Replaceable Pump Cassette for Hot-Swappable Liquid Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems in data centers face challenges in efficiently and continuously providing cooling without interrupting operations when replacing pump units, particularly in liquid cooling circuits.
Innovation Solution
A replaceable pump unit (RPU) with a cassette frame that can be removably installed in a cooling distribution unit, featuring a locking mechanism and blind-matable quick-connect fittings, allowing for hot-swappable pump cassettes with redundant capacity to maintain continuous cooling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If pump units are replaced in existing cooling systems, then maintenance and component upgrades can be performed, but cooling operations must be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into modular pump units that can be independently replaced. Each pump unit is a self-contained module with standardized interfaces, allowing individual pump replacement without affecting the entire cooling system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A standby pump unit is prepared in advance and can be quickly connected to the cooling system. The quick-connect fittings allow the standby pump to be rapidly installed, minimizing interruption time and enabling near-continuous cooling operations.
2Reliability
If traditional pump connection methods are used, then pump units can be securely installed, but replacement requires complex disconnection procedures
Solution Approach 1:
Quick-connect fittings serve as intermediary components between the pump unit and the cooling system piping. These fittings enable rapid connection and disconnection while maintaining reliable fluid-tight seals, simplifying the replacement process without compromising installation security.
3Reliability
If pump units are designed for permanent installation, then system reliability is maximized, but flexibility for maintenance and upgrades is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pump units are designed with universal standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms that accommodate both permanent installation for reliability and quick replacement for maintenance. The standardized quick-connect fittings and mounting brackets enable the same pump design to serve both fixed and replaceable application requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for a high density liquid cooling unit to cool electrical components. A replaceable pump unit (RPU) can include a pump configured to provide fluid flow to cool the electrical components (e.g., via direct liquid cooling of the electrical components by the pumped fluid and air-to-liquid cooling of the pumped fluid via a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the RPU). The RPU can be configured to be operated with or satisfy one or more RPU performance characteristics.