Immersion cooling device and method

Abstract

An immersion cooling device and method for automatically controlling a level by supplying and discharging a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid of a main tank through a buffer tank are disclosed. The immersion cooling device according to one embodiment may comprise: a main tank that performs immersion cooling using a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid; a buffer tank that stores the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid; a piping unit including one or more pipes for moving fluid between the main tank and the buffer tank; a sensor unit including one or more sensors for measuring the level of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank and the buffer tank; and a control unit that controls the movement of fluid between the main tank and the buffer tank on the basis of sensor information of the sensor unit.

Description

Liquid immersion cooling device and method

[0001] As a technology for immersion cooling, the present invention relates to an immersion cooling device and method for automatically controlling the level by supplying and discharging a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid of a main tank through a buffer tank.

[0002] Conventional methods for filling a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid into a main tank involve opening the tank's top lid and filling the fluid. However, filling with the lid open exposes the fluid to the outside air, potentially causing fluid diffusion losses and introducing external contaminants.

[0003] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0104864 discloses features of a cooling system for immersion cooling electronic components.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an immersion cooling device and method for automatically controlling the level by supplying and discharging a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid of a main tank through a buffer tank.

[0005] According to one aspect, an immersion cooling device may include a main tank that performs immersion cooling using a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid; a buffer tank that stores the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid; a piping unit including one or more pipes for moving fluid between the main tank and the buffer tank; a sensor unit including one or more sensors for measuring the level of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank and the buffer tank; and a control unit that controls the movement of fluid between the main tank and the buffer tank based on sensor information of the sensor unit.

[0006] The piping unit may include at least one of a first pipe connected to the main tank and the buffer tank and through which non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is supplied, a second pipe connected to the main tank and the buffer tank and through which non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is discharged, a third pipe connected to the first pipe and the second pipe and having a pump for supplying and discharging non-conductive immersion cooling fluid, a fourth pipe connected to the third pipe and through which non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is supplied from the outside, and a fifth pipe connected to the third pipe and through which non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is discharged to the outside.

[0007] The first pipe includes a first valve for the main tank and a second valve for the buffer tank, the third pipe is connected between the first valve and the second valve of the first pipe, the second pipe includes a third valve for the main tank and a fourth valve for the buffer tank, and the third pipe can be connected between the third valve and the fourth valve of the second pipe.

[0008] It may further include a first pressure pipe connected to the main tank and the buffer tank and controlling the pressure balance between the main tank and the buffer tank using a first pressure valve, and a second pressure pipe connecting the buffer tank to the outside and controlling the pressure inside the buffer tank using a second pressure valve.

[0009] The control unit can open the first valve and the fourth valve and drive the pump to move the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the buffer tank to the main tank when the level of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank that performs immersion cooling is below a predetermined level based on sensor information received through the sensor unit.

[0010] The control unit can open the second valve and the third valve and drive the pump to move the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank to the buffer tank when the height of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank that performs immersion cooling is higher than a predetermined height based on sensor information received through the sensor unit.

[0011] The control unit can control the first pressure valve to balance the pressures of the main tank and the buffer tank when driving the pump to supply the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the buffer tank to the main tank.

[0012] The sensor unit includes first to fourth sensors provided in the main tank and a fifth sensor provided in the buffer tank, the first to fourth sensors being photo sensors and provided at different heights of the main tank, and the fifth sensor may be a float sensor.

[0013] The control unit can determine overcharging when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the first to fourth sensors, quantitative charging when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the second to fourth sensors, undercharging when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the third and fourth sensors, charging error when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the fourth sensor, and complete discharge when no non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the first to fourth sensors.

[0014] The non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is an ideal immersion cooling fluid, and the main tank may include a condenser for condensing the vaporized non-conductive immersion cooling fluid.

[0015] The third piping may further include a filter at the output end of the pump.

[0016] According to one aspect, a method of immersion cooling performed in a computing device having one or more processors and a memory storing one or more programs executed by the one or more processors includes the steps of: receiving sensor information from one or more sensors for measuring a level of a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in a main tank and a buffer tank; and controlling fluid movement between the main tank and the buffer tank based on the sensor information, wherein the main tank performs immersion cooling using the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid, the buffer tank stores the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid, and the main tank and the buffer tank can be connected by a piping unit including one or more pipes for fluid movement between the main tank and the buffer tank.

