Data Center Rack Cooling via Cylindrical Interior Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional cooling systems for data center racks are inefficient, wasting space with 'hot aisles' and being unreliable, especially in managing temperature and humidity, which can lead to equipment damage and increased energy costs.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrical interior chamber within the data center racks that allows cool air to flow from all directions, heatsinks to absorb waste heat, and a spatially modulated airflow system to prevent positive pressure, combined with an integrated cooling system that includes fans, motors, and clutches for efficient airflow management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If traditional cooling systems use hot aisles and standard airflow paths, then cooling coverage is provided, but space is wasted and cooling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace usageVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional cooling approach by having cold air enter from the rear of racks and flow forward through equipment, rather than the conventional front-to-back flow. This reversal eliminates the need for hot aisles, reduces space requirements, and improves cooling efficiency by directly targeting heat-generating components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension to airflow by incorporating upper and lower plenums that distribute cold air horizontally across multiple rack levels. This multi-dimensional airflow approach maximizes cooling coverage while minimizing the horizontal space required for hot aisles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If cooling fluid is directed through racks from outer radius to interior chamber, then cooling coverage is improved, but pressure differential management becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling coverageVSAvoidpressure differential

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an interior chamber as an intermediary space between the cold air inlet and the equipment to be cooled. This chamber acts as a pressure equalization zone that facilitates smooth airflow from the outer radius through racks without creating excessive pressure differentials, while still achieving comprehensive cooling coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements spatially modulated airflow restrictors at different radial positions within the interior chamber. These restrictors are locally adjusted to optimize airflow distribution, allowing cold air to penetrate effectively to the center while maintaining balanced pressure differentials across the entire rack array

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If spatially modulated airflow restrictors are used to prevent positive pressure, then airflow distribution is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairflow distributionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses spatially modulated airflow restrictors with varying opening sizes at different positions within the interior chamber. By changing the airflow resistance parameter locally rather than uniformly, the system achieves optimal airflow distribution and prevents positive pressure buildup without requiring complex active control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enhances cooling efficiency, reduces space usage, and maintains optimal temperature and humidity levels, lowering energy consumption and extending equipment lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

directing a cooling fluid (e.g., air), at a first temperature and a first pressure from an outer radius of circularly arranged racks through the racks and components within the racks; passing the cooling fluid to an interior chamber of the datacenter chamber at a second temperature and a second pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11431559B2Cooling system for data center rack

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 VAPOR IO INC

AI summary

Provided is a process for cooling a datacenter chamber having racks configured to hold arrays of rack-mounted computing devices, the process including: directing a cooling fluid, at a first temperature and a first pressure from an outer radius of circularly arranged racks through the racks and components within the racks; passing the cooling fluid to an interior chamber of the datacenter chamber at a second temperature and a second pressure; and directing the cooling fluid upward to exit the interior chamber.