Dynamic Thermal Unit for Network Cable Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Datacenter networking systems face signal degradation and component failure due to heat generated by components like cables, transceivers, and PCBs, which traditional cooling methods fail to effectively address, especially for dynamic connections.

Innovation Solution

A cooling system incorporating a networking cage assembly with a thermal unit that includes a dynamic end to engage networking cables and a static end to engage a water block, facilitating heat dissipation through a thermally conductive medium, allowing for flexible engagement and efficient heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional cooling methods are used for network connections, then the system structure remains simple, but heat dissipation effectiveness is insufficient leading to signal degradation and component failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidsignal degradation and component failure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into distinct functional components: a networking cage assembly for cable reception, a networking box with water block for active cooling, and a thermal medium connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to solve the heat dissipation problem effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A thermal medium acts as an intermediary between the networking cable and the water block. This thermal medium facilitates efficient heat transfer from the cable to the cooling system, resolving the contradiction by providing a dedicated heat conduction path that improves heat dissipation effectiveness while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a rigid thermal connection is used between the cooling system and networking cable, then heat transfer efficiency is maximized, but the system cannot accommodate cable movement or installation variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidflexible engagement

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal medium incorporates a dynamic end that can flex and adapt to different cable positions and movements. This dynamic design maintains thermal contact with the cable while accommodating installation variations and cable movement, thus preserving heat transfer efficiency without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal medium uses a flexible structure that can conform to the cable surface while maintaining thermal engagement. This flexible design allows the system to adapt to cable movements and installation variations while still providing effective heat conduction from the cable to the water block.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Temperature

If the thermal medium is made completely rigid to maintain thermal engagement, then heat conduction is optimized, but the system becomes difficult to manufacture and assemble

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat conduction optimizationVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal medium is segmented into a static end and a dynamic end with distinct functions. The static end provides stable thermal engagement with the water block, while the dynamic end accommodates cable movement. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing and assembly by allowing each portion to be optimized independently while maintaining overall heat conduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 system effectively dissipates heat from dynamic network connections, improving thermal performance and reducing thermal inefficiencies, thereby enhancing the reliability of datacenter networking systems.

Implementation Method 1

the thermal medium is configured to conduct the heat from the dynamic end to the static end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a water block configured to receive water circulated therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the static end is configured to dissipate heat from the thermal medium via thermal engagement with the water block of the networking box

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS10856055B2Apparatuses for improved thermal performance of dynamic network connections

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD(IL)

AI summary

Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide a cooling system for network connections. An example system includes a networking cage assembly that receives a networking cable and a water block that circulates water. The system includes a thermal unit that includes a thermal medium. The thermal medium defines a static end that thermally engages the water block and a dynamic end opposite the static end that is disposed within the networking cage assembly. In an operational configuration in which the networking cable is received by the networking cage assembly, a portion of the dynamic end thermally engages the networking cable so as to dissipate heat from the networking cable to the thermal medium, the thermal medium conducts the heat from the dynamic end to the static end, and the static end dissipates heat from the thermal medium via thermal engagement with the water block.