In-row Cooling Units for Datacenter Heat Load Management

Solution Overview

Problem

Datacenters face challenges in managing heat loads exceeding initial expectations, leading to inadequate cooling systems and potential server removals or operational disruptions, as existing cooling systems are often designed with a maximum capacity based on initial heat load estimates, making it difficult to expand capacity without significant modifications.

Innovation Solution

In-row cooling units are installed alongside server racks, providing an additional source of cooled air by using fans and chilling coils, which can be expanded modularly and integrated with existing infrastructure, allowing for increased cooling capacity without altering the datacenter's layout, and can interlock to form a shared cooling system, reducing redundant components and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cooling systems are designed with maximum capacity based on initial heat load estimates, then the datacenter can operate efficiently within expected heat loads, but the cooling capacity becomes inadequate when heat loads exceed expectations and expansion is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacity adequacyVSAvoidcooling expansion flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into modular in-row cooling units that can be independently installed alongside server racks. Each unit is a self-contained module with cooling components, allowing the system to be segmented into multiple expandable units rather than a monolithic system, enabling flexible capacity expansion when heat loads increase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling units are installed in the vertical space between the raised floor and ceiling, utilizing the third dimension (height) rather than only horizontal space. This allows cooling capacity to be expanded in the vertical dimension without occupying additional floor space, enabling capacity expansion without altering the datacenter layout

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional cooling systems are used, then the datacenter layout remains simple, but expanding cooling capacity requires significant modifications and may require server removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling system installationVSAvoidserver deployment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is divided into modular in-row cooling units that can be independently installed alongside server racks. Each unit is a self-contained module with cooling components, allowing the system to be segmented into multiple expandable units rather than a monolithic system, enabling flexible capacity expansion when heat loads increase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling units are designed to be pre-assembled modules that can be installed alongside server racks before the servers are fully deployed or before heat load issues arise. This preliminary installation of cooling capacity allows the datacenter to accommodate future server additions without requiring retrofits or server removals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Power

If cooling capacity is increased by adding traditional cooling systems, then more cooling capacity is available, but the datacenter layout must be altered and space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacityVSAvoiddatacenter space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling units are installed in the vertical space between the raised floor and ceiling, utilizing the third dimension (height) rather than only horizontal space. This allows cooling capacity to be expanded in the vertical dimension without occupying additional floor space, enabling capacity expansion without altering the datacenter layout

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling units are nested within the existing datacenter infrastructure, fitting into the space between the raised floor and ceiling. The units utilize existing structural elements and space within the datacenter architecture, effectively nesting the cooling capacity within the existing footprint rather than adding external infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 in-row cooling units effectively supplement or replace traditional cooling systems, enabling additional server racks to be added by utilizing unutilized space and reducing the need for costly expansions, thereby maintaining efficient datacenter operations even when heat loads exceed initial expectations.

Implementation Method 1

chilling coils, which can be expanded modularly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

using fans and chilling coils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9629285B1Datacenter in-row cooling units

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

In-row cooling units are configured to be installed in a row configured to receive server racks in a datacenter. The cooling units include chilling coils configured to cool air passing across the chilling coil. The cooling units when installed supply cooled air through a floor of the datacenter, such as after receiving and cooling air from or through a ceiling plenum.