[0017] The controlling step may open the first valve and the fourth valve and drive the pump to move the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the buffer tank to the main tank when the level of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank performing immersion cooling is below a predetermined level based on sensor information.

[0018] The controlling step may open the second valve and the third valve and drive the pump to move the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank to the buffer tank when the height of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank that performs immersion cooling based on sensor information is higher than a predetermined height.

[0019] The controlling step may be to control the first pressure valve to balance the pressures of the main tank and the buffer tank when the pump is driven to supply the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the buffer tank to the main tank.

[0020] The controlling step can be determined as overcharging if non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the first to fourth sensors, quantitative charging if non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the second to fourth sensors, undercharging if non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the third and fourth sensors, charging error if non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the fourth sensor, and complete discharge if no non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the first to fourth sensors.

[0021] Non-conductive immersion cooling fluid can be supplied and discharged to automatically control the level, preventing fluid loss and contamination.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an immersion cooling device according to one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the configuration of an immersion cooling device according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIGS. 3 to 12 are exemplary diagrams for explaining an operating method of an immersion cooling device according to one embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an immersion cooling method according to one embodiment.

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions or configurations will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on their functions in the present invention and may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator. Therefore, their definitions should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the liquid immersion cooling device and method are described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an immersion cooling device according to one embodiment.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the immersion cooling device (100) may include a main tank (110) that performs immersion cooling using a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid, a buffer tank (120) that stores the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid, a piping unit (130) including one or more piping for fluid movement between the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120), a sensor unit (140) including one or more sensors for measuring the height of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120), and a control unit (150) that controls fluid movement between the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120) based on sensor information of the sensor unit (140).

[0030] For example, immersion cooling refers to a method of dissipating heat by immersing electronic products, batteries, servers, etc. in a non-conductive liquid that does not conduct electricity. To this end, an appropriate amount of non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is stored in the main tank (110) where immersion cooling is performed, and the device to be cooled can be immersed in the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid and operate. At this time, the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid may be lost due to phenomena such as evaporation or leakage during the immersion cooling process, and to solve this problem, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate height by charging or discharging the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the pipe section (130) may include at least one of a first pipe (131) connected to the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120) and through which non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is supplied, a second pipe (132) connected to the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120) and through which non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is discharged, a third pipe (133) connected to the first pipe (131) and the second pipe (132) and having a pump (181) for supplying and discharging non-conductive immersion cooling fluid, a fourth pipe (134) connected to the third pipe (133) and through which non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is supplied from the outside, and a fifth pipe (135) connected to the third pipe (133) and through which non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is discharged to the outside.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the first pipe (131) includes a first valve (161) for the main tank (110) and a second valve (162) for the buffer tank (120), and the third pipe (133) can be connected between the first valve (161) and the second valve (162) of the first pipe (131). For example, the control unit (150) can control the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid supplied to the main tank (110) by opening and closing the first valve (161), and can control the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid supplied to the buffer tank (120) by opening and closing the second valve (162).

[0033] According to an example, the second pipe (132) includes a third valve (163) for the main tank (110) and a fourth valve (164) for the buffer tank (120), and the third pipe can be connected between the third valve (163) and the fourth valve (164) of the second pipe (132). For example, the control unit (150) can control the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid discharged from the main tank (110) by opening and closing the third valve (163), and can control the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid discharged from the buffer tank (120) by opening and closing the fourth valve (164).

[0034] According to one embodiment, a first pressure pipe is connected to a main tank (110) and a buffer tank (120), and a pressure balance between the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120) can be controlled using a first pressure valve (171). In addition, a second pressure pipe connects the buffer tank (120) to the outside, and a second pressure valve (172) can be used to control the pressure inside the buffer tank (120).

