Data Center Temperature Module with Ambient Air Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center cooling technologies are inefficient in geographical areas with low ambient temperatures, leading to unnecessary cooling or high energy consumption, and lack integration density for high-performance computing applications.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-controlled module for data centers that utilizes ambient air for temperature regulation without additional cooling devices, featuring a rack that divides the interior into cold and hot aisles, with air ducts and closable passage openings for airflow management, leveraging server fans for ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If standard cooling devices (heat exchangers, fans) are used for temperature control, then temperature regulation is achieved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server fans serve dual purposes: both for cooling the servers and for ventilating the data center environment. The system uses the heat generated by servers to drive natural convection currents that circulate air through the building, eliminating the need for separate cooling devices
Solution Approach 2:
The heat generated by servers, which is normally a harmful factor requiring active cooling, is converted into a beneficial resource by using it to drive natural convection currents. The hot air rising from servers creates pressure differences that naturally circulate air through the building, providing passive cooling
2Temperature
If active cooling systems are deployed in low-ambient-temperature regions, then temperature control is maintained, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to ambient temperature conditions by using natural convection driven by server heat generation. When ambient temperatures are low, the system automatically transitions to passive cooling mode without requiring active cooling intervention, as the temperature differential naturally drives air circulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters based on ambient temperature conditions. In low-temperature environments, it relies on natural convection driven by server heat, while in high-temperature environments, it can activate additional cooling measures. The transition between modes is automatic and based on temperature thresholds
3Productivity
If traditional data center layouts are used, then infrastructure is simple, but integration density for high-performance computing is low
Solution Approach 1:
The data center is segmented into distinct thermal zones (cold zones where air is supplied and hot zones where air is exhausted). This segmentation allows for optimized server placement and airflow management, enabling higher integration density while maintaining efficient thermal management through natural convection
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional horizontal airflow management to vertical airflow management by exploiting the vertical temperature gradient. Hot air rises vertically from servers to the ceiling, creating natural convection currents that can be harnessed for cooling, adding a vertical dimension to the airflow management strategy
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
Achieves energy-efficient, high integration density, and mobile data centers suitable for high-performance computing, with self-regulating thermal management and fault tolerance, enabling efficient operation in low-temperature regions.
Implementation Method 1
The fan is intended to extract heated air from the server room through the raised floor. This heated air is to enter the raised floor, be cooled by the heat exchanger, and then returned to the server room as cooled air.
Implementation Method 2
The fan is intended to extract heated air from the server room through the raised floor.
Implementation Method 3
second, closable air passage openings, when open, allow air to pass between the first chamber and the second chamber; third, closable air passage openings, when open, allow air to pass between the first chamber and the environment; and fourth, closable air passage openings, when open, allow air to pass between the second chamber and the environment.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a module (1) for a data center (101) which has a temperature-controlled interior space (10) and an air duct space (6), wherein a rack (21) is arranged in the interior space (10) which separates a first room area (13) from a second room area (14).The air control chamber (6) is provided to have a first chamber (17) and a second chamber (18), wherein: - first air passage openings (19) allow air passage between the first space area (13) and the first chamber (17) and between the second space area (14) and the second chamber (18); - second, closable air passage openings (20) allow air passage between the first chamber (17) and the second chamber (18) when open; - third, closable air passage openings (8a) allow air passage between the first chamber (17) and the environment when open; and - fourth, closable air passage openings (8b) allow air passage between the second chamber (18) and the environment when open.