Quick-Disconnect Blind-Mate Manifold for Faster Server Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data center cooling systems face challenges with manifold systems that have multiple tubing runs, leading to leak points, organization difficulties, and lengthy setup times.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a quick disconnect manifold system with rack-level and server-level features, including dual-cooling cold plates and blind-mate couplings, reduces tubing complexity and facilitates rapid installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional manifold systems use multiple runs of tubing to provide inlet and outlet flow between flow loops and computing devices, then cooling coverage can be achieved, but the system creates multiple leak points, becomes difficult to organize and maintain, and requires significant operational time to set up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate tubing runs into a single integrated manifold body with multiple internal fluid passages. The manifold consolidates what would otherwise require multiple discrete tubing connections into one unified component that distributes coolant to multiple computing devices through its internal passage network, thereby reducing leak points while maintaining cooling coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold body is segmented into multiple independent fluid passages that can be individually configured for different flow rates and routing patterns. Each passage serves a specific computing device or group of devices, allowing the system to achieve complex cooling distributions without requiring external tubing runs, thus reducing overall system complexity and leak points.
2Ease of operation
If traditional manifold systems use multiple runs of tubing, then cooling flow can be distributed to computing devices, but the system becomes difficult to organize and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple tubing runs into a single manifold component, the system becomes easier to organize and maintain. The unified manifold body with internal passages eliminates the need to manage multiple separate tubing connections, reducing organizational complexity and simplifying maintenance procedures while preserving the ability to distribute cooling flow to multiple devices.
3Productivity
If traditional manifold systems use multiple runs of tubing, then cooling coverage can be provided, but significant operational time is required to set up the system
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of multiple fluid passages into a single manifold body dramatically reduces setup time. Instead of installing and connecting multiple separate tubing runs to each computing device, the pre-fabricated manifold with internal passages can be installed as one unit and connected to devices through simplified interfaces, accelerating system deployment while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold is pre-fabricated with its internal passage network configured during manufacturing rather than during system installation. This preliminary configuration of fluid routing paths eliminates the time-consuming process of assembling and connecting multiple tubing runs on-site, significantly reducing operational setup time while ensuring proper cooling distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
Configurations for cooling systems are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a fluid manifold is positioned to couple directly to one or more liquid-cooled server connections to form a connection when the liquid-cooled server is in an installed position within a server rack.