Immersion Cooling Burning Stop Apparatus Gas Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing immersion cooling systems struggle to detect and prevent burning in electronic devices, especially when the temperature sensors are positioned far from the burning location, leading to potential failure in cutting off power supply.

Innovation Solution

A burning stop apparatus is introduced, comprising a detector to sense gas components generated by burning, a pipe system to circulate the gas component for concentration measurement, a breaker to cut off power when the concentration exceeds a threshold, and a lid locking mechanism to prevent gas release, ensuring timely detection and power cutoff.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temperature sensors are positioned near the inlet or main heat generating component, then the cooling system can effectively monitor overall temperature, but burning at positions far from the sensor cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburning detection capabilityVSAvoidsensor placement requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the burning detection function from temperature sensors and implements it through a gas component detector that specifically detects smoke or combustion gases. This separate detection system is positioned independently from the cooling system's temperature sensors, allowing burning detection anywhere in the device without requiring multiple temperature sensors at critical locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces gas component detection as an intermediary method between direct temperature monitoring and burning detection. Instead of relying on temperature sensors to detect burning by temperature rise, the system uses a gas detector to identify combustion gases as an intermediate indicator of burning, enabling early detection before significant temperature increase occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a gas component detector and pipe system are added to detect burning, then burning detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburning detection accuracyVSAvoiddetector and pipe system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas component detector serves multiple functions: it detects burning through gas analysis, triggers the breaker for power cutoff, and activates the lid locking mechanism. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate detection, control, and safety systems into a single integrated component, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the detection, control, and safety functions into an integrated burning stop apparatus. The detector, breaker, and lid locking mechanism are combined into a coordinated system where a single gas detection event triggers multiple protective actions simultaneously, reducing the need for separate systems and simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If power cutoff and lid locking mechanisms are implemented, then burning prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburning prevention effectivenessVSAvoidbreaker and lid locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The breaker and lid locking mechanism are designed to activate automatically upon gas detection, performing protective actions before the burning can spread or cause damage. The preliminary locking of the lid prevents access to the burning area, while the breaker preemptively cuts power, stopping the burning process before it escalates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic feedback control where the gas component detector continuously monitors the internal environment and provides real-time feedback to the breaker and lid locking mechanism. When combustion gases are detected, the feedback loop immediately triggers the protective measures, creating a closed-loop safety system that responds dynamically to burning conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 apparatus effectively detects burning occurrences and cuts off power supply to prevent further damage, even when temperature sensors are not directly positioned over the burning site, thereby preventing the spread of burning and maintaining system operation.

Implementation Method 1

a detector that detects a gas component generated by burning occurring in an electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas analysis:

Implementation Method 2

a first pipe that introduces the gas component in the liquid immersion tank to the detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas circulation:

Implementation Method 3

a second pipe that returns the gas component introduced to the detector into the liquid immersion tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas circulation:

Data Source

PatentEP3761770B1Burning stop apparatus and immersion cooling system
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP3761770B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3761770B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3761770B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A burning stop apparatus includes: a detector that detects a gas component generated by burning occurring in an electronic device immersed in a coolant stored in a liquid immersion tank; a first pipe that introduces the gas component in the liquid immersion tank to the detector; a second pipe that returns the gas component introduced to the detector into the liquid immersion tank; and a breaker that cuts off supply of power to the electronic device when a detection value of the detector is higher than a preset first threshold value for concentration of the gas component.