Datacenter Fluid Cooling Balance With Smart Valve Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid cooling techniques for datacenter rack-mounted processing assemblies lack effective control and balance of cooling liquid and heated liquid temperatures, leading to inefficiencies in heat dissipation and potential component failures.

Innovation Solution

A fluid cooling system with smart control valves that adjust cooling fluid flow rates based on temperature differentials and fan speeds to maintain optimal temperature differentials, incorporating pressure-independent control valves and leakage detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional liquid cooling techniques are used without dynamic control, then the cooling system structure is simple, but the cooling efficiency and temperature control precision are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidcooling system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of cooling liquid flow rates through smart control valves that continuously adjust based on real-time temperature measurements from sensors. The system transitions from static to dynamic operation, allowing the cooling system to adapt to varying thermal loads and maintain optimal temperature differentials across different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor temperatures at various points in the cooling circuit and feed this information back to control valves. This feedback mechanism enables closed-loop control where the system automatically adjusts flow rates to maintain target temperature differentials, significantly improving temperature control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If cooling liquid flow rate is increased to improve cooling efficiency, then heat dissipation performance improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts cooling liquid flow rates based on real-time thermal conditions rather than operating at constant high flow rates. This allows the system to achieve necessary heat dissipation efficiency while consuming less energy by reducing flow rates when full cooling capacity is not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating parameters of the cooling system by adjusting flow rates and temperature differentials dynamically. By optimizing these parameters based on actual thermal loads, the system achieves high heat dissipation efficiency when needed while reducing energy consumption during lower load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cooling zones with different temperature requirements are implemented, then cooling adaptability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cooling system into multiple independent zones, each with its own control valve and temperature sensors. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to be controlled independently according to their specific thermal requirements, improving cooling adaptability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements local quality control by allowing different zones to operate at different temperature differentials and flow rates according to their specific cooling requirements. Each zone can be optimized independently, providing adaptability to varying thermal conditions across different locations without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Manufacturing precision

If pressure-dependent control valves are used, then the valve structure is simple, but the flow rate control precision deteriorates due to pressure variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate control precisionVSAvoidvalve structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces pressure compensation mechanisms as intermediaries between the pressure variations in the system and the control valve operation. This allows the valve to maintain precise flow rate control independent of pressure changes, achieving high control precision while managing the added complexity through specialized valve design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances cooling efficiency by dynamically adjusting fluid flow and fan speeds to maintain optimal temperature differentials, preventing overheating and improving system reliability.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one liquid cooling block being arranged to be in respective thermal contact with the at least one heat-generating electronic processing element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the received cooling liquid absorbs the generated heat and the heated liquid is circulated, via the cooling circuit arrangement, back to cooling liquid source for re-cooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the liquid distribution circuit comprising at least one heat exchanger (ALHEX) configured to cool an air flow of the rack with the cooling liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

at least one electronic processing element is being air-cooled by at least one fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4687380A1Intelligent temperature control and balance of datacenter fluid cooling arrangement
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 OVH
  • EP4687380A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4687380A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4687380A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluid cooling method for rack-mounted processing assemblies, comprising measuring internal temperatures of said at least one air cooled electronic processing element and, when internal temperatures of rack-mounted processing assembly are less than a predetermined limit, and, determining whether at the current input cooling liquid temperature, internal temperatures of said at least one air cooled electronic processing element are less than a predetermined limit.