Dual Motor Gear Pump for Data Center Cooling Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for data centers are inefficient, power-intensive, and prone to leaks, requiring complex and expensive connectors and plumbing, while also being bulky and unreliable, especially for large arrays of computers.
Innovation Solution
A central distribution unit (CDU) that operates under negative pressure, featuring a reversible pump, various valves, and sensors, allowing for multiple operation modes such as normal, fill, drain, purge, and vacuum test, along with a dual motor pump for redundancy and a coolant injector nozzle for efficient coolant circulation and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If vapor-compression refrigeration systems are used to cool data centers, then cooling capacity is achieved, but power consumption increases and thermal efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces vapor-compression refrigeration systems with a liquid cooling system that uses a vacuum pump to circulate coolant directly through server components. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for compressors, condensers, and evaporators, dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining effective cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a hydraulic liquid cooling system where a vacuum pump creates negative pressure to circulate coolant through servers. This pneumatic-hydraulic approach enables efficient heat transfer directly from server components to a heat exchanger, achieving superior thermal efficiency compared to air-based vapor-compression systems.
2Loss of energy
If liquid cooling systems are implemented, then thermal efficiency improves, but system complexity and leak risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from complex vapor-compression systems and implements a simplified liquid cooling loop using a vacuum pump. By removing unnecessary components and using negative pressure to drive flow, the system achieves high thermal efficiency with reduced complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating pressure parameter from positive (conventional liquid cooling) to negative (vacuum pump system). This parameter change simplifies the system by eliminating the need for complex leak-proof connectors and plumbing, as negative pressure naturally prevents leaks while maintaining thermal efficiency.
3Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling is provided, but the system is bulky and occupies significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky vapor-compression refrigeration equipment with a compact vacuum pump-based liquid cooling system. This substitution eliminates large compressors, condensers, and expansion devices, dramatically reducing the volume required for effective cooling while maintaining the cooling function.
4Loss of energy
If liquid cooling systems are implemented, then cooling efficiency improves, but reliability decreases due to leak concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using negative pressure instead of positive pressure to circulate coolant. This inversion ensures that leaks are prevented rather than contained, as the vacuum naturally draws coolant back into the system rather than allowing it to escape, thereby improving reliability while maintaining cooling efficiency.
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
The CDU provides a compact, reliable, and low-power cooling solution with minimal coolant flow, reducing thermal resistance and the risk of leaks, while maintaining system efficiency and reliability across multiple computers.
Implementation Method 1
Rotating the rotors propels a liquid from the suction inlet to the pressure outlet
Implementation Method 2
A vacuum pump may be used to prime the pump and/or to cool the CPU(s) under vacuum
Implementation Method 3
A heat exchanger may be used to cool the coolant
Implementation Method 4
water is a theoretically ideal heat transfer agent for direct heat transfer from heat generating components
Data Source
AI summary
A pump with two independent motors is disclosed. The first motor is mechanically connected to a first rotor comprising a first plurality of teeth radiating from the center of the first rotor. The second motor is mechanically connected to a second rotor comprising a second plurality of teeth radiating from the center of the first rotor, wherein the first plurality of teeth meshes with the second plurality of teeth. A sealed case may house the first and second rotors, and the case may include a suction inlet and a pressure outlet. Rotating the rotors propels a liquid from the suction inlet to the pressure outlet. Because the motors are independent of each other, when one motor fails to rotate the other motor will rotate both rotors and maintain the propelling liquid from the suction inlet to the pressure outlet. The pump may be a gear pump or a rotary lobe pump.