Equipment Enclosure Cooling Panels for Data Center Heat Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face increasing challenges in managing waste heat generated by advanced computer equipment, which strains ventilation and air conditioning systems, necessitating a more efficient cooling solution to maintain equipment performance and reduce energy costs.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system comprising an air mover, cooling panels, and a controller that conditions air before it enters the equipment enclosure, using coolant tubes and outlet ports to direct cooled air through the equipment, thereby reducing the temperature rise and minimizing the load on facility cooling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ventilation and air conditioning systems are used to remove waste heat from data centers, then equipment temperature is controlled, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple cooling panels that can be distributed across different equipment racks or zones within the data center. Each panel operates independently to cool local hot spots, eliminating the need for centralized air conditioning to cool entire rooms. This segmentation allows targeted cooling only where heat is generated, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective temperature control.
2Productivity
If higher speed and greater capacity computer equipment is deployed, then data processing capability increases, but waste heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures the waste heat generated by high-performance computing equipment and redirects it through heat exchangers to pre-cool incoming air or to drive absorption cooling cycles. By converting the harmful waste heat into a useful cooling resource, the system enables higher data processing capabilities without proportionally increasing the energy demand for waste heat removal.
3Reliability
If facility air conditioning systems work harder to remove excess heat, then equipment operates within temperature limits, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling panels are designed to be self-regulating, using temperature sensors and control systems that automatically adjust cooling output based on real-time thermal conditions. The system draws ambient air through heat exchangers and uses passive convection currents to distribute cooled air to equipment. This self-service approach maintains equipment reliability within temperature limits without requiring complex centralized air conditioning infrastructure.
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 reduces the temperature of air exiting the enclosure, minimizing the need for room conditioning and lowering the heat load on ventilation and air conditioning systems, thus enhancing equipment efficiency and reducing energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling panels are configured to receive the air from the air mover, and the received air is cooled as it travels within the cooling panels
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling temperature in an equipment enclosure are disclosed. The system includes an enclosure having a top side, side walls, a front side, and a back side. The enclosure is configured to receive computer equipment. Further included is an air mover to draw air into the enclosure at the top side. Cooling panels are coupled to the front side of the sidewalls. The cooling panels are configured to receive the air from the air mover, and the received air is cooled as it travels within the cooling panels. The cooling panels include outlet ports for allowing the air that has been cooled to travel from the front side of the enclosure to the backside of the enclosure.