Negative-pressure liquid cooling distribution system and data center

Abstract

A negative-pressure liquid cooling distribution system and a data center. The negative-pressure liquid cooling distribution system comprises a negative-pressure liquid cooling distribution unit and a negative pressure generation device, wherein the negative-pressure liquid cooling distribution unit comprises a first liquid tank, a second liquid tank and a circulation pump; a liquid outlet of the second liquid tank is configured to be connected to a liquid intake end of a cooling structure of a server, and a liquid inlet of the first liquid tank is configured to be connected to a liquid output end of the cooling structure; the negative pressure generation device is connected to the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank and is configured to enable the absolute pressure in each of the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank to be lower than the atmospheric pressure; the negative-pressure liquid cooling distribution unit has a first state; in the first state, the absolute pressure of the first liquid tank and the absolute pressure of the second liquid tank are both lower than the atmospheric pressure, and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank is higher than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank; and the circulation pump is connected between the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank and is configured to pump a cooling medium in the first liquid tank to the second liquid tank.

Description

Negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system and data center

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510354053.1, filed on March 24, 2025, entitled "Negative Pressure Liquid Cooling Distribution System and Data Center", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to the technical field of server heat dissipation, specifically to a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system and a data center. Background Technology

[0004] To improve server heat dissipation, liquid cooling technology has become an efficient and widely used solution. Liquid cooling rapidly removes heat through direct or indirect contact between the cooling medium and the server. Compared to traditional air cooling, liquid cooling offers higher heat dissipation efficiency, lower energy consumption, and less noise. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This content section is provided to briefly introduce the concepts, which will be described in detail in the subsequent detailed description section. This content section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed technical solution, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed technical solution.

[0006] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system, including a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit and a negative pressure generating device, wherein the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit includes a first liquid tank, a second liquid tank and a circulation pump;

[0007] The outlet of the second liquid tank is used to connect to the inlet of the server's cooling structure, and the inlet of the first liquid tank is used to connect to the outlet of the cooling structure.

[0008] The negative pressure generating device is connected to the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank. The negative pressure generating device is configured to make the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank less than atmospheric pressure. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit has a first state. In the first state, the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank are both less than atmospheric pressure, and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank is greater than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank. This allows the cooling medium in the second liquid tank to flow out of the second liquid tank under the pressure difference between the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank, and return to the first liquid tank after flowing through the cooling structure.

[0009] The inlet of the circulating pump is connected to the outlet of the first liquid tank, and the outlet of the circulating pump is connected to the inlet of the second liquid tank. The circulating pump is used to pump the cooling medium in the first liquid tank to the second liquid tank.

[0010] Secondly, this disclosure provides a data center, including a server and a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system as described above, wherein the liquid inlet of the server's cooling structure is connected to the liquid outlet of the second liquid tank of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system, and the liquid outlet of the server's cooling structure is connected to the liquid inlet of the first liquid tank of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system.

[0011] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. It should be understood that the drawings are schematic, and the originals and elements are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system provided in the first exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, wherein the cooling structure of the server is also schematically shown, and the arrows indicate the flow direction of the cooling medium.

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system provided in the second exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, wherein the cooling structure of the server is also schematically shown, and the arrows indicate the flow direction of the cooling medium.

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system provided in the third exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, wherein the arrow indicates the flow direction of the cooling medium.

[0016] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system provided in the fourth exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, wherein the arrow indicates the flow direction of the cooling medium.

[0017] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100-Negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system; 10-Negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit; 11-First liquid tank; 12-Second liquid tank; 13-Circulation pump; 14-First vent valve; 15-Second vent valve; 16-Heat exchanger; 17-First switching valve; 18-Second switching valve; 20-Negative pressure generating device; 21-Vacuum pump; 22-First extraction pipe; 23-Second extraction pipe; 24-Third switching valve; 25-Fourth switching valve; 26-First vacuum pump; 27-Second vacuum pump; 30-Cooling structure; 31-Liquid inlet; 32-Liquid outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of this disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0019] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein are open-ended inclusions, meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". Definitions of other terms will be given in the following description.

[0020] It should be noted that the concepts of "first" and "second" mentioned in this disclosure are used only to distinguish different devices, modules or units, and are not used to limit the order of functions performed by these devices, modules or units or their interdependencies.

[0021] It should be noted that the terms "a" and "a plurality of" used in this disclosure are illustrative rather than restrictive, and those skilled in the art should understand that, unless otherwise expressly indicated in the context, they should be understood as "one or more".

