Cooling Unit Capacity Control for Isolated Data Center Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional data center cooling systems, such as CRAC units, are inefficient due to the mixing of hot and cold air, and pose risks with overhead piping, leading to inefficiencies and potential equipment damage from leaks.
Innovation Solution
A modular, self-contained cooling unit with a compressor, condenser, and evaporator, featuring a bypass valve and variable speed fans, which optimizes airflow and coolant flow based on sensed parameters to enhance cooling efficiency and safety by isolating hot and cold air streams and eliminating the need for overhead piping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If CRAC units are used to cool data centers, then cooling coverage is provided, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to mixing of hot and cold air
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the data center cooling into separate cold and hot air streams using containment structures. Cold air is delivered through raised floors to equipment fronts, while hot air is contained and returned to CRAC units through dedicated pathways, preventing mixing and improving cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces containment structures and airflow management systems as intermediaries between CRAC units and equipment. These structures guide and separate air streams, ensuring cold air reaches equipment efficiently while hot air is contained and returned to cooling units without mixing.
2Reliability
If overhead piping is used for coolant delivery, then cooling system functionality is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to leak risks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the overhead piping system from the cooling infrastructure. Instead of using centralized coolant delivery through overhead pipes, the system uses localized CRAC units with integrated cooling mechanisms, removing the source of leak risks associated with overhead piping.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from hydraulic coolant delivery systems (overhead piping) to pneumatic airflow systems. Cooling is achieved through forced air convection using fans and airflow management, eliminating the need for liquid coolant transport and associated leak risks.
3Productivity
If the number of rack-mounted equipment increases, then data processing capacity is improved, but heat generation increases requiring more cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements preliminary airflow management and containment structures that are installed before equipment is added to racks. This pre-configured infrastructure ensures that as equipment density increases, the cooling system is already in place to manage the anticipated heat generation through dedicated cold and hot air pathways.
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 significantly improves cooling efficiency by isolating hot and cold air streams, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing the risk of equipment damage from leaks, while allowing for flexible and scalable deployment within data centers.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor to provide coolant under pressure
Implementation Method 2
a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor
Implementation Method 3
a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor
Implementation Method 4
an evaporator in fluid communication with the condenser and the compressor
Implementation Method 5
an evaporator in fluid communication with the condenser and the compressor
Implementation Method 6
at least one first air moving device coupled to the housing and configured to direct air over the first heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A method of calculating net sensible cooling capacity of a cooling unit includes measuring a discharge pressure from of fluid from a compressor and a suction pressure from an evaporator, calculating a condensing temperature of fluid flowing from the compressor and an evaporating temperature of fluid flowing from the evaporator, calculating a mass flow rate of fluid flowing from the compressor, calculating enthalpy of fluid flowing from the compressor, of fluid flowing from the thermal expansion valve, and of fluid flowing from the evaporator, calculating a mass flow rate of fluid flowing through the hot gas bypass valve, and calculating net sensible cooling capacity. Embodiments of cooling units and other methods are further disclosed.