Hybrid Rack Liquid Cooling with Temperature-Based Flow Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing different cooling arrangements for autonomous and immersion cooled racks within datacenters can be cost prohibitive, as existing systems do not efficiently integrate both configurations on a large scale.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid cooling arrangement that integrates autonomous and immersion cooling configurations within a datacenter rack assembly, utilizing a liquid cooling distribution system with temperature sensors and flow control valves to redirect cooling liquid between racks based on temperature conditions, allowing for efficient cooling of both configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cooling arrangements are implemented for autonomous and immersion cooled racks, then each rack type can be cooled effectively, but the overall system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines autonomous rack cooling and immersion rack cooling into a single integrated liquid cooling system. The system uses a common coolant distribution manifold and piping infrastructure that serves both rack types, eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and reducing overall system cost while maintaining effective cooling for each rack type.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid cooling system is designed with universal components that can serve multiple functions. The coolant distribution manifold and piping network can simultaneously cool autonomous racks through liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers and immersion racks through direct liquid contact, making the system multi-functional and cost-effective.
2Device complexity
If a hybrid cooling arrangement is implemented to integrate both autonomous and immersion cooling configurations, then system cost is reduced, but the complexity of managing temperature-sensitive cooling liquid distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the cooling liquid temperature at various points in the distribution network. This feedback is used by control valves to automatically adjust coolant flow distribution, ensuring that both autonomous and immersion racks receive appropriately temperature-controlled cooling liquid without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses temperature-controlled flow control valves as intermediaries between the common coolant source and the different rack types. These valves act as mediators that automatically regulate the temperature and flow of cooling liquid based on real-time temperature conditions, simplifying the management of the hybrid cooling system.
3Loss of energy
If cooling liquid is redirected between racks based on temperature conditions, then operational costs are reduced, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is designed with dynamic flow control capabilities where temperature-controlled valves automatically adjust coolant distribution in real-time based on temperature sensor feedback. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to redirect cooling liquid to racks that need it most, reducing energy waste and operational costs without requiring complex manual control systems.
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 hybrid cooling arrangement efficiently supports both autonomous and immersion cooling configurations by repurposing cooling liquid, optimizing temperature-sensitive management, and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid cooling blocks 152 being arranged to be in direct thermal contact with the one or more heat-generating electronic processing assemblies 140
Implementation Method 2
A liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger 175, for example a plate heat exchanger (PHEX) is implemented to thermally connect the first and second cooling loops 102, 104
Implementation Method 3
an air-to-liquid heat exchanger 165 that may be implemented within or on the rack frame 110, the air-to-liquid heat exchanger 165 being equipped with a forced air ventilation fan 180
Data Source
AI summary
A datacenter rack assembly providing a liquid cooling arrangement to service an autonomous rack and an immersion cooling rack coexisting within the datacenter rack assembly is presented. The datacenter rack assembly comprises an autonomous rack containing at least one electronic processing assembly and at least one liquid cooling block while the immersion cooling rack comprises a dielectric immersion cooling fluid at least one electronic processing assembly immersed in the dielectric immersion cooling fluid, and at least one liquid cooling block. The datacenter rack assembly incorporates a liquid cooling distribution arrangement to control distribution of liquid for cooling of the autonomous and IC racks through various liquid flow distribution channel segments, temperature sensors, and communication-enabled flow control valves based on detected temperature conditions.