Leak Deflection Structure for Immersion-Cooled Rack Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid cooling systems in data centers are susceptible to fluid leakages, which can be conductive and corrosive, posing risks to electronic components and requiring effective detection and deflection solutions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid leakage deflection arrangement is implemented, featuring an immersion case with a deflection unit that diverts leaking liquid away from electronic components, using overhanging structures with angular or curved cross-sectional profiles and grooved channels, and sensors to detect physical/chemical properties for proactive power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If direct liquid cooling blocks are mounted onto heat-generating electronic components, then cooling efficiency is improved, but susceptibility to fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a deflection unit with overhanging structure before leakage can reach the electronic components. This proactive measure creates a protective barrier that redirects potential leaks away from sensitive areas, preventing damage before it occurs while maintaining the high cooling efficiency of direct liquid cooling blocks.
2Temperature
If water is used as channelized cooling liquid, then heat transfer performance is improved, but conductivity and corrosiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful conductive and corrosive properties from the cooling system by using a deflection unit that isolates water-based cooling liquid from contact with electronic components. This allows the system to enjoy water's superior heat transfer performance while eliminating the harmful effects of its conductivity and corrosiveness through physical separation.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If sensors are added to detect leakage, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary deflection unit with overhanging structure that concentrates leakage at a specific accessible location. This mediator approach enables simple sensor placement at the concentration point, achieving effective leakage detection without requiring complex sensor networks throughout the entire cooling system.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid leakage deflection arrangement for a liquid-cooled rack-mounted electronic processing assembly and a method for deflecting fluid leakages in a liquid-cooled rack-mounted electronic processing assembly are disclosed. The fluid leakage deflection arrangement comprises an immersion case containing a first cooling liquid in which an electronic device of the rack-mounted electronic processing assembly is at least partially submerged therein; and a deflection unit configured to prevent the electronic device from being in contact with a leaking liquid distinct from the first cooling liquid by diverting leaking liquid away from the electronic components.