Liquid Submersion Cooling Pressure Regulation for Server Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The arrangement of liquid submersion cooled electronic devices in a rack system faces challenges in delivering coolant at required flow rates and pressures due to elevation-related pressure losses and cumulative frictional losses, leading to uneven cooling and potential damage to devices.
Innovation Solution
A fluid delivery system that generates slightly higher pressure and flow levels than necessary for the worst-case device, ensuring uniform coolant delivery across the array, using a configuration that includes horizontal and vertical manifolds, bypass lines, and regulating devices to maintain consistent pressure and flow despite changes in pump speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump generates higher pressure to deliver coolant to the worst-case device (highest elevation or farthest location), then the remote devices receive adequate coolant flow, but devices at other locations experience excessive pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by installing pressure regulation devices at specific locations within the fluid delivery system. Each regulation device locally adjusts pressure for its associated device or device group, ensuring that each location receives the appropriate pressure level rather than all devices receiving uniform high pressure from the pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter dynamically by using pressure regulation devices that adjust and maintain pressure within a target range. These devices modify the pressure parameter locally to compensate for elevation and distance variations, ensuring optimal pressure delivery to each device regardless of its position in the array.
2Productivity
If the pump operates at high speed to maximize coolant flow, then devices far from the pump receive sufficient coolant, but devices near the pump experience excessive flow rates that may cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing flow regulation devices at specific locations to control coolant flow rates. Each device or device group has its own flow regulation mechanism that ensures optimal flow rates, preventing both insufficient cooling of remote devices and excessive flow damage to nearby devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where pressure sensors and flow meters monitor system conditions, and control systems adjust pump speed and pressure regulation devices accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that flow rates remain within safe and effective ranges for all devices regardless of pump operating speed.
3Stress or pressure
If the fluid delivery system is designed with multiple pressure zones and regulation devices, then uniform pressure delivery is achieved across all devices, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fluid delivery system into multiple zones with dedicated pressure regulation devices. Each zone is independently controlled, allowing precise pressure management for groups of devices. This modular approach achieves pressure uniformity while keeping the complexity manageable through systematic zonation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses universal pressure regulation devices that can be applied to multiple locations and device types. These multi-functional components handle both pressure control and flow regulation, reducing the need for specialized components at each location and thereby managing system complexity while achieving uniform pressure delivery.
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
This solution ensures proper cooling and protection of electronic devices by maintaining uniform pressure and flow, reducing the risk of damage and simplifying the design of sealed enclosures, while accommodating varying device configurations and cooling needs.
Implementation Method 1
liquid submersion cooled electronic devices
Implementation Method 2
coolant pump for the liquid are necessary
Implementation Method 3
The fluid delivery system is configured to generate pressure and flow of the cooling liquid at slightly higher levels than is necessary for the worst case electronic device position within the array and to provide for substantially uniform cooling liquid pressure delivery to every electronic device within the array
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A fluid delivery system configuration is described for use with an array of liquid submersion cooled electronic devices disposed in a rack, such as an army of liquid submerged servers. The fluid delivery system allows for the pumping system to generate pressure and flow of the cooling system fluid at slightly higher levels than is necessary for the worst case device/position within the array and to provide for uniformity of delivery pressure and coolant flow to each and every device within the array.