Dual-Mode Datacenter Cooling with Repurposable Refrigerant Subsystem
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current datacenter cooling systems face inefficiencies with air cooling being inadequate for high heat requirements and liquid cooling being economically unfeasible, especially in mobile datacenters where space is limited and cooling demands vary widely.
Innovation Solution
A repurposable refrigerant cooling subsystem that integrates with an evaporative cooling subsystem, providing adjustable cooling capacities by controlling humidity and offering independent cooling, using a refrigerant that can function in both configurations to address varying cooling needs within a datacenter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If air cooling systems are used, then the system is simple and economical, but the cooling capacity is insufficient for high heat requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in evaporative cooling mode for general cooling needs and switch to refrigerant-based cooling mode for high heat requirements. The repurposable refrigerant cooling subsystem can function independently or work in conjunction with the evaporative cooling subsystem, providing adaptable cooling capacity across different operating conditions.
2Reliability
If liquid cooling systems are used, then the cooling capacity is sufficient for high heat requirements, but the system becomes economically unfeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on cooling demands. The repurposable refrigerant cooling subsystem can be activated or deactivated, and its capacity can be adjusted to match the actual heat load. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to provide sufficient cooling capacity when needed while avoiding the continuous economic burden of a full liquid cooling infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed cooling capacity system is used, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot adapt to widely varying cooling demands
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in evaporative cooling mode for general cooling needs and switch to refrigerant-based cooling mode for high heat requirements. The repurposable refrigerant cooling subsystem can function independently or work in conjunction with the evaporative cooling subsystem, providing adaptable cooling capacity across different operating conditions.
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 enhances cooling efficiency and cost-effectiveness by allowing the system to adapt to different cooling requirements, effectively managing heat in datacenters with a compact and versatile cooling solution that combines evaporative and refrigerant-based cooling methods.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporative cooling subsystem provides blown air for cooling the datacenter
Implementation Method 2
a repurposable refrigerant cooling subsystem controls moisture of the blown air in a first configuration and independently cools the datacenter in a second configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for a datacenter is disclosed. An evaporative cooling subsystem provides blown air for cooling the datacenter and a repurposable refrigerant cooling subsystem controls moisture of the blown air in a first configuration and independently cools the datacenter in a second configuration.