Absorbent Cable Carrier for Liquid Cooling Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid cooling systems in information handling systems face challenges in effectively detecting and alerting leaks, which can lead to damage from spilled cooling liquid.
Innovation Solution
A leak detection system comprising a sensor cable, a leak sensor cable carrier, and multiple cable carriers with absorbent materials that transfer liquid to the sensor cable, allowing for resistance changes to be detected and triggering alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor cable is placed in direct contact with liquid for leak detection, then leak detection capability is improved, but the risk of damage to the sensor cable and false readings increases
Solution Approach 1:
An absorbent material is introduced as an intermediary between the liquid and the sensor cable. This material absorbs the liquid and transfers it to the sensor cable in a controlled manner, enabling leak detection while protecting the sensor cable from direct exposure to harmful liquids. The intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by decoupling the detection function from the harmful exposure.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the sensor cable is protected from direct liquid contact, then the sensor cable durability is improved, but the leak detection sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent material serves as a mediator that bridges the protected sensor cable and the liquid environment. It maintains close proximity to the sensor cable to ensure high detection sensitivity while physically isolating the cable from direct liquid contact, thus preserving durability without sacrificing sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between the sensor cable and liquid with a chemical/physical absorption mechanism. The absorbent material uses capillary action and absorption properties to transfer liquid to the sensor cable, substituting a gentle chemical-physical process for direct mechanical exposure that could damage the cable.
3Reliability
If absorbent material is used to transfer liquid to the sensor cable, then leak detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent material is implemented as a thin wrap or coating around the sensor cable rather than a bulky separate component. This thin-film approach maintains leak detection reliability through effective liquid absorption and transfer while minimizing the increase in device complexity and space requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides reliable leak detection and alerts, minimizing damage by promptly informing users of cooling liquid leaks.
Implementation Method 1
The absorbent material may transfer the liquid from a portion of the absorbent material to the sensor cable
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cooling leak detection system includes a sensor cable, a leak sensor cable carrier, and multiple cable carriers. The sensor cable indicates a detected leak based on the sensor cable being in contact with a liquid. The leak sensor cable carrier is in physical communication with the sensor cable. The cable carriers are in physical communication with the sensor cable and with the leak sensor cable carrier. Each of the cable carriers includes a support structure and an absorbent material. The absorbent material is in physical communication with the support structure and with the sensor cable. The absorbent material transfers the liquid from a portion of the absorbent material to the sensor cable.