[0022] In the description of this disclosure, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "connect," "link," and "install" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0023] As mentioned above, liquid cooling technology has become a highly efficient and widely used solution for improving server heat dissipation. Liquid cooling rapidly removes heat through direct or indirect contact between the cooling medium and the server. Compared to traditional air cooling, liquid cooling offers higher heat dissipation efficiency, lower energy consumption, and less noise. In related technologies, a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system (i.e., negative pressure CDU) is typically used to supply liquid to the server's cooling structure to prevent leakage. However, this negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system is complex in structure, expensive, has low reliability, and experiences significant pressure fluctuations, which are detrimental to server heat dissipation.

[0024] Therefore, embodiments of this disclosure provide a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system. With the provided technical solution, when the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system is applied to server heat dissipation, the negative pressure generating device ensures that the absolute pressure of both the first and second liquid tanks is less than atmospheric pressure (i.e., both the first and second liquid tanks are under negative pressure), and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank is greater than that in the first liquid tank. That is, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit can be in a first state. Under the pressure difference between the first and second liquid tanks (which can be understood as the suction force of the first liquid tank on the liquid being greater than that of the second liquid tank), the cooling medium can flow out of the second liquid tank, pass through the cooling structure, and then flow back to the first liquid tank. The cooling medium exchanges heat with the server as it passes through the cooling structure, thereby achieving heat dissipation and cooling of the server. Because the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank is greater than that in the first liquid tank, the circulation pump can provide driving force to overcome the pressure difference between the second and first liquid tanks, pumping the cooling medium from the first liquid tank into the second liquid tank. In this way, the cooling medium circulates between the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system and the server's cooling structure.

[0025] In other words, this disclosure achieves the flow of the cooling medium between the second liquid tank, the cooling structure, and the first liquid tank by creating a pressure difference between the first and second liquid tanks, and further achieves the flow of the cooling medium between the first and second liquid tanks through a circulation pump, ultimately realizing the circulation of the cooling medium between the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system and the server's cooling structure. Compared with the cavity-type negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system in related technologies, this disclosure does not require frequent switching of the pressure between the first and second liquid tanks during the circulation of the cooling medium between the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system and the server's cooling structure. It only requires ensuring that the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank is greater than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank, and that the circulation pump is activated. Thus, on the one hand, it reduces the number of valves in the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system, simplifies the structural complexity of the system, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving system reliability; on the other hand, it reduces the increased energy consumption, control costs, and difficulty caused by frequent pressure switching between the first and second liquid tanks; furthermore, since the pressure of the first and second liquid tanks does not need to be frequently switched, the pressure fluctuation of the cooling medium is smaller, which is beneficial for improving the heat dissipation effect on the server.

[0026] Furthermore, since the negative pressure generating device can make the absolute pressure of both the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank less than atmospheric pressure, the absolute pressure of the connecting pipes between the first liquid tank and the cooling structure, the connecting pipes between the second liquid tank and the cooling structure, and the cooling structure are all less than atmospheric pressure, i.e., they are in a negative pressure state. Even if any one of the connecting pipes between the first liquid tank and the cooling structure, the connecting pipes between the second liquid tank and the cooling structure, or the cooling structure is damaged, the cooling medium will not leak into the external environment under the action of negative pressure.

[0027] To prevent leakage of the cooling medium in the liquid cooling system, a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system is usually used to provide the cooling medium to the server's cooling structure. Unlike a positive pressure liquid cooling distribution system, a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system ensures that the absolute pressure of the pipes connecting the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system to the server's cooling structure is less than atmospheric pressure. In this way, even if the pipes or cooling structure connecting the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system to the server's cooling structure are damaged during use, the cooling medium cannot leak in large quantities into the external environment.

[0028] In related technologies, to enable the liquid to circulate between the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system and the server's cooling structure, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system typically includes at least two liquid tanks (e.g., the first and second tanks mentioned below), vacuum valves connected to the at least two liquid tanks, and multiple pipelines and valves. When the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system is operating, the pressure of the two liquid tanks needs to be continuously switched via valves and a vacuum pump (e.g., ensuring the absolute pressure in the first tank is greater than the absolute pressure in the second tank within a first time period, and the absolute pressure in the second tank is greater than the absolute pressure in the first tank within a second time period) to maintain a continuous pressure difference between the two tanks, driving the liquid circulation (i.e., the cooling medium flows from the first tank to the server's cooling structure, then back from the cooling structure to the second tank, and then back from the second tank to the first tank). This type of negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system, which requires frequent pressure switching between the two liquid tanks, is commonly referred to as a cavity-type negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system.

