Negative-Pressure Liquid Cooling for Server Leak Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid cooling systems for servers and data centers face issues such as coolant leakage due to positive pressure systems, lack of active leakage detection, microbial contamination, inadequate coolant quality monitoring, and inefficient maintenance processes, leading to server damage and high maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A liquid cooling system with a negative pressure line, integrated sensors and valves for real-time monitoring and control, ultraviolet sterilization for microbial prevention, and a closed-loop self-adaptive mechanism to maintain coolant quality and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a positive pressure coolant circulation system is used, then the coolant can be driven to flow through the cold plate, but when the line is damaged or joint is loose, coolant leakage occurs and the server is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem safetyVSAvoidcoolant leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional positive pressure system into a negative pressure system. The pump drive unit creates negative pressure in the coolant circulation line, causing the coolant to be sucked into the line rather than pushed out. This inversion of pressure direction prevents coolant leakage from damaged lines or loose joints, as the negative pressure draws coolant inward rather than allowing it to escape outward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by establishing negative pressure in the coolant circulation line before any leakage can occur. The pump drive unit continuously maintains negative pressure, creating a preventive effect that counteracts potential leakage from line damage or joint loosening before it can cause server damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If the leakage detection line is used to detect coolant leakage, then leakage can be detected when coolant reaches the designated position, but by this time the leakage has already occurred and the server is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage detection capabilityVSAvoidresponse time to leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the pressure system to prevent leakage in the first place. By maintaining negative pressure throughout the coolant circulation line, any breach in the system would cause coolant to be drawn inward rather than leak outward, fundamentally preventing the leakage problem that the detection system is meant to address.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If conventional liquid cooling technology is used, then heat dissipation capacity is improved, but comprehensive cost increases and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation capacityVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing a system where the negative pressure configuration naturally prevents coolant leakage and contamination. The system's inherent negative pressure mechanism automatically protects against the primary failure modes of liquid cooling systems, reducing the need for complex monitoring and intervention systems while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 system effectively reduces coolant leakage, ensures continuous operation with adaptive flow control, and enhances maintenance efficiency by preventing microbial contamination and optimizing coolant quality, thereby improving safety and reducing downtime.

Implementation Method 1

The pump drive unit is a water pump for pumping water to an inlet side of the pump drive unit, such that a line from a bottom outlet of a static pressure water tank to an inlet of the pump drive unit in a secondary side cooling unit is in a negative pressure state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a pressure difference between the ambient atmospheric pressure and the negative pressure of the load line, where the pressure difference establishes a circulation flow power of the coolant in the secondary side cooling unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

an outlet of the primary side cooling unit is in communication with a primary side inlet of the heat exchange unit, and a primary side outlet of the heat exchange unit is in communication with an inlet of the primary side cooling unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

ultraviolet sterilization for microbial prevention

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet sterilization: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12520454B2Liquid cooling heat dissipation system

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 INSPUR SUZHOU INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A liquid cooling heat dissipation system is disclosed, including: a primary side cooling unit, a secondary side cooling unit and a heat exchange unit, wherein an outlet of the primary side cooling unit is in communication with a primary side inlet of the heat exchange unit, and a primary side outlet of the heat exchange unit is in communication with an inlet of the primary side cooling unit.