Server-Level Liquid Cooling Leakage Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid cooling systems in data centers face challenges in minimizing the impact of leakage, efficiently managing fluid leakage incidents, and maintaining system reliability, as they often require shutting down the system and fail to effectively control fluid exposure to electronics.
Innovation Solution
A server-level design with individual connector modules and electromagnetic devices that disconnect supply and return connectors upon leakage detection, using sensors to manage fluid flow rates and minimize fluid exposure, incorporating localized or central pumping systems to manage fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system shuts down during a leaking scenario, then system reliability is maintained, but productivity is reduced and individual fluid components are required for server level control
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into individual server-level isolation zones using disconnectable fluid connectors at each server. This segmentation allows leakage isolation at the server level rather than requiring complete system shutdown, enabling selective isolation of affected components while maintaining operation of unaffected servers.
Solution Approach 2:
Electromagnetic devices are pre-installed at fluid connectors to enable rapid automated disconnection upon leakage detection. The system prepares isolation capability in advance through these pre-installed electromagnetic actuators, allowing immediate response to leakage events without manual intervention or complete system shutdown.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional solutions are used, then system shutdown occurs during leakage, but the amount of fluid leaking and exposed to electronics cannot be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid distribution system is segmented into isolated server-level zones with disconnectable connectors. When leakage is detected, only the affected server's fluid path is disconnected, minimizing both the amount of fluid that can leak and the volume of fluid exposed to electronics, rather than shutting down the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful fluid is extracted or removed from the affected area by rapidly disconnecting the fluid supply to the leaking server. This extraction of fluid from the hazard zone minimizes exposure to electronics and reduces the amount of fluid available for further leakage.
3Reliability
If individual fluid components are introduced for server level control, then leakage isolation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into integrated server-level cooling units that combine fluid connectors, electromagnetic isolation devices, and leakage sensors into single modular assemblies. This merging reduces overall system complexity despite adding server-level control capability, as the isolated components work together as unified modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic isolation devices and fluid connectors are designed as universal components that can be applied across multiple servers with standardized interfaces. This universality reduces device complexity by using repeated standardized elements rather than custom-designed components for each server.
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 solution effectively minimizes fluid leakage, maintains system reliability by isolating the leak, and ensures efficient fluid removal, thereby preventing damage to other systems and ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic device coupled to the server connector and the rack connector. The electromagnetic device is configured to disconnect the server connector from the rack connector in response to a leakage signal received from the leakage sensor
Implementation Method 2
to increase a returning fluid flow rate of the cooling fluid while the return server connector remains connected with the return rack connector
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic rack includes a rack manifold to be coupled to an external cooling fluid source, including a supply rack manifold and a return rack manifold, wherein the rack manifold includes a plurality of pairs of rack connectors disposed thereon. The electronic rack further includes a server chassis including a connector holder having a pair of a supply server connector and a return server connector to be connected with a corresponding pair of rack connectors of the rack manifold. The electronic rack further includes a controller, in response to detecting a leakage of the cooling fluid, configured to cause the supply server connector to disconnect from the supply rack manifold, while maintaining the return server connector connected with the return rack manifold, and to increase a flowrate of the cooling fluid on the return rack manifold to remove the cooling fluid residing within the server chassis.