[0035] For example, when the control unit (150) drives the pump to supply the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the buffer tank (120) to the main tank (110), the control unit (150) can control the first pressure valve to balance the pressures of the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120). For example, when the amount of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid in the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120) changes, the pressure inside the sealed tank may change. In this case, the control unit (150) can control the first pressure valve (171) and the second pressure valve (172) to adjust the pressure inside the tank.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit (140) may include at least one of the first sensor (141) to the fourth sensor (144) provided in the main tank (110) and the fifth sensor (145) provided in the buffer tank (120). For example, the first sensor (141) to the fourth sensor (144) may be photo sensors and may be provided at different heights of the main tank (110). The fifth sensor (145) may be a float sensor.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the control unit (150) may determine overcharging when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the first sensor (141) to the fourth sensor (144), quantitative charging when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the second sensor (142) to the fourth sensor (144), undercharging when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the third sensor (143) and the fourth sensor (144), charging error when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the fourth sensor, and complete discharge when no non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the first sensor (141) to the fourth sensor (144).

[0038] For example, a charging error corresponds to a height at which the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid has difficulty performing its cooling function, which may result in overheating of the device. Accordingly, if a charging error is determined, the control unit (150) may halt operation of the entire system.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the control unit (150) may open the first valve (161) and the fourth valve (164) and drive the pump (181) to move the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the buffer tank (120) to the main tank (110) when the height of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank (110) performing immersion cooling is below a predetermined height based on sensor information received through the sensor unit (140).

[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit (150) can supply the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the buffer tank (120) to the main tank (110) without an external supply. For example, the control unit (150) can control the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid to move from the buffer tank (120) to the main tank (110) by opening the first valve (161) for filling the main tank and the fourth valve (164) for discharging the buffer tank, and can operate the pump (181). In addition, the control unit (150) can control the first pressure valve (171) for pressure balance control to be opened so that the pressures of the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120) can be maintained at a predetermined optimal value.

[0041] According to an example, the control unit (150) can check the level of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid based on the sensor information of the sensor unit (140). For example, when the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is supplied to the main tank (110) and reaches a reference level, the control unit (150) can stop the operation of the pump (181) and close the first valve (161), the fourth valve (164), and the first pressure valve (171) to complete the filling of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the control unit (150) opens the second valve (162) and the third valve (163) and drives the pump (181) to move the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank (110) to the buffer tank (120) when the height of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank (110) that performs immersion cooling is higher than a predetermined height based on the sensor information received through the sensor unit (140).

[0043] Referring to FIG. 4, the control unit (150) can discharge the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank (110) to the buffer tank. For example, the control unit (150) can control the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid to move from the main tank (110) to the buffer tank (120) by opening the third valve (163) for discharging the main tank and the second valve (162) for filling the buffer tank, and can operate the pump (181). In addition, the control unit (150) can control the first pressure valve (171) for pressure balance control to be opened so that the pressures of the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120) can be maintained at a predetermined optimal value.

[0044] According to an example, when the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is discharged from the main tank (110) and reaches the reference level, the control unit (150) stops the operation of the pump (181) and closes the third valve (163), the second valve (162), and the first pressure valve (171) to complete the discharge of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid.

[0045] According to an example, the control unit (150) can supply a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid from the outside and simultaneously charge the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120). Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit (150) can control the opening of the first valve (161) and the second valve (162) so that the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid can be supplied to the main tank and the buffer tank through the third valve (163) connected to the external charging port, and can operate the pump (181). In addition, the control unit (150) can open the first pressure valve (171) and the second pressure valve (172) for air purge so that the pressures of the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120) can be maintained at predetermined optimal values.

[0046] For example, the control unit (150) can control through sensors provided in each tank. For example, the control unit (150) can use the sensor values ​​of the second sensor (142) to check the main tank during the charging process, and the fifth sensor (145) to check the buffer tank. At this time, for convenience of explanation, if the sensor satisfies a predetermined condition, it can be indicated as 'O', and if it is not satisfied, it can be indicated as 'X'.

[0047] For example, when the main tank reference level is O and the buffer tank reference level is X, the control unit (150) can close the first valve (161) and the first pressure valve (171) to stop filling the main tank and continue filling the buffer tank. Thereafter, when the main tank reference level is O and the buffer tank reference level is O, the control unit (150) can stop the operation of the pump (181) and close the second valve (162) and the second pressure valve (172) to stop filling the fluid.

