Immersion Cooling Weir and Handle for Dielectric Fluid Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional computing and server systems rely on air cooling, which is inefficient and space-consuming, while traditional liquid cooling systems avoid direct contact between components and liquid, limiting their effectiveness in immersion cooling.
Innovation Solution
A liquid immersion cooling system with an adjustable weir mechanism that allows for efficient transfer of dielectric fluid between a bath area and a sump area, enabling direct heat transfer from computing components to the fluid, and incorporating a multifunctional handle for compute devices that provides cable management, acts as a heat sink, and identifies devices without contaminating the fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional air cooling is used for computing components, then the system is simple to implement, but cooling efficiency is poor and space requirements are large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements immersion cooling by submerging computing components directly in dielectric fluid, replacing traditional air cooling mechanisms. The fluid circulation system with pumps, heat exchangers, and filtration enables efficient heat transfer from components to fluid, achieving superior cooling performance while maintaining system simplicity through direct liquid-to-component contact
2Reliability
If traditional liquid cooling systems are used that avoid direct contact between components and liquid, then electrical safety is maintained, but cooling effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameter of the cooling liquid by using dielectric fluid instead of conductive water-based liquids. This parameter change allows direct immersion of electrical components in the liquid while maintaining electrical safety, enabling both high cooling effectiveness through direct contact and electrical isolation to prevent short circuits
3Device complexity
If a fixed weir is used between bath area and sump area, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying fluid levels and temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed weir structure with an adjustable weir that can be repositioned vertically along the tank wall. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to varying fluid levels and temperature conditions by changing the weir height, optimizing fluid circulation patterns and heat exchange efficiency for different operating scenarios
4Device complexity
If compute devices are handled directly without specialized mechanisms, then the device structure is simple, but fluid contamination risk increases and heat dissipation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized handle as an intermediary component between the operator and the compute device. This handle serves multiple functions: providing a grip point above the fluid level to prevent contamination, acting as a heat sink to dissipate heat from the device, and enabling safe handling without direct contact between hands and dielectric fluid
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 system achieves efficient and effective cooling of computing components by directly transferring heat from components to the dielectric fluid, reducing energy consumption and space requirements, while the multifunctional handle enhances handling, cooling, and identification of compute devices.
Implementation Method 1
enabling direct heat transfer from computing components to the fluid
Implementation Method 2
a central reservoir comprising a heat exchanger for cooling a dielectric fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An immersion cooling system and methods for operating the system are described. The system can comprise a vessel which can be configured to hold a thermally conductive dielectric fluid; a computer component which can be configured to be at least partially submerged within the dielectric fluid; and a fluid circulation system which can be configured to draw the dielectric fluid from a sump area of the vessel, pass the dielectric fluid through a filter and deliver the dielectric fluid to a bath area of the vessel. In one example embedment, there can be an adjustable weir between the bath area and the sump area. Multifunctional handles are also described.