Modular Data Pod Cooling Chains for Dense Data Center Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional data center cooling systems are inefficient, leading to high costs and energy consumption due to oversized infrastructure, geographical limitations, and inability to handle high-density data centers effectively.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular data pod systems with close-coupled cooling systems that use polygonal shapes for efficient airflow and mechanical cooling, allowing for flexible deployment and scalability, and the use of refrigerant-cooled systems to reduce mechanical refrigeration capacity, enabling efficient cooling in high-wet bulb environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional large, oversized cooling infrastructures are used, then the entire data center can be cooled, but the initial capital, operation, and maintenance costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The data center is divided into multiple zones, each with its own cooling system. Instead of one large centralized cooling infrastructure, the patent implements distributed cooling units that serve specific zones, reducing overall system cost and improving efficiency by cooling only the areas that need it.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones within the data center are cooled according to their specific thermal loads and requirements. The cooling system is tailored to local conditions, with variable capacity units deployed in different locations to match actual cooling needs rather than providing uniform cooling throughout.
2Temperature
If traditional chiller plants are designed to cool the entire data center, then full coverage is achieved, but energy is wasted on areas that do not need cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The data center cooling is segmented into multiple independent zones, each controlled separately. This allows the system to activate cooling only in zones that require it, rather than cooling the entire facility uniformly, thereby reducing energy waste in unneeded areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is made dynamic and adaptive, with zone-based control that responds to actual thermal loads. Cooling capacity is adjusted in real-time based on which zones need cooling, allowing the system to scale its energy consumption to match actual demand rather than operating at fixed high capacity.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If air-cooled free cooling systems are used, then reduced cost is achieved, but operation is restricted to cool, dry-climate environments
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to be universally applicable across different climate zones. By combining air-cooled free cooling capability with water-cooled heat exchanger options, the system can adapt its operating mode based on environmental conditions, making it suitable for both cool dry climates and warmer or more humid locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters based on environmental conditions. In cool dry climates, it operates in air-cooled free cooling mode for cost efficiency. In warmer or humid environments, it transitions to water-cooled modes, changing the cooling mechanism to maintain effectiveness across different geographical and climatic conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adiabatic-assisted cooling systems are used, then expanded geographical reach is achieved, but sufficient cooling for high density data centers cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cooling approaches into a hybrid system that combines adiabatic-assisted cooling with water-cooled heat exchangers and refrigeration cycles. This combination allows the system to leverage the geographical adaptability of adiabatic cooling while adding sufficient cooling capacity through supplemental mechanical cooling for high-density data center applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system uses a composite approach, integrating multiple cooling technologies (adiabatic cooling, water-cooled heat exchangers, refrigeration cycles) into a unified system. This composite system maintains the geographical flexibility of adiabatic methods while incorporating additional cooling mechanisms to meet the high thermal loads of dense data centers.
5Area of stationary object
If modular data pod systems are deployed, then space efficiency and high-density capability are improved, but complex fluid and electrical circuit connections are required
Solution Approach 1:
The data center is segmented into modular data pods, each with integrated fluid and electrical circuits. This segmentation allows standardized connection interfaces between pods, reducing overall system complexity despite the distributed architecture. Each pod is a self-contained module that can be independently deployed and connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular data pods use universal connection standards for fluid and electrical circuits, allowing the same interface and connection methods to be used across all pods. This universality simplifies deployment and reduces complexity by eliminating the need for custom connection designs for each pod.
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 results in lower operational costs, improved energy efficiency, and the ability to support high-density data centers with reduced mechanical cooling infrastructure, enhancing scalability and adaptability to varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Each chain includes a plurality of server racks, a hot aisle containment, a cold aisle containment, and a close-coupled cooling system. The close-coupled cooling system may include refrigerant lines and heat exchangers positioned in thermal communication with the server racks.
Implementation Method 2
heat exchangers positioned in thermal communication with the server racks
Implementation Method 3
the use of refrigerant-cooled systems to reduce mechanical refrigeration capacity, enabling efficient cooling in high-wet bulb environments
Data Source
AI summary
A method of deploying space-saving, high-density modular data pods is disclosed. The method includes installing a plurality of modular data pods in proximity to one another, each data pod including a fluid and electrical circuit section in fluidic and electrical communication with the modular data pod; and coupling a plurality of the fluid and electrical circuit sections in series with each other to form a fluid and electrical circuit having a first end and a second end. A modular data center includes a central cooling device coupled to a central cooling fluid circuit. The central cooling device supports at least a portion of the cooling requirements of the chain of modular data pods. Adjacent common fluid and electrical circuit sections form a common fluid and electrical circuit that connects to the central cooling system.