[0029] Because the cavity-type rotary negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system requires the operation of vacuum pumps and valves to frequently switch the pressure in the two liquid tanks in order to achieve the circulation of the cooling medium, on the one hand, the cavity-type rotary negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system has a complex structure and high cost, and too many valves and frequent pressure switching operations will reduce the system reliability; on the other hand, the vacuum pump needs to run continuously for a long time, which is not conducive to energy saving and leads to a decrease in system reliability; furthermore, during the pressure switching process, the pressure fluctuation of the cooling medium is large, which is not conducive to the cooling effect of the server.

[0030] In view of this, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, according to a first aspect of this disclosure, a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 is provided, including a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 and a negative pressure generating device 20. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 includes a first liquid tank 11, a second liquid tank 12, and a circulating pump 13. The outlet of the second liquid tank 12 is used to connect to the inlet 31 of the cooling structure 30 of the server, and the inlet of the first liquid tank 11 is used to connect to the outlet 32 ​​of the cooling structure 30. The negative pressure generating device 20 is connected to the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12. The negative pressure generating device 20 is configured to make the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11 and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 less than atmospheric pressure. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 has a first state. In the first state, the absolute pressure of the first liquid tank 11 and the absolute pressure of the second liquid tank 12 are both less than atmospheric pressure, and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is greater than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11. This allows the cooling medium in the second liquid tank 12 to flow out of the second liquid tank 12 under the action of the pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, and return to the first liquid tank 11 after flowing through the cooling structure 30. The inlet of the circulation pump 13 is connected to the outlet of the first liquid tank 11, and the outlet of the circulation pump 13 is connected to the inlet of the second liquid tank 12. The circulation pump 13 is used to pump the cooling medium in the first liquid tank 11 to the second liquid tank 12.

[0031] With the above technical solution, when the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 is applied to server heat dissipation, since the negative pressure generating device 20 can make the absolute pressure of both the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 less than atmospheric pressure (i.e., both the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 are under negative pressure), and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is greater than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 can be in a first state. Under the action of the pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 (which can be understood as the suction force of the first liquid tank 11 on the liquid being greater than that of the second liquid tank 12), the cooling medium can flow out from the second liquid tank 12, pass through the cooling structure 30, and flow back to the first liquid tank 11. When the cooling medium passes through the cooling structure 30, it exchanges heat with the server, thereby achieving heat dissipation and cooling of the server. Because the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is greater than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11, the circulation pump 13 can provide driving force to overcome the pressure difference between the second liquid tank 12 and the first liquid tank 11, pumping the cooling medium in the first liquid tank 11 into the second liquid tank 12. This achieves the circulation of the cooling medium between the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system and the server's cooling structure 30.

[0032] In other words, this disclosure achieves the flow of the cooling medium between the second liquid tank 12, the cooling structure 30, and the first liquid tank 11 by creating a pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, and further achieves the flow of the cooling medium between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 by using a circulation pump 13, ultimately realizing the circulation of the cooling medium between the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system and the server's cooling structure 30. Compared with the cavity-type negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system in related technologies, this disclosure does not require frequent pressure switching between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 during the circulation of the cooling medium between the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system and the server's cooling structure 30. It only requires ensuring that the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is greater than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11, and that the circulation pump 13 is activated. In this way, on the one hand, the number of valves in the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 can be reduced, simplifying the structural complexity of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and improving system reliability; on the other hand, the increase in energy consumption, control costs and difficulties caused by frequent switching of the pressure of the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 can be reduced; furthermore, since the pressure of the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 does not need to be switched frequently, the pressure fluctuation of the cooling medium is small, which is conducive to improving the heat dissipation effect on the server.

[0033] Furthermore, since the negative pressure generating device 20 can make the absolute pressure of both the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 less than atmospheric pressure, the absolute pressure of the connecting pipes between the first liquid tank 11 and the cooling structure 30, the connecting pipes between the second liquid tank 12 and the cooling structure 30, and the cooling structure are all less than atmospheric pressure, i.e., in a negative pressure state. Even if any one of the connecting pipes between the first liquid tank 11 and the cooling structure 30, the connecting pipes between the second liquid tank 12 and the cooling structure 30, or the cooling structure is damaged, the cooling medium will not leak into the external environment under the action of negative pressure.

