Electronic apparatus having immersion cooling system and operating method thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-performance servers generate significant waste heat, requiring efficient heat dissipation, but existing two-phase immersion cooling systems using liquid coolant are costly due to expensive coolant replacement and pressure issues leading to coolant diffusion.

Innovation Solution

An immersion cooling system with a condensation module that adjusts parameters such as flow rate, initial temperature, or type of condensate to lower the boiling point of the coolant, combined with a pressure control module to manage air release and pressure, enhancing thermal energy dissipation without coolant replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If liquid coolant is used for heat dissipation in two-phase immersion cooling, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but operating cost increases due to expensive coolant replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidoperating cost
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the coolant by adding nucleating agents to modify the boiling characteristics. This allows the coolant to form uniform bubble nuclei at controlled temperatures, improving heat transfer efficiency without requiring expensive coolant replacement. The parameter modification enables the same coolant to maintain effective heat dissipation over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using expensive specialized coolants that require frequent replacement, the patent employs a cost-effective approach by adding inexpensive nucleating agents to regular coolant. This transforms the coolant system from one requiring expensive periodic replacement to one that maintains performance through additive supplementation, significantly reducing operating costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Temperature

If pressure in the coolant accommodation space is increased, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but coolant diffusion outside the system occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidcoolant diffusion
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes controlled phase transitions through nucleating agents that promote uniform bubble formation during boiling. By controlling the phase change characteristics at moderate pressures, the system achieves efficient heat dissipation without requiring high pressure, thereby preventing coolant diffusion outside the sealed system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The nucleating agents act as intermediaries that facilitate controlled bubble formation and phase transition. These agents mediate between the heat generating components and the coolant, enabling efficient heat transfer at lower pressures by providing controlled nucleation sites, thus preventing the need for high-pressure operation that would cause coolant leakage.

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

The system effectively increases thermal energy dissipation capacity, reduces operating costs by avoiding coolant replacement, and prevents coolant diffusion due to pressure management, thereby improving server performance and maintenance efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The condensation module drives a condensate and adjusts at least one parameter of the condensate to lower the temperature in the box body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the condensation module lowers the boiling point of the coolant to a predetermined value by lowering the temperature in the box body with the condensate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

The heating unit is adapted to heat the coolant in the box body for releasing an air dissolved in the liquid coolant from the liquid coolant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

The valve is adapted to discharge the released air out of the box body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4087378A1Electronic apparatus having immersion cooling system and operating method thereof
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 WIWYNN CORP
  • EP4087378A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4087378A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4087378A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An electronic apparatus (100) including at least one heat generating component (110) and an immersion cooling system (120) is provided. The immersion cooling system (120) includes a box body (122) and a condensation module (124). The box body (122) is adapted to accommodate a coolant (M), and the heat generating component (110) is disposed in the box body (122) for immersion in the coolant (M) in a liquid state. The condensation module (124) includes a pipeline (124a) and a condensate (124b), and the pipeline (124a) passes through the box body (122) and is adapted for the condensate (124b) to flow. At least one parameter of the condensate (124b) may be changed to lower a boiling point of the coolant (M) to a predetermined value by lowering the temperature in the box body (122) with the condensate (124b). In addition, an operating method of the electronic apparatus (100) is also provided.