Immersion Cooling Pressure Trim with Hot and Cold Thermal Sinks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional immersion cooling systems struggle to maintain stable fluid pressure within immersion tanks due to rapid changes in compute load and heat generation, which can lead to tank damage from excessive pressure fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of pressure trim devices with hot and cold thermal sinks, controlled by a fluid control mechanism and a controller, to adjust the flowrate of working fluid, vaporize or condense portions of the working fluid to stabilize pressure within safe limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If immersion cooling systems are used to manage thermal energy, then heat removal efficiency is improved, but fluid pressure fluctuations occur due to vaporization and condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of the working fluid by introducing a two-phase working fluid that can transition between liquid and vapor phases. This phase change capability allows the system to absorb and release thermal energy while maintaining pressure stability through controlled vaporization and condensation cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the two-phase working fluid as the core mechanism for thermal management. The working fluid vaporizes to absorb heat from computing components and condenses to release heat, enabling efficient heat removal while the phase change process itself helps regulate pressure fluctuations
2Stress or pressure
If pressure trim devices are added to control fluid pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure trim device acts as an intermediary component between the immersion cooling system and the external environment. It mediates pressure fluctuations by providing a controlled pathway for vaporization and condensation, stabilizing pressure without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure trim device utilizes the natural properties of the two-phase working fluid to self-regulate pressure. The working fluid automatically vaporizes when pressure rises and condenses when pressure drops, creating a self-balancing mechanism that reduces the need for complex external control systems
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
Maintains fluid pressure within a safe range by rapidly adjusting to changes in compute demand and heat generation, preventing tank damage while efficiently managing thermal energy.
Implementation Method 1
The cold thermal sink is maintained at a suppressed temperature less than a boiling temperature of the two-phase working fluid
Implementation Method 2
The hot thermal sink is maintained at an elevated temperature greater than a boiling temperature of the two-phase working fluid
Implementation Method 3
Vaporization and condensation of immersion working fluid can alter the fluid pressure inside an immersion cooling system
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a thermal management system includes an immersion tank defining an immersion chamber, a two-phase working fluid positioned in the immersion chamber, and a pressure trim device in fluid communication with the immersion chamber. The pressure trim device includes at least one of a cold thermal sink and a hot thermal sink. The cold thermal sink is maintained at a suppressed temperature less than a boiling temperature of the two-phase working fluid. The hot thermal sink is maintained at an elevated temperature greater than a boiling temperature of the two-phase working fluid.