Liquid-Cooled Data Center Rack Flow Control Without Compression Chillers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face inefficiencies in cooling systems, particularly in regulating temperature and energy usage, as existing systems often rely on vapor compression refrigeration and cyclic operation, which can lead to high energy consumption and ineffective temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A data center cooling system that uses heat transfer equipment to cool liquid coolant without vapor compression refrigeration, incorporating a controller-apparatus with a computer processor to regulate liquid coolant flow based on IT equipment temperature thresholds, and adjusts pump and fan RPMs according to power consumption and temperature, ensuring continuous operation and reduced energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If vapor compression refrigeration is used for cooling, then cooling capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vapor compression refrigeration system from the data center cooling architecture, replacing it with a direct liquid cooling system that transfers heat from IT equipment to a liquid coolant, thereby removing the energy-intensive compression and phase change processes while maintaining effective cooling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical vapor compression system with a thermally-driven liquid cooling system that uses heat transfer equations and fluid dynamics to move heat directly from sources to sinks, replacing mechanical compression with thermal conduction and convection processes that consume significantly less energy
2Device complexity
If cyclic operation is used for cooling systems, then system simplicity is maintained, but temperature control effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that continuously adjusts liquid coolant flow rates, pump speeds, and fan operations based on real-time temperature sensor feedback from IT equipment, enabling precise temperature control while maintaining system simplicity through automated proportional servo control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates multiple temperature sensors that continuously monitor IT equipment temperatures and feed this data back to the controller, which then adjusts cooling parameters in real-time to maintain temperatures within specified thresholds, creating a closed-loop control system that eliminates the need for complex cyclic operation schedules
3Device complexity
If fixed flow rate cooling is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed flow rate cooling with a dynamic variable flow rate system where pump speed and coolant flow are continuously adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements and heat load calculations, enabling the system to match cooling delivery precisely with actual thermal demands and eliminate energy waste from over-cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the cooling system from fixed values to variable parameters that are continuously adjusted based on thermal conditions, including variable pump speeds, variable fan speeds, and variable coolant flow rates, all controlled through processor-based algorithms that optimize energy efficiency while maintaining temperature control
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
This solution reduces data center cooling power consumption by implementing temperature-based proportional servo control, allowing for efficient energy management and maintaining specified temperatures within the data center, thereby optimizing energy usage and cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer equipment to cool a liquid coolant without vapor compression refrigeration
Implementation Method 2
the liquid coolant is used on a liquid cooled information technology equipment rack
Implementation Method 3
liquid coolant flow to the liquid cooled information technology equipment rack
Data Source
AI summary
A data center cooling system may include heat transfer equipment to cool a liquid coolant without vapor compression refrigeration, and the liquid coolant is used on a liquid cooled information technology equipment rack housed in the data center. The system may also include a controller-apparatus to regulate the liquid coolant flow to the liquid cooled information technology equipment rack through a range of liquid coolant flow values based upon information technology equipment temperature thresholds.