Cabinet Cooling System with Vertical Evaporator and Predictive Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic equipment cabinets with built-in cooling systems face challenges such as insufficient cooling capacity for newer, more power-hungry devices, inefficient ventilation during power failures, and slow response to sudden heat load changes, leading to temperature fluctuations and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A high-capacity closed-loop refrigeration system integrated into the cabinet with a modified airflow path and a backup ventilation system powered by auxiliary power, using a compressor, condenser, expansion device, evaporator, and fans to direct heat removal and anticipate heat loads based on input power monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the cooling system is made bigger to increase cooling capacity, then the cooling capacity increases, but the cabinet space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is positioned vertically along the cabinet height, nesting the cooling components within the existing cabinet volume rather than requiring additional horizontal space. This allows the cooling system to achieve higher capacity (10-15 KW) without consuming cabinet space needed for equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal cabinet space utilization to vertical space utilization by positioning the evaporator to extend along the height of the cabinet. This dimensional change allows the cooling system to accommodate higher cooling capacities without interfering with standard equipment placement in the horizontal plane.
2Power
If the cooling system is made bigger to increase cooling capacity, then the cooling capacity increases, but clearance problems with room ceilings occur
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is oriented vertically to utilize the cabinet's height dimension efficiently, allowing the cooling capacity to be increased without extending the cabinet's external dimensions. This resolves the clearance issue with room ceilings while achieving the required 10-15 KW cooling capacity.
3Reliability
If the cooling system responds to heat after it has been generated, then the cooling system can compensate for heat load, but temperature fluctuations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses power monitoring to detect changes in equipment power consumption and anticipates the resulting heat load changes before they occur. This allows the cooling system to adjust proactively, preventing temperature fluctuations rather than reacting to them after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors power consumption and uses this feedback to adjust cooling output in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains temperature stability by responding to load changes as they occur.
4Reliability
If cabinet doors open outwardly for ventilation during cooling failure, then ventilation is provided, but doors can be blocked rendering the system ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having doors open outwardly, the backup ventilation system uses dampers that open inwardly. This inversion ensures that even if external conditions prevent outward door opening, the inward-opening dampers can still provide ventilation by drawing air from inside the cabinet through the wall opposite the entering wall.
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 solution provides a more efficient, higher-capacity cooling system that operates predictively, maintains stable temperatures, and uses less space than traditional systems, ensuring effective heat management and quick response to heat changes.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor for compressing refrigerant in the system to an elevated pressure
Implementation Method 2
a condenser to cool the refrigerant that is heated by the act of compression
Implementation Method 3
an expansion device that thermodynamically cools the refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
an evaporator that is cooled by the cooled refrigerant flowing therethrough
Implementation Method 5
a fan to move air across the evaporator's surfaces to cool the air whereby the refrigerant in turn absorbs heat from the warmer air
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure provides an improved cooling system and associated cabinet for electronic equipment, and optionally, a backup ventilation system for cooling related failures. Generally, the disclosure includes a high capacity closed loop refrigeration system in a modified cabinet, while accommodating standard sized computer equipment. Further, the system provides directed heat removal by altering typical airflow paths within the cabinet. The backup ventilation system is powered by auxiliary power in the case of power failure and uses the same fan(s) for ventilation as is used for cooling. The disclosure provides a more efficient, higher capacity cooling cabinet in less space than otherwise known in the art. Further, the cooling system can anticipate heat loads and therefore operate in a predictive capacity by monitoring input power to the electronic equipment and adjusting the cooling for the expected increase or decrease in heat load generated based on the input power.