Cooling Loop Leak Mitigation Using a Pre-Pressurized Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for high-density server racks face challenges in efficiently managing liquid coolant leaks, leading to potential damage and increased complexity, energy consumption, and maintenance costs due to the need for continuous vacuum pump operation and complex valve systems.
Innovation Solution
A leak mitigation system that includes a pre-evacuated or pre-pressurized tank coupled with a valve unit and controller to absorb coolant from the loop, reducing pressure and preventing further leakage, and shutting down the coolant circulation pump to isolate the expansion tank, thereby simplifying the system and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous vacuum pumping is used to mitigate coolant leaks, then leak prevention is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-evacuates the enclosure space before coolant leakage occurs, creating a vacuum environment in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for continuous vacuum pumping during operation, as the pre-created vacuum condition automatically draws leaked coolant into the enclosure without requiring active energy consumption during normal cooling operation.
2Reliability
If complex valve systems are used to control coolant flow, then leak mitigation control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex valve systems and active control mechanisms from the coolant circulation loop. Instead of using valves to control and redirect coolant flow, the system relies on the passive pressure differential created by the pre-evacuated enclosure to naturally draw leaked coolant into the enclosure space, eliminating the need for complex flow control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the pressure differential between the pre-evacuated enclosure and the coolant loop to automatically mitigate leaks without external control. The vacuum environment self-regulates coolant migration, eliminating the need for active valve control, sensors, or complex mitigation systems.
3Reliability
If active leak mitigation systems are used, then leak prevention is improved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the energy-intensive vacuum creation operation before the cooling system begins operation, establishing a passive protective environment that requires no active maintenance during operation. This shifts the maintenance burden to an initial setup phase rather than ongoing operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-evacuated enclosure acts as a passive, self-regulating leak mitigation mechanism that requires no active components, sensors, or control systems during operation. This eliminates maintenance requirements for vacuum pumps, valves, and control systems that would otherwise be needed for active leak mitigation.
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
Effectively mitigates coolant leaks without the need for continuous vacuum pumping, reducing energy consumption and system complexity, while preventing damage from coolant spills and enhancing reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A leak mitigation system that includes a pre-evacuated or pre-pressurized tank coupled with a valve unit and controller to absorb coolant from the loop, reducing pressure and preventing further leakage
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to a leak mitigation system for a cooling system in a computing infrastructure. The leak mitigation system may include tank that is pre-pressurized, a valve unit fluidly coupled to the tank and a cooling loop, and controller operatively coupled to the valve unit. The cooling loop comprises one or more tubes to facilitate a flow of a coolant to cool one or more computing devices. The controller may detect a leak of the coolant from the cooling loop, and in response to detection of the leak of the coolant, the controller may operate the valve unit to establish a fluid coupling between the tank and the cooling loop to transfer at least a portion of the coolant away from the cooling loop.