Liquid-Cooled Rack-Mounted Cleansing With Multi-Fluid Cycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid cooling systems for rack-mounted processing assemblies suffer from the buildup of contaminants such as mineral deposits, corrosion, and algae, which affect the efficiency and quality of the cooling process.

Innovation Solution

A maintenance cleansing system with multiple tanks containing different liquids (detergent, softened water, treated osmosed water with corrosion inhibitors) and a control module that executes cleansing cycles with specific durations, using pumps, solenoid valves, and filters to maintain operation of the data processing assemblies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If direct liquid cooling blocks with internal channels are used to cool high heat-generating components, then cooling efficiency is improved, but contaminant buildup (mineral deposits, corrosion, algae, bacteria) occurs in the channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcontaminant buildup
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cleaning actions by circulating cleaning solutions through the cooling channels before contaminants can significantly accumulate and impair cooling efficiency. The control module schedules regular cleaning cycles that proactively maintain channel cleanliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning system operates continuously or periodically to maintain the cooling channels, ensuring that the useful action of cooling is never significantly interrupted. The system can clean while the cooling operation continues, maintaining continuous protective action against contaminant buildup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If channelized water circulation is implemented through liquid cooling blocks, then heat dissipation is improved, but mineral deposit buildup reduces water flow quality and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidwater flow quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing water circulation infrastructure to deliver cleaning solutions through the same channels that carry cooling water. The pump and control valve leverage the established fluid distribution network to perform self-maintenance without requiring separate access to the channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the chemical parameters of the circulating fluid by introducing cleaning solutions with different compositions (detergents, acids, bases) to dissolve and remove mineral deposits that have accumulated in the channels, thereby restoring water flow quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If cleaning cycles are performed on liquid cooling systems, then contaminant removal is achieved, but system downtime is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontaminant removalVSAvoidsystem downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning operation is designed to proceed continuously alongside the cooling operation. The system can circulate cleaning solutions through the channels while the cooling blocks remain in place, potentially maintaining cooling function or using isolated channel segments for cleaning without shutting down the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary cleaning before contaminants significantly impact cooling performance, and can schedule cleaning during planned maintenance windows or use bypass configurations to clean channels while the system remains operational, minimizing disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system effectively removes contaminants and reduces their recurrence, ensuring continuous operation of the data processing assemblies without downtime by executing cleaning cycles while they are operational.

Implementation Method 1

a first tank containing a volume of a first liquid comprising a detergent having an acidic ph level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical dissolution:

Implementation Method 2

a second tank containing a volume of a second liquid comprising softened or pure water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRinsing:

Implementation Method 3

a third tank containing a volume of a third liquid comprising treated osmosed water with corrosion inhibitors having a basic ph level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical neutralization:

Implementation Method 4

a rack unit fluid inlet configured to receive the selected fluid from the forward fluid coupling section and distribute the selected liquid throughout each of the rack-mounted processing assemblies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid circulation: Pump

Implementation Method 5

fluidly-coupled a first fluid control structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentEP4571458B1A maintenance cleansing system for liquid-cooled rack-mounted processing assemblies
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 OVH
  • EP4571458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4571458B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4571458B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleansing system and method for liquid-cooled rack-mounted processing assemblies are presented that incorporate a cleansing unit comprising a first liquid comprising an acidic detergent coupled a first fluid control structure, a second liquid comprising softened water fluidly-coupled a second fluid control structure, a third liquid comprising treated osmosed water fluidly-coupled a third fluid control structure, and a control module operably-coupled to the control structures and configured to select one of the first, second, or third liquids and define corresponding first, second, and third operational cleansing cycles and duration times. A forward fluid coupling section supplies the selected liquid to the processing assemblies and a return fluid coupling section receives the returned liquid from the processing assemblies for each of the defined operational cleansing cycles. In the event that liquid quality levels from the returning processing assemblies are unsatisfactory, a fourth operational cycle is defined and executed.