[0048] For another example, when the main tank reference level is X and the buffer tank reference level is O, the control unit (150) can close the second valve (162) to stop filling the buffer tank and continue filling the main tank. Thereafter, when the main tank reference level is O and the buffer tank reference level is O, the control unit (150) can stop the operation of the pump (181) and close the first valve (161), the first pressure valve (171), and the second pressure valve (172) to stop filling the fluid.

[0049] According to one example, the control unit (150) can simultaneously discharge non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank (110) and the buffer tank (120) through the fifth pipe (135), which is an external connection discharge port.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, the control unit (150) can open the third valve (163) and the fourth valve (164) related to fluid discharge so that the fluid can flow from the main tank and the buffer tank to the discharge port, and can operate the pump (181). In addition, the control unit (150) can open the first pressure valve (171) and the second pressure valve (172) so that the pressures of the main tank and the buffer tank can be maintained at a predetermined optimal value.

[0051] For example, the control unit (150) can use sensor information to determine that the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid has been discharged from the main tank and the buffer tank and has reached the reference level of each tank. For example, the control unit (150) can operate using sensor information from the fourth sensor (144) provided in the main tank and the fifth sensor (145) provided in the buffer tank.

[0052] For example, when the main tank reference level is O and the buffer tank reference level is X, the control unit (150) can close the third valve (163) and the first pressure valve (171) to stop the discharge of the main tank and continue the discharge of the buffer tank. Thereafter, when the main tank reference level is O and the buffer tank reference level is O, the control unit (150) can stop the operation of the pump (181) and close the fourth valve (164) and the second pressure valve (172) to stop the discharge of the fluid.

[0053] For another example, when the main tank reference level is X and the buffer tank reference level is O, the control unit (150) can close the fourth valve (164) to stop the discharge of the buffer tank and continue the discharge of the main tank. Thereafter, when the main tank reference level is O and the buffer tank reference level is O, the control unit (150) can stop the operation of the pump (181) and close the third valve (163), the first pressure valve (171), and the second pressure valve (172) to stop the discharge of the fluid.

[0054] In one example, the control unit (150) can fill the main tank (110) using an external connection charging port. Referring to FIG. 7, the control unit (150) can open the first valve (161) to control the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid to flow from the charging port to the main tank, and can operate the pump (181). In addition, the control unit (150) can open the first pressure valve (171) and the second pressure valve (172) so that the pressure of the main tank can be maintained at a predetermined optimal value. When the fluid is supplied to the main tank and reaches a reference level, the control unit (150) can stop the operation of the pump (181) and close the first valve (161), the first pressure valve (171), and the second pressure valve (172) to stop the fluid filling.

[0055] In one example, the control unit (150) can discharge the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid of the main tank (110) using the external connection charging port. Referring to FIG. 8, the control unit (150) can control the opening of the third valve (163) so that the fluid can flow from the main tank to the discharge port, and can operate the pump (181). In addition, the control unit (150) can open the first pressure valve (171) and the second pressure valve (172) so that the pressure of the main tank can be maintained at a predetermined optimal value. When the fluid is discharged from the main tank and reaches a reference level and the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is not detected by the fourth sensor (144), the control unit (150) can stop the operation of the pump (181) and close the third valve (163), the first pressure valve (171), and the second pressure valve (172) to stop the fluid discharge.

[0056] According to one example, the control unit (150) can supply a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid to the buffer tank (120) using an external connection charging port. Referring to FIG. 9, the control unit (150) can control the opening of the second valve (162) to allow the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid to move from the charging port to the buffer tank, and can operate the pump (181). In addition, the second pressure valve (172) can be opened so that the pressure of the buffer tank can be maintained at a predetermined optimal value. When the fluid is supplied to the buffer tank and reaches a reference level, the control unit (150) can stop the operation of the pump (181) based on the sensor information of the fifth sensor (145), and close the second valve (162) and the second pressure valve (172) to stop the fluid charging.

[0057] According to an example, the control unit (150) can discharge the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid of the buffer tank (120) using the external connection discharge port. Referring to FIG. 10, the control unit (150) can control the opening of the fourth valve (164) so ​​that the fluid can flow from the buffer tank to the discharge port and operate the pump (181). In addition, the control unit (150) can open the second pressure valve (172) so that the pressure of the buffer tank can be maintained at a predetermined optimal value. When the fluid is discharged from the buffer tank and reaches a reference level, the control unit (150) can stop the operation of the pump (181) based on the sensor information of the fifth sensor (145) and close the fourth valve (164) and the second pressure valve (172) to stop the discharge of the fluid.

