Integrated Cooling Assembly for High Power Density Racks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling solutions for high-power density computer racks are complex, inefficient, and wasteful of space, as they often rely on separate liquid and air-cooling systems.
Innovation Solution
A integrated cooling system that combines air-cooling and liquid-cooling technologies, featuring a rack system with vertically arranged heat exchangers and a liquid distribution sub-system with supply and return pipes, and optional active and passive heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate liquid and air-cooling systems are used for high-power density computer racks, then cooling capability is improved, but system complexity increases and space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate liquid cooling and air cooling systems into a single integrated cooling unit. The liquid cooling section and air cooling section share common components including the pump, expansion tank, filter, and control system. This merging reduces system complexity while maintaining the dual cooling capabilities needed for high-power density computer racks.
2Temperature
If separate liquid and air-cooling systems are used for high-power density computer racks, then cooling capability is improved, but space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated cooling unit merges liquid cooling and air cooling functions into a single compact structure. By sharing common components and using vertical arrangement of heat exchangers, the system reduces the floor space required compared to separate cooling systems, thereby improving data center space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs vertical arrangement of heat exchangers within the cooling unit, transitioning from horizontal space occupation to vertical stacking. This dimensional change allows the system to maintain cooling capability while reducing the horizontal footprint and improving space utilization in the data center.
3Temperature
If separate liquid and air-cooling systems are used, then cooling performance is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated cooling unit combines multiple cooling functions and components into a single pre-assembled module. This merging reduces the number of installation steps and connections required compared to installing separate liquid and air cooling systems, thereby reducing installation time and accelerating data center deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling unit is designed as a pre-assembled integrated module with all components (pump, heat exchangers, filter, expansion tank, control system) configured before delivery. This preliminary assembly and integration of components simplifies on-site installation and reduces deployment time for high-power density computer rack cooling.
4Area of stationary object
If traditional cooling systems are used, then space is wasted, but if integrated cooling is implemented, then space efficiency is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated cooling unit merges liquid cooling and air cooling systems into a single module with shared components. This integration simplifies the installation process by reducing the number of separate systems to install and connect, while simultaneously improving space efficiency through compact design and vertical arrangement.
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 integrated cooling system efficiently utilizes space, simplifies installation, and maximizes cooling efficiency by allowing for rapid deployment and reduced data center build times.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of heat exchangers vertically arranged beneath the rack system, where a primary heat exchanger of the plurality of heat exchangers is disposed adjacent to a front portion of the rack system, and a secondary heat exchanger of the plurality of heat exchangers is disposed adjacent to a rear portion of the rack system
Implementation Method 2
one or more supply pipes disposed between the primary and secondary heat exchangers and configured to deliver a cooling fluid to the plurality of heat exchangers, where the cooling fluid is warmed by the plurality of heat exchangers
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooling system for rack system cooling is disclosed. The cooling system includes a rack system, a plurality of heat exchangers, and a liquid distribution sub-system. The plurality of heat exchangers are vertically arranged beneath the rack system, where a primary heat exchanger is disposed adjacent to a front portion of the rack system, and a secondary heat exchanger is disposed adjacent to a rear portion of the rack system. The liquid distribution sub-system includes: one or more supply pipes disposed between the primary and secondary heat exchangers, which delivers a cooling fluid to the plurality of heat exchangers, where the cooling fluid is warmed by the plurality of heat exchangers; one or more return pipes collecting the warmed cooling fluid from the plurality of heat exchangers; and a manifold coupled to the one or more supply pipes and the one or more return pipes, where the manifold is configured to distribute the cooling fluid throughout the rack system.