Server Blank Thermal Control With Recirculation Heating and Open-Loop Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems face challenges in maintaining optimal operating temperatures in varying ambient conditions, particularly in edge computing environments where temperatures fluctuate significantly, requiring efficient heating and cooling solutions.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric cooling apparatus combined with airflow-based cooling, utilizing a first and second plenum, air movers, and heating elements, along with gates and a thermal control system to operate in recirculation and open loop modes for temperature regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air movers are used to cool information handling systems, then cooling capability is improved, but the system cannot provide heating capability in cold ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The air mover system is designed to perform multiple functions: cooling via airflow and heating via recirculation with heating elements. The same air movers that provide cooling can be configured to circulate air through heating elements when ambient temperatures are low, making the thermal management system adaptable to both hot and cold environments without requiring separate systems
2Temperature
If recirculation heating mode is used, then heating efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases due to continuous circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation heating mode continuously circulates air through heating elements to maintain component temperatures in cold environments. The system keeps air movers and heating elements operating to sustain thermal conditions, ensuring continuous useful action for temperature maintenance rather than intermittent operation
3Use of energy by moving object
If open loop cooling mode is used, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooling efficiency decreases in high ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The open loop cooling mode provides sufficient cooling for moderate temperature conditions by allowing ambient air to pass through the system. This partial cooling action consumes less energy than full recirculation, but may be insufficient in extreme heat, requiring the system to switch to more intensive cooling modes when needed
4Temperature
If multiple gates and plenums are used for thermal control, then temperature regulation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is divided into separate plenums (first and second plenums) with dedicated air movers and control gates for each. This segmentation allows independent control of different airflow paths - one for cooling and one for heating - enabling precise temperature regulation through localized control rather than a single complex system
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
Effectively maintains component temperatures within a desirable range by dynamically adjusting airflow and heating, enhancing system stability and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a second plenum housing a heating element configured to transfer heat to air flowing proximate to the heating element
Implementation Method 2
a first air mover in fluid communication with the first plenum and configured to drive flow of air proximate to the at least one information handling resource and through the first plenum
Implementation Method 3
causing heat to be transferred from the heat-rejecting media to the thermoelectric cooler to cool the flow of air through the first plenum
Implementation Method 4
causes the first gate to be in the first closed position, and causes the second gate to be in the second closed position such that air is continuously heated and recirculated between the first plenum and the second plenum
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include operating an information handling system in a plurality of modes comprising at least: a recirculation heating mode in which a thermal control system enables a first air mover, a second air mover, and a heating element, causes a first gate to be in a first closed position, and causes a second gate to be in a second closed position such that air is continuously heated and recirculated between a first plenum and a second plenum; and an open loop mode in which the thermal control system enables the first air mover, disables the second air mover and the heating element, causes the first gate to be in a first open position, and causes the second gate to be in a second open position such that air is driven into the first plenum via the airflow inlet and out of the first plenum via the airflow exhaust.