Coolant Distribution Unit With Bypass Filtration for Dense Rack Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional air cooling methods are inadequate for effectively managing heat in high-power density electronic components, and existing liquid cooling systems face challenges in maintaining efficient heat transfer and component protection due to impurities and space constraints in data centers.
Innovation Solution
A high-density liquid cooling system with a rack-mounted coolant distribution unit (CDU) that includes modular design, integrated heat exchangers, bypass valves, and filtration systems to optimize coolant flow and heat transfer, while allowing for maintenance without downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional air cooling methods are used, then the system is simple to implement, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient for high-power density electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from air cooling to liquid cooling by implementing a coolant distribution unit with pumps, heat exchangers, and coolant circulation systems. This hydraulic approach enables effective heat removal from high-power density electronic components that cannot be adequately cooled by traditional air methods.
2Reliability
If liquid cooling systems are implemented, then cooling efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases due to additional components like heat exchangers and pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple cooling zones and heat exchangers into a single centralized coolant distribution unit. This consolidation approach manages the complexity of liquid cooling systems by combining pumps, filters, and multiple heat exchanger circuits into one unified system rather than distributing separate cooling systems throughout the data center.
3Reliability
If coolant flow is increased through the heat exchanger, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but pressure drops increase which can reduce flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable speed pumps that can dynamically adjust their operation based on system conditions. This allows the system to optimize the balance between heat transfer efficiency and pressure drop by adjusting pump speed to match actual cooling demands, preventing excessive pressure drops while maintaining adequate heat exchange.
4Stress or pressure
If coolant flow is diverted through bypass valves, then pressure drops are reduced, but the heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses controllable bypass valves that can dynamically adjust the split between flow through the heat exchanger and flow through the bypass line. This allows the system to optimize the balance between maintaining adequate pressure (by opening bypass) and maximizing heat transfer (by closing bypass), adapting to varying system conditions and cooling demands.
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 system enhances cooling efficiency, reduces power consumption, and maintains system uptime by minimizing pressure drops and impurity impact, thus improving the performance and reliability of data center cooling.
Implementation Method 1
CDUs typically include a liquid to liquid heat exchanger, which allows heat transfer from coolant in a secondary loop to a primary loop
Implementation Method 2
secondary loop piping including a secondary inlet, a secondary outlet, a first pump
Implementation Method 3
a first filter downstream of the first pump
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a high density liquid cooling system including a rack, primary loop piping including a primary inlet, a primary outlet, a primary loop filter, and a primary bypass valve, and secondary loop piping including a secondary inlet, a secondary outlet, a first pump, a first filter downstream of the first pump, and a secondary bypass valve. The system includes a heat exchanger having a first side and a second side. When the primary bypass valve is open, at least a portion of the fluid in the primary loop piping flows through the primary inlet and the primary outlet without traversing the heat exchanger, and when the secondary bypass valve is open, at least a portion of the fluid in the secondary loop piping flows through the secondary inlet and the secondary outlet without traversing the heat exchanger.