Immersion-Cooled Mobile Data Center for Energy-Efficient Computing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air-cooled cooling mechanisms for computing devices, such as those used in cryptocurrency mining, are inefficient, energy-intensive, and susceptible to overheating, leading to reduced power consumption and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A mobile data center platform utilizing liquid submersion cooling within a converted shipping container with horizontal modular immersion tanks and an electrical distribution system, allowing for efficient cooling and maintenance of computing devices while maintaining operational uptime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air-cooled fan driven cooling mechanisms are used, then cooling function is provided, but energy consumption increases and overheating susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces air-cooled fan mechanisms with liquid immersion cooling. Computing devices are submerged in a non-conductive cooling fluid that circulates through channels in heat sinks, efficiently transferring heat away from components without requiring fans or air movement, thereby eliminating the energy consumption associated with fan operation while maintaining effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates mechanical fan-driven cooling systems and replaces them with a passive or active liquid cooling system where cooling fluid circulates through heat sinks. This substitution removes the mechanical moving parts (fans) that consume energy and are susceptible to overheating, replacing them with a more reliable fluid-based heat transfer system
2Temperature
If suction fans are used for heat dissipation, then heat dissipation function is provided, but electricity consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces air-based suction fan systems with liquid immersion cooling. Cooling fluid circulates through channels in heat sinks, efficiently transferring heat without requiring mechanical air movement. This eliminates the electricity consumption associated with operating multiple suction fans while maintaining effective heat dissipation
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid cooling system operates continuously without requiring mechanical intervention. The cooling fluid naturally circulates through the system, absorbing heat from computing devices and dissipating it through heat sinks, eliminating the need for energy-consuming fan operations
3Temperature
If conventional air-cooled systems are used, then cooling is provided, but reliability decreases due to overheating susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces air-cooled systems with liquid immersion cooling. The non-conductive cooling fluid provides continuous thermal management, preventing overheating by efficiently transferring heat away from computing devices. This eliminates the reliability issues associated with fan-based systems that are susceptible to overheating and component failure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cooling medium from gas (air) to liquid (non-conductive cooling fluid). This parameter change fundamentally improves reliability by providing more efficient heat transfer and eliminating the susceptibility to overheating that plagues air-cooled systems, while the non-conductive property prevents electrical interference
4Use of energy by moving object
If modular immersion tanks are used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into modular immersion tanks that can be independently installed and maintained. Each tank houses specific computing devices and contains its own cooling fluid circulation system, allowing for isolated maintenance of individual modules without shutting down the entire system, thereby managing complexity through standardization and modularity
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 liquid submersion cooling system enhances energy efficiency, increases transactional capacity by 27%, reduces power utilization by 5.7%, and shortens the recovery period of investment costs to 440 days compared to air-cooled systems, while maintaining chip temperatures and enabling easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
liquid submersion cooling
Implementation Method 2
fluid providing liquid immersion cooling
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a mobile data center for housing and managing a plurality of computing devices within and further optimizing the efficiency of the computing devices operation by providing liquid immersion cooling thereto.