[0034] It should be noted that when the negative pressure generating device 20 makes the absolute pressure of the first liquid tank 11 and the absolute pressure of the second liquid tank 12 both less than atmospheric pressure, and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is greater than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11, the state of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 is the aforementioned first state. After the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 is in the first state, the negative pressure generating device 20 can continue to operate for a certain period of time to maintain the absolute pressure of the first liquid tank 11 and the absolute pressure of the second liquid tank 12 within a certain range. The negative pressure generating device 20 can also stop operating after the aforementioned first state is achieved. When the absolute pressure of the first liquid tank 11 and the absolute pressure of the second liquid tank 12 are not within the preset pressure range, the negative pressure generating device 20 can be restarted. This disclosure does not limit this.

[0035] Furthermore, it is understood that in the first state, the circulation pump 13 can pump the cooling medium in the first liquid tank 11 to the second liquid tank 12, but the circulation pump 13 will not change the pressure relationship between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12. That is, while pumping the cooling medium from the first liquid tank 11 to the second liquid tank 12, the circulation pump 13 ensures that the absolute pressure of the first liquid tank 11 and the absolute pressure of the second liquid tank 12 are both less than atmospheric pressure, and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is greater than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11.

[0036] Furthermore, the aforementioned cooling medium can be any cooling medium suitable for server heat dissipation, as long as it has a high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity to meet the server's heat dissipation requirements. For example, the aforementioned cooling medium can be a water-glycol solution, mineral oil, fluorocarbons, etc., and this disclosure does not limit it. It is understood that for cooling media that are highly volatile substances (such as fluorocarbons mentioned above), since the aforementioned negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100, the server's cooling structure 30, and the pipes connecting the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 and the cooling structure 30 can be at least partially under negative pressure, even if the cooling medium evaporates, it is not easy to diffuse into the external environment, effectively avoiding liquid dissipation caused by the evaporation of the cooling medium.

[0037] Furthermore, the cooling structure 30 of the aforementioned server can be a liquid cooling plate, which can make thermally conductive contact with the heat-generating components of the server to absorb heat from the heat-generating components. Alternatively, the cooling structure 30 can be an immersion chamber that defines an immersion cavity, in which the server or its server nodes can be disposed and at least partially immersed in the cooling medium to dissipate heat to the cooling medium. This disclosure does not limit the specific type of the cooling structure 30.

[0038] The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 provided in this disclosure can have multiple working states, and is not limited to the first state described above. For example, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 can also have a second state. In the second state, the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11 can be less than the atmospheric pressure, and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is greater than or equal to the atmospheric pressure under the action of the circulating pump 13, so that the cooling medium in the second liquid tank 12 can flow out of the second liquid tank 12 under the action of the pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, and return to the first liquid tank 11 after flowing through the cooling structure 30.

[0039] In other words, the circulating pump 13 is also configured to ensure that the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is greater than or equal to atmospheric pressure. Since the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is greater than or equal to atmospheric pressure, while the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11 is less than atmospheric pressure, the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 remains greater than that in the first liquid tank 11. Therefore, a pressure difference still exists between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12. The cooling medium in the second liquid tank 12 can flow out of the second liquid tank 12 under the influence of this pressure difference and return to the first liquid tank 11 after passing through the cooling structure 30. In the second state, the second liquid tank 12 pushes the cooling medium outward, causing it to flow out of the second liquid tank 12, while the first liquid tank 11 is under negative pressure, drawing in the cooling medium and causing it to return to the first liquid tank 11.

[0040] Furthermore, in the second state, the absolute value of the pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 is greater than that in the first state, thereby increasing the flow rate of the cooling medium between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, and thus increasing the heat dissipation effect on the server.

[0041] Furthermore, since the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system in the related technology relies on a negative pressure generating device (such as a vacuum pump) to regulate the pressure of the two liquid tanks, the absolute pressure of the two liquid tanks can always be less than atmospheric pressure. Therefore, when using a negative pressure generating device of the same power, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 provided in this disclosure can have an operating state in which the absolute value of the pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 is greater than the absolute value of the pressure difference between the two liquid tanks in the related technology. In other words, when using a negative pressure generating device of the same power, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 provided in this disclosure can provide a greater flow rate.

[0042] Optionally, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a first vent valve 14 is provided on the top of the first liquid tank 11. The first vent valve 14 can selectively connect the outside atmosphere with the interior of the first liquid tank 11. A second vent valve 15 is provided on the top of the second liquid tank 12. The second vent valve 15 can selectively connect the outside atmosphere with the interior of the second liquid tank 12. Through the first vent valve 14 and the second vent valve 15, the interior of the first liquid tank 11 and the interior of the second liquid tank 12 can be connected to the outside atmosphere, thereby making the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 equal to the atmospheric pressure, so as to drain the cooling medium in the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 and maintain the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12.