[0058] In one example, the third pipe (163) may further include a filter (182) at the output end of the pump (181). For example, the filter may perform the functions of removing foreign substances, removing hydrocarbons, or removing moisture.

[0059] For example, filters generally have a porous structure and can be selected according to the size, shape, concentration, etc. of the particles. The filter composition includes a filter medium including a support structure such as a metal mesh, and a metal housing that allows the fluid to pass through the filter medium evenly during filtering and prevents static electricity accumulation for external protection purposes, and is sealed with a seal such as silicone, NBR, or EPDM to prevent external leakage.

[0060] For example, foreign matter removal relies on physically blocking fine solid particles drifting with the fluid. Particles larger than the pores of the filter media cannot pass through and are instead trapped on the filter surface or within. Therefore, the pores of the filter must be extremely fine, and materials with multilayer structures and high chemical resistance, such as polypropylene, or materials such as cellulose, which can be made by weaving fibers, can be used.

[0061] For example, organic compound removal can be done by using activated carbon to remove inert hydrocarbons (e.g. DOP, PDMS, etc.) and chemically activated hydrocarbons (e.g. soldering flux) released from elastomers, PVC insulators, foams, adhesives, soldering fluxes, etc. Activated carbon can be used to remove these. Activated carbon has a porous structure, and organic compounds and non-polar molecules (e.g. DOP, PDMS) can enter the pores and be adsorbed on the activated carbon surface by weak intermolecular interactions such as van der Waals forces, while chemically activated hydrocarbon (VOCs) molecules can be adsorbed on the activated carbon surface by weak chemical bonds.

[0062] For example, filters made of silica gel or activated alumina can be used to remove moisture. However, activated alumina has a relatively more uniform and finer pore structure than silica gel, so it has excellent adsorption performance under conditions of low water solubility and high chemical stability. Activated alumina is a porous medium made by activating aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and is mainly used to adsorb polar compounds and moisture. The filters have complementary properties, and their combination enables comprehensive contaminant removal, but appropriate filtering control is required depending on the operating conditions.

[0063] For example, pipe duplication can be implemented as a countermeasure against pump failures, etc. For example, in a single structure, a failure in the pump (181) can result in a single point of failure (SPOF) that renders all functions unusable. To address this, the third pipe (163) can be duplicated, as shown in Fig. 11. Here, the inclusion of filters (182, 183) in each channel is intended to enable operation even when the filters are replaced.

[0064] For example, the sensors (141 to 144) provided in the main tank (110) are optical level sensors that can be installed in a pipe made of a transparent material and operate by measuring changes in the amount of light reaching the receiver from the transmitter due to light scattering / absorption depending on the presence or absence of liquid. Therefore, since measurement is only possible for the presence or absence of liquid at the sensor location, a sensor for each location is required to measure the height of the liquid.

[0065] The sensor (145) provided in the buffer tank (120) is an analog output float level sensor. The float, which is a buoyant body floating on the surface of the fluid, moves up and down according to the height of the fluid, and the mechanical or electronic mechanism inside the sensor converts this movement into an analog signal so that the level change of the fluid can be continuously detected. This allows for precise level control, but the float is affected by the fluid flow, and since the float moves mechanically due to buoyancy, there is a possibility of foreign substances being generated due to friction. In addition, it can occupy more space than an optical level sensor.

[0066] In one embodiment, the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is an ideal immersion cooling fluid, and the main tank (110) may include a condenser for condensing the vaporized non-conductive immersion cooling fluid.

[0067] For example, in a two-phase immersion cooling device using phase change, when vapor bubbles generated on the surface of the electronic device (solid-liquid boundary) exceed a certain size, they separate from the boundary and rise to the liquid surface due to the density difference of the fluid. Therefore, if a float level sensor is installed in the main tank, the generated vapor bubbles randomly float to the free surface, forming surface turbulence, which causes random level displacement, which can cause measurement reliability issues of the float level sensor. In order to suppress this turbulent movement, a guide tube must be installed around the float. Conversely, if an optical level sensor is installed at a point greater than the level displacement due to surface turbulence, its effect can be ignored. Accordingly, the main tank is the space where the electronic device is installed and experiences greater temperature changes than the buffer tank, so the utility of the optical level sensor is high.

