Hierarchical Refrigerant Distributor for Server Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of electronic apparatus in server apparatus increases, the length and size of the distributing device for refrigerant liquid distribution also increase, leading to a larger mounting space requirement and increased pressure loss, which complicates the efficient cooling of multiple CPUs and occupies more installation area.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hierarchical structure for the distributing and confluence devices, where the number of branches decreases, allowing for longer distribution communication pipes with reduced diameters, thereby minimizing space occupancy and pressure loss, and using a two-stage or multi-stage distribution and confluence system to manage refrigerant liquid flow efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of electronic apparatus in server apparatus increases, then the cooling capacity requirement increases, but the mounting space for the distributing device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributing device is divided into multiple hierarchical levels (first distributor, second distributors, and potentially third distributors). Each level handles a subset of the total branches, allowing the system to scale to accommodate more electronic apparatus while keeping each individual distributor compact. This segmentation enables the mounting space to remain manageable even as the total number of electronic apparatus increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-level distribution structure to a multi-level hierarchical structure, adding a vertical dimension to the distribution architecture. This dimensional change allows refrigerant liquid to be distributed through multiple stages rather than requiring a single large distributor, thereby reducing the footprint area while maintaining the capability to serve numerous electronic apparatus.
2Quantity of substance
If the pipe length of the distributing device increases, then the refrigerant liquid can reach more electronic apparatus, but the pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution path is segmented into multiple short stages rather than one long path. The first distributor feeds multiple second distributors, each located closer to their respective electronic apparatus. This segmentation reduces the maximum pipe length from the source to any electronic apparatus, thereby reducing pressure loss while still enabling refrigerant distribution to a large number of devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing a single long distribution path that reaches all electronic apparatus, the system uses multiple partial distribution paths of shorter length. Each distributor handles only the branches in its local area, performing partial distribution action that collectively covers all electronic apparatus with shorter individual pipe runs, thus minimizing pressure loss.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of branches in the distributing device increases, then more electronic apparatus can be cooled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The total number of branches is segmented across multiple distributors rather than concentrated in one device. The first distributor has a manageable number of branches feeding into multiple second distributors, each with fewer branches. This segmentation reduces the complexity of each individual distributor while the collective system accommodates a large total number of branches for cooling many electronic apparatus.
4Area of stationary object
If the diameter of distribution communication pipes is reduced, then the space occupancy decreases, but the pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant distribution is segmented into multiple parallel paths through the hierarchical distributor structure. Each path has a shorter length and can use a smaller pipe diameter. The cumulative effect of multiple parallel paths with smaller diameters achieves the same total cooling capacity as a single path with a large diameter, thereby reducing space occupancy while maintaining acceptable pressure loss levels through the distributed architecture.
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 reduces the overall volume of the distributing and confluence devices by approximately one-third, maintains cooling performance, and minimizes pressure loss while allowing for efficient distribution to multiple electronic apparatus, thus optimizing space usage and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger that cools refrigerant liquid for cooling the plurality of electronic apparatus
Implementation Method 2
refrigerant liquid is supplied into the inside of the information processing apparatus using a metal pipe, a resin hose or the like by a refrigerant liquid supplying apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a plurality of electronic apparatus stacked over a plurality of hierarchies in the information processing apparatus, a heat exchanger that cools refrigerant liquid for cooling the plurality of electronic apparatus, a first distributor that distributes the refrigerant liquid from the heat exchanger to the plurality of hierarchies, a plurality of second distributor that stores the refrigerant liquid temporarily, and a plurality of pipes that branched from the distribution pipes to the plurality of the electronic apparatus, wherein the number of the second distributor increases toward a hierarchy on downstream side, the pipes of the last hierarchy are coupled to the electronic apparatus.