Offset Parallel Coil Bank Design for In-Rack CDU Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for data centers face challenges in providing sufficient cooling capacity for high-density computing equipment within space constraints, particularly in-rack CDUs, which require increased heat transfer efficiency without enlarging their size.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a coil bank arrangement with multiple heat exchangers, including a first and second heat exchanger arranged fluidically in parallel, offset to maximize surface area for heat transfer, and a baffle to direct airflow effectively across these exchangers, along with a redundant design to maintain cooling capacity in case of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a single heat exchanger is used in the CDU, then the device complexity is low, but the cooling capacity is insufficient for high-density computing equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple segments (first heat exchanger and second heat exchanger) arranged in parallel within the CDU. Each segment provides independent cooling capacity, allowing the system to handle high-density computing equipment while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by offsetting the first and second heat exchangers in the width direction and positioning them at different longitudinal positions. This dimensional optimization maximizes heat transfer surface area within the constrained CDU volume, enhancing cooling capacity without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Area of moving object
If the width of heat exchangers is increased to maximize heat transfer surface area, then the heat transfer efficiency improves, but the heat exchangers cannot fit within the housing width constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional offset configuration. The first heat exchanger is positioned with its width extending in one direction while the second heat exchanger is offset in the width direction and positioned longitudinally to overlap partially with the first. This spatial optimization allows the combined heat transfer surface area to exceed what would be possible in a single plane, effectively increasing heat transfer area without violating housing width constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The offset arrangement of the first and second heat exchangers creates a nested-like configuration where the heat exchangers interleave in the width direction while maintaining independent fluid flow paths. This nesting approach maximizes the utilization of available three-dimensional space within the CDU housing, accommodating larger total heat transfer surface area within constrained width dimensions
3Reliability
If heat exchangers are arranged in parallel to provide redundancy, then the system reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into parallel first and second heat exchanger paths, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation provides redundancy where if one path fails, the other can continue providing cooling, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining relatively simple modular architecture that doesn't excessively increase device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Both the first and second heat exchangers are designed with identical or similar structural configurations and cooling capabilities. This universality allows either heat exchanger to fulfill the complete cooling function independently, providing redundancy without requiring complex control systems or specialized components, thus improving reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity
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
Enhances cooling capacity and resilience by optimizing heat transfer surface area and airflow distribution, ensuring efficient operation even with partial heat exchanger failures.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger defining a first width and a second heat exchanger defining a second width. The second heat exchanger can be arranged fluidically in parallel with the first heat exchanger so that fluid flows to the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, or both the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
A fan assembly can direct airflow through the coil bank to cool a fluid passing through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling distribution unit includes a housing defining a width between a first lateral side wall and a second lateral side wall, and a coil bank disposed within the housing. The coil bank includes a first heat exchanger defining a first width and a second heat exchanger defining a second width, where the second heat exchanger is arranged fluidically in parallel with the first heat exchanger so that fluid flows to the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, or both the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. A sum of the first width of the first heat exchanger and the second width of the second heat exchanger is greater than the width of the housing. The cooling distribution unit further includes a fan assembly to direct airflow through the coil bank to cool a fluid passing through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.