Water-Cooled Server Piston Leak Blocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water-cooled servers require human intervention to shut down due to cooling water leaks, leading to inefficient and slow responses.
Innovation Solution
A water-cooled server design featuring a piston and elastic member that automatically blocks the cooling main tubing when a water leak occurs, using differential pressure to move the piston from a position allowing water flow to a position blocking the flow, thereby preventing further leakage without human involvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water leak alarm system is installed to detect cooling water leaks, then water leak detection capability is improved, but response efficiency deteriorates due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by using the cooling water pressure itself to drive the piston that blocks the tubing. When a leak occurs, the pressure change automatically activates the blocking mechanism without requiring external power, sensors, or human intervention. The cooling water's own properties are harnessed to protect the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic alarm systems and manual intervention with a simple mechanical piston-based blocking mechanism. This mechanical system responds directly to pressure changes caused by leaks, eliminating the need for electrical sensors, control circuits, and manual operations while improving response speed.
2Ease of operation
If manual intervention is required to shut down the server after alarm, then operational control is maintained, but operation complexity increases and response time delays
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is pre-positioned in a normal state where it allows cooling water flow during regular operation. The blocking action is prepared in advance but remains inactive until a leak occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that when a leak happens, the system can immediately respond without requiring manual assessment or decision-making time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs the shutdown action by using the leak-induced pressure change to drive the piston into the blocking position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the time loss associated with manual detection, decision-making, and execution of shutdown procedures.
3Speed
If the piston is designed to block the cooling main tubing automatically, then response speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The piston serves multiple functions: it normally allows cooling water flow, automatically blocks the tubing when a leak occurs, and can be reset by manual operation or pressure changes. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single mechanical component rather than requiring separate sensors, actuators, and control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles by leveraging the cooling water's own pressure to drive the piston. The pressure differential created during a leak automatically propels the piston into the blocking position, eliminating the need for external actuators, motors, or complex control mechanisms. This hydraulic approach achieves fast response with minimal added complexity.
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
Enables timely and automatic shutdown of the water-cooled server in case of leaks, enhancing response efficiency and preventing continuous water leakage.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member operatively coupled to the piston, wherein the elastic member drives the second end of the piston to move to a second position to plug the cooling main tubing
Implementation Method 2
the first end drives the second end to a first position under pressure of the cooling water to prevent the second end from plugging the cooling main tubing
Data Source
AI summary
A water-cooled server and an electronic device are provided. The water-cooled server comprises a cooling main tubing, wherein the cooling main tubing guides cooling water; a drainage branch tubing operatively coupled to cooling main tubing; a piston having a first end disposed in the drainage branch tubing and a second end disposed in the cooling main tubing, wherein the first end drives the second end to a first position under pressure of the cooling water to prevent the second end from plugging the cooling main tubing; and an elastic member operatively coupled to the piston, wherein the elastic member drives the second end of the piston to move to a second position to plug the cooling main tubing. An elastic force applied to the piston by the elastic member is smaller than maximum pressure applied to the piston by the cooling water.