Cold Row Encapsulation With Rack-Level Cooling Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face significant energy consumption and inefficiencies in cooling systems due to high power usage by servers and HVAC systems, leading to increased costs and reduced reliability from heat buildup, especially in densely populated server racks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cold row encapsulation structure with integrated cooling modules that utilize cooling coils and water-based heat exchange to cool hot air without the need for raised floors or underfloor plenums, allowing for efficient air circulation and reduced energy consumption by leveraging gravity and pressure differences within the encapsulation structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional HVAC systems are used to cool data centers, then cooling coverage is provided, but energy consumption increases significantly (25-40% of total power)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the data center cooling system into individual rack-level encapsulation units, each with its own cooling module. This segmentation allows cooling to be provided only where needed (at specific server racks) rather than cooling the entire data center environment, significantly reducing overall HVAC energy consumption while maintaining effective cooling coverage.
2Ease of operation
If raised floor with underfloor plenum is used for air distribution, then cooling air can be supplied to cold aisles, but system complexity and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the air distribution function from the complex raised floor underfloor plenum system and integrates it directly into the rack-level encapsulation structure. The cooling modules are mounted on rack enclosures and provide direct air distribution to server intakes, eliminating the need for raised floors and underfloor plenums while maintaining effective cooling air delivery.
3Power
If CRAC units are installed at corners of data center room, then cooling capacity is provided, but air flow efficiency is reduced due to distance from server racks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention places cooling modules directly at the location where cooling is needed (on rack enclosures), rather than positioning large CRAC units at corner locations. This local placement ensures that cooling air is delivered immediately to server racks with minimal travel distance, maximizing air flow efficiency and cooling effectiveness while reducing the need for high-power corner-mounted CRAC units.
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 enhances cooling efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and lowers operational costs by minimizing the power usage of cooling systems, thereby improving the reliability and performance of data center equipment while maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
cooling modules that utilize cooling coils and water-based heat exchange to cool hot air
Implementation Method 2
leveraging gravity and pressure differences within the encapsulation structure
Implementation Method 3
leveraging gravity and pressure differences within the encapsulation structure
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to efficient cooling of data centers. Some embodiments of the invention allow encapsulation of cold rows through an enclosure and allow server fans to draw cold air from the cold row encapsulation structure to cool servers installed on the server racks. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed can be used to mix outside cool air into the cold row encapsulation structure to cool the servers. In some embodiments, the present invention involves using multiple cold row encapsulation structures to cool the servers installed on the racks.