Modular Data Center System With Integrated Power And Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face challenges in efficiently managing electrical power distribution and waste heat removal, as well as rapid changes in computing capacity, which can lead to resource-intensive expansions and increased risks of fire spread, resulting in high costs and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A modular computing system comprising pre-fabricated data center modules with integrated electrical and air handling modules that provide power and cooling, allowing for scalable deployment and rapid installation, with built-in fire suppression systems to mitigate fire risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional data center expansion methods are used to increase computing capacity, then computing capacity is improved, but time consumption and resource intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The data center is divided into modular units that can be independently deployed. Each module contains complete functional components (servers, networking, cooling, power), allowing incremental expansion without requiring complete system redesign or lengthy installation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Modular units are pre-configured and pre-tested in controlled environments before deployment. This preliminary preparation includes installing equipment, configuring software, and validating performance, which dramatically reduces on-site deployment time and resource requirements.
2Productivity
If traditional data center design is used, then computing capacity can be achieved, but fire spread risk increases across the entire facility
Solution Approach 1:
The data center is segmented into physically separated modular units with fire-resistant barriers between them. This segmentation creates fire containment zones that prevent rapid propagation across the entire facility, isolating incidents to specific modules while protecting other computing resources.
3Power
If comprehensive power distribution networks are deployed to serve all locations, then power delivery capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each modular unit contains integrated power distribution systems that are self-sufficient and can operate independently. The modular design allows units to be connected in parallel, creating a scalable power network that serves multiple locations without requiring a single complex centralized distribution system.
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 system enables efficient power distribution and cooling, supports rapid scalability of computing capacity, and reduces the risk of fire spread, thereby minimizing downtime and costs associated with equipment replacement and resource-intensive expansions.
Implementation Method 1
Some known data centers include methods and apparatus that facilitate waste heat removal from a plurality of racking systems, typically by circulating air through one or more of the rack systems
Data Source
AI summary
A modular computing system for a data center includes one or more data center modules including rack-mounted computer systems. An electrical module is coupled to the data center modules and provides electrical power to computer systems in the data center modules. One or more air handling modules are coupled to the data center modules. The data center module may include two pre-fabricated portions, each portion including a row of racks of computer systems. The two computing module portions of the data center module may combine to form a computing space when coupled to one another.