Data Center Cooling Capacity Analysis Using Enclosure-Level Airflow Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data center management tools inadequately address cooling performance analysis, leading to over-design and inefficiency due to the inability to accurately determine cooling needs at a granular level, especially with high power density equipment, resulting in hot spots and potential equipment failures.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for determining data center cooling and power requirements by calculating and comparing predicted and measured cooling capacities at specific equipment enclosures, providing real-time feedback on remaining cooling and power capacity, and optimizing equipment placement based on airflow analysis and weighted summation of airflow sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional cooling system design tools are used, then overall cooling requirements for the data center can be determined, but granular cooling capacity at specific equipment enclosures cannot be accurately assessed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacity measurement precisionVSAvoidcooling analysis system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data center cooling analysis into discrete equipment enclosure-level measurements and calculations. By dividing the facility into individual cooling zones around each equipment enclosure, the system provides granular cooling capacity assessment without requiring complex facility-wide CFD simulations for each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses built-in temperature sensors and airflow measurements at each equipment enclosure to self-determine local cooling capacity. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external complex analysis tools while providing accurate localized cooling assessments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If computational fluid dynamics (CFD) programs are used to model cooling design, then detailed cooling performance can be analyzed, but the complexity results in prohibitively expensive and time-consuming analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling performance analysis precisionVSAvoidcooling design analysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing simplified cooling capacity calculations at specific equipment enclosure locations rather than conducting exhaustive facility-wide CFD simulations. This selective approach provides sufficient precision for equipment-level decisions without the excessive time and cost of complete CFD analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses inexpensive, simple temperature sensors and airflow measurements instead of expensive CFD software licenses and computational resources. These low-cost measurement tools provide adequate data for equipment enclosure-level cooling assessment without the high overhead of sophisticated simulation programs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If equipment racks with high power density are deployed, then computing capacity is increased, but cooling requirements and risk of hot spots increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing capacityVSAvoidequipment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring temperature and airflow at equipment enclosures and using this data to determine available cooling capacity. This real-time feedback enables dynamic assessment of cooling adequacy for high-density equipment, allowing operators to prevent hot spots and maintain reliability through informed equipment placement and cooling system adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables precise determination of cooling and power availability at specific areas within data centers, reducing the likelihood of hot spots, improving efficiency, and preventing equipment failures by providing accurate, real-time monitoring and optimization of data center layouts.

Implementation Method 1

measuring airflow at a first plurality of locations in the facility to obtain a measured cooling capacity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow measurement:

Implementation Method 2

measuring air temperature at a second plurality of locations in the facility

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Implementation Method 3

Advanced programs that use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) may be used to model the cooling design of a facility

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComputational fluid dynamics:

Implementation Method 4

estimating available cooling air of at least one of the equipment enclosures using a weighted summation of available airflows from a plurality of airflow sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeighted summation of airflow:

Data Source

PatentUS7881910B2Methods and systems for managing facility power and cooling

Publication Date: 2011.02.01 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for determining data center cooling and power requirements and for monitoring performance of cooling and power systems in data centers. At least one aspect provides a system and method that enables a data center operator to determine available power and cooling at specific areas and enclosures in a data center to assist in locating new equipment in the data center.