Quick Disconnect Coupling Carriage for Rack Coolant Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluidic couplings, including quick disconnect couplings, require substantial effort and time to connect and disconnect, especially when located in hard-to-reach areas like the back of a computer chassis, hindering efficient fluidic circuit setup in high heat-density systems.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a carriage movable on a chassis to align and insert male inserts into female sockets, with release collars that secure the couplings using a resilient member, facilitating quick and efficient connection and disconnection of quick disconnect couplings by moving the carriage and release collars between docked and release positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional threaded or flanged fittings are used to connect fluid conduits, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the time and effort required to make up and break out the connection is large
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into separate male insert and female socket components that can be quickly connected and disconnected. The male insert includes a cartridge body with sealing elements, while the female socket includes a body with a release collar mechanism, allowing independent manipulation and quick assembly/disassembly while maintaining secure fluid-tight connections
2Productivity
If quick disconnect couplings are used to reduce connection time, then the connection speed is improved, but substantial effort and time are still required to make up a pair of couplings, especially in difficult to access locations
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple male inserts are mounted on a common carriage that moves simultaneously to insert all inserts into their corresponding female sockets at once. The carriage includes a resilient member that applies force to move the male inserts into engagement with the female sockets, and a release collar mechanism that secures the couplings in a single operational step, dramatically reducing the effort and time required compared to manual coupling of individual connectors
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual alignment and insertion of male inserts into female sockets is performed, then the couplings can be connected, but the process requires substantial effort and time especially when located in hard to reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member on the carriage automatically aligns and pushes the male inserts into the female sockets without requiring manual positioning. The release collar mechanism self-secures the couplings when the carriage moves to the engaged position, and can be released by a simple pulling motion. This self-aligning and self-securing mechanism eliminates the need for precise manual alignment and reduces operational effort, especially beneficial in hard-to-reach locations
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
Enables rapid and efficient establishment and disestablishment of fluidic circuits, reducing the time and effort required to connect and disconnect fluidic couplings, even in challenging locations, thereby improving the operational efficiency of coolant circulation in computer systems.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member intermediate the chassis and the first and second release collars
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for providing coolant to a computer rack system comprises a first and a second quick disconnect couplings each having a male insert, a female socket aligned with the male insert and a release collar movable on the female socket between a release position and a docked position, a carriage slidably coupled to the chassis to move the male inserts between a retracted position with male inserts separated from the female sockets and a docked position with male inserts inserted into the female sockets. A resilient member intermediate the chassis and the release collars assists in moving the release collars from the release position to the docked position to make up a fluidic circuit. A collar stop coupled to the chassis and aligned with the release collars engages and moves the release collars from the docked position to the release position to break out the fluidic circuit.