Liquid Line Routing Assembly for Tight IT Enclosure Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid cooling systems in information technology enclosures face challenges in routing coolant lines in tight spaces, requiring multiple connections to a rack-level manifold, which complicates maintenance and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A modular liquid line routing assembly within the IT enclosure that includes a cooling fluid manifold, sidewalls with openings, and pivotable or removable gates to manage coolant lines, providing structured access and support for components, and a cover to protect the routing assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid cooling systems are implemented in IT enclosures, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but routing complexity of coolant lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid line routing assembly is divided into modular sections with standardized openings and gate structures. Each segment can be independently configured and accessed, breaking down the complex routing task into manageable sections with consistent interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid line routing assembly serves as an intermediary structure between the coolant source and the cold plates. It provides a standardized intermediate platform with organized routing paths, reducing the direct complexity of connecting coolant lines to multiple components throughout the enclosure.
2Reliability
If multiple connections to rack-level manifold are required, then cooling coverage is improved, but maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The routing assembly separates individual coolant line connections into distinct, accessible segments. Each connection point can be independently accessed through specific gate openings, allowing maintenance personnel to service individual lines without disrupting the entire cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate structures are designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between closed and open states to provide access. This dynamic access mechanism allows the system to maintain its protective enclosure while enabling easy maintenance of internal coolant lines and connections.
3Area of stationary object
If tight spaces within IT enclosure are utilized, then space efficiency is improved, but accessibility for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gate structures transform the static enclosure into a dynamic system with controllable access points. Gates can be opened to provide wide access to coolant lines and connections, then closed to restore the compact configuration, allowing the system to alternate between maintenance mode and space-efficient operational mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing assembly utilizes vertical and lateral dimensions through multi-level gate openings and three-dimensional routing paths. This allows coolant lines to be organized in multiple spatial dimensions, maintaining compact horizontal footprint while providing accessible vertical entry points for maintenance.
4Device complexity
If structured routing paths are implemented, then coolant line management is simplified, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The routing assembly uses standardized, modular sections with consistent opening patterns and gate structures. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual modules that can be assembled through repetitive, standardized processes rather than custom fabrication of complex integrated structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An information technology equipment enclosure comprises a plurality of IT components with cold plates coupled to the IT components. A cooling fluid manifold is disposed within the IT equipment enclosure, wherein each of the cold plates are coupled to the cooling fluid manifold via an input coolant line and an output coolant line. A liquid line routing assembly is disposed within the enclosure. The liquid line routing assembly comprises at least one sidewall and one or more openings in the at least one sidewall. The openings are configured to provide a path to route input coolant lines and output coolant lines to selected ones of the cold plates. The at least one sidewall includes a gate structure positioned over at least one of the openings. The gate structure is configured to pivot away from the at least one opening to provide access to the opening.