Ram Air Cooling for Mobile Data Centers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale mobile data centers face practical limitations due to the need for power-consuming air handling units (AHUs) for cooling, which makes them inefficient for on-site data processing near data collection points, as they require fixed locations with access to power and cooling sources.
Innovation Solution
A ram air system for cooling information handling systems in mobile data centers, utilizing a volumetric container with air intake and exhaust dampers, an air filter, and an evaporative medium to harness vehicle velocity for cooling airflow, reducing the reliance on traditional AHUs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional air handling units (AHUs) are used for cooling IT equipment in mobile data centers, then cooling effectiveness is maintained, but power consumption increases and mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's own motion to generate the airflow needed for cooling. The forward movement of the vehicle creates a pressure differential that naturally drives cooling air through the IT equipment without requiring separate cooling power sources, making the cooling system self-powered by the vehicle's motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical AHU system with a passive ram air system that uses vehicle motion dynamics. Instead of mechanical fans and blowers, the system relies on the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle to create the necessary air pressure differential for cooling airflow.
2Temperature
If traditional air handling units (AHUs) are used for cooling, then cooling capability is ensured, but device complexity and operational limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex AHU mechanical cooling system entirely, retaining only the essential cooling function. By eliminating fans, blowers, and associated control systems, the design achieves cooling capability with significantly reduced device complexity and operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's forward motion serves dual purposes: transportation and cooling generation. The same kinetic energy that moves the vehicle also creates the pressure differential needed for cooling airflow, making the system more universal and eliminating dedicated cooling infrastructure.
3Productivity
If air intake opening is positioned to maximize airflow during movement, then cooling efficiency improves, but system adaptability to different positions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake opening is strategically positioned on the front face of the vehicle, creating an asymmetric configuration optimized for forward motion. This asymmetric placement maximizes the pressure differential during normal operation while the system adapts to different positions through the vehicle's operational context rather than mechanical adjustment.
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
Enables efficient cooling of IT equipment during movement, allowing for on-site data processing and reducing power consumption by leveraging vehicle motion to generate cooling airflow, thus enhancing mobility and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The evaporative medium includes a wicker-like material that absorbs liquid and has one end extended into a sump container with a cooling liquid, such as water. The evaporative medium provides cooling to the ingested ram air as the air passes through the liquid-absorbed evaporative medium.
Implementation Method 2
an air intake opening placed in the aft-facing wall and which provides an air intake path for exterior air to ingress into the container at a high velocity to provide a flow of cooling air that cools the at least one heat generating IT equipment while the trailer is moving in the aft direction
Data Source
AI summary
A ram air system for cooling information handling systems (IHSs) in a mobile data center includes a volumetric container having a first aft-facing wall, the container designed for placement on a trailer capable of being moved in at least an aft-facing direction. At least one heat generating information technology (IT) equipment is positioned within the enclosure. The container is configured with an air intake opening placed in the aft-facing wall providing an intake path for exterior air to ingress into the container at a high velocity to provide a flow of cooling air that cools the at least one heat generating IT equipment while the trailer is moving in the forward/aft direction. An air intake damper is positioned within the air intake opening and is capable of being selectively positioned in one of a plurality of air intake positions, ranging from a fully open position to a fully closed position.