Server Heat Sink Cooling with Redundant Two-Phase Coolant Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional direct liquid cooling methods for server components, such as GPUs and CPUs, are prone to failure due to coolant leakage and non-uniform cooling, leading to server shutdowns and component damage, with existing solutions failing to prevent interruptions and ensure efficient cooling.

Innovation Solution

A dual coolant circulation system with redundant tubes and automatic leak detection, combined with a two-phase coolant transfer mechanism using thermosiphon phenomenon, ensures uninterrupted and uniform cooling by automatically switching to a secondary circulation path upon tube failure and utilizing gas-liquid phase changes to distribute cold energy evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-circuit cooling method using coolant tubes is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because coolant leakage or tube damage causes complete cooling failure and server shutdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling system structureVSAvoidcooling continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent coolant circulation paths (first circulation path and second circulation path) that operate in parallel. Each path has its own coolant tubes and flow control mechanisms, allowing one path to function independently if the other fails. This segmentation ensures that a single tube crack or damage does not halt the entire cooling operation, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If simple coolant tubes are used for cooling, then the device complexity is reduced, but non-uniform cooling occurs causing hot spots and decreased cooling efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling structureVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs different coolant tube configurations in different regions of the heat sink. The first and second coolant circulation paths are distributed across multiple locations (e.g., front-rear directions) to provide localized cooling to different hot spots. Additionally, the coolant tubes are strategically positioned to address specific high-temperature zones, ensuring uniform heat distribution across the entire heat sink surface and eliminating hot spots while maintaining reasonable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If redundant coolant circulation paths are added to prevent cooling failure, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling continuityVSAvoidcooling system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If coolant tubes are used for direct cooling, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but coolant leakage causes harmful effects including server damage and electronic component damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcoolant leakage damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates protective measures beforehand to prevent coolant leakage damage. Cooldown prevention structures are integrated into the heat sink design, and the redundant circulation paths are configured to isolate and contain potential leakage sources. If a tube crack occurs, the system can switch to the alternative path and contain the leaked coolant within designated channels, preventing it from damaging server components or electronics while maintaining cooling efficiency through the functional path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Prevents server failures and component damage by maintaining continuous cooling even with tube cracks or leaks, while ensuring uniform heat distribution across the heat sink, thereby enhancing cooling efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a two-phase coolant transfer mechanism using thermosiphon phenomenon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermosiphon: Thermosyphon

Implementation Method 2

utilizing gas-liquid phase changes to distribute cold energy evenly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20260013085A1Direct liquid cooling method, device, and computer program for server components

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 SAMSUNG SDS CO LTD

AI summary

A direct liquid cooling method, device, and computer program for server components is proposed, the device providing the uninterrupted and uniform direct liquid cooling for the server components and including a heat sink arranged on top of the server components, a first coolant circulation tube and a second coolant circulation tube that penetrate the heat sink in a transverse direction, a coolant distribution unit for supplying a coolant to the heat sink through the first coolant circulation tube and the second coolant circulation tube, and an upper tunnel space and a lower tunnel space arranged up and down in the traverse direction inside the heat sink, wherein a second coolant, which is a two-phase coolant, is injected into the upper tunnel space and the lower tunnel space.