Elliptical Immersion Cooling Tank for Heat Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional air cooling systems, including those with fan systems, are inadequate for efficiently removing heat from advanced electronic components due to inefficiencies in coolant circulation in passive, rectangular-shaped immersion tanks, leading to potential overheating and operational issues in servers and other heat-generating devices.
Innovation Solution
An elliptical tank assembly with a plurality of condenser tubes, cooling fans, a manifold system for distributing liquid flow, and a top cover with an air baffle, which enhances coolant circulation and heat transfer by using a metallic material and a thermally-conductive coolant like fluorocarbon or water, supporting heat-generating components such as servers and switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional air cooling with fan systems is used, then the system structure is simple, but heat removal efficiency is insufficient for high-performance electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from air cooling to liquid immersion cooling, where electronic components are submerged in a dielectric coolant. This hydraulic approach enables superior heat transfer through direct liquid-to-component contact, achieving the high heat removal efficiency required for modern high-performance electronics while managing the complexity through a closed-loop system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system utilizes phase transition of the dielectric coolant, which circulates through heat exchangers where it undergoes phase changes (liquid to vapor and back) to efficiently absorb and reject heat. This phase change mechanism provides high heat removal efficiency while the condenser and evaporator components manage the system complexity.
2Productivity
If passive rectangular-shaped immersion tanks are used, then manufacturing is simple, but coolant circulation is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or rounded tank geometries instead of simple rectangular shapes. This curvature facilitates more effective natural convection currents and improves coolant circulation patterns throughout the tank, enhancing heat transfer efficiency while the overall tank structure remains relatively simple and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The immersion tank is divided into distinct zones or sections with different functions - such as component immersion zones, circulation zones, and heat exchanger zones. This segmentation optimizes coolant flow patterns and circulation efficiency while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular design.
3Productivity
If liquid cooling is implemented, then heat removal efficiency improves, but noise pollution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical air-moving devices (fans) with a liquid-based cooling system that relies on natural convection and controlled circulation. This substitution eliminates the primary noise source associated with high-speed fan operation while achieving superior heat removal efficiency through the liquid coolant's higher specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity.
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 elliptical tank assembly improves heat removal efficiency, reduces noise pollution, and provides effective thermal management for high-performance electronic components by optimizing coolant circulation and heat exchange, ensuring reliable operation and extended device lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
at least one condenser including a plurality of condenser tubes
Implementation Method 2
at least one cooling fan adjacent to the condenser
Implementation Method 3
a manifold system coupled to the at least one condenser to assist in distributing liquid flow to and from the plurality of condenser tubes
Implementation Method 4
The top cover includes an air baffle
Implementation Method 5
a thermally-conductive coolant like fluorocarbon or water
Data Source
AI summary
An immersion liquid cooling tank assembly includes a generally elliptical tank, at least one condenser including a plurality of condenser tubes, at least one cooling fan adjacent to the condenser, a manifold system coupled to the at least one condenser to assist in distributing liquid flow to and from the plurality of condenser tubes, and a top cover disposed over the generally elliptical tank. The top cover includes an air baffle.