Modular Quick-Release Liquid Cooling Coupling for Server Racks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center cooling systems face challenges in efficiently removing heat from IT components due to increased heat generation from improved server performance, leading to decreased reliability and high power consumption for thermal management, particularly with indirect air cooling methods.
Innovation Solution
A modular quick-release liquid heat removal coupling system is introduced, featuring a dual liquid loop design with a primary and secondary loop, where a heat removal liquid manifold and quick-release connectors enable efficient heat transfer from server blades to a rack manifold, using flexible hoses and locking mechanisms for easy operation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If direct liquid cooling is used to remove heat from servers, then heat removal efficiency is improved and power consumption is reduced, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the cooling infrastructure into modular components: server-level quick-connectors, rack-level manifolds, and flexible hoses. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance by enabling localized repairs without shutting down entire systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-connect mechanism enables dynamic reconfiguration of cooling connections. Servers can be quickly connected or disconnected from cooling manifolds without permanent installations, allowing flexible adaptation to changing thermal loads and maintenance needs.
2Loss of energy
If direct liquid cooling is implemented, then cooling capacity is improved with less power, but ease of use and deployment are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-connectors are pre-configured with alignment features and guide structures that automatically orient components during installation. This preliminary design consideration eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures during deployment, making the system as easy to install as traditional air cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hose acts as an intermediary element between the rigid server connectors and rack manifolds. This mediator absorbs misalignment and positioning variations, allowing quick connection without precise positioning skills, thereby maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If servers are housed in data centers with increased heat density, then server performance is improved, but reliability decreases due to temperature increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses liquid coolant circulation through quick-connectors and manifolds to directly remove heat from server components. This hydraulic cooling approach efficiently manages the increased heat density from high-performance servers, maintaining operating temperatures within reliable ranges despite higher productivity demands.
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 enhances heat removal efficiency with reduced power consumption, simplifies maintenance and deployment, and prevents wear and tear, maintaining server reliability while allowing for flexible connector orientations and easy disconnection for transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a first liquid intake connector and a first liquid outlet connector capable of extending outwardly external to the server tray to connect to, and disconnect from, a second liquid intake connector and a second liquid outlet connector fixedly disposed on the heat removal liquid manifold assembly
Implementation Method 2
heat removal liquid manifold assembly to provide heat removal liquid from an external heat removal system to remove the heat from the server blades
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic rack includes a heat removal liquid manifold, a number of server slots, and a number of server blades inserted therein. The liquid manifold distributes heat removal liquid from an external heat removal system to remove heat from the server blades. Each server blade includes a server tray to contain information technology (IT) components and a quick-release coupling assembly having a first liquid intake connector and a first liquid outlet connector coupled to a flexible hose to distribute the heat removal liquid to the IT components. The first liquid intake connector and the first liquid outlet connector are capable of extending outwardly external to the server tray to connect to, and disconnect from, a second liquid intake connector and a second liquid outlet connector mounted on the liquid manifold, respectively. The quick-release coupling assembly can self-retract and be secure to a block holder when disconnected.