Data Center Power Supply Layout for Efficient Cooling and Wire Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data center designs face challenges in efficient cooling and wire routing, with air conditioning units not being standardized, accessible, or transportable, leading to inefficiencies in air flow and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a building with an exterior load wall, exterior wall openings, and a floor with cabinet clusters arranged to direct heated air into a central hot air area, using thermal shields and air conditioning units located outside to efficiently manage cooling and wire routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If air conditioning units are placed inside the facility, then cooling efficiency is improved, but accessibility for maintenance and transportability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air conditioning system is divided into separate components: evaporator units positioned inside the facility for efficient cooling, and condenser units positioned outside for accessibility and transportability. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while resolving the contradiction between cooling efficiency and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a conventional single-location AC unit to a distributed arrangement across different spatial dimensions. Evaporators are placed in the cold aisle dimension for optimal cooling, while condensers are placed in the external environment dimension for accessibility, effectively using dimensional separation to resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conventional air conditioning systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but standardization and transportability are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling functionVSAvoidstandardization and transportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the AC system into standardized evaporator and condenser modules, each component can be manufactured to standard specifications that ensure reliable cooling function while also being transportable and adaptable to different facility configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The evaporator and condenser units are designed as universal, multi-functional components that can be deployed in various configurations and locations. The evaporators provide reliable cooling inside the facility while the external condensers offer standardized, transportable units that can be easily relocated or replaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of repair

If air conditioning units are made transportable, then ease of maintenance is improved, but cooling efficiency may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The separation of evaporators and condensers into distinct, transportable units allows the condensers to be easily maintained or replaced without affecting the evaporators that are optimally positioned for cooling efficiency. This segmentation enables independent optimization of both maintenance ease and cooling performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The condenser units are extracted from the interior facility environment and placed outside, making them easily accessible for maintenance while the evaporators remain in their optimal positions for efficient cooling. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing the compromise between accessibility and cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design achieves efficient cooling and wire routing by trapping heated air and directing it for efficient cooling, while also allowing for easy access and transportability of air conditioning units, enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

trapping the heated air within the central hot air area and causing substantially all the heated air within the central hot air area to rise up within the warm exhaust channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal buoyancy: Hot Isostatic Pressing