Modular Data Center Cooling Layout for Air-to-Liquid Migration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center cooling systems, particularly those using raised floor plenums, are inefficient in handling high heat densities due to limitations in airflow and infrastructure, leading to reduced cooling capacity and increased costs, with a reluctance to transition from air-cooled to liquid-cooled systems due to infrastructure and downtime concerns.
Innovation Solution
A data center configuration using alternating rows of air-cooled and liquid-cooled racks with shared plumbing and fluid couplings, allowing for a seamless transition from air-cooled to liquid-cooled systems without significant infrastructure changes, utilizing standard fluid couplings for both air conditioners and liquid cooling units to maintain efficiency and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air-cooled racks are used to extend air-cooling limits, then cooling capacity is improved, but air handling equipment becomes expensive and large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from air-cooling to liquid-cooling systems, using liquid circulation through pipes and heat exchangers to remove heat from server racks. This hydraulic approach replaces the pneumatic air handling equipment, providing more efficient heat removal with compact liquid-to-air heat exchangers instead of large air handling units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical air-cooling system with a liquid-cooling system. The liquid circulation pump and heat exchanger system substitutes for the complex air handling equipment, providing superior cooling performance with reduced equipment footprint and complexity.
2Temperature
If liquid-cooled computers are implemented, then heat transfer problem is solved, but transition requires major overhaul and substantial downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements liquid cooling in a modular fashion, with individual liquid cooling units that can be installed on specific server racks independently. This segmentation allows selective conversion of racks to liquid cooling without requiring complete data center shutdown or simultaneous conversion of all equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs liquid cooling units with universal interfaces that can accommodate different server rack configurations and standards. The standardized mounting and connection interfaces allow easy installation and removal, enabling gradual migration between cooling systems without custom fabrication for each rack type.
3Temperature
If raised floor plenum is used for cooling, then cooling distribution is achieved, but airflow is impeded by cabling and obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the air-based plenum distribution system with liquid cooling units that directly contact server components. This eliminates the raised floor plenum and its airflow obstruction issues entirely, as liquid cooling delivers cooling capacity through direct thermal contact rather than relying on air circulation through cable-filled plenum spaces.
4Quantity of substance
If perforated tiles are used in raised floor, then airflow from plenum is limited to approximately 6 cubic meters per minute, but 60 cubic meters per minute is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the air circulation system with liquid cooling units that provide sufficient cooling capacity without requiring high-volume air flow through the floor. Liquid cooling delivers concentrated cooling capacity through direct thermal contact, eliminating the need for large airflow volumes that would require extensive floor modifications.
5Temperature
If blowers are used to actively pull cold air from plenum, then cooling capacity is increased, but balancing airflow throughout data center becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex air-based blower system with liquid cooling units that use pumps to circulate coolant. Liquid cooling provides more controllable and efficient heat removal, as pump-driven liquid circulation is easier to balance and control than high-velocity air flow through a complex plenum system with multiple outlets and obstructions.
6Temperature
If air coolers are mounted within server racks, then cooling is provided at source, but serviceability of racks is reduced and flexibility is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs liquid cooling units with standardized, universal interfaces that match common server rack standards. This allows the cooling units to be easily installed and removed without custom modifications, maintaining rack serviceability while providing efficient cooling. The universal interfaces enable quick connection and disconnection for maintenance or rack relocation.
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 approach enables efficient cooling of high heat densities without major infrastructure overhauls, allowing for gradual migration to liquid-cooled racks while maintaining system efficiency and reducing downtime, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional air-cooled systems.
Implementation Method 1
liquid-cooled racks...remove the heat dissipated by the racks
Implementation Method 2
air conditioners...chill the air
Data Source
AI summary
A data center is configured using alternating rows of racks containing heat-generating electronic devices and air conditioners. Fluid, such as water or a refrigerant, for the air conditioners is supplied through pluming below a raised floor, such as those commonly found in current data centers. Attached to this plumbing are standard fluid couplings configured to couple to either air conditioners or liquid cooling units. These air conditioners and liquid cooling units use the same fluid so that they may share the plumbing. As data center migrates to liquid-cooled racks, a fraction of the air conditioners are replaced with liquid conditioning units in such a way that the data center contains both air-cooled and liquid-cooled racks without substantial reduction in efficiency of the air-cooling system. Since the air conditioners and liquid conditioning units use the same couplings and the same fluid, no infrastructure change is required.