Sealed Edge Cooling System with Two-Phase Loop
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Edge computing devices deployed in uncontrolled outdoor environments face challenges in maintaining optimal cooling due to dynamic temperature changes and potential air pollution, which can affect their performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A sealed edge cooling system utilizing two-phase changing technologies with a liquid coolant and vapor flow management system, including a condenser, vapor buffer, and liquid accumulator, coupled with heat exchangers outside the enclosure, to efficiently transfer heat and maintain peak performance across varying environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a forced air-cooled system is used in an uncontrolled outdoor environment, then the cooling system can operate with simple structure, but the system performance deteriorates due to dynamic temperature changes and air pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two separate loops: a sealed first heat exchanging loop containing the IT container and liquid coolant, and a second heat exchanging loop with air-cooled heat exchangers. This segmentation isolates the IT equipment from environmental contaminants while maintaining effective heat dissipation, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable performance in outdoor environments.
2Reliability
If the cooling system is fully sealed to protect from environment, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful elements (air pollution, moisture, contaminants) are extracted from the cooling system by sealing the first heat exchanging loop and using a liquid coolant instead of air. This allows the IT container to be fully protected from environmental factors while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure through the use of standard sealed components.
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 effectively cools edge devices by containing the heat exchanging loop within a fully sealed environment, protecting components from ambient conditions and ensuring consistent performance despite temperature fluctuations and air quality variations.
Implementation Method 1
heat that is generated by the IT container is extracted by the two-phase liquid coolant
Implementation Method 2
causing at least some of the liquid coolant to turn into a vapor
Implementation Method 3
a condenser configured to condense the vapor back into the liquid coolant
Implementation Method 4
heat exchangers that are outside of the enclosure and that are configured to transfer heat to the outside environment
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an edge cooling system with an IT container having an edge device partially submerged within a liquid coolant. The device generates heat that is transferred into liquid coolant thereby causing the liquid coolant to vaporize into vapor. The system includes a condenser that condenses vapor into liquid coolant, a vapor buffer configured to buffer and provide vapor to the condenser, a liquid accumulator configured to accumulate condensed liquid coolant and provide liquid coolant to the IT container, a main liquid supply line that couples the condenser and IT container to the liquid accumulator, and a main vapor return line that couples the condenser and IT container to the vapor buffer to create a heat exchanging loop. The system design includes the liquid accumulator and vapor buffer, and functions multiple cooling modes including a supplemental cooling. Each of the components are fully enclosed within an edge container.