Liquid Cooling Rack Assembly for Independent Pump Servicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid cooling systems for data centers interrupt operations when a pump needs servicing, requiring a mechanism to service pumps independently without disrupting server and network switch functions.

Innovation Solution

A liquid cooling rack assembly with a second cabinet rack containing movable trays, each holding a cooling pump, allowing independent servicing of pumps by horizontal movement, coupled with vibration absorption and leak prevention mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple cooling pumps are installed in a fixed cabinet rack, then the cooling system can provide continuous coolant delivery, but servicing individual pumps requires interrupting server and network switch operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous cooling operationVSAvoidpump servicing operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cabinet rack is divided into multiple independent movable trays, with each tray holding a single cooling pump. This segmentation allows individual pumps to be serviced by moving only their respective trays, without affecting other pumps or requiring interruption of server and network switch operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trays are designed to be movable rather than fixed, enabling dynamic repositioning of individual pumps for servicing. The movable trays can be independently extracted and repositioned along the cabinet rack, providing operational flexibility while maintaining continuous cooling from other pumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If cooling pumps are placed on movable trays, then individual pumps can be serviced independently without interrupting server operations, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent pump servicingVSAvoidmovable tray mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable trays act as intermediaries between the cabinet rack structure and the cooling pumps. These trays simplify the servicing process by providing a movable platform that can be independently positioned, extracted, and repositioned, reducing the complexity of direct pump access while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If pumps are positioned close to each other in the cabinet rack, then space utilization is optimized, but vibration from pumps can affect adjacent components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecabinet rack space utilizationVSAvoidpump vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each pump is isolated on its own movable tray, which acts as a vibration isolation barrier. This segmentation allows pumps to be positioned closely for space efficiency while the tray structure and associated damping elements prevent vibration transmission to adjacent components and the cabinet rack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Vibration damping elements are incorporated into the tray design beforehand to cushion and absorb pump vibrations. This prior cushioning prevents vibration from affecting adjacent pumps and components while maintaining close spacing for optimal space utilization in the cabinet rack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Enables pump servicing without interrupting server and network switch operations, ensuring continuous functionality and efficient coolant delivery.

Implementation Method 1

the rubber expansion joint flange is configured to absorb or isolate vibration generated by the pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

each tray of the plurality of movable trays includes at least one vibration absorber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS12369282B2Liquid cooling rack assembly for computing system and telecommunication system including the same

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 QUANTA COMPUTER INC

AI summary

A liquid cooling rack assembly for a computing system includes a first cabinet rack configured to receive within a plurality of computing devices with heat-generating electronic components; and a second cabinet rack configured to receive coolant components. The second cabinet rack has a plurality of movable trays, each tray of the plurality of movable trays being movable generally horizontally and independently of other trays of the plurality of movable trays. The liquid cooling rack assembly further includes a plurality of cooling pumps. Each pump of the plurality of cooling pumps is placed on a respective one of the plurality of movable trays, and each pump is independently serviceable from other pumps of the plurality of cooling pumps based on independent movement of a respective tray.