[0068] In one example, two or more main tanks may be connected to a single buffer tank. Referring to FIG. 12, two main tanks (110-1, 110-2) may be connected to a single buffer tank (120), and the method of controlling each of them may operate in the same manner as in the above embodiments.

[0069] Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an immersion cooling method according to one embodiment.

[0070] As an example, the liquid immersion cooling device may be a computing device having one or more processors and a memory storing one or more programs to be executed by the one or more processors.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the immersion cooling device receives sensor information from one or more sensors for measuring the level of non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank and the buffer tank (1310), and can control the movement of fluid between the main tank and the buffer tank based on the sensor information (1320).

[0072] Through this, the main tank performs immersion cooling using a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid, and the buffer tank can store the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid. In addition, the main tank and the buffer tank can be connected by a piping section including one or more piping for fluid movement between the main tank and the buffer tank.

[0073] Among the embodiments of Fig. 13, embodiments that overlap with the contents described with reference to Figs. 1 to 12 are omitted.

[0074] In addition, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to a two-phase immersion cooling device, and can also be applied to a single-phase immersion cooling device.

[0075] One aspect of the present invention can be implemented as computer-readable code on a computer-readable recording medium. Codes and code segments implementing the above program can be easily inferred by a computer programmer in the art. The computer-readable recording medium may include any type of recording device that stores data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disk, etc. Furthermore, the computer-readable recording medium may be distributed across network-connected computer systems, so that the computer-readable code can be written and executed in a distributed manner.

[0076] The present invention has been described above, focusing on preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in modified forms without departing from its essential characteristics. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, but should be interpreted to encompass various embodiments within the scope equivalent to the claims.

[0077] The present invention can be used in the liquid immersion cooling industry.

Claims

1. A main tank that performs immersion cooling using a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid; A buffer tank storing a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid; A piping section including one or more pipes for fluid movement between the main tank and the buffer tank; A sensor unit including one or more sensors for measuring the level of non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank and the buffer tank; and An immersion cooling device comprising a control unit that controls the movement of fluid between the main tank and the buffer tank based on sensor information of the sensor unit.

2. In paragraph 1, The above piping section A first pipe connected to the main tank and the buffer tank and supplied with a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid; A second pipe connected to the main tank and the buffer tank, through which a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is discharged; A third pipe connected to the first and second pipes and equipped with a pump for supplying and discharging non-conductive immersion cooling fluid; A fourth pipe connected to the third pipe and supplied with non-conductive immersion cooling fluid from the outside; and An immersion cooling device, comprising at least one of a fifth pipe connected to the third pipe and discharging a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid to the outside.

3. In paragraph 2, The first pipe includes a first valve for the main tank and a second valve for the buffer tank, and the third pipe is connected between the first valve and the second valve of the first pipe, An immersion cooling device, wherein the second pipe includes a third valve for the main tank and a fourth valve for the buffer tank, and the third pipe is connected between the third valve and the fourth valve of the second pipe.

4. In paragraph 3, A first pressure pipe connected to the main tank and the buffer tank and controlling the pressure balance between the main tank and the buffer tank using a first pressure valve; and An immersion cooling device further comprising a second pressure pipe connecting the buffer tank to the outside and controlling the pressure inside the buffer tank using a second pressure valve.

5. In paragraph 4, The above control unit An immersion cooling device, which opens the first valve and the fourth valve and drives the pump to move the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the buffer tank to the main tank when the height of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank that performs immersion cooling based on the sensor information received through the sensor unit is below a predetermined height.

6. In paragraph 4, The above control unit An immersion cooling device, wherein when the height of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank that performs immersion cooling based on the sensor information received through the sensor unit is higher than a predetermined height, the second valve and the third valve are opened and the pump is driven to move the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank to the buffer tank.

7. In paragraph 5, The above control unit An immersion cooling device that supplies non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in a buffer tank to a main tank by driving the pump, and controls the first pressure valve to balance the pressures of the main tank and the buffer tank.

