Computer Room Airflow Layout Using Natural Draught Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computer room cooling systems consume excessive energy due to high air resistance, which necessitates powerful mechanical ventilation to circulate air effectively, especially as computer equipment generates more heat and becomes more compact.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of separation means to create a riser channel for hot air and a return channel with a significant surface area ratio, reducing air resistance and enabling natural draught-based air circulation, which can be supplemented with minimal mechanical support, along with features like a grid load-bearing floor and angled side walls to enhance airflow and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If mechanical ventilation is used to circulate air for cooling computer equipment, then cooling capacity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ventilation system with a natural convection system. Hot air rises naturally through riser channels above the computer equipment, and cool air returns through return channels below the equipment, eliminating the need for energy-consuming fans and mechanical air circulation systems while maintaining effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the air circulation path into distinct riser channels for hot air and return channels for cool air. This segmentation allows the system to utilize natural convection currents effectively, with hot air rising through dedicated vertical channels and cool air returning through separate channels, improving thermal management efficiency
2Stability of the object's composition
If air resistance is increased to distribute air flow uniformly through the load-bearing floor, then air distribution is improved, but mechanical ventilation power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air circulation system into separate riser channels and return channels with specific surface area ratios. This segmentation allows uniform air distribution to be achieved through natural convection rather than requiring high-power mechanical ventilation, as the structured channel arrangement guides airflow naturally
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the air circulation system by specifying that the return channel surface area should be at least 5% of the riser channel surface area. This parameter adjustment optimizes natural convection currents, allowing uniform air distribution without increasing mechanical ventilation power requirements
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 approach allows for significant energy savings, potentially up to 100% reduction in air circulation energy consumption, while maintaining effective cooling, with the ability to operate using natural ventilation or a combination of natural and mechanical methods depending on climate conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation based on natural draught generated by the column of rising air above the hot computer equipment
Implementation Method 2
air being carried back from the top of the computer room to the space under the load-bearing floor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer room which is surrounded by a lower floor, at least one side wall and a roof, with an air-permeating load-bearing floor disposed above the lower floor, on which, in use, computer equipment is disposed. A separation arrangement provides for the separation from each other of a riser channel for hot air above the computer equipment on the one hand and a return channel for air being carried back from the top of the computer room to the space under the load-bearing floor on the other hand. The surface area of the return channel of a cross-section of the computer room amounts to at least 5% of the surface area of the riser channel of the same cross-section.