Rack Inlet Temperature Control for Server Room Hot Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Server rooms often experience local hot spots due to insufficient airflow at the inlet of racks, leading to hot air recirculation and inefficient cooling systems that result in high temperatures and increased electricity costs.
Innovation Solution
A rack temperature controlling method and system that uses thermometers to measure inlet temperatures, calculates temperature variance and deviation, and adjusts fan speed to maintain optimal airflow, thereby preventing hot spots and reducing overall power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the rotation speed of the blower is increased to improve air circulation, then the hot spots may be eliminated, but other racks may be over cooled and electricity expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different racks to have different fan speed settings based on their individual temperature characteristics. Each rack's fan speed is independently controlled according to its specific cooling needs, rather than uniformly increasing all fan speeds. This allows hot spots to be eliminated in specific racks without over-cooling other racks, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making fan speeds adjustable and adaptable based on real-time temperature monitoring. The system dynamically adjusts fan speeds according to actual temperature conditions and hot spot locations, rather than maintaining fixed high speeds. This dynamic control ensures energy is consumed only when and where needed, resolving the contradiction between hot spot elimination and energy efficiency.
2Temperature
If the fan speed is increased to deliver more cold air to racks with hot spots, then the hot spots may be eliminated, but the cooling system operates excessively and electricity expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring temperature conditions and using this information to adjust fan speeds accordingly. The system measures actual temperature levels and feeds this information back to the control mechanism, which then adjusts fan speeds to match actual cooling needs. This prevents excessive fan operation and unnecessary energy consumption while effectively eliminating hot spots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting fan speed parameters based on actual temperature conditions rather than maintaining fixed high speeds. The system changes operational parameters dynamically to match cooling requirements, ensuring energy is not wasted on excessive cooling when temperatures are already acceptable.
3Reliability
If the fan speed is controlled based on the hottest situation (worst case), then all racks are cooled adequately, but the control becomes very complicated and electricity expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cooling control into individual rack-level units rather than treating all racks uniformly. Each rack is monitored and controlled independently based on its specific temperature conditions, allowing simplified local control decisions rather than complex centralized worst-case control for the entire system.
4Reliability
If the fan speed is controlled based on the hottest situation (worst case), then all racks are cooled adequately, but unnecessary electricity expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making fan speeds adjustable and adaptable based on real-time temperature monitoring. The system dynamically adjusts fan speeds according to actual temperature conditions and hot spot locations, rather than maintaining fixed high speeds. This dynamic control ensures energy is consumed only when and where needed, resolving the contradiction between hot spot elimination and energy efficiency.
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 efficiently maintains server temperatures within a safe range by targeting airflow adjustments only to racks with hot spots, reducing the need for universal fan speed changes and lowering cooling system power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining rack temperature data
Implementation Method 2
adjusting a fan speed to the target fan speed
Data Source
AI summary
A rack temperature controlling method includes performing the following operations through a controller: obtaining a rack temperature data, calculating a temperature variant according to the rack temperature data, calculating a temperature deviation according to the temperature variant and a reference temperature, calculating a target speed according to the temperature deviation, and adjusting a speed of a fan to the target speed. A rack temperature controlling system including a thermometer and a controller is further provided. The thermometer measures and outputs a rack temperature data. The controller receives the rack temperature data, and calculates a temperature variant according to the rack temperature data. The controller further calculates a temperature deviation according to the temperature variant and a reference temperature, calculates a target speed according to the temperature deviation, and adjusts a speed of a fan to the target speed.