Cooling assembly and method for installation thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dry cooler arrangements for heat rejection in buildings, such as data centers, occupy significant space, are heavy, expensive, and inefficient due to air recycling and complex maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
A cooling assembly with vertically oriented dry cooler stacks and a common heat rejection zone that minimizes air recycling, featuring stackable units with angled heat exchanger panels and a frame design for efficient space use and reduced weight, along with a configuration that allows for improved heat exchange efficiency and easier maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional dry coolers are installed on the roof to reject heat, then heat management is achieved, but significant surface area is occupied limiting space for other structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of dry coolers occupying roof surface area to a vertical stackable unit configuration that utilizes the vertical dimension. Multiple dry coolers are stacked vertically on a shared frame structure, dramatically reducing the horizontal footprint on the roof while maintaining heat rejection capacity through the vertical arrangement of multiple heat exchange units.
2Power
If multiple dry coolers are arranged in a conventional layout, then heat rejection capacity is increased, but hot air from peripheral coolers is recycled by central coolers decreasing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By stacking dry coolers vertically, the patent creates distinct vertical zones for air intake and exhaust. The vertical arrangement ensures that exhaust air from upper units does not recirculate back to lower units, eliminating the air recycling problem inherent in horizontal arrangements while maintaining high heat rejection capacity through the stacked configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the cooling system into multiple independent stackable units, each with its own frame and dry coolers. These modular units can be configured in vertical stacks, allowing each unit to operate independently with dedicated air flow paths, thereby preventing cross-contamination of air streams and improving overall heat exchange efficiency.
3Reliability
If conventional dry coolers are constructed with numerous components, then heat exchange functionality is achieved, but the systems become heavy and expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dry coolers onto a single shared frame structure, creating a consolidated stackable unit. This integration reduces the total number of redundant components (multiple frames, supports, and mounting structures) compared to installing separate conventional dry coolers, thereby reducing overall weight and production cost while maintaining full heat exchange functionality across all stacked units.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for multiple dry coolers, acts as a common mounting platform, facilitates vertical stacking, and enables integrated installation and maintenance access. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate support structures for each dry cooler, reducing weight and component count.
4Reliability
If conventional dry coolers are constructed with numerous components, then heat exchange functionality is achieved, but maintenance becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling system into modular stackable units that can be independently accessed and maintained. Each unit contains a specific number of dry coolers on a shared frame, allowing maintenance personnel to work on one unit at a time without disturbing others, thereby simplifying maintenance procedures and reducing downtime compared to conventional integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical stacking configuration provides improved accessibility for maintenance compared to horizontal arrangements. Maintenance personnel can access individual units from the side or top, and the vertical arrangement allows for better airflow during maintenance operations. The modular design enables easy removal and replacement of specific dry coolers within the stack for repair or replacement.
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 reduces the surface area required for the cooling assembly, enhances heat exchange efficiency by preventing air recycling, and simplifies maintenance, making it more cost-effective and space-efficient compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each dry cooler (10) has a heat exchanger panel (16) mounted to the frame (40)
Implementation Method 2
Each dry cooler (10) also has a fan assembly (15) mounted to the frame (40)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A cooling assembly includes a plurality of dry coolers. Each dry cooler has an air intake, an air outtake, a heat exchanger panel for exchanging heat with air pulled into the dry cooler, and a fan rotating about a fan rotation axis for pulling air into the dry cooler and rejecting heated air out of the dry cooler. The heat exchanger panel includes a tubing arrangement for circulating fluid therein. The dry coolers are arranged in a plurality of dry cooler stacks. Each dry cooler stack includes a first dry cooler and a second dry cooler disposed above the first dry cooler. The dry cooler stacks are positioned such that the dry coolers of each dry cooler stack reject heated air into a common heat rejection zone. Each dry cooler is oriented such that the fan rotation axis of the dry cooler is substantially transversal to a vertical axis.