[0043] Furthermore, by controlling the first vent valve 14 and the second vent valve 15, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 can also have a third state. In the third state, the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11 is less than atmospheric pressure, and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 can be equal to atmospheric pressure under the action of the second vent valve 15. This allows the cooling medium in the second liquid tank 12 to flow out of the second liquid tank 12 under the pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, and return to the first liquid tank 11 after flowing through the cooling structure 30. It can be understood that in the third state, the first vent valve 14 is closed, so that the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11 can be less than atmospheric pressure under the action of the negative pressure generating device 20. The second vent valve 15 is open, connecting the second liquid tank 12 to the outside atmosphere, so that the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is equal to atmospheric pressure.

[0044] Since the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is equal to the atmospheric pressure, the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11 is less than the atmospheric pressure. The absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 is still greater than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11. There is still a pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12. The cooling medium in the second liquid tank 12 can flow out of the second liquid tank 12 under the action of the pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, and return to the first liquid tank 11 after flowing through the cooling structure 30.

[0045] Furthermore, in the third state, the absolute value of the pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 is greater than that in the first state, thereby increasing the flow velocity of the cooling medium between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, and thus increasing the heat dissipation effect on the server.

[0046] Because the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system in the related technology relies on a negative pressure generating device (e.g., a vacuum pump) to regulate the pressure of the two liquid tanks, the absolute pressure of the two liquid tanks can always be less than atmospheric pressure. Therefore, when using a negative pressure generating device of the same power, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 provided in this disclosure can have a third state in which the absolute value of the pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 is greater than the absolute value of the pressure difference between the two liquid tanks in the related technology. In other words, when using a negative pressure generating device of the same power, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 provided in this disclosure can provide a greater flow rate.

[0047] Furthermore, when it is necessary to adjust the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 from less than atmospheric pressure to greater than atmospheric pressure (i.e., when switching from the first state to the second state), the second vent valve 15 can be opened first to make the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 equal to the atmospheric pressure, and then the second vent valve 15 can be closed to increase the head of the circulating pump 13, thereby quickly adjusting the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12 to greater than atmospheric pressure.

[0048] The cooling medium can absorb the heat of the server when it flows through the cooling structure 30. In order for the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 to cool the cooling medium flowing back to the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 may optionally include a heat exchanger 16. The heat exchanger 16 may be located upstream of the first liquid tank 11 (i.e., upstream of the liquid inlet of the first liquid tank 11) or downstream of the second liquid tank 12 (i.e., downstream of the liquid outlet of the second liquid tank 12). This disclosure does not limit this.

[0049] In one embodiment provided in this disclosure, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 further includes a heat exchanger 16. The outlet of the circulating pump 13 is connected to the first inlet of the heat exchanger 16, the first outlet of the heat exchanger 16 is connected to the inlet of the second liquid tank 12, the second inlet of the heat exchanger 16 is connected to the outlet of the heat dissipation device, and the second outlet of the heat exchanger 16 is connected to the inlet of the heat dissipation device, so that the cooling medium flowing into the heat exchanger 16 from the heat dissipation device can absorb the heat of the cooling medium flowing into the heat exchanger 16 from the circulating pump 13. In other words, the heat exchanger 16 is located between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12. The cooling medium flowing out of the first liquid tank 11 after heat exchange can flow through the heat exchanger 16 under the action of the circulating pump 13, and then flow back to the second liquid tank 12 after heat exchange in the heat exchanger 16. In this way, on the one hand, the temperature of the cooling medium flowing back into the second liquid tank 12 can be reduced, so that the cooling medium flowing from the second liquid tank 12 to the server cooling structure 30 has a lower temperature, thereby dissipating heat from the server. On the other hand, the location of the heat exchanger 16 between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 can prevent the heat exchanger 16 from reducing the pressure or flow rate of the cooling medium flowing from the second liquid tank 12 to the cooling structure 30, or reducing the pressure or flow rate of the cooling medium flowing from the cooling structure 30 to the first liquid tank 11.

[0050] To facilitate the discharge of cooling medium from the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, optionally, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a first switching valve 17 is provided at the bottom of the first liquid tank 11, and a second switching valve 18 is provided at the bottom of the second liquid tank 12. Thus, by simply opening the first switching valve 17 and / or the second switching valve 18, the cooling medium in the first liquid tank 11 and / or the second liquid tank 12 can be connected to the outside, thereby achieving the discharge of the cooling medium.

