Elevated Air-Cooled Heat Exchanger Layout to Limit Air Recirculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems for computing devices face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat due to recirculation of cooling air, which affects heat transfer performance.
Innovation Solution
The system elevates the air-cooled heat exchanger above the fluid tanks and incorporates a fan configuration to direct cooling air away from the heat exchanger, reducing recirculation and enhancing heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the air-cooled heat exchanger is positioned at ground level, then the system structure is simpler and easier to install, but cooling air recirculation occurs which reduces heat transfer performance
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is elevated from ground level to an elevated position above the fluid tanks, transitioning from a two-dimensional ground-level arrangement to a three-dimensional vertical arrangement. This dimensional change allows cooling air to be discharged above the heat exchanger rather than at ground level, preventing recirculation and improving heat transfer performance while maintaining installation feasibility through standard elevation structures.
2Productivity
If the heat exchanger is elevated above the fluid tanks, then cooling air recirculation is minimized improving heat transfer, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevated position of the heat exchanger serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents cooling air recirculation by discharging air above the heat exchanger, improves heat transfer performance, and allows the fluid tanks to be positioned below for optimal fluid dynamics. This multi-functional arrangement achieves improved performance without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Device complexity
If cooling air is discharged at ground level, then the fan structure is simpler, but the discharged air recirculates through the heat exchanger reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The fan discharges cooling air vertically upward in the vertical dimension rather than horizontally at ground level. This dimensional change in air discharge direction allows the air to rise above the heat exchanger and be discharged over the surrounding area, eliminating recirculation and improving cooling efficiency without requiring complex fan structures.
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 configuration improves heat transfer performance by minimizing recirculation of cooling air, thereby increasing the effectiveness of thermal management systems for computing devices.
Implementation Method 1
Each fluid tank is configured to hold a group of computing devices over the plurality of apertures... configured to receive the dielectric fluid
Implementation Method 2
A pump is configured to circulate the dielectric fluid through the fluid circulation system... remove thermal energy from the dielectric fluid
Implementation Method 3
The air-cooled heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid tanks and is configured to receive the dielectric fluid... remove thermal energy from the dielectric fluid
Implementation Method 4
A fan is configured to circulate air through the air-cooled heat exchanger so as to remove thermal energy from the dielectric fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid circulation system for cooling a plurality of computing devices with a dielectric includes a plurality of fluid tanks, an air cooled heat exchanger, a fan and a pump. Each fluid tank includes a bottom having a plurality of apertures for receiving the dielectric fluid. Each fluid tank is configured to hold a group of computing devices over the plurality of apertures. The air-cooled heat exchanger is elevated at least fifteen feet over a support surface. The air-cooled heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid tanks and is configured to receive the dielectric fluid. The fan is configured to circulate air through the air-cooled heat exchanger so as to remove thermal energy from the dielectric fluid. The pump is configured to circulate the dielectric fluid through the fluid circulation system.