Pump Bypass Mechanism for Liquid Cooling Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing power dissipation in integrated circuit chips poses a cooling challenge, particularly in large server applications where traditional air-cooling methods are insufficient, leading to stress on room air-conditioning systems and the need for more efficient heat management solutions.

Innovation Solution

A coolant-cooled cooling assembly with a pump that includes a rotating element, volute housing, and a bypass mechanism, allowing for efficient coolant flow and pressure increase during operation, with a bypass path exposed during non-operation to maintain fluid flow without the need for larger motors or rotating elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the rotational speed of an existing air moving device is increased to handle higher power dissipation, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the noise and mechanical stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidmechanical stress

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical air-moving system (fans/ blowers) with a liquid cooling system that uses a pump to circulate coolant. This substitution eliminates the mechanical stress and noise associated with high-speed fan operation while providing more efficient heat removal from the electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a liquid cooling system that uses hydraulic principles to transfer heat from the electronic components. The pump circulates coolant through channels in contact with the components, absorbing heat and transporting it to a heat exchanger, thereby replacing the pneumatic air cooling approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If a more powerful air moving device is provided to increase airflow, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces energy-intensive air moving devices with a liquid cooling system that uses a relatively low-power pump. The coolant directly contacts the heat-generating components, providing superior heat transfer efficiency without requiring high-velocity airflow and large motors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses hydraulic cooling where coolant is pumped through channels in direct thermal contact with the electronic components. This approach provides higher cooling efficiency per unit of energy consumed compared to air cooling, as liquids have higher specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If the pump is in nonoperational state, then the system can detect pump failure, but the coolant flow is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump failure detectionVSAvoidcoolant flow

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the flow path parameters of the pump housing to create an alternative bypass channel. When the pump is nonoperational, the coolant flow parameters automatically shift to utilize this bypass path, maintaining flow continuity while allowing the pump to be in a failed or maintenance state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a bypass mechanism that is prepared in advance within the pump housing. This bypass path acts as a cushion or backup that activates when the primary pumping function fails, preventing complete flow interruption and allowing for failure detection without system shutdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 cooling efficiency by maintaining coolant flow and pressure even if one pump fails, reducing energy and cost requirements while effectively managing heat dissipation in high-power processor modules.

Implementation Method 1

the rotating element rotates, drawing coolant through the fluid inlet of the volute housing, across the rotating element and expelling the coolant at a higher pressure through the fluid outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

exposes in nonoperational state of the pump, a bypass path through the volute housing allowing the coolant to pass from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10662961B2Pump with integrated bypass mechanism

Publication Date: 2020.05.26 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A pump is provided which includes a rotating element, and a volute housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. In operational state, the rotating element rotates, drawing fluid through the fluid inlet of the volute housing and expelling the fluid at a higher pressure through the fluid outlet. Further, the pump includes a bypass mechanism integrated, at least in part, within the volute housing and exposing in nonoperational state of the pump, a bypass path through, at least in part, the volute housing that allows the fluid to pass from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet of the pump.