Immersion Coolant Filtration Layout to Prevent Pump Cavitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contamination of liquid coolant in immersion cooling systems leads to pressure drop and cavitation, which can damage system components and cause vibration or noise.

Innovation Solution

An immersion cooling system with a filtration system that includes a cooling device positioned before the pump to cool the liquid coolant below its saturation temperature, reducing the likelihood of cavitation by lowering the saturation vapor pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the liquid coolant is drawn through pipes and valves for filtration, then the coolant can be filtered to remove contamination, but pressure drop occurs which may lead to cavitation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoolant filtrationVSAvoidcavitation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device is positioned to cool the liquid coolant before it enters the pump. This preliminary cooling action lowers the saturation temperature of the coolant, creating a safety margin that prevents cavitation even when pressure drops occur during filtration. The coolant is cooled below its saturation temperature at the pump inlet pressure, ensuring it remains in liquid phase throughout the filtration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the liquid coolant is cooled below saturation temperature before the pump, then cavitation can be prevented, but additional cooling equipment and complexity are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecavitation preventionVSAvoidcooling device arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device is integrated into the filtration system's pipeline, merging the cooling function with the existing filtration infrastructure. Rather than adding a completely separate cooling system, the cooling device is incorporated into the coolant circulation path, sharing space and control systems with the filtration components, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the pump is positioned below the liquid coolant surface, then cavitation is reduced, but the pump may be exposed to contaminated coolant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecavitation reductionVSAvoidpump contamination protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is positioned to process the liquid coolant before it reaches the pump. This preliminary filtration action removes particles, plasticizer, and water contamination from the coolant, ensuring that when the pump draws coolant from below the surface, it is exposed to already-filtered, clean coolant, protecting the pump from contamination while maintaining the cavitation-reducing submersion position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Prevents cavitation by maintaining the liquid coolant below its saturation temperature, thereby increasing pump lifespan and reducing vibration and noise.

Implementation Method 1

The cooling device is connected to the pipeline and is configured to cool the liquid coolant. The cooling device is located between the pump and the inlet of the pipeline. the cooling device is configured to cool the liquid coolant to a temperature below a saturation temperature corresponding to a pressure in the pipeline.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

The pressure drop might further lead to the occurrence of cavitation. By this arrangement, cavitation can be prevented.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 3

The pump is disposed in the pipeline and is configured to drive the liquid coolant to flow through the pipeline.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 4

The filter is disposed in the pipeline and is configured to filter the liquid coolant. the filter is configured to remove at least one of particles, plasticizer or water from the liquid coolant.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4124194B1Immersion cooling system and immersion cooling method
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)
  • EP4124194B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4124194B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4124194B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An immersion cooling system includes a cooling tank and a filtration system. The cooling tank is configured to accommodate a liquid coolant and an electronic device immersed in the liquid coolant. The filtration system includes a pipeline, a pump, a filter and a cooling device. The pipeline is in fluid communication with the cooling tank. The pump is disposed in the pipeline and is configured to drive the liquid coolant to flow through the pipeline. The filter is disposed in the pipeline and is configured to filter the liquid coolant. The cooling device is connected to the pipeline and is configured to cool the liquid coolant. The pipeline has an inlet connected to the cooling tank. The cooling device is located between the pump and the inlet of the pipeline.