Rack-Mounted Fluid Manifold for Reliable Server Cooling Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid-cooling systems for IT equipment in data centers face challenges with leak prevention and reliability due to the use of manual or blind mating connectors, which can lead to complex designs and increased risk of electrical shorting.
Innovation Solution
A fluid connection apparatus and system for IT racks that incorporates a fluid distribution manifold with integrated supply and return manifolds, and a server cooling module with a slider assembly and transmission mechanism, allowing for reliable and efficient fluid connections using different types of connectors, including blind mating and manual connectors, to ensure separation of liquid and electronics and prevent failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual mating connectors are used for fluid connections, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential leaks and electrical shorting risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rack-mounted fluid distribution manifold as an intermediary component that provides standardized fluid connection points. The manifold acts as a mediator between the cooling system and server cooling modules, enabling reliable blind-mating connections while maintaining separation from electrical components. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for manual connector mating while ensuring leak-free connections through precise mechanical alignment features.
2Reliability
If blind mating connectors are used for fluid connections, then reliability is improved by reducing manual intervention, but device complexity increases due to complicated blind mating designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid connection system into distinct functional components: the rack-mounted manifold with supply and return lines, and the server cooling modules with corresponding connectors. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the manifold providing stable connection points and the cooling modules providing standardized connectors. The segmentation simplifies the overall design by distributing complexity across modular components rather than requiring a single complex connector design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack-mounted fluid distribution manifold serves multiple functions: it provides fluid distribution to multiple servers, acts as a mechanical alignment reference for blind-mating connectors, and maintains spatial separation between fluid and electrical systems. The manifold's multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby simplifying the overall system design while maintaining high reliability.
3Reliability
If cooling fluid is kept separate from electrical components, then reliability is improved by preventing electrical shorting, but ease of operation worsens due to complex routing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical spacing and three-dimensional rack mounting to separate fluid and electrical components in the spatial dimension. The rack-mounted manifold is positioned at a height and location that provides natural separation from electrical components, with fluid routing channels designed to maintain this separation. This dimensional approach allows fluid and electrical systems to coexist without interference, eliminating the need for complex protective barriers or routing constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed of an IT rack and a server including a cooling module. An integrated fluid distribution manifold set with a supply manifold is on the front of the rack and a return manifold is on the rear of the rack. The supply manifold extends from the front to the rear and rack connectors, which fluidly couple the rack to a data center facility system, are on the top of the rack. Supply and return connectors are positioned so that the connectors face each other within the rack. Each server includes a cooling module with a movable connector set that can extend outside the server chassis to connect with the manifolds. The cooling module's connector set includes a transmission structure that allows the supply and return connectors of the connector set to engage with connectors on the supply and return manifolds.