In-Rack Air Movers for Uneven Heat Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear door air-to-liquid heat exchangers in computing racks are inefficient when dealing with unevenly distributed heat loads, particularly in partially populated racks with high-power servers, as some sections of the heat exchanger remain unused while others fail to remove all server heat.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an in-rack cooling system that includes air mover components in unpopulated areas of the rack, coupled with an air-to-liquid heat exchanger that can be located on the rear door, within the rack, or above it, allows for the directed airflow through both populated and unpopulated sections of the rack, enhancing cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If rear door heat exchanger is used to cool hot air from compute racks, then cooling capability is improved, but heat removal efficiency deteriorates when heat load is unevenly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into multiple zones (populated sections with servers and unpopulated sections without servers). Air mover components are selectively disposed in unpopulated sections to create independent airflow paths. This segmentation allows each section to be cooled independently according to its specific heat load requirements, resolving the inefficiency of uniform heat exchanger design for non-uniform heat distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the rack are provided with different cooling configurations. Unpopulated sections receive dedicated air mover components and airflow paths, while populated sections use traditional rear door heat exchanger cooling. This local differentiation optimizes cooling efficiency for each specific zone's heat generation characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If racks are partially populated with high-power servers, then rack space utilization is improved, but heat exchanger utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented to match the partial population configuration. Air mover components are placed in unpopulated sections to create functional cooling zones that correspond to the actual server distribution. This allows the heat exchanger system to efficiently serve only the populated sections while utilizing unpopulated sections for additional cooling capacity, maintaining high utilization efficiency regardless of population density.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system configuration is made dynamic and adaptable to different population scenarios. By providing air mover components that can be activated in unpopulated sections, the system automatically adjusts its cooling capacity utilization based on the actual heat load distribution, optimizing heat exchanger usage across varying rack population levels.
3Temperature
If air mover components are added in unpopulated areas, then cooling capacity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air mover components in unpopulated sections serve multiple functions: they drive airflow through the heat exchanger for cooling, utilize the available unpopulated rack space for component placement, and provide a modular solution that can be activated or deactivated based on population needs. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering enhanced cooling capacity without requiring dedicated single-purpose components.
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 maximizes the cooling capacity of rear door heat exchangers in partially populated racks with high-power servers, utilizing unpopulated sections of the rack to provide additional cooling, thereby ensuring effective heat removal and optimizing the use of existing cooling infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
an air-to-liquid heat exchanger to remove heat from air passing along parallel path to air traveling through the electronic computing components
Implementation Method 2
at least one air mover component disposed in a portion of the rack not having electronic computing equipment installed... one or more fans in the open areas of the rack. The fans direct air exhausted from the computer drawers through the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
An in-rack cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system includes one or more computer drawers, one or more open areas in the rack, a heat exchanger, and one or more fans in the open areas of the rack. The open areas are areas within the rack where computer drawers could be installed, but are not. The fans direct air exhausted from the computer drawers through the heat exchanger. Further the air flowing through the heat exchanged flows through the heat exchanger in a first airflow direction when flowing from the computer drawers and a second airflow direction when flowing through the open areas.