Cold Plate Leak Detection Enclosure for Liquid Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid cooling systems in information handling systems face challenges with fluid leaks leading to catastrophic failures and corrosion of electronic components, and existing leak detection enclosures are difficult to integrate with varying processing components and cooling equipment types.

Innovation Solution

A leak detection enclosure is designed to couple with a liquid cooling system cold plate, featuring a frame and planar cover that encloses cooling hose fittings within a contained area, using a leak detection sensor to isolate and detect leaks without spreading to the system housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If liquid cooling systems are used to manage thermal conditions, then thermal transfer efficiency is improved, but the risk of fluid leaks causing catastrophic failure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal transfer efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of fluid leaks

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid cooling system is segmented into isolated compartments using enclosures and partitions. Each compartment contains specific cooling components (pump, reservoir, cold plates) and is separated from the main system housing and other components. This segmentation contains potential leaks within isolated areas, preventing widespread damage while maintaining the thermal management benefits of liquid cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Enclosures and partitions serve as intermediary structures between the liquid cooling system components and the rest of the information handling system. These intermediaries act as barriers that prevent direct contact between cooling fluid and electronic components, thereby reducing the harmful effects of potential leaks while allowing the cooling system to operate independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If leak detection enclosures are added to contain leaks, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak containment capabilityVSAvoidenclosure structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosures and partitions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they contain leaks, provide structural support for cooling components, define airflow paths, and act as mounting surfaces for sensors and other components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate structures, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while maintaining reliable leak containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If cooling fans operate at high speeds to reject thermal energy, then thermal management is improved, but acoustic noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal rejection efficiencyVSAvoidacoustic noise

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid cooling system extracts and removes thermal energy from critical components through the cooling fluid circulation path. By using liquid cooling, the system can reject thermal energy more efficiently than air cooling alone, potentially allowing fans to operate at lower speeds or reducing overall thermal management requirements, thereby reducing acoustic noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses liquid cooling (hydraulics) to manage thermal energy, replacing or supplementing traditional air-based cooling (pneumatics). Liquid cooling is generally more efficient at heat transfer, allowing for reduced fan speeds and lower acoustic noise while maintaining effective thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 enclosure effectively isolates and detects leaks, preventing damage to the information handling system by containing leaks within a sealed area, ensuring reliable operation and reducing the risk of corrosion and system failure.

Implementation Method 1

A leak detection sensor disposed within the enclosed area can detect leaked fluid through the circuit board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

A planar cover couples over the frame to seal the enclosed leak detection enclosure from external moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS12356586B2Information handling system liquid cooling leak detection enclosure

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

Information handling system thermal management of processing components, such as CPU, GPU and/or memory, by a liquid cooling system is protected by a leak detection enclosure having a leak detection sensor disposed in an interior. The leak detection enclosure has a frame coupled to a cold plate that encloses the leak detection sensor and cooling fluid hose fittings so that leaked fluid is trapped within the enclosure for detection by the leak detection sensor. A planar cover couples to the frame upper side over the leak detection circuit and the cooling fluid hose fittings to provide ready assembly and an inexpensive adaptable form factor.