8. In paragraph 1, The above sensor part It includes the first to fourth sensors provided in the main tank and the fifth sensor provided in the buffer tank, The first to fourth sensors are photo sensors and are installed at different heights of the main tank. The fifth sensor is a float sensor, an immersion cooling device.

9. In paragraph 8, The above control unit An immersion cooling device, wherein if non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the first to fourth sensors, it is determined as overcharging; if non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the second to fourth sensors, it is determined as quantitative charging; if non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the third and fourth sensors, it is determined as undercharging; if non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the fourth sensor, it is determined as a charging error; and if no non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the first to fourth sensors, it is determined as complete discharge.

10. In paragraph 1, An immersion cooling device, wherein the main tank includes a condenser for condensing vaporized non-conductive immersion cooling fluid.

11. In paragraph 2, An immersion cooling device, wherein the third pipe further includes a filter at the output end of the pump.

12. One or more processors, and A method performed in a computing device having a memory storing one or more programs executed by one or more processors, A step of receiving sensor information from one or more sensors for measuring the level of non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank and the buffer tank; and A step of controlling fluid movement between the main tank and the buffer tank based on the sensor information, The above main tank performs immersion cooling using a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid, The above buffer tank stores a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid, An immersion cooling method, wherein the main tank and the buffer tank are connected by a piping section including one or more pipes for fluid movement between the main tank and the buffer tank.

13. In paragraph 12, The above piping section A first pipe connected to the main tank and the buffer tank and supplied with a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid; A second pipe connected to the main tank and the buffer tank, through which a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is discharged; A third pipe connected to the first and second pipes and equipped with a pump for supplying and discharging non-conductive immersion cooling fluid; A fourth pipe connected to the third pipe and supplied with non-conductive immersion cooling fluid from the outside; and An immersion cooling method, comprising at least one of a fifth pipe connected to a third pipe and discharging a non-conductive immersion cooling fluid to the outside.

14. In paragraph 13, The first pipe includes a first valve for the main tank and a second valve for the buffer tank, and the third pipe is connected between the first valve and the second valve of the first pipe, An immersion cooling method, wherein the second pipe includes a third valve for the main tank and a fourth valve for the buffer tank, and the third pipe is connected between the third valve and the fourth valve of the second pipe.

15. In paragraph 14, A first pressure pipe connected to the main tank and the buffer tank and controlling the pressure balance between the main tank and the buffer tank using a first pressure valve; and An immersion cooling method further comprising a second pressure pipe connecting the buffer tank to the outside and controlling the pressure inside the buffer tank using a second pressure valve.

16. In paragraph 15, The above controlling steps are An immersion cooling method, wherein when the height of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank performing immersion cooling based on the above sensor information is below a predetermined height, the first valve and the fourth valve are opened and the pump is driven to move the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the buffer tank to the main tank.

17. In paragraph 15, The above controlling steps are An immersion cooling method, wherein when the height of the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank performing immersion cooling based on the above sensor information is greater than a predetermined height, the second valve and the third valve are opened and the pump is driven to move the non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the main tank to the buffer tank.

18. In paragraph 16, The above controlling steps are An immersion cooling method in which the pump is driven to supply non-conductive immersion cooling fluid stored in the buffer tank to the main tank, and the first pressure valve is controlled to balance the pressures of the main tank and the buffer tank.

19. In paragraph 12, One or more of the above sensors It includes the first to fourth sensors provided in the main tank and the fifth sensor provided in the buffer tank, The first to fourth sensors are photo sensors and are installed at different heights of the main tank. The fifth sensor is a float sensor, an immersion cooling method.

20. In paragraph 19, The above controlling steps are An immersion cooling method, wherein overcharging is determined when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the first to fourth sensors, quantitative charging is determined when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the second to fourth sensors, undercharging is determined when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the third and fourth sensors, a charging error is determined when non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the fourth sensor, and complete discharging is determined when no non-conductive immersion cooling fluid is detected by the first to fourth sensors.

21. In paragraph 12, An immersion cooling method, wherein the main tank includes a condenser for condensing vaporized non-conductive immersion cooling fluid.

22. In paragraph 13, An immersion cooling method, wherein the third pipe further includes a filter at the output end of the pump.

Images