Sequential Refrigerant Flow for Hybrid Data Center Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems in data centers and facilities require significant energy consumption, are complex, and pose environmental risks, and lack scalability and flexibility in data centers and facilities.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using a refrigerant supply and return line with bypass valves to regulate refrigerant temperature, and recirculation pumps to optimize heat exchanger efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional air conditioning systems are used to cool data centers, then cooling capability is provided, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata center temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies liquid cooling technology where a liquid coolant circulates through heat exchangers in direct contact with server components, replacing conventional air-based thermal management. This hydraulic approach enables more efficient heat transfer from electronic equipment, reducing the energy required for cooling while maintaining effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes phase change refrigerants that transition between liquid and vapor states in heat exchangers, enabling efficient heat absorption and release. This phase transition mechanism allows for high heat transfer efficiency with lower energy consumption compared to conventional air conditioning systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Reliability

If cooling systems operate continuously to maintain optimal temperatures, then hardware reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that adjust coolant flow rates and heat exchanger operation based on real-time temperature sensors and server workload monitoring. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain hardware reliability by providing cooling only when and where needed, rather than continuous operation, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback loops where temperature sensors continuously monitor server components and feed this information to control systems that adjust cooling output accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures optimal temperature maintenance for hardware reliability while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding excessive cooling during low-workload periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Temperature

If traditional cooling infrastructure is deployed, then cooling function is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling functionVSAvoidcooling infrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is designed with multi-functional heat exchangers that can serve multiple purposes: cooling server components, pre-cooling incoming air, and heat recovery for data center heating needs. This universal approach reduces the number of separate cooling components required, simplifying the overall infrastructure while maintaining effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates cooling functions into existing data center infrastructure components, such as combining air handling with liquid cooling heat exchangers and merging cooling and heating systems through heat recovery mechanisms. This consolidation reduces the number of separate systems needed, thereby reducing overall complexity while achieving comprehensive cooling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces energy consumption and enhances data center cooling efficiency by optimizing refrigerant flow and reducing energy use.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger configured to cool the refrigerant circulating therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an evaporator configured to cool the refrigerant circulating therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

a condenser configured to cool the refrigerant circulating therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS20250393175A1High-efficiency cooling systems and methods for a computer data center using sequential refrigerant flow

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 KLEIN BRADLEY JOHN

AI summary

To increase energy efficiency while cooling equipment in the computer data center, a refrigerant flowing through a first heat exchanger is at least partially directed to flow through a second heat exchanger before being directed to a refrigerant return line. The first heat exchanger is configured to cool air used for air-cooling the equipment and the second heat exchanger is configured to cool liquid used for liquid-cooling of the equipment. The system and the method aim to increase the heat-exchanging efficiency of cooling the data center.