Airflow-Blocking Structure for Portable Data Center Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The air conditioning system of portable data centers faces a short-circulating problem when one of the airflow-driving devices is disabled, leading to a deterioration in cooling efficacy due to the alteration of the airflow path into a low flow-resistance path.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an airflow-blocking structure in each airflow-driving device that can be automatically closed by a controller when the device is disabled, preventing the creation of a low flow-resistance airflow path and maintaining normal airflow circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an airflow-driving device is disabled (standby, maintaining status, or breakdown), then the device complexity is reduced, but the cooling efficacy deteriorates due to short-circuiting of cooled airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow-blocking structure is configured to automatically close and block the airflow path of a disabled airflow-driving device before cooled airflow can short-circuit through it. This preliminary blocking action prevents the harmful short-circuiting effect that would otherwise occur when a device is disabled, maintaining cooling efficacy without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow-blocking structure acts as an intermediary element between the disabled airflow-driving device and the cooled airflow. When a device is disabled, this intermediate structure automatically activates to block the airflow path, preventing direct short-circuiting while allowing the system to continue operating with reduced complexity
2Ease of operation
If the airflow path is left open when a device is disabled, then the ease of operation is improved, but the cooling efficacy deteriorates due to creation of low flow-resistance path
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow-blocking structure is designed to automatically detect and respond to disabled airflow-driving devices, closing the airflow path without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains cooling efficacy while preserving ease of operation, as the system autonomously manages the airflow path configuration based on device status
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
This solution effectively prevents short-circulating problems, enhances cooling efficacy, and ensures the air conditioning system's performance, power-saving, and cost-effectiveness by maintaining airflow circulation even when one device is disabled.
Implementation Method 1
a fan, disposed in the housing and configured to drive the airflow upwardly through the hollow portion
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger, disposed under the partition plate and configured to cool the airflow
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system of a portable data center includes a shipping container, plural data-processing devices and plural airflow-driving devices. The shipping container includes a partition plate and a bottom plate. The partition plate has plural hollow portions. The data-processing devices are disposed on the partition plate. The airflow-driving devices are disposed under the partition plate and aligned with respective hollow portions for driving and guiding airflow to cool the data processing devices. Each of the airflow-driving devices includes at least one fan and an airflow-blocking structure. The airflow-blocking structure is arranged in an airflow path of a corresponding airflow-driving device. If one of the airflow-driving devices is disabled, the airflow-blocking structure of the disabled airflow-driving device is automatically closed to hinder the airflow path.