Integrated Fluid Conditioner for Immersion Cooling Leakage Prevention
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for electronics in fluid-filled tanks are bulky and prone to fluid leakage, creating an undesirable working environment and inefficient heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conditioner is integrated into the tank, featuring a heat exchanger and pump system with a baffle structure that allows for efficient heat transfer and fluid circulation within the tank, preventing leakage and maintaining a stable cooling environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooling systems are located outside the tanks, then they can extract heat from the fluid, but they become bulky and are prone to fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is merged with the tank by integrating the heat exchanger directly into the tank structure. The heat exchanger forms part of the tank wall, eliminating the need for separate external cooling equipment and associated fluid transfer systems that were prone to leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary structure that is built into the tank wall, allowing heat transfer between the internal fluid and external cooling medium without requiring fluid to leave the tank. This intermediate structure prevents direct fluid transfer and eliminates leakage risks.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If external cooling systems are used, then heat can be extracted, but the working environment is degraded by oily slippery fluid films
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful dielectric fluid is extracted from the cooling process by confining it entirely within the tank. Only a separate cooling medium (not the dielectric fluid) is used in the heat exchanger, preventing dielectric fluid from contaminating the working environment while maintaining effective heat dissipation.
3Temperature
If fluid is pumped through external cooling systems, then heat transfer occurs, but the system becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is merged with the tank structure, forming an integrated cooling system. The heat exchanger channels are formed as part of the tank wall, eliminating separate external cooling equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective fluid cooling.
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 solution provides effective cooling without fluid leakage, maintaining a stable temperature for electronics and preventing overheating, while being compact and easy to maintain.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger and pump system with a baffle structure that allows for efficient heat transfer and fluid circulation within the tank
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger and pump system with a baffle structure that allows for efficient heat transfer and fluid circulation within the tank
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger and pump system with a baffle structure that allows for efficient heat transfer and fluid circulation within the tank
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A fluid conditioner (1) for use in a tank (110) containing computers (130), or other electronic devices, immersed in fluid (F) in the tank (110). The fluid conditioner (1) comprises a housing (10) having a chamber (38), an outlet (14), a heat exchanger (18) located in the chamber (38) of the housing (10), and one or more pumps (16) to pump fluid such that the fluid passes into contact with the heat exchanger (18) in the chamber (38). The heat exchanger (18) has an inlet (30) for cooling medium to enter the heat exchanger (18) and an outlet (32) for cooling medium to exit the heat exchanger (18). In the upright, operational orientation of the fluid conditioner (1), the pump (16) and the heat exchanger (18) are vertically spaced relative to one another and the heat exchanger (18) is located above the outlet (14) of the fluid conditioner (1). In use, fluid (F) is drawn into and through the pumps (16) to be discharged from the pumps (16). The fluid (F) passes into contact with the heat exchanger (18) to thereby cool the fluid (F), and the cooled fluid (F) exits the fluid conditioner (1) via the outlet (14) of the fluid conditioner (1) and passes into the lower region of the tank (110) for circulation through the tank (110).