 first blind coupling connector

[0075] 6.2 second blind coupling connector

[0076] 7 Coolant distribution channel

[0077] 7.1 Supply line

[0078] 7.2 Return line

[0079] 7.3 Outlet

[0080] 7.4 Admission

[0081] 7.5 Coolant inlet

[0082] 7.6 Coolant outlet

[0083] 7.7 Connecting cable

[0084] 7.7 Connecting cable

[0085] 9 Control unit

[0086] 12 heat exchangers

[0087] 13 housings

[0088] 14 Pump

[0089] 15 inner circle

[0090] 16 dry coolers

[0091] 17 Outer circle

[0092] 18 Outside

[0093] 300 sensors

[0094] 310 Fluidic transition

[0095] 320 Liquid-carrying element 330 Signal line connection

[0096] 340 quick release coupling

[0097] 341 coupling half

[0098] 400 fittings

[0099] BBU Uninterruptible Power Supply

[0100] CDU coolant distribution unit

[0101] DLC direct liquid cooling

[0102] RPU reservoir and pump unit z height direction

Claims

Claims:

1. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) for an IT infrastructure with at least one component (2) requiring cooling, wherein the direct liquid cooling comprises a coolant distribution unit (CDU) or reservoir and pump unit (RPU) supplied with cooled liquid and at least one coolant distribution channel (7) which is supplied with cooled liquid from the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) and has a plurality of liquid outlets for supplying cooled liquid to at least one component (2) requiring cooling, wherein the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) of the direct liquid cooling (DLC) comprises a housing (13) and at least one sensor (300) with which at least one physical measurement variable is determined with respect to the liquid in the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU), characterized in thatthat the housing (13) has a fluidic transition (310) between a liquid-conducting element (320) in the interior of the housing (13) and an outer side (18) of the housing (13), wherein the sensor (300) is connected to the fluidic transition (310) on an outer side (18) of the housing (13).

2. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (300) is a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, a sensor for determining electrical conductivity and / or a pH sensor.

3. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid-conducting element (320) is an active or a passive element of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pumping unit (RPU), preferably a liquid-conducting line.

4. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor extends through an outer wall of the housing (13) having the outer side (18). 5- Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (300) with a signal line connection (330) protrudes from the outer side (18).

6. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (300) is connected to the fluidic transition (310) without tools and can be separated from the fluidic transition (310) without tools.

7. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor (300) is connected to the fluidic transition via a drip-free quick-release coupling (340) on an outer side (18) of the housing (13).

8. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to claim 7, wherein at least one coupling half (341) of the quick-release coupling (340) is fastened to the housing wall and is accessible on the outside (18).

9. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) is configured to control an operating parameter of the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) as a function of a physical measurement variable determined by the at least one sensor (300), preferably a cooling capacity for cooling the liquid and / or a pumping capacity of at least one pump (14) for supplying the coolant distribution channel (7) with the liquid.

10. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to claim 9, which is configured to predefine a standard operating parameter as an operating parameter for the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) when the sensor (300) is separated from the fluidic transition (310).

11. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to one of the previous Claims, in which the coolant distribution channel (7) has at least one further Sensor (300) with which at least one further physical Measured variable is determined in relation to the liquid in the coolant distribution channel (7).

12. Direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to claim 11, wherein the coolant distribution channel (7) has a supply line (7.1) with a plurality of outlets (7.3) for cooled coolant and a return line (7.2) with a plurality of inlets (7.4) for heated coolant, of which at least one of the supply line (7.1) and the return line (7.2) has the at least one further sensor (300), wherein preferably at least one of the supply line (7.1) and the return line (7.2) has a fitting via which the respective line is fluidically connected to the coolant distribution unit (CDU), wherein the fitting has the at least one further sensor (300).

13. Coolant distribution unit (CDU) or reservoir and pump unit (RPU) for direct liquid cooling (DLC), preferably for direct liquid cooling (DLC) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) has a housing (13) and at least one sensor (300) with which at least one physical measurement variable is determined in relation to a cooled liquid conveyed by the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU) in the coolant distribution unit (CDU) or the reservoir and pump unit (RPU), characterized in that the housing (13) has a fluidic transition (310) between an element (320) guiding the cooled liquid in the interior of the housing (13) and an outer side (18) of the housing (13), wherein the sensor (300) is connected to the fluidic transition (310) on an outer side (18) of the housing (13). is connected.

14. Coolant distribution unit (CDU) or reservoir and pumping unit (RPU) according to claim 13, which is designed as a plug-in device (2.1) for installation in a mounting frame of an IT rack.

15. Coolant distribution unit (CDU) or reservoir and pumping unit (RPU) according to claim 14, wherein the plug-in device (2.1) has a standardized housing (13) which is designed to, when the Plug-in device (2.1) in a slot of an IT rack to automatically contact a first blind coupling plug connection (6.1) for a fluidic connection to a coolant distribution channel and / or a second blind coupling plug connection (6.2) for an electrical contact to a power distribution.

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