Thermal regulation device, and system comprising a thermal regulation device

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermal regulation device (100) for a fluid for the cooling of electronic components, in particular electronic components of at least one computer server, the device (100) comprising: - at least two heat exchangers (1), in particular condensers, the exchangers (1) being arranged in parallel so as to divide the flow of fluid to be cooled in two, each exchanger (1) comprising an outer wall (11) parallel to an inner wall (12) facing the inner wall (12) of the other exchanger, - the two exchangers being connected by collectors (2) arranged between the inner walls (12) of the two exchangers (1), seals (20) also being arranged at the junction between each collector (2) and each heat exchanger (1), - the device (100) being characterized in that the assembly of the two exchangers (1) and of the collectors (2) is fixed by at least two horizontal fixing supports (3).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Thermal regulation device, and System comprising a thermal regulation device

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermal regulation device, and a system comprising a thermal regulation device for a fluid for cooling electrical and / or electronic components, particularly in the field of computer servers.

[0002] The components that may be relevant to the present invention may be computer server components.

[0003] The invention finds an advantageous application in the field of thermal regulation devices for a fluid for the cooling of a power electronic device or module, i.e. comprising power electronic components, or directly for said power electronic devices or modules.

[0004] Computer hardware consists of equipment capable of receiving, transmitting, storing, and processing digital and / or analog information. This hardware is used today by a vast number of infrastructures to ensure, for example, data management. This hardware is housed in data centers that centralize information. These data centers are commonly referred to as server racks. Such server racks are generally in the form of cabinets comprising multiple rails or drawers on which computer hardware is arranged parallel to one another.

[0005] During operation, computer equipment generates heat. The heat emitted by the various computer systems in a data center must be dissipated to maintain optimal performance. Insufficient heat dissipation can lead to overheating. This overheating can cause irreversible damage to the equipment, for example, by causing internal components to expand. Furthermore, some computer systems include an integrated battery that can be damaged by heat.

[0006] In the field of computer servers, it is common practice to implement methods for dissipating the heat generated by the computer equipment. For example, this involves circulating air within each compartment of the server rack housing the computer equipment, with the airflow exchanging heat directly with the hardware. While this technique is used in a wide range of data centers, it is not sufficient to adequately cool installations that produce a large amount of heat. Furthermore, this technique is very energy-intensive.

[0007] It is also known to cool electrical or electronic components, particularly computer servers, using a liquid cooling system such as water, for example glycol water, or a system in which a dielectric liquid is sprayed onto the computer equipment. These systems, which cool computer equipment using a liquid directed towards the equipment, involve components such as flexible hoses to guide the fluid to the equipment. Implementing such systems is complex and requires a high level of cooling, as well as a relatively powerful pump.

[0008] A thermal regulation device dedicated to cooling the fluid can then be integrated within the computer installation in order to cool it efficiently while limiting the footprint.

[0009] In this context, the present invention aims to provide a thermal regulation device for a fluid, featuring at least two heat exchangers in parallel to limit pressure losses. The reliability of the connections between these two exchangers is paramount, given the context of the electrical installation, and these connections, as well as the overall assembly, must be simplified.

[0010] The present invention aims to address these needs and at least partially overcome one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing the use of simple, easy-to-assemble additional mounting brackets instead of, for example, welding, which is particularly complex due to the limited accessibility between the two heat exchangers. The use of O-rings instead of welds thus necessitates these additional brackets. The present invention also facilitates maintenance by allowing for the easy replacement of one heat exchanger with another. without specific equipment or process. Indeed, maintenance using the present invention would only consist of simple disassembly using a simple process.

[0011] The invention offers different embodiments to address this problem.

[0012] The invention also proposes a method for assembling the thermal regulation device.

