Modular air handling unit (AHU) system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling units for modular data centers have high power consumption, inefficient space utilization, and require extensive design and site planning, making them suboptimal for portable and flexible data center infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A modular air handling unit (AHU) system comprising a set of cooling unit building blocks with an exchangeable air-conditioning section, featuring a housing with air supply and return corridors, and an array of supply fans to distribute fresh air efficiently, allowing for easy switching of cooling technologies to meet varying data center needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional cooling units are used in modular data centers, then cooling function is provided, but power consumption is high and space utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into modular air handling units that can be independently configured and arranged. Each module contains dedicated cooling components (chillers, cooling towers, fans) that serve specific zones, eliminating the need for oversized centralized equipment and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates variable speed drives on fans and pumps, allowing operational parameters to be dynamically adjusted based on real-time cooling demands. This dynamic control prevents energy waste from operating at fixed high speeds and optimizes the balance between power consumption and cooling efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cooling units are used, then cooling capacity is achieved, but design and site planning efforts are extensive
Solution Approach 1:
The air handling units are designed as universal modules that can be deployed in various configurations to meet different cooling requirements. Standardized interfaces and modular components allow the same basic unit to adapt to diverse site conditions and capacity needs, eliminating the need for custom-designed cooling systems for each project.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are pre-engineered and pre-assembled with integrated cooling components before deployment. This preliminary preparation of complete functional modules significantly reduces on-site design and installation complexity, as the units arrive ready-to-install with all necessary components already configured.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional cooling units are used, then cooling is provided, but space utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The modular air handling units are designed to be nested or stacked configurations, with components arranged in space-efficient layers. This nesting approach maximizes the cooling capacity per unit floor area, allowing adequate cooling performance while minimizing the space occupied by cooling equipment.
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 modular AHU system reduces power consumption, optimizes space utilization, and enables flexible cooling solutions, enhancing the efficiency and adaptability of data center cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
an exchangeable AC assembly removably coupled to the exchangeable AC section
Implementation Method 2
an array of supply fans, the array of supply fans configured to distribute the fresh air from the air supply corridor to the exchangeable AC assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A modular air handling unit (AHU) system may include a set of cooling unit building blocks and a housing configured to house the set of cooling unit building blocks. The housing may include an air supply corridor configured to receive fresh air and an air return corridor configured to receive used air and distribute the received used throughout the set of cooling unit building blocks. Each cooling unit building block of the set of cooling unit building blocks may include an exchangeable air-conditioning (AC) section positioned proximate to the air supply corridor. The exchangeable AC section may include an exchangeable AC assembly removably coupled to the exchangeable AC section. The exchangeable AC section may include an array of supply fans configured to distribute the fresh air from the air supply corridor to the exchangeable AC assembly.