Network Switch Liquid Cooling With Integrated Removable Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices, such as network switch devices, require efficient cooling of heat-producing electronic components, but existing air cooling systems are less effective than liquid cooling, and many facilities lack the necessary infrastructure for liquid cooling.
Innovation Solution
A network switch device with an integrated liquid cooling system featuring a frame, a heat conducting body, a conduit for coolant, and a pump that is removably insertable and couplable to circulate coolant, along with a heat sink and fans, allowing for hot swapping of components without system shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid cooling is used instead of air cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to dedicated infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the liquid cooling system components (pump, conduit, heat exchanger) directly into the network device housing, eliminating the need for separate dedicated infrastructure. The pump is integrated within the device, and the conduit is routed through existing structural elements, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining liquid cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The device housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses electronic components, and accommodates the liquid cooling infrastructure. The pump drawer mechanism serves both as a mounting structure for the pump and as a removable access point for maintenance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components.
2Temperature
If dedicated liquid cooling infrastructure is installed, then cooling performance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into modular components, particularly the pump drawer that can be independently removed from the device. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and service the pump without disassembling the entire device, significantly improving maintenance ease while preserving the performance benefits of liquid cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump drawer is designed to be movable between inserted and removed positions, allowing the system to transition between operational and maintenance states. This dynamic design enables easy access to the pump for servicing while maintaining the integrated cooling system's performance during normal operation.
3Ease of repair
If pump is made removable for easy maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but reliability may worsen due to potential connection issues
Solution Approach 1:
A coupler is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump and the conduit system. The coupler provides a standardized, reliable connection interface that ensures secure attachment when the pump is installed and facilitates easy removal during maintenance. This intermediary component addresses both reliability and ease of repair requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dripless blind-mate connectors that eliminate the need for complex sealing mechanisms and manual alignment procedures. These connectors provide reliable, leak-free connections through a simplified mechanical interface, ensuring both connection reliability and ease of pump removal/reinstallation.
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 provides efficient liquid cooling without external infrastructure, enabling hot swapping of components like pumps and fans, maintaining operation and enhancing cooling efficiency through controlled coolant and airflow management.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conducting body in thermal contact with the electronic component; a conduit containing a liquid coolant, the conduit being coupled to the heat conducting body to deliver the liquid coolant to and from the heat conducting body
Implementation Method 2
a pump positioned within the interior of the frame, the pump being removably insertable into the interior of the frame and being removably couplable to the conduit to circulate the liquid coolant through the conduit
Implementation Method 3
a heat sink positioned within the interior of the frame, wherein at least a portion of the conduit passes through the heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include: a frame having an interior; an electronic component; a heat conducting body in thermal contact with the electronic component; a conduit containing a liquid coolant, the conduit being coupled to the heat conducting body to deliver the liquid coolant to and from the heat conducting body; and a pump positioned within the interior of the frame, the pump being removably insertable into the interior of the frame and being removably couplable to the conduit to circulate the liquid coolant through the conduit.