[0013] To this end, the invention relates to a thermal regulation device (100) for a fluid for cooling electronic components, in particular electronic components of at least one computer server, the device (100) comprising: - at least two two-fluid heat exchangers (1) each allowing heat exchange between a refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid, forming in particular condensers, the exchangers (1) being arranged in parallel so as to divide the flows of fluid to be cooled into two, each exchanger (1) comprising an outer wall (11) parallel to an inner wall (12) facing the inner wall (12) of the other exchanger, and the inner wall of each exchanger (1) further comprising an inlet and an outlet of refrigerant, and an inlet and an outlet of heat transfer fluid, so as to form a refrigerant circuit and a heat transfer fluid circuit, - the two exchangers being connected by four manifolds (2) arranged between the inner walls (12) of the two exchangers (1) and connecting the respective fluid inlets of each exchanger and the respective fluid outlets of each exchanger, seals (20), in particular O-rings (20), being further arranged at the junction between each manifold (2) and each heat exchanger (1), - the device (100) being characterized in that the assembly of the two exchangers (1) and the manifolds (2) is reversibly fixed to the fluid inlets and outlets by at least two horizontal fixing supports (3) configured to prevent the heat exchangers from moving away from each other during their use.

[0014] Thus, horizontal mounting brackets provide reliability and sealing at a lower cost because they do not require welding, without additional complexity and without significantly increasing the overall size of the device.

[0015] The device is therefore easily assembled, and it is possible to offer a device that is easily modular and scalable according to needs, by adding one or more components. several exchangers, collectors, and horizontal fixing supports while remaining within the principle of the invention.

[0016] The control device may also include one or more of the following characteristics described below, taken separately or in combination.

[0017] The two-fluid heat exchangers have female-type ends forming the fluid inlets and outlets of the two-fluid heat exchangers, the female-type ends facing each other in pairs, the manifolds having male-type ends complementary to said female-type ends, the seals being arranged between the male and female ends.

[0018] This allows for easier assembly.

[0019] The seals are positioned on the manifolds.

[0020] This advantageously allows for heat exchangers to be made from a single material, and allows for greater flexibility.

[0021] Each mounting bracket (3) is configured to be fixed to the inlet and outlet fittings of the two-fluid heat exchangers once the heat transfer fluid and refrigerant manifolds have been connected to said fittings, so as to prevent the inlet and outlet fittings from moving away from each other.

[0022] Thus, the mounting brackets holding the entire assembly are only in contact with the heat exchangers themselves, which are generally robust, most often metallic components. This simplifies the assembly while ensuring its reliability.

[0023] Each fixing support having notches, including circular ones, complementary to the female type ends, said female type ends having further a shoulder, in particular at their end, of greater diameter than said notch, configured to be in contact with the fixing support so as to prevent the separation of said female ends from each other.

[0024] Thus, the mounting bracket is designed for easy and reversible assembly, while completely blocking outward movement between the heat exchangers. This ingenious system also allows for easy removal of the bracket when the heat exchangers are not in use. Conversely, it is locked when The exchangers are used, the pressures related to the circulation of the fluids creating forces that push the exchangers away but are held back by said support, which has the additional advantage of locking the support onto said exchangers.

[0025] Each mounting bracket is connected to two inlets of one of the fluid circuits and to two outlets of the other fluid circuit.

[0026] Advantageously, this allows for only two fixing elements, one per pair of inputs or outputs, which can simplify the design when space constraints are very important.

[0027] The two heat transfer fluid refrigerant circuits have reversed flow directions.

[0028] It is thus understood that the inlet manifolds of each fluid circuit are located at opposite ends of the two-fluid heat exchangers.

[0029] This optimizes heat exchange between the two fluids.

[0030] The horizontal fixing brackets (3) are arranged at longitudinal ends of the inner walls.

[0031] The horizontal mounting brackets face each other.

[0032] The inner walls of the two exchangers are spaced between 30mm and 200mm apart, preferably 50mm and 130mm.

[0033] Advantageously, this space between the heat exchangers is used to house the controller and / or electronics, taking advantage of the fact that the external walls of the heat exchangers are cool thanks to the coolant, which also helps to regulate the operating temperature of the electronics.

[0034] Heat exchangers have parallelepiped shapes.

[0035] The invention may also relate to a thermal regulation unit comprising a housing including at least one thermal regulation device (100) described above, and mounting brackets (3) including means for fixing said housing.

