Modular Multi-Loop IT Cooling Configuration for Data Center Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid cooling systems for IT equipment are inflexible and lack resilience, requiring complex and costly infrastructure due to separate design of IT rack and facility cooling systems, which complicates heat management and scalability in modern data centers.
Innovation Solution
A modular multi-loop cooling configuration that integrates cooling units with IT containers, allowing for dynamic recirculation of coolant and flexible configuration of internal and external loops based on IT requirements, eliminating the need for facility-level cooling infrastructure and enhancing system resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate facility-level cooling infrastructure is used, then cooling capacity is provided, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the IT rack and cooling system into a single integrated unit. The cooling system is built into the rack structure itself, with coolant distribution manifolds integrated into the rack framework and thermal coupling directly to IT components. This eliminates the need for separate facility-level cooling infrastructure while maintaining cooling capacity.
2Reliability
If separate facility-level cooling infrastructure is used, then cooling capacity is provided, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the rack and cooling system into a single integrated product, the patent eliminates redundant infrastructure and reduces overall system cost. The integrated design allows for standardized manufacturing and deployment of complete cooling-rack units.
3Reliability
If traditional cooling infrastructure is used, then cooling is provided, but flexibility and resilience decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a modular cooling system with dynamic flow control capabilities. Multiple coolant loops can be independently configured and controlled, allowing the system to adapt to different thermal loads and failure scenarios. Flow control mechanisms enable dynamic adjustment of coolant distribution based on real-time conditions.
4Device complexity
If air cooling is used, then simplicity is maintained, but cooling effectiveness for high-power components is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs liquid cooling systems with coolant circulation through integrated channels and manifolds. The hydraulic cooling system provides superior heat transfer capability compared to air cooling, effectively managing thermal loads from high-power IT components while maintaining system compactness.
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 simplifies deployment, enhances flexibility and resilience by allowing dynamic adjustment of cooling configurations, reduces complexity and costs, and improves heat management within IT clusters, supporting high power density and varying workload scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the data center's cooling system circulates a working fluid through the rack cooling system
Implementation Method 2
on-board liquid cooling system that is thermally coupled to individual components that need cooling
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus multiple information technology (IT) units arranged into an IT cluster. Each IT unit includes an IT container paired with a corresponding cooler. The IT cluster includes first and second rows, each row having an upstream end and a downstream end and including one or more IT units positioned adjacent to and abutting each other. The cooler of each IT unit in each row is either fluidly coupled by an intra-row fluid connection to the IT container of the next downstream IT unit in the same row or is fluidly coupled by an inter-row fluid connection to the IT container of an IT unit in the second row. The cluster includes at least one pair of inter-row fluid connections, so that the pair of inter-row fluid connections, the intra-row fluid connections in the first row, and the intra-row fluid connections in the second row, form at least one fluid loop within the IT cluster. The internal and external loop are arranged in different modular designs.