Rack-Mounted Assembly Liquid Cooling With Differential Temperature Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid cooling solutions for rack-mounted assemblies in datacenters struggle to optimize temperature control of cooling liquids and heated liquids, leading to inefficiencies in heat dissipation and potential electronic component failures.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that involves determining differential temperature values and redirecting heated liquid flows using valves, with optional machine learning for power consumption prediction, to maintain optimal temperature differentials and improve cooling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid cooling blocks are used to directly cool heat-generating electronic data processing elements, then cooling efficiency is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the temperature of the cooling liquid before and after the heat-generating components, calculates the temperature differential, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the flow rate of the cooling liquid. This closed-loop control enables precise temperature regulation while maintaining high cooling efficiency through optimized liquid circulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the cooling liquid flow rate based on real-time temperature differential measurements. By making the flow rate variable rather than fixed, the system can adapt to changing thermal conditions and maintain optimal temperature control precision across different operating scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If liquid immersive cooling is employed, then cooling capacity is increased, but temperature control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures the temperature of the cooling liquid at specific points in the immersion cooling circuit and uses this information to calculate the temperature differential. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of the cooling process while maintaining the high cooling capacity provided by immersion cooling technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls the flow rate parameter of the cooling liquid based on the calculated temperature differential. By adjusting the flow rate parameter dynamically, the system achieves precise temperature control while preserving the enhanced cooling capacity of the immersion cooling configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If cooling liquid flow rate is increased, then cooling efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the cooling liquid flow rate based on real-time temperature differential measurements rather than operating at a constant high flow rate. This dynamic optimization allows the system to achieve high cooling efficiency when needed while reducing energy consumption during periods of lower thermal demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the flow rate parameter of the cooling liquid based on the calculated temperature differential and predicted power consumption. This parameter optimization enables the system to maintain cooling efficiency while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary high flow rates during low-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If temperature differential is increased, then cooling efficiency is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the actual temperature differential and uses this feedback to adjust the cooling liquid flow rate. This closed-loop control ensures that the temperature differential remains within the optimal range for both high cooling efficiency and precise temperature control, preventing excessive temperature differences that would compromise control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate to maintain the temperature differential within optimal bounds. By making the flow rate variable and responsive to real-time conditions, the system achieves both high cooling efficiency and precise temperature control, avoiding the trade-off that would result from a fixed high differential approach.

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

Enhances cooling system efficiency by maintaining optimal temperature differentials, increasing cooling capacity with the same liquid volume, and preventing component failures.

Implementation Method 1

the received cooling liquid absorbs the generated heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the liquid cooling blocks are positioned to be in direct thermal contact with the heat-generating electronic data processing elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal contact: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the heated liquid is circulated, via the cooling circuit, back to the cooling liquid source for recooling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 4

the submerged heat-generating electronic data processing elements radiate heats that are absorbed by the cooling dielectric fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 5

redirecting at least a portion of a flow of the heated liquid egressing from an outlet of the rack-mounted assembly to an inlet of the rack-mounted assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow redirection: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP4601428A1Temperature control of liquid-cooled rack-mounted assemblies
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 OVH
  • EP4601428A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4601428A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4601428A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid cooling method and system for a rack-mounted assembly to control cooling liquid temperature are disclosed. The system includes a cooling circuit circulating a cooling liquid to a rack-mounted assembly and a heated liquid from the rack-mounted assembly, a dry cooling module supplying the cooling liquid and receiving the heated liquid for recooling. A controller is communicatively coupled to an input liquid temperature sensor, an output liquid temperature sensor, and a valve. The controller determines an input cooling liquid temperature value, an output heated liquid temperature value, calculates a differential temperature value, and in response to the calculated differential temperature value being below a target differential temperature value, redirects at least a portion of a flow of the heated liquid egressing from an outlet of the rack-mounted assembly to an inlet of the rack-mounted assembly.