Modular Cooling Manifold Connectors With Sealed Cold Plate Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for rack-based electronic systems are inefficient in heat removal and occupy valuable space, leading to potential damage from excessive heat and reduced drive densities.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooling system comprising a support manifold and cold plates connected via fluid channels, where the cold plates are mounted on the support manifold using a cam and sliding pin mechanism to ensure secure and sealed fluid communication, allowing coolant to flow through the system for effective heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used for rack-based electronic systems, then heat removal capability is provided, but the systems occupy valuable space and reduce drive densities
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into modular components including cold plates that can be selectively positioned within rack units and manifold assemblies that can be mounted on rack rails. This segmentation allows the cooling system to occupy only the space necessary for specific rack units, rather than requiring dedicated cooling space for the entire rack, thereby improving heat removal efficiency while minimizing overall space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold plates are designed to be inserted into and nested within rack units, with the manifold assemblies mounting onto the rack structure. This nesting arrangement allows the cooling components to utilize existing rack space efficiently, placing cooling functionality directly where heat generation occurs without adding external bulk to the rack structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular cold plates are mounted on support manifolds, then flexible configuration and easy access to components are achieved, but secure and sealed fluid communication must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the cold plate to be securely clamped against the manifold during operation while enabling easy release and repositioning during maintenance or reconfiguration. This dynamic locking mechanism ensures reliable fluid connections when engaged while maintaining system flexibility when disengaged.
Solution Approach 2:
O-rings serve as intermediary sealing elements between the cold plate fluid ports and the manifold fluid ports. These elastomeric seals deform to fill microscopic gaps and irregularities in the mating surfaces, ensuring reliable fluid-tight connections even with minor variations in assembly tolerances or thermal expansion during operation.
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 modular cooling system efficiently removes heat from electronic components while minimizing space usage, maintaining system integrity and allowing for flexible configuration and easy access to components.
Implementation Method 1
rotating a cam about a pivot pin; engaging the cam with a plate retainer to secure the cold plate against the support manifold
Implementation Method 2
a sliding pin attached to the inner sleeve, the sliding pin engaging a hump portion of the cam
Implementation Method 3
an inner sleeve of a plate connector to telescope relative to an outer sleeve of the plate connector to form a seal with a manifold connector
Implementation Method 4
supplying a coolant from the coolant supply channel to the cooling system of the cold plate to cool the cold plate
Implementation Method 5
the cold plate comprising a plate connector... connected in fluid communication with a cooling system disposed within the first cold plate
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling a modular cooling system includes attaching a support manifold to a first rail of an equipment rack, the support manifold defining a coolant supply channel and a coolant return channel; and mounting a first cold plate to the support manifold including engaging a manifold supply connector with a plate supply connector in fluid communication, the manifold supply connector being connected in fluid communication with the coolant supply channel of the support manifold, the plate supply connector being connected in fluid communication with a cooling system disposed within the first cold plate.