Modular Data Center Containment for Redundant Cooling and Tier 4 Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current containment systems for electronic components are inefficient in terms of energy usage, lack expandability, and do not provide adequate fire protection or redundant cooling systems, limiting them to Tier #3 ratings and requiring extensive construction modifications.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained containment system with a control unit and modular units that include a cooling system, environmental control, and fire suppression, allowing for remote monitoring and adjustable airflow, expandability, and backup power, ensuring efficient cooling and humidity control without additional structural modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a traditional open architecture system is used to house electronic components, then the system can be constructed with basic cooling and power systems, but the energy consumption is high and the system lacks expandability
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system is divided into modular containment units that can be independently added or removed. Each unit has its own environmental controls and can be stacked or arranged in different configurations, allowing the system to expand or contract based on computational needs while maintaining energy efficiency through localized environmental control in only the occupied modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized configurations that allow them to serve multiple functions: housing electronic components, providing environmental control, offering fire suppression, and enabling expandability. The same modular unit can accommodate different types of computational equipment and can be arranged in various configurations to meet changing requirements.
2Reliability
If a single cooling system is used in the containment unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases to Tier #3 rating
Solution Approach 1:
The containment unit incorporates two independent cooling systems with distinct cooling paths and heat exchange mechanisms. One system uses a refrigeration cycle with evaporator and condenser, while the other uses a heat pipe system. This local differentiation of cooling approaches provides redundancy and failsafe capabilities, ensuring that if one cooling system fails, the other can maintain operational temperatures for the electronic components.
3Reliability
If the containment system depends on external power sources, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability decreases during power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The containment unit is equipped with an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system that stores electrical energy in batteries before power failures occur. This preliminary energy storage capability allows the electronic components to continue operating during external power outages. The system can also prioritize power distribution to critical components and maintain environmental controls for extended periods without external power.
Solution Approach 2:
The power system includes backup power sources and energy storage mechanisms that cushion against the harmful effect of external power failures. The UPS system and battery reserves provide a buffer that protects the electronic components from sudden power loss, allowing graceful shutdown or continued operation during power interruptions, thereby maintaining reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.
4Reliability
If adequate fire protection and suppression systems are added to the containment unit, then the reliability improves to Tier #4 rating, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppression system is integrated with the existing containment unit structure and environmental control systems. The same sealed enclosure that provides environmental control also serves as the fire containment chamber. Fire detection sensors are combined with the environmental monitoring system, and the suppression agent distribution network utilizes existing ductwork and airflow paths. This merging of fire protection functions with existing systems provides Tier #4 fire safety without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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 system provides efficient cooling and humidity control, is easily expandable, and meets Tier #4 reliability standards by ensuring continuous operation with redundant cooling and power systems, while minimizing energy consumption and construction costs.
Implementation Method 1
The system provides directed heat removal by altering typical airflow paths within the cabinet
Implementation Method 2
A high capacity closed loop refrigeration system in a modified cabinet
Implementation Method 3
A high capacity closed loop refrigeration system
Data Source
AI summary
A containment system includes a control unit comprising a cooling system and a control panel in communication with the cooling system. The containment system also includes a containment unit in communication with the control unit for containing a plurality of electronic components. The containment unit includes a base including a damper, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the base, and a top overlying the base and having a passageway formed area. The base, the plurality of sidewalls and the top define a containment area there between for containing the plurality of electronic components. Cold air is passed from the cooling system to the base of the containment unit through the damper and into the containment area. Warm air is removed from the containment area through the passageway formed in the top thereof and back to the cooling system. The warm air removed from the containment area is cooled by the cooling system, and the control panel is adapted to be in communication with the electronic components contained in the containment area.