Fluid Connector Sealing for Direct Liquid Server Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing heat generation in compacted IC devices within computer servers, exacerbated by bundling multiple servers in enclosed environments, leads to inefficient cooling systems that consume significant energy and result in high greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connector system for cooling systems that includes a holding portion with a movable sleeve, adapter, and biasing mechanism to form a fluid-tight connection between conduits, allowing for efficient coolant circulation and heat transfer using a dielectric fluid, which can include phase change materials, to directly cool electronic devices and manage heat effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple computer server modules are stacked together in a rack to consolidate network resources and minimize floor space, then the density of computing resources is improved, but the heat generation per unit area increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluid connectors as intermediary components that enable direct liquid coolant circulation between server modules. These connectors serve as mediators between the heat-generating electronic components and the cooling system, allowing efficient heat transfer without requiring direct contact between hot components and cooling media, thus resolving the contradiction between high-density packing and heat management
2Temperature
If cooling fans are used to circulate ambient air through multiple server modules to absorb heat, then heat removal is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly (greater than 31% of total server room energy)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical air circulation system (cooling fans) with a liquid-based heat transfer system. Instead of using mechanical fans to move air and remove heat, the invention uses liquid coolant flowing through conduits and fluid connectors to directly absorb and transport heat away from electronic components, significantly reducing the mechanical energy required for cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using liquid coolant flowing through a closed-loop system of conduits and fluid connectors. The liquid coolant absorbs heat from electronic components through conduction and convection as it flows through the system, providing an efficient heat removal mechanism that replaces the less efficient pneumatic (air-based) cooling system
3Reliability
If a fluid connector system with movable sleeve, adapter, and biasing mechanism is used to form fluid-tight connections, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a movable sleeve within the fluid connector assembly that can shift position based on operational conditions. This dynamic element allows the connector to automatically adjust and maintain optimal sealing contact between components, enhancing connection reliability while the biasing mechanism provides the necessary force to keep the movable sleeve in its proper sealing position
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 fluid connector system enhances cooling efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions by enabling effective heat removal from densely packed electronic components in server environments.
Implementation Method 1
efficient coolant circulation and heat transfer using a dielectric fluid
Implementation Method 2
coolant circulation and heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
which can include phase change materials
Implementation Method 4
phase change materials
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A fluid connector including a holding portion (41) and an insert portion (32). The holding portion (41) includes a housing (44) defining a channel, a sleeve (45) disposed in the channel and defining a passage, an adapter (46) disposed in the passage of the sleeve (45), and a first seal (104) positioned between the passage of the sleeve (45) and the adapter (46), wherein the first seal (104) includes a first ridge configured to form a first fluid-tight interface with the adapter (46) and a second ridge configured to form a second fluid-tight interface with the adapter (46). The insert portion (32) is configured to be inserted into the channel of the housing (44) and secured to the holding portion (41).