Cooling apparatus and data center
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center refrigeration systems with adsorption refrigeration face challenges due to the large volume of adsorption beds, which occupy space and hinder server arrangement, and require additional thick heat insulation components, increasing the overall volume and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact cooling apparatus with an adsorption refrigeration unit integrated into the sidewalls, using a sealed space for the adsorption bed and air cooler, reducing the need for external insulation and allowing for miniaturization by leveraging the adsorption bed's low air pressure for better heat insulation and refrigeration, while incorporating cyclic heating and cooling pipelines for efficient adsorbent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an adsorption bed is used in adsorption refrigeration, then refrigeration effect is achieved, but volume of the refrigeration system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorption bed is nested within the refrigeration sidewall structure. The refrigeration sidewall includes an internal wall plate and an external wall plate spaced apart to form a sealed space, within which the adsorption bed is disposed. This nesting approach allows the adsorption bed to be integrated into the sidewall rather than occupying separate space, reducing the overall volume of the refrigeration system while maintaining the refrigeration effect.
2Loss of energy
If a thick heat insulation component is disposed on a sidewall, then heat insulation effect is improved, but volume of the cooling apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the working characteristic of the adsorption bed that operates at relatively low air pressure to achieve better heat insulation effect. By creating a sealed space with low air pressure where the adsorption bed is disposed, the heat insulation effect is improved without needing to increase the thickness of the sidewall or add external insulation components, thereby avoiding volume increase of the cooling apparatus.
3Volume of stationary object
If the adsorption bed is disposed in the inner cavity, then refrigeration unit is compact, but component arrangement becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system is segmented into functional zones: the refrigeration sidewall containing the adsorption bed in its sealed space, and the inner cavity containing the flash evaporator and air cooler. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally arranged in its designated space, with the adsorption bed confined to the sidewall structure and the other components freely arranged in the inner cavity, thus simplifying overall component arrangement while maintaining compact volume.
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 achieves a compact data center design with improved heat dissipation and insulation, reducing the overall volume of the cooling apparatus and facilitating better server arrangement within the data center, while maintaining effective refrigeration and heat exchange capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the adsorbent is used to adsorb or desorb moisture in the sealed space
Implementation Method 2
a flash evaporator, and an air cooler. The flash evaporator is connected to the air cooler
Implementation Method 3
the air cooler is located on a path of the cooling air duct, so that the adsorption refrigeration unit can dissipate heat for air flowing in the cooling air duct
Implementation Method 4
air pressure in the sealed space is in a relatively low state. Therefore, the refrigeration sidewall can implement a better heat insulation effect
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling apparatus includes a housing, a cooling air duct, and an adsorption refrigeration unit. The housing includes a plurality of sidewalls, and the plurality of sidewalls form an inner cavity. The cooling air duct passes through the inner cavity. The adsorption refrigeration unit includes an adsorption bed, a flash evaporator, and an air cooler, the flash evaporator is connected to the air cooler, both the flash evaporator and the air cooler are disposed in the inner cavity, and the air cooler is located on a path of the cooling air duct. At least one of the plurality of sidewalls is a refrigeration sidewall, the refrigeration sidewall includes an internal wall plate and an external wall plate, the internal wall plate and the external wall plate are spaced apart and form sealed space, the sealed space is connected to the flash evaporator.