Immersion Cooling Tank Seismic Damping and Liquid Loss Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid immersion cooling systems are susceptible to seismic events, leading to loss of cooling liquid and damage due to sloshing and structural instability, as existing configurations lack sufficient vibration and shock resilience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a seismic event mitigation system that includes a compensation tank to maintain constant liquid mass, frictional layers, spring dampers, and tunable mass dampers, along with shutoff switches and secondary reservoirs to prevent liquid loss and absorb kinetic energy, allowing for active responses to seismic events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid immersion cooling systems are used, then cooling efficiency is improved, but susceptibility to seismic events increases leading to liquid loss and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling liquid system is segmented into multiple independent containers (primary immersion tank and secondary reservoirs) connected by transfer mechanisms. During seismic events, the liquid can be redistributed between containers to maintain cooling functionality while preventing loss, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining cooling efficiency and improving seismic resilience.
Solution Approach 2:
Energy absorbing elements and frictional layers are pre-installed in the system to cushion against seismic forces before events occur. These elements absorb kinetic energy and reduce liquid sloshing during earthquakes, protecting the system while maintaining operational reliability and cooling performance.
2Quantity of substance
If the immersion tank is made larger to hold more cooling liquid, then cooling capacity is improved, but vulnerability to sloshing and spillage during seismic events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The large volume of cooling liquid is divided into multiple smaller containers (primary tank and secondary reservoirs). Each container experiences reduced sloshing effects compared to a single large tank, while the total cooling capacity is maintained through the distributed configuration. Transfer mechanisms enable liquid redistribution to prevent spillage during seismic events.
Solution Approach 2:
Frictional layers and energy absorbing elements act as intermediaries between the cooling liquid and the tank structure. These elements dampen sloshing movements and reduce the transmission of seismic forces to the liquid, thereby preventing spillage while maintaining the required cooling liquid volume.
3Reliability
If seismic mitigation components are added to the immersion cooling system, then seismic resilience is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes transfer mechanisms that can move cooling liquid between the primary tank and secondary reservoirs during seismic events. After the seismic event passes, the liquid is recovered and returned to the primary tank for normal operation. This approach provides seismic protection while maintaining system simplicity through reversible, on-demand liquid transfer.
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
This solution enhances the resilience of immersion cooling systems to seismic events, preventing liquid loss, reducing damage, and ensuring continued operation during earthquakes, while also simplifying retrofitting and compliance with building codes.
Implementation Method 1
a spring damper comprising a first end attached or mounted to the immersion tank and a second end attached to a wall or the base
Implementation Method 2
spring dampers, and tunable mass dampers, along with shutoff switches and secondary reservoirs to prevent liquid loss and absorb kinetic energy
Implementation Method 3
frictional layers, spring dampers, and tunable mass dampers, along with shutoff switches and secondary reservoirs to prevent liquid loss and absorb kinetic energy
Implementation Method 4
frictional layers, spring dampers, and tunable mass dampers, along with shutoff switches and secondary reservoirs to prevent liquid loss and absorb kinetic energy
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an immersion cooling system comprises a spring damper, a crumple block, a frictional layer, and/or preloaded spring-based mounts to mitigate the effects of seismic events. In other embodiments, the combined mass of liquids in the immersion tank and a compensation tank is kept constant to maintain the system's response to seismic events. In still other embodiments, an immersion cooling system comprises a tunable mass to provide an active response to seismic events. In yet other embodiments, an immersion tank is located within a housing pallet and is moveable within the palette. Spring dampers dampen tank movement within the pallet and shutoff switches housed in the pallet cause power to components in the tank to be shut off in response to tank movement. Cooling liquid can be transferred from the tank to a secondary reservoir to avoid cooling liquid loss and protect the tank.