Heat exchanger module
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing single parallel-flow heat exchangers in data center cabinets have limited heat dissipation capabilities, failing to effectively manage the increasing heat flux generated by communication equipment, which affects equipment stability and requires a more efficient heat transfer solution.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchanger module comprising a condenser unit and an evaporator unit with multiple parallel-flow heat exchangers arranged in a counter-current configuration, where coolant temperatures gradually decrease in the evaporator unit and increase in the condenser unit along the air flow direction, connected by coolant pipes forming independent circulation systems, enhancing heat exchange efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single parallel-flow heat exchanger is used, then the structure is simple, but the heat dissipation capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple independent heat exchange units (first heat exchange unit, second heat exchange unit, etc.) connected in series. Each unit has its own heat exchange tubes and fins, allowing the system to handle higher heat flux by distributing heat transfer across multiple segments rather than relying on a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple heat exchange units are combined into a single integrated heat exchanger structure. The units share common header pipes and are connected through coolant flow, merging their heat dissipation capabilities to achieve the required total heat dissipation capacity while maintaining a compact form factor.
2Device complexity
If the coolant temperature is uniform across all heat exchange units, then the system is simple to control, but the heat exchange efficiency is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
Different heat exchange units are assigned different coolant temperatures based on their position in the series. The first unit receives coolant at a higher temperature, while subsequent units receive progressively cooler coolant. This local differentiation optimizes the temperature gradient across each unit, maximizing heat exchange efficiency without requiring complex centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The coolant temperature distribution is pre-configured through the series arrangement of heat exchange units. By the time coolant flows from one unit to the next, its temperature has naturally changed, automatically creating the optimal temperature gradient for each subsequent unit without requiring active temperature regulation mechanisms.
3Productivity
If multiple heat exchange units are added to increase heat dissipation, then the refrigerating capacity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple heat exchange units are merged into a single integrated structure that shares common header pipes and coolant flow paths. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high refrigerating capacity through multiple units while avoiding the complexity of completely independent systems, as the units are coordinated through the shared coolant circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange units are arranged in a series configuration along the coolant flow direction, utilizing the temporal dimension of coolant circulation. This arrangement allows multiple units to operate simultaneously with different temperature conditions, effectively increasing capacity without proportionally increasing spatial complexity.
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 configuration achieves improved heat transfer efficiency by maintaining a uniform temperature difference between air and coolant, effectively addressing the heat dissipation limitations of single parallel-flow heat exchangers and optimizing space utilization within the cabinet.
Implementation Method 1
the coolant temperatures of the first to Nth parallel-flow heat exchangers along an air flow direction in the evaporator unit reduce gradually
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger tubes (usually flat tubes) or a plurality of heat exchange tubes and corrugated fins arranged on the heat exchange tubes
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger module includes a condenser unit and an evaporator unit. The evaporator unit includes N pieces of parallel-flow heat exchangers arranged adjacently, and the coolant temperatures reduce gradually from the first to Nth parallel-flow heat exchangers along an air flow direction in the evaporator unit. A counter-current mounting method is adopted in the parallel-flow heat exchangers of the evaporator unit in the heat exchanger module provided by the present invention. The coolant temperature of each parallel-flow heat exchanger is lower than that of the previous one, the temperature difference between air and coolant is relatively uniform by using the counter-current method so as to reach a better heat exchange effect.