Electrochemical Fluid Sensor for Immersion Cooling Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contaminants in immersion cooling systems can alter the boiling temperature and conductivity of the immersion fluid, cause ion mobilization, and lead to dendritic growth or deposition on heat-generating components, reducing cooling efficiency and potentially causing electrical shorts.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical sensor system with electrodes and a microcontroller is used to measure contaminant concentrations in the immersion fluid, applying a stimulus signal to detect contaminants and remediating the fluid based on the measured concentrations using a machine learning model to predict and mitigate potential damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If immersion cooling is used to regulate temperature, then cooling efficiency is improved, but contaminations in the working fluid can alter boiling temperature and conductivity causing adverse effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously monitoring contaminant concentrations in the immersion fluid before they reach critical levels that would cause dendritic growth or boiling point alterations. The system proactively detects contaminants and triggers remediation processes, preventing rather than reacting to cooling efficiency degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through continuous measurement of contaminant concentrations in the immersion fluid using sensors. The system monitors fluid quality parameters and adjusts remediation processes accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains fluid purity and ensures reliable operation.
2Reliability
If contaminants are present in the immersion fluid, then ion mobilization and dendritic growth occur, but electrical shorts and system failure result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing measures to prevent dendritic growth before it can cause electrical shorts. The system monitors contaminant levels and ion concentrations, and initiates remediation processes that counteract the formation of conductive dendrites, thereby protecting against electrical failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful presence of contaminants into a beneficial monitoring opportunity. By detecting contaminants and measuring their concentrations, the system identifies the precursors to dendritic growth and takes corrective action, turning the potential harm into an early warning signal that triggers preventive remediation.
3Reliability
If contaminant concentration is monitored and remediation is applied, then fluid purity is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the immersion cooling system to monitor and remediate its own working fluid without external intervention. The integrated sensor system and remediation processes allow the system to maintain its own fluid quality, reducing the need for manual monitoring and external maintenance services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a multi-functional system that combines temperature regulation, contaminant monitoring, and fluid remediation into a single integrated platform. The electrodes serve multiple purposes including cooling, sensing, and remediation, reducing overall system complexity despite the added monitoring capabilities.
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 detects and remediates contaminants, maintaining the thermal conductivity and preventing dendritic growth, thereby ensuring reliable operation of immersion cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
applying a stimulus signal with a static voltage across the sampling region with the first electrode and second electrode, varying a frequency of the stimulus signal, measuring an output signal across the sampling region
Implementation Method 2
The liquid working fluid receives heat from heat-generating components immersed in the liquid working fluid
Implementation Method 3
the temperature of the working fluid increases. In some embodiments, the hot working fluid can be circulated through the thermal management system to cool the working fluid
Implementation Method 4
one or more heat exchangers to remove thermal energy from the immersion working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An immersion cooling system includes an immersion tank defining an immersion chamber therein, an immersion working fluid, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The immersion working fluid is positioned at least partially in the immersion chamber. The first electrode is electrically coupled to an electrical power source, and the second electrode is positioned proximate to the first electrode and defines a sampling region therebetween. A sample portion of the immersion working fluid is positioned in the sampling region, and the second electrode is coupled to a microcontroller configured to measure at least a current across the sampling region between the first electrode and the second electrode.