Modular Fluid Handling System for Data Center Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Containerized data centers face inefficiencies in cooling due to power-hungry and costly air conditioning systems, and upgrading or modifying these systems is costly and inefficient due to cooling components being tailored to specific configurations.
Innovation Solution
A modular fluid handling system with multiple modes that allows for efficient fluid movement and temperature control, including the use of air-handling units and refrigerant units that can be located outside the primary enclosure, enabling flexible design and reducing the need for internal fans and artificial cooling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air conditioning systems and fans are used for cooling, then temperature control is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from traditional air conditioning systems and fans by utilizing the natural cooling effect of liquid evaporating from exposed porous surfaces. This eliminates the need for power-hungry mechanical cooling devices while maintaining effective temperature control in the data center environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system performs self-service through the natural evaporative cooling process. Liquid applied to porous surfaces automatically evaporates to provide cooling without requiring external power input for compression, circulation, or fan operation, thereby significantly reducing power consumption.
2Temperature
If cooling components are tailored to specific configurations, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but adaptability for upgrades decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporative cooling system provides universal applicability across different data center configurations. The liquid application system and porous surfaces can be deployed in various rack arrangements and space configurations without requiring custom-engineered cooling components, enabling easy adaptation when upgrades or reconfigurations are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into independent liquid application units that can be individually positioned and configured. This modular approach allows the system to adapt to different rack placements and data center layouts while maintaining cooling effectiveness, as each segment can be independently adjusted to suit specific configuration requirements.
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 decreases power consumption, simplifies data center upgrades, and provides cost savings by allowing for flexible fluid handling designs and the use of fresh or conditioned air, while maintaining efficient temperature regulation without restricting rack placement.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the exposed porous surfaces are evaporatively cooled
Implementation Method 2
liquid is applied to the porous surfaces
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method for a modular fluid handling system with modes in a modular data center is presented. According to the present application, a modular data center may include a modular primary structure. The modular primary structure may include a plurality of information handling systems arranged in racks within it. The modular data center may also include a modular fluid handling system that circulates fluid through the modular primary structure according, at least in part, to a plurality of modes. The modular fluid handling system may be designed to accommodate environmental conditions in which the modular data center will operate as well as the usage requirements of the modular primary structure.