[0051] Furthermore, by means of the first switching valve 17 and / or the second switching valve 18, the cooling medium in the first liquid tank 11 and / or the second liquid tank 12 can be replenished or replaced, effectively avoiding the situation where the cooling medium in the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 is insufficient, thus affecting the heat dissipation effect on the server.

[0052] Furthermore, since the first switching valve 17 and the fourth switching valve 25 are respectively located at the bottom of the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, there is no need to set up a liquid extraction structure (such as a pump) during the process of the first liquid tank 11 and / or the second liquid tank 12 discharging the cooling medium. The cooling medium can be discharged from the first liquid tank 11 and / or the second liquid tank 12 under its own gravity. This helps to further simplify the structure of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 and reduce the cost of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100.

[0053] To ensure that the absolute pressure inside the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 is less than atmospheric pressure, optionally, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the negative pressure generating device 20 includes a vacuum pump 21, with both the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 connected to the suction port of the vacuum pump 21. The vacuum pump 21 can extract air from the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, thereby reducing the absolute pressure inside the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12.

[0054] Furthermore, by controlling the amount of air pumped by the vacuum pump 21 to the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 respectively, the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 can have different absolute pressures, thereby creating a pressure difference between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, and thus realizing the circulation of the cooling medium.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 are connected to the same vacuum pump 21. The vacuum pump 21 can adjust the pressure of the first liquid tank 11 and the pressure of the second liquid tank 12, which can simplify the structure of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 and reduce the manufacturing cost.

[0056] In the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 provided in this disclosure, the number of negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units 10 can be one or more, as long as the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units 10 can meet the heat dissipation requirements of the server. As one embodiment of this disclosure, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, there are at least two negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units 10, and the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 of the at least two negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units 10 are both connected to the suction port of the vacuum pump 21. Through the vacuum pump 21, the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 of the multiple negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units 10 can be controlled, thereby realizing the circulation of the cooling medium in the multiple negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units 10.

[0057] To improve the reliability of the entire negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100, optionally, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, at least two vacuum pumps 21 are used, with the suction port of each vacuum pump 21 connected to the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 of at least two negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units 10. In other words, there are multiple vacuum pumps 21, and all of them are connected to the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 of multiple negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units 10. This allows the multiple vacuum pumps 21 to act as backups for each other. Even if one or more of the vacuum pumps 21 fail during use, the remaining vacuum pumps 21 can still control the absolute pressure within the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 of the multiple negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units 10, thereby ensuring server heat dissipation and resulting in high reliability of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100. Furthermore, the multiple vacuum pumps 21 can also operate simultaneously to quickly bring the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 to a negative pressure state.

[0058] To facilitate connection between the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 and the vacuum pump 21, optionally, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first liquid tank 11 is connected to the vacuum pump 21's suction port via a first suction pipe 22, and the second liquid tank 12 is connected to the vacuum pump 21's suction port via a second suction pipe 23. A first switching valve 17 is provided on the first suction pipe 22, and a second switching valve 18 is provided on the second suction pipe 23. Since the first switching valve 17 and the second switching valve 18 are respectively provided on the first suction pipe 22 and the second suction pipe 23, the first switching valve 17 and the second switching valve 18 can open or close the first suction pipe 22 and the second suction pipe 23 respectively. Thus, the vacuum pump 21 can selectively connect to the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12.

[0059] For example, when both the first switching valve 17 and the second switching valve 18 are open, the vacuum pump 21 can simultaneously evacuate the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, thereby changing the absolute pressure within the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12. When one of the first switching valves 17 and the second switching valve 18 is open and the other is closed, one of the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 can be evacuated by the vacuum pump 21, while the other is unaffected. When both the first switching valves 17 and the second switching valve 18 are closed, the vacuum pump 21 cannot evacuate the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12, and the absolute pressure within the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 can remain constant, thereby achieving a stable circulation of the cooling medium.

[0060] In the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 provided in this disclosure, the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 can both be connected to the same vacuum pump 21 as described in the above embodiments, or the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 can be connected to different vacuum pumps 21, which is not limited in this disclosure. Optionally, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the negative pressure generating device 20 includes a first vacuum pump 26 and a second vacuum pump 27. The suction port of the first vacuum pump 26 is connected to the first liquid tank 11, and the suction port of the second vacuum pump 27 is connected to the second liquid tank 12. In other words, the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 are respectively connected to different vacuum pumps, and different vacuum pumps can evacuate the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 respectively, thereby reducing the control requirements of the vacuum pump 21 and facilitating the separate evacuation of the first liquid tank 11 and the second liquid tank 12 to give them different absolute pressures.

