Hard Disk Drive Backplane for Immersion-Cooled Servers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional immersion-cooling systems are not compatible with hard disk drive-based servers due to the risk of coolant entering through openings, rendering them unusable, and existing solutions require costly solid-state drives for immersion-cooled server configurations.

Innovation Solution

A support member with a leak-resistant housing and sealed conduit system that allows for the circulation of coolant around circuit board components while keeping hard disk drives dry, enabling standard server designs to be adapted for immersion cooling without redesigning to accommodate solid-state drives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hard disk drives are used in immersion-cooled servers, then cost is reduced by using disk-based drives instead of solid-state drives, but the hard disk drives become incompatible with immersion cooling due to coolant entering through openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with immersion coolingVSAvoidcoolant entering through openings

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate zones: a first zone containing circuit board components that are immersion-cooled, and a second zone containing hard disk drives that remain dry. The support member physically separates these zones, allowing each to operate under its optimal conditions without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support member acts as an intermediary structure that connects the immersion-cooled circuit board to the hard disk drive bay. It includes sealed conduits that prevent coolant from reaching the hard disk drives while allowing thermal management of the circuit board components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If circuit board components are immersion-cooled, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but hard disk drives mounted on the same support member are exposed to coolant and rendered unusable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectiveness of circuit boardVSAvoidoperational integrity of hard disk drive

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support member is divided into distinct functional zones: a first side for mounting immersion-cooled circuit board components and a second side for mounting hard disk drives. This physical segmentation allows differential thermal management strategies to be applied to each zone independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different thermal management approaches are applied to different locations: the circuit board area receives immersion cooling for maximum heat dissipation, while the hard disk drive area is kept dry to maintain operational integrity. The support member enables this localized quality differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If sealed housing is used to protect hard disk drives from coolant, then protection is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional sealing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of hard disk drive from coolantVSAvoidsealing and housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for both circuit board and hard disk drive mounting, acts as a barrier to prevent coolant infiltration, and provides thermal management pathways. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective barrier function is merged into the support member itself rather than being a separate component. The support member's housing and conduit structures inherently provide the seal, eliminating the need for additional protective housings around the hard disk drives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables effective cooling of circuit board components in servers with non-submersible hard disk drives, maintaining their operational integrity and performance without the need for costly solid-state drives, while preventing coolant exposure to the hard disk drives.

Implementation Method 1

coolant fluid may be circulated through the volume to cool the components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10204659B1Hard disk drive backplane for immersion-cooled circuit board

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A system includes a support member and a hard disk drive interface connector, where a first side of the hard disk drive interface connector is disposed on a first side of the support member and a second side of the hard disk drive interface connector disposed on a second side of the support member. A conduit is coupled to the support member and to a fluid inlet disposed on the first side of the support member. A fluid outlet is disposed on the first side of the support member, and a housing is coupled to the first side of the support member and defines a volume with the support member, where an interface between the housing and the first side of the support member is leak-resistant, and where the fluid inlet and fluid outlet are in fluid communication with the volume.