Immersion-Cooled Server Chassis With Isolated Maintenance Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing server cooling systems face issues with liquid cooling medium splashing during maintenance and cumbersome replacement processes due to the need to lift and drain all servers for draining or replacing the cooling liquid.
Innovation Solution
A server design with separate containment chambers for primary and secondary heat generation components, where primary components are immersed in a first containment chamber with a dedicated liquid cooling system, and secondary components are in a sealed, isolated second chamber, allowing for maintenance and liquid replacement without lifting the server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If servers are placed in a container filled with cooling liquid for liquid cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but maintenance becomes cumbersome as servers must be lifted out for draining and liquid replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The server is divided into two independent containment chambers: a first containment chamber for primary heat generation components that requires liquid cooling, and a second containment chamber for secondary heat generation components that is sealed and isolated. This segmentation allows the liquid cooling system to be maintained without lifting the entire server, as only the first chamber requires liquid management operations.
2Loss of substance
If all servers are lifted out of the container for liquid replacement, then cooling liquid can be replaced, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The containment chamber is segmented into a first containment chamber with liquid inlet and outlet for active liquid cooling and replacement, and a second containment chamber that is sealed and isolated. This allows liquid replacement to be performed on the first chamber independently without affecting the second chamber or requiring server removal, significantly reducing replacement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid cooling function is extracted as a separate, independently manageable subsystem through the first containment chamber with dedicated liquid inlet and outlet. This extraction allows liquid replacement operations to be performed on just the cooling liquid pathway without disturbing the server housing or other components, enabling rapid maintenance.
3Loss of substance
If servers are lifted out of the container for draining, then cooling liquid can be drained, but liquid splashing occurs causing loss
Solution Approach 1:
The draining function is extracted and integrated into the first containment chamber structure with dedicated liquid inlet and outlet ports. This allows draining to be performed by simply operating the liquid outlet valve while the server remains in place, eliminating the need to lift the server and preventing liquid splashing during the draining process.
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
Enhances cooling efficiency, reduces liquid usage and costs, and simplifies maintenance by preventing liquid splashing and eliminating the need to lift servers for liquid management, thereby improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling liquid enters the server through an inlet to cool the heat generation components in the server
Implementation Method 2
The cooling liquid enters the server through an inlet to cool the heat generation components in the server
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A server includes a first chassis (10), a second chassis (20), a primary heat generation component (30), and a secondary heat generation component (40). The first chassis (10) has a first containment chamber (11), and the primary heat generation component (30) is arranged within the first containment chamber (11). The first chassis (10) also has a first liquid inlet (121) and a first liquid outlet (122) which are both in communication with the first containment chamber (11). The second chassis (20) is arranged at one end of the first chassis (10) and has a second containment chamber (201). The second containment chamber (201) is sealed and isolated from the first containment chamber (11). The secondary generation component is arranged in the second containment chamber (201).