Modular Immersion Cooling System for Data Center Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center cooling systems face inefficiencies and increased operational costs due to the loss and pollution of two-phase coolant, which is essential for maintaining the thermal states of high-performance electronics, especially when containers are unsealed or imperfectly sealed.
Innovation Solution
A multiphase thermal management system that includes an IT tank immersed in a two-phase coolant, an immersion tank aisle to capture vaporized coolant, and a condenser module to process the vaporized coolant back into a liquid, preventing coolant loss and maintaining coolant levels within the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional cooling systems are used with unsealed or imperfectly sealed containers, then ease of operation and maintenance is improved, but coolant loss and pollution occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the harmful escaped vaporized coolant and converts it back into liquid coolant through condensation, transforming the loss into a recoverable resource. The aisle structure that might seem like wasted space becomes a vapor capture zone, and the condenser converts the escaped vapor back into usable liquid coolant, eliminating the harm of coolant loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary condensation system between the IT tank and the external environment. The aisle acts as an intermediate capture zone for vaporized coolant, and the condenser serves as an intermediary device that transforms vapor back into liquid, preventing direct loss to the environment while maintaining operational accessibility.
2Reliability
If coolant is continuously monitored and replenished, then thermal management reliability is improved, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically capturing vaporized coolant through the aisle structure and condensing it back into liquid form. The condenser module autonomously converts escaped vapor back into coolant that can be returned to the IT tank, eliminating the need for external monitoring and replenishment operations while maintaining reliable thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the vaporized coolant as waste, the system recovers it through condensation. The aisle captures the escaped vapor, the condenser transforms it back into liquid coolant, and the recovered coolant is returned to the system, eliminating the need for continuous external replenishment and reducing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular design is implemented, then adaptability and ease of deployment are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into distinct modular components: IT tanks that can be individually configured, aisle structures that can be adapted to different layouts, and condenser modules that can be independently installed. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard procedures and then assembled into flexible configurations based on specific data center requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized functions. The IT tanks can accommodate various server configurations, the aisle structures can be adapted to different spatial arrangements, and the condenser modules can serve multiple IT tanks. This universality allows a single set of manufactured components to be deployed in multiple different configurations, enhancing adaptability without increasing manufacturing 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
This system reduces operational costs, minimizes coolant pollution, and ensures effective thermal management of devices by preventing coolant loss, even when containers are unsealed, while being modular, flexible, and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
A multiphase thermal management system that includes an IT tank immersed in a two-phase coolant
Implementation Method 2
maintaining the thermal states of high-performance electronics
Implementation Method 3
a condenser module to process the vaporized coolant back into a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a system, for designing and developing immersion cooling in data centers. The system includes an internet technology (IT) tank that houses a computing device immersed in a two phase coolant; an aisle, in which the immersion tank is disposed, that captures a first vaporized portion of the two phase coolant escaped from the immersion tank; a condenser that transforms the first vaporized portion of the two phase coolant that escaped from the immersion tank into a first liquid portion of the two phase coolant; a second condenser captures and condenses a second portion of vapor; and a liquid distributor manages the cooling fluid and coolant fluid for the IT tank and two condensers.