Active/passive cooling system with pumped refrigerant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face high energy consumption due to the need for efficient cooling systems to manage the heat generated by servers.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system comprising an evaporator, passive and active condensers, a heat exchanger, a liquid line, and a pump, which operates in both passive and active modes to efficiently manage heat using a primary cooling medium that changes phases to facilitate cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional active cooling system is used, then cooling effectiveness is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between passive and active cooling modes based on ambient conditions. The controller activates the pump and heat exchanger only when ambient temperature exceeds a threshold, otherwise relying on passive thermosiphon circulation, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining cooling effectiveness when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the cooling medium by utilizing phase change (liquid to gas and back) to enable passive cooling circulation. This phase change mechanism allows the system to operate without mechanical pumps under favorable ambient conditions, reducing energy consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If passive cooling mode is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two distinct modes: passive cooling using thermosiphon circulation for energy-efficient operation, and active cooling using pump-driven circulation for enhanced cooling capacity. This segmentation allows the system to select the appropriate mode based on cooling demands and ambient conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that monitors ambient temperature and system conditions, switching between passive and active cooling modes. This intermediary mechanism ensures seamless transition between modes, allowing the system to maintain cooling capacity when needed while minimizing energy consumption during milder conditions
3Adaptability or versatility
If valves are used to switch between condensers, then mode switching is possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and eliminates the need for valves by using the pump as a control mechanism. The pump's operation (on/off or variable speed) directly controls refrigerant flow distribution between condensers, removing complex valve mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining mode switching capability
Solution Approach 2:
The pump serves multiple functions: it enables active cooling mode when operational, and its deactivation allows passive cooling mode. This multi-functionality of the pump as both a flow driver and a mode control mechanism reduces the need for separate control components, thereby reducing 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
The system effectively reduces energy consumption by utilizing ambient free cooling in passive mode and active cooling when necessary, ensuring efficient heat rejection and management within data centers.
Implementation Method 1
extract heat from the process fluid to cool the process fluid and to change the phase of the primary cooling medium from liquid to gas
Implementation Method 2
transfer heat from the primary cooling medium
Implementation Method 3
change the phase of the primary cooling medium from gas to liquid
Implementation Method 4
transfer heat from the primary cooling medium
Implementation Method 5
pump the primary cooling medium in the liquid phase to the evaporator
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system including an evaporator, a passive condenser, a heat exchanger, and a pump. The passive condenser is arranged in parallel with the heat exchanger relative to the fluid flow of a primary cooling medium. When a secondary cooling medium is provided to the heat exchanger, at least some of a primary cooling medium in the gas phase switches from being received by the passive condenser to the heat exchanger without operating any valves and supplies the primary cooling medium in the liquid phase to the evaporator. When the secondary cooling medium is not provided to the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger does not supply the primary cooling medium in the liquid phase to the evaporator. The pump is located in a liquid line fluidly connecting the evaporator to the passive condenser and the heat exchanger and pumps the primary cooling medium in the liquid phase to the evaporator.