Compressor assisted cooling unit device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for data centers face challenges in efficiently managing heat generated by electronic equipment, particularly in distributing cooling fluid at different temperatures and pressures to effectively cool both air-cooled and liquid-cooled IT racks.
Innovation Solution
A cooling distribution unit that includes a refrigeration unit coupled to a dry cooling unit, featuring control valves and pumps to manage the temperature and pressure of cooling fluids, allowing for the delivery of cooling fluid at two different temperatures and pressures to accommodate various cooling needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single cooling system is used for both air-cooled and liquid-cooled IT racks, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling efficiency and adaptability deteriorate due to inability to provide different temperatures and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two separate cooling circuits: a first cooling circuit for air-cooled IT racks and a second cooling circuit for liquid-cooled IT racks. Each circuit independently provides cooling fluid at appropriate temperatures and pressures, allowing the system to adapt to different cooling requirements without requiring a single complex unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling distribution unit is designed with multi-functionality to serve both air-cooled and liquid-cooled IT racks through separate circuits. The system can selectively activate and adjust each circuit based on the specific cooling needs of different rack types, providing universal cooling capability across diverse equipment while maintaining operational simplicity through dedicated pathways.
2Productivity
If cooling fluid is delivered at high pressure to liquid-cooled racks, then cooling efficiency improves, but system safety and complexity worsen due to pressure control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates pressure control functions into dedicated components for each cooling circuit. The second cooling circuit for liquid-cooled racks includes specific pressure control devices positioned independently from the first circuit, allowing high pressure delivery for optimal cooling efficiency while containing pressure control complexity within a dedicated subsystem rather than the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure control devices act as intermediary components between the cooling fluid source and the liquid-cooled IT racks. These intermediaries regulate and adjust the cooling fluid pressure to optimal levels for efficient heat removal, enabling high cooling efficiency while managing pressure control requirements through dedicated mediating components rather than direct system-wide pressure management.
3Productivity
If separate cooling circuits are used for different IT rack types, then cooling efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into separate first and second cooling circuits, each optimized for specific IT rack types. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate independently with tailored temperature and pressure parameters, maximizing cooling efficiency for each equipment type while maintaining clear functional boundaries that simplify overall system management compared to a fully integrated system.
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 enables efficient heat removal from data centers by allowing for flexible temperature and pressure control of cooling fluids, improving the cooling efficiency and extending the life expectancy of electronic equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration unit configured to be coupled to a dry cooling unit. The refrigeration unit is configured to receive a first cooling fluid in relatively cool condition from the dry cooling unit and to output the first cooling fluid in relatively warm condition to the dry cooling unit for cooling
Implementation Method 2
a first control valve coupled to the refrigeration unit. The first control valve is configured to output a first portion of a second cooling fluid at a first temperature. a second control valve coupled to the refrigeration unit. The second control valve is configured to output a second portion of the second cooling fluid at a second temperature
Implementation Method 3
a pump on a return line of the second portion of the second cooling fluid. The pump may be configured to control a pressure of the second portion of the second cooling fluid outputted by the second control valve. The pressure of the second portion of the second cooling fluid may be less than atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 4
an ejector in fluid communication with the pump to assist in controlling the pressure of the second portion of the second cooling fluid outputted by the second control valve
Implementation Method 5
a heat exchanger disposed between the refrigeration unit and the first control valve and the second control valve. The second cooling fluid may be returned to the heat exchanger in a relatively warm condition, the heat exchanger being configured to cool the second cooling fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling distribution unit includes a refrigeration unit configured to be coupled to a dry cooling unit. The refrigeration unit is configured to receive a first cooling fluid in relatively cool condition from the dry cooling unit and to output the first cooling fluid in relatively warm condition to the dry cooling unit for cooling. The cooling distribution unit further includes a first control valve coupled to the refrigeration unit. The first control valve is configured to output a first portion of a second cooling fluid at a first temperature. The cooling distribution unit further includes a second control valve coupled to the refrigeration unit. The second control valve is configured to output a second portion of the second cooling fluid at a second temperature.