Server Module Cold-Plate Cooling With Thermo-Osmotic Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cooling methods for high-density GPU rack data centers are inadequate in efficiently removing heat, leading to increased device temperatures and potential thermal runaway conditions, and there is a need for a more nuanced, scalable, and multi-dimensional metric to assess data center performance beyond Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE).
Innovation Solution
A cooling system utilizing liquid-cooled conduits, cold plates, and thermo-osmotic membranes to efficiently transfer heat from server modules, with automatic valves regulating coolant flow and temperature, and a heat exchanger to manage heat exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional air cooling methods are used for high-density GPU rack data centers, then the cooling system is simple and easy to implement, but the heat removal efficiency is insufficient leading to increased device temperatures and thermal runaway conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from air cooling to liquid cooling systems, using hydraulic principles to circulate coolant through conduits and heat exchangers. The liquid cooling system includes pumps, reservoirs, and thermal management units that circulate coolant to remove heat from high-density GPU racks, achieving superior heat removal efficiency compared to traditional air cooling methods.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple server modules are stacked together in a rack to optimize space utilization, then the floor space is minimized, but the heat density increases making heat removal more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into modular segments including individual server module cooling units, rack-level thermal management systems, and data center-wide cooling infrastructure. Each server module or rack can be independently cooled through distributed cooling units with dedicated coolant circulation paths, allowing efficient heat removal from densely stacked configurations without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces coolant as an intermediary medium to transfer heat from server modules to external heat exchangers. The coolant circulates through conduits within the rack, absorbing heat from server modules and delivering it to thermal management units or heat exchangers located in cooler zones, effectively decoupling the heat generation zones from the heat dissipation zones.
3Loss of energy
If liquid cooling systems are implemented to remove heat efficiently, then the heat removal capability is improved, but the system complexity and coolant management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system incorporates self-regulating mechanisms including thermal sensors that automatically adjust coolant flow rates, pumps that maintain optimal circulation pressure, and heat exchangers that passively dissipate heat when temperature differentials are favorable. The system automatically responds to thermal conditions without requiring constant manual intervention, reducing operational complexity while maintaining efficient heat removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling infrastructure is designed to serve multiple functions: cooling server modules, condensing hot air, pre-cooling incoming air, and providing thermal management for different rack configurations. The same coolant circulation system can adapt to various server densities and cooling requirements through adjustable flow rates and variable speed pumps, reducing the need for separate cooling systems for different applications.
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 effectively regulates server module temperatures, enhances energy efficiency, and provides a more comprehensive assessment of data center performance through improved thermal management and resource utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger to manage heat exchange... transfer of heat from the cooling medium facing the hot plate element through the thermo-osmotic membrane to the hot plate element
Implementation Method 2
cold plates... thermal coupling to each of the plurality of server modules... transfer of heat from the server modules to the cooling medium
Implementation Method 3
a pump connected to the inlet line... circulate the cooling medium through the racked server unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooling system and method for regulating environmental conditions of a racked server unit having a plurality of server modules. The system comprises of an inlet line connected to a plurality of circulation conduits, wherein the plurality of circulation conduits receive a cooling medium from the inlet line, and the circulation conduits circulates the cooling medium through the racked server unit. A plurality of cold plates are positioned within the racked server unit, wherein one or more of the plurality of cold plates are thermally coupled to each of the plurality of server modules, and the plurality of cold plates are connected to one or more of the plurality of circulation conduits. An outlet line is connected to the plurality of circulation conduits, wherein the outlet line receives the cooling medium circulated through the racked server unit from the plurality of circulation conduits. A heat exchanger comprising a hot plate element, a cold plate element, and a thermo-osmotic membrane positioned between the hot plate element and the cold plate element, wherein the outlet line transfers the cooling medium circulated through the racked server unit to the hot plate element and the temperature of the cooling medium facing the hot plate element is regulated by transfer of heat from the cooling medium facing the hot plate element through the thereto-osmotic membrane to the hot plate element.