Hydraulic Distributor With Floating Connectors for Blade Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for computer cabinets face limitations in power dissipation and energy efficiency, with air cooling systems restricted to 20kW and air/water cooling requiring energy-intensive compressors, while fully hydraulic systems pose maintenance challenges due to complex connections requiring manual disassembly for access.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic distributor system with inlet and outlet pipes, supply and return lines, and floating connectors that allow for precise and easy connection of cooling devices within the cabinet, enabling efficient distribution of heat transfer liquid and maintaining the last-in/first-out flow pattern for balanced cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If fully hydraulic cooling systems are used with cold plates connected to water/water exchanger, then power dissipation capability is improved beyond 40kW, but maintenance complexity increases due to complex hydraulic connections requiring manual disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: compute blades with integrated cooling devices, a hydraulic distributor with multiple supply and return lines, and floating connectors. Each module can be independently installed, maintained, or replaced. The floating connectors enable individual blade maintenance without affecting the entire hydraulic system, resolving the maintenance complexity issue while preserving high power dissipation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating connectors provide dynamic, movable connections between the hydraulic distributor and cooling devices. These connectors can automatically float or move to accommodate positioning tolerances and thermal expansion, enabling easy connection and disconnection of compute blades without manual disassembly of rigid hydraulic lines. This dynamic connection mechanism maintains the complex hydraulic system's adaptability while simplifying maintenance operations.
2Power
If air/water cooling with cold water circulation is used, then power dissipation is increased to 40kW, but energy consumption increases due to requirement of refrigerating units with compressors
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic cooling system uses ambient temperature water from the room to cool the compute blades directly through the cold plates, eliminating the need for active refrigeration cycles. The heat is then dissipated through the water/water exchanger using the same ambient water, creating a passive cooling system that serves itself without energy-intensive compressors or refrigerating units, thereby maintaining high power dissipation while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from air cooling to fully hydraulic cooling using water as the heat transfer medium. Cold plates with integrated hydraulic circuits directly contact the compute blade components, efficiently transferring heat to the circulating water. This hydraulic approach provides superior heat transfer coefficients compared to air cooling, enabling high power dissipation without the energy penalties of vapor-compression refrigeration systems.
3Device complexity
If air cooling with fans and radiators is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but power dissipation is limited to maximum of 20kW
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces air cooling with fully hydraulic cooling using water-based cold plates that directly contact compute blade components. Water's superior specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity enable efficient heat removal at much higher power levels. The hydraulic distributor network delivers coolant directly to multiple cooling devices simultaneously, achieving power dissipation capabilities exceeding 40kW while maintaining system integration and operational simplicity through standardized modular components.
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 efficient distribution of heat transfer liquid to multiple cooling devices without the need for cold water or hot air, reducing energy costs and simplifying maintenance by allowing blind connection and disconnection of compute blades without manual intervention, thus enhancing computing power and reducing maintenance time.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic distributor capable of distributing a heat transfer liquid to a plurality of cooling devices
Implementation Method 2
The heat transfer liquid circulates in each of the cold plates of the calculation blades and is then redirected to a water/water exchanger
Implementation Method 3
At least one of said coolant supply lines or return lines includes a floating connector inserted in said line, said floating connector establishing a hydraulic connection with at least one of said cooling devices
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The distributor (1) has a liquid coolant inlet conduit (11), and supply conduits (12-1-12-11) for cooling devices by liquid coolant, where each supply conduit is hydraulically connected to the inlet conduit through a supply duct. Liquid coolant return conduits (15-1-15-11) are provided, where each return conduit is hydraulically connected to a liquid coolant outlet conduit (14) by a return duct. One of the liquid coolant supply or return conduits is intended to be fitted with a floating connector (3) for a hydraulic connection with one of the cooling devices.