Rack-Mountable Heat Exchanger Isolating Recirculating Air

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for electronic devices face challenges in using ambient air as a heat sinking medium, as it can introduce contaminants like humidity, corrosive agents, pollen, and dust, leading to corrosion, contamination, and reduced operational lifetimes.

Innovation Solution

A heat exchanger system that isolates recirculating air from ambient air through separate airflow paths, using ducting and fan assemblies to prevent contaminants from contacting the electronic device, while allowing heat transfer between the paths, thereby protecting the device from corrosion and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If ambient air is used as a heat sinking medium, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but contaminants (humidity, corrosive agents, pollen, dust) are introduced causing corrosion and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the airflow into separate ambient air path and recirculating air path, allowing heat transfer while preventing contaminant mixing. The ambient air inlet and recirculating air inlet are physically separated, and the heat exchanger is positioned to enable thermal interaction without airflow mixing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger acts as an intermediary that enables heat transfer between ambient air and recirculating air without allowing the air streams to mix. This mediator component facilitates thermal energy exchange while maintaining physical separation of the two airflow paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If recirculating air is used without isolation, then energy efficiency is improved, but contaminants accumulate in the system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcontaminant accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the air intake sources into separate ambient air inlet and recirculating air inlet, allowing controlled mixing ratios. This segmentation enables the system to optimize between energy efficiency (higher recirculation) and contaminant control (fresh ambient air intake).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system can dynamically adjust the proportion of ambient air versus recirculating air based on operational conditions, contaminant levels, and thermal requirements. This parameter adjustment allows optimization of energy efficiency while preventing contaminant accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If separate airflow paths are implemented, then protection from contaminants is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant protectionVSAvoidairflow path complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines the ambient air cooling function with the recirculating air containment function into a single integrated airflow management system. The heat exchanger serves dual purposes: cooling the recirculating air while being cooled by ambient air, reducing the need for separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger performs multiple functions: it transfers heat from recirculating air, is cooled by ambient air, and prevents contaminant mixing. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively prolongs the operational lifetimes of electronic devices by preventing contamination and corrosion, while maintaining efficient heat transfer, thus enhancing the reliability and durability of the cooling system.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger that isolates the recirculating air from the ambient air... allowing heat transfer between the paths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The airflow through the heat exchanger can be propelled by any suitable fan assembly or other device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11812585B2Rack-mountable heat-exchanger for modular electronic systems

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A rack-mountable heat-exchanger for modular electronic systems is provided that include a heat exchanger including ambient air inlets and outlets forming an ambient airflow path in a first direction, and recirculating air inlets and outlets forming a recirculating airflow path in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction separated from the ambient airflow path; housing for an electronic device, the housing including internal air inlets and outlets forming an internal airflow path; a first duct configured to link the recirculating air outlet to the internal air inlet; a second duct configured to link the recirculating air inlet to the internal air outlet; and fan assemblies located one of the airflow path, configured to propel air through the heat exchanger in the respective airflow path.