[0061] To facilitate the connection between the first liquid tank 11 and the first vacuum pump 26, optionally, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first liquid tank 11 is connected to the suction port of the first vacuum pump 26 via a first suction pipe 22, and a third switching valve 24 is provided on the first suction pipe 22. The first suction pipe 22 enables the connection between the first liquid tank 11 and the first vacuum pump 26, thereby facilitating the vacuum pump 21 to evacuate the first liquid tank 11.

[0062] Furthermore, since a third switching valve 24 is provided on the first suction pipe 22, the third switching valve 24 can open or close the first suction pipe 22. On the one hand, the vacuum pump 21 does not need to be in a constant operating state, as the third switching valve 24 can close the first suction pipe 22, effectively avoiding the situation where the vacuum pump 21 is always in a constant operating state, resulting in high energy consumption and easy damage to the vacuum pump 21. On the other hand, it can also prevent the vacuum pump 21 from leaking air, causing changes in the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank 11, which would affect the normal use of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100.

[0063] To facilitate connection between the second liquid tank 12 and the second vacuum pump 27, optionally, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second liquid tank 12 is connected to the suction port of the second vacuum pump 27 via a second suction pipe 23, and a fourth switching valve 25 is provided on the second suction pipe 23. The second suction pipe 23 enables the connection between the second liquid tank 12 and the second vacuum pump 27, thereby facilitating the vacuum pump 21 to evacuate the second liquid tank 12.

[0064] Furthermore, since a fourth switching valve 25 is installed on the second suction pipe 23, the fourth switching valve 25 can open or close the second suction pipe 23. On the one hand, the fourth switching valve 25 can close the second suction pipe 23 without the vacuum pump 21 being in constant operation, effectively avoiding the situation where the vacuum pump 21 is always in operation, resulting in high energy consumption and easy damage to the vacuum pump 21. On the other hand, it can also prevent the vacuum pump 21 from leaking air, causing changes in the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank 12, which would affect the normal use of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100.

[0065] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a data center is provided, including a server and a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 as described above. The inlet 31 of the server's cooling structure 30 is connected to the outlet of a second liquid tank 12, and the outlet 32 ​​of the server's cooling structure 30 is connected to the inlet of a first liquid tank 11. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 can provide a flowing cooling medium to the server's liquid cooling structure, thereby dissipating heat from the server, resulting in good heat dissipation performance.

[0066] It should be noted that this disclosure does not limit the specific type of the cooling structure 30 of the server. The cooling structure 30 can be any cooling structure 30 suitable for heat dissipation of the server. For example, the cooling structure 30 can be a liquid cooling plate, or it can be a heat exchange tube and an immersion tank, etc.

[0067] To cool the cooling medium in the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100, optionally, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit 10 further includes a heat exchanger 16, and the data center further includes a heat dissipation device. The first liquid inlet of the heat exchanger 16 is connected to the liquid outlet of the circulating pump 13, the first liquid outlet of the heat exchanger 16 is connected to the liquid inlet of the second liquid tank 12, the liquid inlet of the heat dissipation device is connected to the second liquid inlet of the heat exchanger 16, and the liquid outlet of the heat dissipation device is connected to the second liquid outlet of the heat exchanger 16, so that the cooling medium flowing into the heat exchanger 16 from the heat dissipation device can absorb the heat of the cooling medium flowing into the heat exchanger 16 from the circulating pump 13.

[0068] In this way, the heat dissipation device can cool the cooling medium in the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system 100 through the heat exchanger 16, thereby reducing the temperature of the cooling medium flowing from the first liquid tank 11 back to the second liquid tank 12, and thus enabling the cooling medium flowing to the heat exchange structure of the server through the second liquid tank 12 to have a lower temperature, so that the server has a better heat dissipation effect.

[0069] It should be noted that this disclosure does not limit the specific type of the heat dissipation device. The heat dissipation device can be any heat dissipation device suitable for dissipating heat from the cooling medium. For example, the heat dissipation device can be a cooling tower, or it can be a dry cooler, a water chiller, an evaporator, a radiator, etc.

[0070] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solutions of this disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0071] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, this disclosure will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

[0072] Furthermore, various different embodiments of this disclosure can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this disclosure, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed in this disclosure.

