Cabinet Heat Exchanger Layout for Redundant Data Center Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems in data centers occupy valuable space and lack redundancy, leading to potential shutdowns if components fail.
Innovation Solution
Integrate a heat exchanger into each computer equipment cabinet, utilizing existing dead space and reducing the need for long plumbing lines and overall refrigerant usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If dedicated cooling cabinets housing heat exchangers and pumps are used for multiple computing equipment cabinets, then cooling function is provided, but significant portions of space in data centers are occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the centralized cooling system into distributed modular heat exchanger units, with each computing equipment cabinet having its own dedicated heat exchanger. This segmentation eliminates the need for large dedicated cooling cabinets while providing redundancy, as each unit operates independently to cool its associated equipment.
2Reliability
If heat exchangers are located in each computer equipment cabinet, then system redundancy is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into the cabinet heat exchanger unit, which receives cooling fluid from multiple unit heat exchangers and dissipates heat to the environment. This integration reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling cabinets and complex plumbing infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite increasing the number of heat exchanger units.
3Reliability
If dedicated cooling cabinets are used for multiple computing equipment cabinets, then cooling coverage is provided, but failure of any component leads to shutdown of several computing equipment cabinets
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the cooling system into independent cabinet-level units, where each heat exchanger serves only its associated computing equipment cabinet. This segmentation ensures that failures are isolated to individual cabinets rather than affecting multiple cabinets, thereby improving reliability while reducing the space required for dedicated cooling infrastructure.
4Area of stationary object
If centralized cooling systems with long plumbing lines are used, then cooling function is provided, but valuable real estate is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a centralized horizontal cooling architecture to a distributed vertical architecture, with heat exchangers integrated within each cabinet footprint. This dimensional change eliminates long horizontal plumbing runs and maximizes real estate utilization by utilizing the vertical space and dead space within existing cabinet footprints.
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
Maximizes real estate use and achieves system redundancy by integrating heat exchangers in each cabinet, reducing refrigerant requirements and eliminating long plumbing lines.
Implementation Method 1
the cabinet heat exchanger can receive a first cooling fluid from each of the unit heat exchangers and/or transfer heat from the first cooling fluid to a second cooling fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include a computer equipment cabinet for containing one or more computing units and a cabinet heat exchanger. Each computing unit can include at least one unit heat exchanger. The cabinet heat exchanger can receive a first cooling fluid from each of the unit heat exchangers and transfer heat from the first cooling fluid to a second cooling fluid. The cabinet heat exchanger can receive the first cooling fluid from each of the plurality of computing units through a distinct inlet port. The cabinet heat exchanger can include an outer tube and a plurality of inner tubes. Each inner tube can be disposed within the outer tube. The inner tubes can physically isolate the first cooling fluid from the second cooling fluid.