[0036] The invention may also relate to a thermal regulation system for at least one server, comprising a cooling fluid circuit configured to cool at least one server, characterized in that it comprises a thermal regulation unit or a thermal control device such as described above, the unit or device being configured to cool said fluid in the circuit. The invention may also relate to a method for assembling a thermal regulation device as described above, which comprises the following steps: Provide two dual-fluid heat exchangers, Connect the heat exchangers using manifolds placed between them. Secure at least two horizontal mounting brackets between the inlets and outlets of the fluid circuits to prevent the heat exchangers from moving away from each other, particularly at the fluid inlet and outlet fittings.

[0037] Other advantages and features of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0038] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a thermal regulation device for components or modules to be thermally regulated assembled, according to a first embodiment of the invention, as well as the detail of a horizontal fixing support.

[0039] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a thermal regulation device for components or modules to be thermally regulated without horizontal mounting supports.

[0040] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates part of the thermal regulation device before assembly and without horizontal fixing support, in exploded view, in order to represent the O-rings.

[0041] In these figures, identical elements bear the same reference numbers.

[0042] The following are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features from different embodiments can also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0043] In the description, certain elements can be indexed, for example, "first element" or "second element." In this case, it is simply indexing to differentiate and name similar but not identical elements. This indexing does not imply any priority of one element over another, and such designations can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present invention. Nor does this indexing imply any chronological order.

[0044] Figure 1 schematically represents a first embodiment of a thermal regulation device (100) for a fluid used to cool electronic components, in particular electronic components of at least one computer server, the device (100) comprising: - at least two two-fluid heat exchangers (1) each allowing heat exchange between a refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid, forming in particular condensers, the exchangers (1) being arranged in parallel so as to divide the flows of fluid to be cooled into two, each exchanger (1) comprising an outer wall (11) parallel to an inner wall (12) facing the inner wall (12) of the other exchanger, and the inner wall of each exchanger (1) further comprising an inlet and an outlet of refrigerant, and an inlet and an outlet of heat transfer fluid, so as to form a refrigerant circuit and a heat transfer fluid circuit, - the two exchangers being connected by four manifolds (2) arranged between the inner walls (12) of the two exchangers (1) and connecting the respective fluid inlets of each exchanger and the respective fluid outlets of each exchanger, seals (20), in particular O-rings (20), being further arranged at the junction between each manifold (2) and each heat exchanger (1), - the device (100) being characterized in that the assembly of the two exchangers (1) and the manifolds (2) is reversibly fixed to the fluid inlets and outlets by at least two horizontal fixing supports (3) configured to prevent the heat exchangers from moving away from each other during their use.

[0045] Thus, two exchangers, for example condensers, are connected together, here by two pairs of collectors, in order to allow efficient thermal regulation of the fluid in parallel, which makes it possible to maintain good efficiency with reduced pressure losses.

[0046] A two-fluid heat exchanger is any type of structure that allows heat exchange between two fluids. For example, exchangers can be brazed plate heat exchangers, each consisting of a set of corrugated plates brazed at each point of contact between the plates, thus creating complex channels.

[0047] The assembly of the two exchangers is held together by horizontal fixing supports, which advantageously makes it possible to avoid brazing or laser welding, and thus allow the assembly of a thermal regulation device at a lower cost, and easier transport.

[0048] Figure 1 also includes a zoom of the horizontal mounting bracket to better show how said bracket attaches to the manifolds in order to link them, in particular by translation of its hook-shaped orifices to the manifold tubes, in order to prevent them from separating, while also blocking vertical separation.

[0049] Figure 3 shows the heat exchangers before assembly, in exploded view, in order to see the seals 20 present on the manifolds 2 and their connection with the end fittings 13 which include a shoulder 14 intended to cooperate with the fixing supports 3.

[0050] Figure 2 shows the heat exchangers once assembled, but before the addition of the mounting brackets 3.

[0051] In some embodiments, the inner walls of the two exchangers are separated from each other by a distance of between 30mm and 200mm, preferably 50mm and 130mm.

