Rack Liquid Connector Mounting for Aligned Component Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies 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 of liquid adaptors.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a rack with support members and components insertable via liquid connectors, utilizing quick-connect fluidic adaptors and a method of mounting components that ensures proper alignment and secure fluid connections through a combination of support members and connector legs that engage with apertures in the rack, along with a locking mechanism to maintain position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components are inserted in equipment racks using conventional mounting methods, then components can be mounted in the rack, but mechanical deformation and misalignment of liquid adaptors occur due to component weight
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple support members distributed along the rack, each capable of independently supporting components. This segmentation distributes the weight load across multiple points rather than concentrating it at single mounting locations, preventing mechanical deformation and maintaining adaptor alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid connectors serve as intermediary elements that provide both mechanical support and fluid connection functions. The connectors are strategically positioned to act as additional support points, bearing component weight while simultaneously establishing liquid cooling pathways, thereby preventing misalignment through distributed load bearing.
2Temperature
If liquid cooling is provided to components in equipment racks, then heat transfer can be achieved, but proper alignment of liquid adaptors is difficult to ensure due to mechanical deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid connectors are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing thermal cooling pathways and serving as structural support elements. By integrating support functionality into the cooling infrastructure, the system ensures that components are mechanically stabilized at precise locations while maintaining optimal liquid flow paths for heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members and liquid connectors are pre-positioned and secured to the rack framework before component installation. This preliminary positioning establishes predetermined, precisely aligned connection points that guide component placement, ensuring that liquid adaptors align correctly without requiring post-installation adjustment despite component weight variations.
3Ease of operation
If conventional mounting methods are used, then components can be installed in racks, but fluid connection between electronic devices and heat-transfer fluid facility is delicate and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting and fluid connection operations are merged into a single integrated action. Liquid connectors are designed to be engaged with component liquid adaptors during the same insertion motion used to mount components in the rack, eliminating separate alignment and connection steps. This combination simplifies the operation while ensuring reliable fluid connections through predetermined geometric matching.
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 mounts equipment in racks while providing reliable liquid cooling, ensuring proper alignment and secure fluid connections, reducing mechanical deformation and misalignment issues.
Implementation Method 1
liquid cooling techniques have been proposed for 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
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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.