Hot-aisle cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in maintaining safe and efficient cooling within hot aisles, where temperatures can exceed 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit, posing risks to personnel and inefficiencies in cooling systems that recirculate warm exhaust.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device that selectively directs cool air from a cold aisle to a hot aisle through a partition with a connection member, flexible member, and optional fan, featuring a valve and actuators for controlled airflow, and an automatic shut-off mechanism to prevent unnecessary cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cool air is continuously directed from cold aisle to hot aisle, then worker safety and comfort are improved, but energy waste increases due to unnecessary cooling when no workers are present
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system transitions from static continuous operation to dynamic on-demand operation. The flexible member allows the cooling device to be positioned and directed dynamically toward specific hot spots where workers are present, while the automatic shut-off mechanism dynamically adjusts cooling operation based on real-time needs, preventing energy waste when no workers are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling device incorporates an automatic shut-off mechanism that autonomously stops cooling operation after a predetermined time period without worker presence. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual monitoring and control, automatically preventing energy waste while ensuring worker safety when present.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cooling is provided throughout the entire hot aisle, then worker safety is improved, but cooling efficiency decreases due to recirculating warm exhaust air
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system transitions from uniform distributed cooling to localized targeted cooling. The flexible member enables the cooling device to be positioned at specific locations within the hot aisle where workers are present, providing localized cooling only where needed rather than cooling the entire hot aisle volume, thereby improving cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the cooling function from the general hot aisle environment and concentrates it at specific localized positions where workers are present. By using the flexible member to direct cooling air precisely to needed locations, the system separates the cooling function from the warm exhaust air recirculation, improving overall cooling efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid cooling system is installed in the partition, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability decreases when workers need cooling in different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces rigid cooling ducts with a flexible member that can be easily positioned and directed to different locations within the hot aisle. This flexible member maintains the structural integrity of the partition while providing adaptable cooling delivery, allowing workers to receive cooling at various positions as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system transitions from a fixed rigid installation to a dynamic reconfigurable system. The flexible member allows the cooling device to be dynamically repositioned along the partition to different locations where workers are present, providing adaptability while maintaining the stability of the partition structure itself.
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
Provides localized, efficient cooling in specific areas of the hot aisle, ensuring worker safety and reducing energy waste by automatically stopping airflow when not needed, thus optimizing cooling efficiency and compliance with safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
an optional fan for directing the air though the device from the cold aisle to the hot aisle
Implementation Method 2
The cooling device is configured to allow cool air to move from the cold aisle to the hot aisle to lower a temperature of air disposed within the hot aisle
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a system includes a data center storage space, a partition, and a cooling device. The data center storage space includes a hot aisle and a cold aisle. The partition separates the hot aisle and the cold aisle and defines an aperture. The cooling device includes a connection member and a flexible member. The connection member is configured to connect to the aperture and defines a first lumen. The flexible member is connected to the connection member and defines a second lumen. At least a portion of the flexible member is configured to be selectively movable. The cooling device is configured to allow cool air to move from the cold aisle to the hot aisle to lower a temperature of air disposed within the hot aisle.