Container Data Center Airflow Reconfiguration for Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Container-based data centers face challenges in efficiently cooling computing devices during high heat generation and maintaining temperatures above undesirable levels during low ambient temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for managing airflow in container-based data centers by positioning computing devices on racks within containers with intake and exhaust vents. The system temporarily reconfigures containers to draw in hot air exhausted by computing devices when ambient temperatures are low, improving efficiency by recirculating heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If refrigeration is used to cool computing devices in data centers, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the computing devices' own exhaust heat to pre-cool incoming air through heat exchangers, allowing the system to serve its own cooling needs without external refrigeration during mild conditions. The exhaust air from hot aisles is captured and used to cool the intake air for cold aisles, creating a self-sustaining thermal management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful exhaust heat that would otherwise be wasted into a useful cooling resource. By capturing hot exhaust air and using it to pre-cool incoming ambient air through heat exchangers, the system transforms a waste product into a beneficial cooling mechanism, reducing or eliminating the need for energy-intensive refrigeration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Use of energy by moving object

If ambient air is used for cooling computing devices, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling effectiveness decreases during high heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcooling effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors thermal conditions and dynamically adjusts the mixing ratio of ambient air and refrigerated air based on real-time temperature and humidity sensors. When ambient air provides sufficient cooling, the system uses 100% ambient air; when additional cooling is needed, the system automatically introduces refrigerated air to maintain optimal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic airflow control with adjustable dampers and variable speed fans that respond to changing thermal loads and ambient conditions. The system can transition between different operating modes (100% ambient air, mixed mode, or 100% refrigerated air) based on real-time conditions, optimizing both energy efficiency and cooling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If containers are reconfigured to recirculate hot air during low ambient temperatures, then computing device efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing device efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the container into distinct thermal zones with separate airflow paths - cold aisles for intake and hot aisles for exhaust. This segmentation allows independent control of different air streams and enables the recirculation of hot exhaust air back to the intake side without affecting the overall system architecture or requiring complex modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively cools computing devices during high heat generation and maintains optimal operating temperatures during low ambient conditions, enhancing the reliability and longevity of computing components while reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

Each of computing devices have an associated cooling fan configured to generate airflow through the computing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

one or more of the containers may be selected and temporarily reconfigured in a second mode to draw in hot air exhausted via the container's intake side vent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Recirculation: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12287683B2Thermal management for container-based data centers

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 CORE SCI INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for managing airflow for cooling computing devices (e.g. in a data center) in normal and cold environments are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises positioning the computing devices on a plurality of racks with air barriers to create hot and cold aisles. The computing devices may be configured in a first mode to draw in cool air the cold aisles and exhaust heated air into the hot aisles. Temperatures in the cold aisles may be periodically measured. In response to temperatures below a predetermined threshold, one or more of the cold aisles may be converted into a temporary hot aisle by adjusting ventilation openings and configuring a subset of the computing devices to temporarily draw in warm air from the temporary hot aisle.