[0052] The invention also relates to a thermal regulation system for at least one server, comprising a cooling fluid circuit configured to cool F at least one server, characterized in that it includes a thermal regulation device as described above, configured to cool said fluid in the circuit. The invention also relates to a method for assembling a thermal regulation device (100) as described above, which comprises the following steps: Provide two dual-fluid heat exchangers, Connect the heat exchangers using manifolds placed between them. Secure at least two horizontal mounting brackets between the inlets and outlets of the fluid circuits to prevent the heat exchangers from moving away from each other, particularly at the fluid inlet and outlet fittings. LEGEND 1. Heat exchanger 2. Collector 3. Horizontal fixing element 11. Outer wall 12. Inner wall 13. Nozzle forming the fluid inlet or outlet 14. Shoulder 20. Joint 100. Thermal regulation device

Claims

Claims

1. A thermal regulation device (100) for a fluid for cooling electronic components, in particular electronic components of at least one computer server, the device (100) comprising: - at least two two-fluid heat exchangers (1) each allowing heat exchange between a refrigerant and a heat transfer fluid, forming in particular condensers, the exchangers (1) being arranged in parallel so as to divide the flows of fluid to be cooled into two, each exchanger (1) comprising an outer wall (11) parallel to an inner wall (12) facing the inner wall (12) of the other exchanger, and the inner wall of each exchanger (1) further comprising an inlet and an outlet of refrigerant, and an inlet and an outlet of heat transfer fluid, so as to form a refrigerant circuit and a heat transfer fluid circuit, - the two exchangers being connected by four manifolds (2) arranged between the inner walls (12) of the two exchangers (1) and connecting the respective fluid inlets of each exchanger and the respective fluid outlets of each exchanger, seals (20), in particular O-rings (20), being further arranged at the junction between each manifold (2) and each heat exchanger (1), - the device (100) being characterized in that the assembly of the two exchangers (1) and the manifolds (2) is reversibly fixed to the fluid inlets and outlets by at least two horizontal fixing supports (3) configured to prevent the heat exchangers from moving away from each other during their use.

2. Thermal regulation device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the two-fluid heat exchangers have female-type ends forming the fluid inlets and outlets of the two-fluid heat exchangers, the female-type ends facing each other in pairs, the manifolds having male-type ends complementary to said female-type ends, the seals being disposed between the male and female ends.

3. Thermal regulation device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein each mounting bracket (3) is configured to be fixed onto the inlet and outlet ends of the two-fluid heat exchangers once the heat transfer fluid and refrigerant fluid collectors connected to said nozzles, so as to prevent the inlet and outlet nozzles from moving away from each other.

4. Thermal regulation device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein each fixing support having notches, in particular circular notches, complementary to the female type tips, said female type tips further having a shoulder, in particular at their end, of a larger diameter than said notch, configured to be in contact with the fixing support so as to prevent the separation of said female tips from each other.

5. Thermal regulation device (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein each mounting bracket is connected to two inlets of one of the fluid circuits and to two outlets of the other fluid circuit.

6. Thermal control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two heat transfer fluid refrigerant circuits have reversed directions of flow.

7. Thermal regulation device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the horizontal fixing supports (3) are arranged at longitudinal ends of the inner walls.

8. Thermal regulation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner walls of the two exchangers are separated from each other by a distance of between 30mm and 200mm, preferably 50mm and 130mm.

9. Thermal regulation unit comprising a housing including at least one thermal regulation device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, the mounting brackets (3) including means for fixing said housing.

10. Thermal control system for at least one server, comprising a cooling fluid circuit configured to cool at least one server, characterized in that it comprises a thermal control unit according to the preceding claim or a thermal control device according to one of the preceding claims, the unit or device being configured to cool said fluid in the circuit.

11. A method for assembling a thermal regulation device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following steps: Provide two dual-fluid heat exchangers, Connect the heat exchangers using manifolds placed between them. Secure at least two horizontal mounting brackets between the inlets and outlets of the fluid circuits to prevent the heat exchangers from moving away from each other, particularly at the fluid inlet and outlet fittings.

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