Integrated Datacenter Cooling Unit for Air-Liquid Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data centers face challenges in efficiently managing heat rejection from IT equipment, requiring separate spaces for air-based and liquid-based cooling modalities, which can lead to space inefficiencies and inflexibility in adapting to changing cooling needs.

Innovation Solution

An integrated liquid and air cooling unit that combines air-based and direct liquid cooling modules within the same real estate space, allowing for interchangeable and modular deployment of cooling modules to adapt to varying cooling demands, with a common piping manifold and electrical panel for flexible heat rejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate spaces are used for air-based and liquid-based cooling modalities, then each cooling system can be optimized independently, but space efficiency is reduced and flexibility in adapting to changing cooling needs is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in adapting to changing cooling needsVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines air-based cooling modules and liquid-based cooling modules into a single integrated cooling unit that occupies one real estate space. The framework supports both types of modules, allowing them to be deployed together in a unified structure, thereby reducing the total space required while maintaining the ability to adapt to different cooling needs through modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated cooling unit is designed with a universal framework that can accommodate both air-based and liquid-based cooling modules. This multi-functional design allows the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple cooling modalities, enabling flexibility in adapting to changing cooling requirements without requiring separate dedicated spaces for each cooling type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If separate cooling units are deployed for air-based and liquid-based cooling, then each cooling type can be independently maintained, but device complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent maintenance capabilityVSAvoidnumber of separate cooling systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated cooling unit is segmented into distinct air-based cooling modules and liquid-based cooling modules, each of which can be independently maintained. The framework is designed to allow access and maintenance operations on individual modules without requiring shutdown or disruption of the entire cooling system, thus maintaining ease of operation while reducing overall device complexity through unified integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If modular interchangeable cooling modules are implemented, then flexibility in adapting to varying cooling demands is improved, but initial device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterchangeable cooling modalitiesVSAvoidmodular system configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated cooling unit implements dynamic configurability through interchangeable air-based and liquid-based cooling modules. The framework is designed to allow modules to be added, removed, or swapped based on varying cooling demands. This dynamic approach enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements while the underlying unified framework manages the complexity of modular configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 unit provides efficient and flexible cooling solutions, reducing space requirements and enabling seamless transitions between cooling modalities without disrupting operations, accommodating varying IT equipment heat loads and densities over time.

Implementation Method 1

air-based cooling modules (120)... to supply air-based cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

direct liquid cooling modules (140)... to supply direct liquid cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250264921A1Integrated liquid and air cooling unit for cooling a datacenter

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 STREAM U S DATA CENTERS LLC A TEXAS LLC D B A STREAM DATA CENTERS

AI summary

An integrated liquid and air cooling unit is described that has a framework constructed to contain and support a weight of one or more air-based cooling modules and one or more direct liquid cooling modules, in a same real estate space, to supply air-based cooling and direct liquid cooling to Information Technology (IT) computing equipment housed in a datacenter.