Modular Liquid Cooling Modules for Heterogeneous IT Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heterogeneous IT environments often require a mix of air and liquid cooling, leading to custom solutions that are not optimized, resulting in either excess or insufficient cooling capacity, and requiring constant manual tuning, which can be unsafe and detrimental to IT equipment.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooling system comprising a first module with a dry cooler supplying liquid cooling to a liquid heat exchange device, and a second module with a liquid heat exchange device providing liquid cooling to IT units, along with an air to liquid heat exchange device for air cooling, allowing for scalable and adjustable cooling ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom liquid cooling solutions are developed per application load, then cooling capacity is optimized for specific applications, but device complexity and engineering time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into modular units that can be independently configured and deployed. Each module contains integrated components (coolers, heat exchangers, pumps, manifolds) that can be scaled and combined to match specific application loads without requiring custom engineering for each deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular cooling system is designed to serve multiple application types and cooling loads through standardized interfaces and scalable configurations. The same module architecture can be adapted for different IT equipment, data center densities, and cooling requirements without custom design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mixed air and liquid cooling environments are used, then flexibility in cooling approach is improved, but system optimization deteriorates due to unbalanced cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that automatically adjust the ratio of liquid cooling to air cooling based on real-time thermal loads and environmental conditions. This ensures optimal cooling capacity distribution between liquid and air cooling modes without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors and control systems monitor thermal conditions in the mixed cooling environment and provide feedback to adjust cooling capacity allocation. The system automatically balances liquid and air cooling output to match actual IT equipment thermal demands, preventing over-cooling or under-cooling scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual tuning of cooling system is performed, then cooling capacity can be adjusted, but safety and equipment reliability worsen due to personnel presence and tuning frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The modular cooling system incorporates self-regulating controls that automatically adjust cooling capacity based on thermal feedback from IT equipment. The system monitors temperature conditions and autonomously modulates liquid and air cooling output without requiring personnel intervention, eliminating safety risks associated with manual tuning in mixed cooling environments.
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 provides efficient, scalable, and adjustable cooling solutions for heterogeneous IT environments, optimizing cooling capacity, reducing manual tuning needs, and ensuring safe operating temperatures for IT equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a first module with at least one dry cooler that supplies liquid cooling to at least one liquid heat exchange device
Implementation Method 2
a second module with at least one liquid heat exchange device that provides liquid cooling to a facility with one or more IT units
Implementation Method 3
The device may also provide cooling liquid to an air to liquid heat exchange device of the facility
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple systems for providing liquid and air cooling for IT components is disclosed. The modular system for cooling Information Technology (IT) includes a first module with at least one dry cooler that supplies liquid cooling to at least one liquid heat exchange device, and a second module with at least one liquid heat exchange device that provides liquid cooling to a facility with one or more IT units. The modular system may also provide cooling liquid to an air to liquid heat exchange device of the facility.