Claims

1. A negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system, comprising a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit and a negative pressure generating device, wherein the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit comprises a first liquid tank, a second liquid tank, and a circulating pump; The outlet of the second liquid tank is used to connect to the inlet of the server's cooling structure, and the inlet of the first liquid tank is used to connect to the outlet of the cooling structure. The negative pressure generating device is connected to the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank. The negative pressure generating device is configured to make the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank less than atmospheric pressure. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit has a first state. In the first state, the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank are both less than atmospheric pressure, and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank is greater than the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank. This allows the cooling medium in the second liquid tank to flow out of the second liquid tank under the pressure difference between the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank, and return to the first liquid tank after flowing through the cooling structure. The inlet of the circulating pump is connected to the outlet of the first liquid tank, and the outlet of the circulating pump is connected to the inlet of the second liquid tank. The circulating pump is used to pump the cooling medium in the first liquid tank to the second liquid tank.

2. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to claim 1, wherein, The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit also has a second state, in which the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank is less than the atmospheric pressure, and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank can be greater than or equal to the atmospheric pressure under the action of the circulating pump, so that the cooling medium in the second liquid tank can flow out of the second liquid tank under the action of the pressure difference between the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank, and return to the first liquid tank after flowing through the cooling structure.

3. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to claim 1, wherein, The top of the first liquid tank is provided with a first vent valve, which can selectively connect the outside atmosphere with the interior of the first liquid tank. The top of the second liquid tank is equipped with a second vent valve, which can selectively connect the outside atmosphere with the interior of the second liquid tank.

4. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to claim 3, wherein, The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit also has a third state, in which the absolute pressure in the first liquid tank is less than the atmospheric pressure, and the absolute pressure in the second liquid tank can be equal to the atmospheric pressure under the action of the second vent valve, so that the cooling medium in the second liquid tank can flow out of the second liquid tank under the action of the pressure difference between the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank, and return to the first liquid tank after flowing through the cooling structure.

5. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit also includes a heat exchanger. The outlet of the circulating pump is connected to the first inlet of the heat exchanger, the first outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the inlet of the second liquid tank, the second inlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the outlet of the heat dissipation device, and the second outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the inlet of the heat dissipation device, so that the cooling medium flowing into the heat exchanger from the heat dissipation device can absorb the heat of the cooling medium flowing into the heat exchanger from the circulating pump.

6. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The bottom of the first liquid tank is provided with a first switch valve, and the bottom of the second liquid tank is provided with a second switch valve.

7. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to claim 1, wherein, The negative pressure generating device includes a vacuum pump, and both the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank are connected to the suction port of the vacuum pump.

8. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to claim 7, wherein, The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit comprises at least two units, and the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank of the at least two negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units are both connected to the air extraction port of the vacuum pump.

9. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to claim 8, wherein, There are at least two vacuum pumps, and the suction port of each vacuum pump is connected to the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank of at least two negative pressure liquid cooling distribution units.

10. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The first liquid tank is connected to the vacuum pump's suction port via a first suction pipe, and the second liquid tank is connected to the vacuum pump's suction port via a second suction pipe. A third switching valve is installed on the first suction pipe, and a fourth switching valve is installed on the second suction pipe.

11. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to claim 1, wherein, The negative pressure generating device includes a first vacuum pump and a second vacuum pump. The suction port of the first vacuum pump is connected to the first liquid tank, and the suction port of the second vacuum pump is connected to the second liquid tank.

12. The negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to claim 11, wherein, The first liquid tank is connected to the suction port of the first vacuum pump via a first suction pipe, and the second liquid tank is connected to the suction port of the second vacuum pump via a second suction pipe. A third switching valve is installed on the first suction pipe, and a fourth switching valve is installed on the second suction pipe.

13. A data center, comprising a server and a negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the liquid inlet of the cooling structure of the server is connected to the liquid outlet of the second liquid tank of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system, and the liquid outlet of the cooling structure of the server is connected to the liquid inlet of the first liquid tank of the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution system.

14. The data center according to claim 13, wherein the negative pressure liquid cooling distribution unit further includes a heat exchanger, and the data center further includes a heat dissipation device; The first liquid inlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the liquid outlet of the circulating pump, the first liquid outlet of the heat exchanger is connected to the liquid inlet of the second liquid tank, the liquid inlet of the heat dissipation device is connected to the second liquid inlet of the heat exchanger, and the liquid outlet of the heat dissipation device is connected to the second liquid outlet of the heat exchanger, so that the cooling medium flowing into the heat exchanger from the heat dissipation device can absorb the heat of the cooling medium flowing into the heat exchanger from the circulating pump.

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