Crossflow Fan Airflow Control for Targeted BBU Rack Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airflow management systems in battery backup unit (BBU) racks are inefficient, particularly in mass-density systems like data center storage racks, as they require costly equipment and fail to precisely deliver cooling air to specific battery modules, leading to suboptimal cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a crossflow fan system with a rotatable vortex adjusting frame and a rack management controller that dynamically adjusts airflow direction and pressure to efficiently deliver cooling air to BBU modules, using air chambers to maintain higher pressure and velocity for effective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional airflow management equipment is used in mass-density BBU racks, then cooling coverage is provided, but equipment cost increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The BBU rack is divided into multiple zones with independent airflow control. Each zone has its own air chamber and crossflow fan configuration, allowing selective cooling activation based on thermal requirements. This segmentation enables partial cooling activation, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining necessary cooling coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic airflow management where crossflow fans adjust their operation based on real-time thermal conditions. Air chambers dynamically regulate airflow distribution to different BBU modules, enabling the system to adapt cooling intensity to actual heat generation patterns, thereby improving energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If traditional airflow management is used, then cooling is provided, but airflow cannot be precisely delivered to specific battery modules
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into module-specific air chambers, each capable of independent airflow control. This allows precise targeting of cooling air to specific BBU modules that require it, rather than providing uniform cooling to the entire rack. The segmentation enables selective activation of cooling zones based on individual module thermal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the BBU rack receive customized airflow treatment through locally-controlled air chambers. Each chamber can be independently configured to provide appropriate cooling intensity and direction for its specific BBU module, achieving local optimization of cooling effectiveness rather than uniform blanket cooling.
3Ease of operation
If crossflow fans with rotatable vortex adjusting frame are deployed, then airflow direction control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crossflow fans incorporate rotatable vortex adjusting frames that enable dynamic airflow direction control. This mechanical adjustment capability allows the system to adapt airflow patterns to different thermal zones and cooling requirements without requiring multiple fixed fan configurations, managing complexity through controlled mobility rather than static multiplicity.
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 enhances airflow management by precisely targeting cooling air to specific battery cells, improving cooling efficiency and reducing energy costs by optimizing airflow distribution within the BBU rack.
Implementation Method 1
one or more crossflow fans, each crossflow fan configured to dynamically adjust its air blowing direction in real time
Implementation Method 2
using air chambers to maintain higher pressure and velocity for effective cooling
Implementation Method 3
cooling air can be used to cool battery cells
Implementation Method 4
one or more crossflow fans configured to dynamically adjust its air blowing direction... diffuse cooling air into one or more of the BBU modules
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing airflow in a backup battery unit (BBU) rack are described in the disclosure. In one embodiment, a system includes a BBU rack with a number of BBU modules, the BBU rack configured to power a server rack in a data center. The system further includes one or more crossflow fans, each crossflow fan configured to dynamically adjust its air blowing direction in real time; and a rack management controller that are connected to the server rack, the BBU rack and the one or more crossflow fans. The crossflow fan is equipped with a rotatable frame for airflow variations. The one or more crossflow fans to diffuse cooling air into one or more of the BBU modules in response to a power supply incident after receiving control signals from either a rack management controller and/or the BBU rack controller.