Immersion Cooling Relief Valve With Adsorbent Chamber for Pressure Swings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-phase immersion cooling systems face challenges in managing pressure fluctuations, leading to potential failures due to overpressure and negative pressure conditions, especially in high-power computing systems, resulting in mechanical instabilities, coolant loss, and increased operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief valve with a poppet assembly and adsorbent chamber is introduced, capable of supporting high flow rates and operating at a low cracking pressure, integrated into outlet and inlet valve assemblies to manage pressure fluctuations and reduce coolant vapor or water vapor concentrations, thereby preventing system failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional outlet valves are used to release coolant vapor at high flow rates, then tank pressure can be reduced, but mechanical instabilities and vibrations occur leading to valve failure
Solution Approach 1:
A bellows assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the tank and the outlet valve. The bellows absorbs pressure fluctuations and dampens mechanical vibrations caused by high-velocity coolant vapor flow, thereby protecting the outlet valve from mechanical instabilities while maintaining effective pressure relief functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows assembly provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and dampening pressure waves and vibrations before they reach the outlet valve. This protective cushioning prevents mechanical failures of the valve by mitigating the harmful effects of high-velocity flow-induced vibrations
2Stress or pressure
If outlet valves open frequently to release coolant vapor, then tank pressure is controlled, but coolant loss increases leading to higher operating costs
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure sensor continuously monitors tank pressure and provides feedback to the control system. The outlet valve is actuated only when the pressure sensor detects that tank pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold, enabling precise pressure control and minimizing unnecessary valve openings that would cause coolant loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural pressure buildup in the tank to automatically open the outlet valve when needed, and the spring mechanism automatically closes the valve when pressure normalizes, reducing the need for frequent manual interventions and optimizing coolant retention
3Loss of substance
If the outlet valve cracking pressure is set high to prevent frequent opening, then coolant loss is reduced, but tank overpressure conditions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows assembly acts as an intermediary pressure management device that can respond to smaller pressure changes. It expands and contracts in response to pressure fluctuations, providing an additional pressure relief mechanism that allows for lower outlet valve cracking pressure settings without increasing coolant loss, thereby preventing overpressure conditions
4Device complexity
If conventional valves are used in high-power computing systems, then system simplicity is maintained, but the system cannot handle high flow rates without mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief system is segmented into multiple functional components: the bellows assembly for vibration damping and pressure smoothing, the outlet valve for controlled vapor release, and the spring mechanism for automatic valve operation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to handle high flow rates reliably
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 solution effectively stabilizes tank pressure, reduces mechanical failures, minimizes coolant loss, and decreases operating costs by efficiently managing pressure changes and vapor concentrations within the two-phase immersion cooling system.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, disposed between the valve body and the poppet assembly, to apply a spring force to the poppet assembly such that the poppet assembly remains at the closed position and only moves from the closed position towards the open position when the fluid applies a first pressure to the first side of the poppet greater than a second pressure applied to the second side of the poppet and a pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is greater than or equal to a pressure threshold corresponding to the spring force
Implementation Method 2
an adsorbent chamber, disposed between the pressure relief valve and the tank, to reduce a concentration of vapor in the fluid flowing through the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure relief valve for a two-phase immersion cooling system is configured to support fluid flow rates up to 500 cfm, 550 cfm, 600 cfm, or even 2000 cfm. This, in turn, allows the cooling system to support computing systems with a power density greater than 250 kW. This is accomplished by the valve having a relatively large passage (e.g., 2-6 inch diameter), a relatively large spring (e.g., 1.5-1.7 inch diameter), and a guide rod rigidly coupled to the poppet and slidably coupled to a guide plate. The valve may be used as an outlet valve and coupled to an adsorbent chamber to reduce the loss of coolant from the system as air is vented to an ambient environment. The valve may be used as an inlet valve and coupled to an adsorbent chamber to reduce the intake of water vapor as air from the ambient environment flows into the system.