Actuator-Driven Duct Valve System for Adaptive Data Center Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current climate control systems in data centers are inefficient due to fixed ducts that cannot easily adapt to changing hot spots, leading to excessive energy consumption and operational costs, while decentralized systems are expensive and slow to respond to temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A selectively configurable climate control system comprising a lattice of interconnected ducts with adjustable valves and nozzles, controlled by actuators to direct airflow to specific areas, allowing for quick reconfiguration and targeted temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed ducts are used in conventional cooling systems, then the system structure is simple and stable, but the system cannot adapt to changing hot spots and requires excessive energy to cool the entire data center
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing adjustable and reconfigurable ducts that can change their configuration based on the location of hot spots. The ducts are no longer fixed but can be dynamically repositioned or reconfigured to target specific areas requiring cooling, allowing the system to adapt to changing thermal conditions without excessive energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cooling system into multiple independently controllable ducts that can be individually directed to different hot spots. This segmentation allows selective cooling of specific areas rather than cooling the entire data center uniformly, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adaptability to changing thermal conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed ducts are embedded in ceiling, walls, or floor, then the system structure is stable, but re-routing requires time-consuming intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic, adjustable ducts that can be reconfigured without time-consuming construction intervention. The ducts are designed to be movable or adjustable within the ceiling space, allowing rapid repositioning to target new hot spots as they develop, thereby dramatically reducing the time required for reconfiguration compared to fixed embedded ducts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If decentralized cooling units are moved around within the data center, then the system can adapt to localized cooling needs, but the system is expensive to manage and maintain and cannot respond quickly to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by creating a single integrated cooling system that combines the adaptability of decentralized units with the simplicity of centralized management. The reconfigurable ducts can be directed to serve multiple different hot spots sequentially or simultaneously, providing multi-functionality without requiring multiple separate cooling units, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining rapid response capability.
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 efficient, cost-effective, and adaptable climate control, reducing energy waste and maintaining optimal temperatures in data centers by dynamically adjusting airflow to meet changing cooling needs.
Implementation Method 1
A controller moves a valve in the lattice to redirect airflow to a desired area of the room
Implementation Method 2
conventional climate control systems for data centers typically utilize static (i.e., fixed) ducts and vents/diffusers... a centralized air conditioning or 'forced air' system requires the use of static conduits or ducts
Data Source
AI summary
The invention generally relates to ventilation systems and methods, and more particularly to selectively configurable climate control systems and methods for use in data centers and the like. A device includes a support element in the form of a tile, and a plurality of ducts connected to the support element. The device also includes a manifold in fluid communication with each one of the plurality of ducts and a plurality of valves. Each respective one of the plurality of valves is associated with a respective one of the plurality of ducts. Moreover, there is at least one actuator operatively connected to the plurality of valves, which is structured and arranged to individually actuate each one of the plurality of valves.