Electronic Equipment Immersion Cooling With Bubble-Driven Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional immersion cooling systems face issues with uneven heat distribution and limited cooling efficiency due to non-uniform temperature distribution of the cooling liquid, leading to unsatisfactory cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
An immersion cooling system with an air supply unit that generates upwardly flowing bubbles to disperse the electrically non-conductive liquid uniformly, using a ventilation tube unit and air diffusers to stir the liquid and enhance heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cooling liquid is filled in the equipment body to immerse heat sources, then heat absorption capability is improved, but uneven heat distribution occurs leading to limited cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air supply unit with ventilation tubes and air diffusers that generate bubbles in the cooling liquid. These bubbles create hydraulic movement and turbulence, forcing the liquid to circulate more effectively around heat sources. This pneumatic-hydraulic approach transforms the static cooling liquid into a dynamically flowing coolant, resolving the contradiction between heat absorption and cooling efficiency by enhancing liquid circulation without changing the liquid's fundamental cooling properties
Solution Approach 2:
The air bubbles generated by the air supply unit create mechanical disturbances and turbulence in the cooling liquid. This bubbling action acts as a form of mechanical vibration that disrupts thermal boundary layers and promotes uniform heat distribution throughout the liquid, thereby improving overall cooling efficiency while maintaining the liquid's heat absorption capabilities
2Reliability
If cooling liquid surrounds heat sources, then direct heat contact is achieved, but temperature uniformity of the liquid deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply unit introduces pneumatic elements (bubbles) into the hydraulic system (cooling liquid). These bubbles create fluid motion and circulation patterns that prevent temperature stratification. The liquid maintains direct contact with heat sources for reliable heat transfer, while the bubble-induced circulation ensures temperature uniformity throughout the liquid volume, resolving the contradiction between direct contact reliability and temperature stability
3Ease of operation
If conventional immersion cooling is used, then cooling function is provided, but air supply efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply unit is segmented into multiple ventilation tubes with multiple air diffusers distributed throughout the cooling liquid. This segmentation allows air to be supplied at multiple locations simultaneously, creating numerous bubble sources that collectively enhance liquid circulation. The segmented approach improves air supply efficiency by distributing the cooling enhancement function across multiple points rather than relying on a single air source
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation tubes extend vertically through different levels of the cooling liquid, introducing air supply in the vertical dimension. Multiple air diffusers are positioned at different depths, creating a three-dimensional distribution of bubble generation points. This dimensional approach enhances air supply efficiency by utilizing vertical space to maximize liquid circulation throughout the entire cooling volume
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 achieves more uniform heat distribution and improved cooling efficiency by ensuring the liquid flows uniformly over heat sources, maintaining electronic components at proper working temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of air diffusers is coupled with the ventilation tube unit, is immersed in the electrically non-conductive liquid, and is configured to generate bubbles for stirring the electrically non-conductive liquid
Implementation Method 2
the air supplied by the air supply unit can form upwardly flowing bubbles which disperse in the electrically non-conductive liquid. The upwardly flowing bubbles can cause flow and rapid dispersion of the electrically non-conductive liquid
Implementation Method 3
the heat sources of the plurality of electric units can be immersed in the cooling liquid. Therefore, the heat energy of the high temperature generated by the plurality of electric units during working can be directly absorbed by the cooling liquid
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic equipment with an immersion cooling system includes a sealed tank filled with an electrically non-conductive liquid which is a single-phase electrically non-conductive liquid; a plurality of slots disposed in the sealed tank; at least one electric unit removably inserted in the plurality of slots and including at least one heat source; and an air supply unit disposed in the sealed tank. The air supply unit includes a ventilation tube unit and a plurality of air diffuser. The plurality of air diffusers is coupled with the ventilation tube unit, is immersed in the electrically non-conductive liquid, and is configured to generate bubbles for stirring the electrically non-conductive liquid.