Rack Support Member Liquid Connectors for Cooling Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in ensuring proper alignment of components in equipment racks and lack efficient methods for providing water-cooling to components mounted in these racks, leading to mechanical deformation and misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a rack with support members and components featuring liquid connectors, where the support members have elongate plates with perpendicular plates and liquid connectors, and components with corresponding liquid connectors, allowing for efficient liquid cooling through feed and return ports and tubes, with alignment facilitated by rotatable rods and locking tabs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid cooling is implemented by connecting liquid adaptors on components to liquid adaptors in the backplane, then cooling efficiency is improved, but mechanical deformation and misalignment occur due to component weight
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid cooling system is divided into separate modular components: liquid adaptors mounted on individual components and liquid adaptors mounted on support members. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and connected, reducing the impact of weight-induced deformation on overall alignment while maintaining effective thermal coupling through the fluid connection.
2Strength
If component weight is increased for structural stability, then mechanical strength is improved, but misalignment between liquid adaptors occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Support members serve as intermediary elements between the rack structure and the components. These support members provide mechanical strength and stability while being equipped with their own liquid adaptors, thereby mediating the connection between the heavy components and the cooling system. This intermediary structure allows weight-bearing components to maintain alignment through the support member's stable positioning rather than direct attachment to the rack.
3Stability of the object's composition
If components are tightly secured in the rack for stability, then positional stability is improved, but alignment of liquid connectors becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the mounting function from the cooling connection function by introducing separate support members. Components are secured to support members while liquid adaptors are independently mounted on both the components and support members. This segmentation allows components to be tightly secured for stability while liquid connectors can be independently aligned and connected without compromising either stability or ease of connection.
4Temperature
If liquid cooling connections are made delicate and precise, then cooling performance is improved, but installation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid adaptors are designed with self-aligning features and robust connection mechanisms that reduce the precision required during installation. The support members provide a stable mounting platform that automatically facilitates proper positioning of liquid connectors, allowing the system to achieve high cooling performance through standard installation procedures rather than requiring delicate, precision-aligned connections.
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 solution enables efficient mounting and alignment of components in racks while providing effective liquid cooling, reducing mechanical deformation and misalignment issues, thereby improving the maintenance and operation of large data centers.
Implementation Method 1
providing cooling to those components by using a heat-transfer fluid brought in thermal connection with the heat-generating components such that thermal energy generated therefrom may be collected by the heat-transfer fluid
Implementation Method 2
thermal energy generated therefrom may be collected by the heat-transfer fluid and brought elsewhere
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a rack, a support member, and a component configured for being supported in the rack by the support member. The support member is selectively insertable in the rack and comprises a plate at its rear end, the plate extending at an angle from a direction of insertion of the support member in the rack, the support member further comprising a first liquid connector mounted to the plate. The component comprises a second liquid connector mounted on a rear edge of the component, the second liquid connector being connectable to the first liquid connector when the support member and the component are inserted in the rack. A method comprises mounting the first and second liquid connectors to the support member and to the component, respectively, inserting the support member to the rack, and inserting the component in the rack until both liquid connectors are connected.