Cooling Fan Speed Control to Limit Storage Enclosure Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for storage enclosures face challenges in efficiently managing temperature and minimizing vibration interference (RVI) caused by fans, leading to increased testing efforts and costs, while also requiring adaptable cooling solutions for different configurations and noise reduction.
Innovation Solution
A controller that determines cooling device speeds using an asymmetric set of speed values, allowing for tailored control to improve acoustic and power performance, with closer spacing in specific ranges to reduce noise and vibration, and applying hysteresis for efficient fan speed adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of fan speeds are used to achieve fine temperature control, then temperature control precision is improved, but rotational vibration interference increases and testing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan speed range is segmented into multiple discrete speed steps rather than using a continuous or finely-grained speed spectrum. Each speed step represents a distinct operating point that has been pre-characterized for vibration performance. This segmentation allows the system to achieve sufficient temperature control resolution while avoiding the vibration problems associated with certain intermediate speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of fan speed to a discrete set of predetermined values rather than allowing continuous variation. These predetermined speed values are selected based on vibration characterization data, ensuring that each speed step provides adequate cooling while minimizing rotational vibration interference with disk drive operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a large number of fan speeds are tested to identify optimal speeds, then vibration interference is reduced, but testing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Vibration characterization and speed step selection are performed as preliminary actions during product design and development. The optimal discrete speed steps are identified and predetermined before production, based on comprehensive vibration testing and analysis. This preliminary characterization eliminates the need for extensive field testing and allows the system to be deployed with pre-optimized cooling parameters.
3Device complexity
If fixed fan speeds are used to simplify control, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan speed control system is made dynamic by implementing variable speed steps that can be adjusted based on real-time temperature feedback. The controller monitors temperatures at different locations and dynamically selects from multiple predetermined speed steps to optimize cooling efficiency. This dynamic approach maintains relatively simple control logic while significantly improving temperature control effectiveness compared to fixed-speed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring temperatures at multiple locations and using this information to dynamically select appropriate fan speed steps. The controller receives temperature data and adjusts the fan speed from a set of predetermined values to maintain optimal cooling, achieving efficient temperature control without requiring complex real-time speed calculation algorithms.
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 approach enhances cooling system efficiency, reduces noise, and minimizes RVI testing efforts by allowing for more precise control of fan speeds, while maintaining a manageable number of speeds to test, thus improving overall system performance and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
pass cooling air through the storage system so as to remove heat produced in operation by the disk drives
Implementation Method 2
remove heat produced in operation by the disk drives and thereby provide cooling to the storage system
Implementation Method 3
control of air provided by a variable speed fan or blower
Implementation Method 4
control of air provided by a variable speed fan or blower, or a liquid coolant provided by a variable speed pump
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a controller (120) for controlling the speed of a cooling device (118) in an electronic apparatus (100), an apparatus (100), a storage enclosure (102) and a method of configuring an apparatus (100). The controller (120) is constructed and arranged to determine a speed value for the cooling device (118) in accordance with a temperature input received from a temperature sensor (122) associated with the apparatus, the speed value being selected from a set of N speed values. The controller is arranged to control the speed of the cooling device in accordance with the selected speed value. The step between at least one pair of adjacent speed values in the set is different from the step between another pair of adjacent speed values in the set.