Server rack and method of cooling utilizing a determination of a heat exchange control parameter
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for cooling server racks are inefficient due to inaccurate temperature measurement of exhaust air, leading to overcooling or undercooling, and are costly and complex, with a time lag in cooling adjustments due to the need for multiple temperature sensors and delayed heat production responses.
Innovation Solution
A server rack with an air inlet and exhaust outlet, equipped with an inlet temperature sensor and power consumption sensor, uses a heat exchanger controlled by a processing unit to determine and adjust heat exchange parameters based on inlet air temperature and power consumption, allowing for precise and efficient heat removal without the need for multiple exhaust temperature sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used at multiple locations along the rear side of the server rack to estimate the average temperature of the aggregate exhaust air, then the accuracy of appropriate cooling is improved, but the cost increases and the structure of the installation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the temperature measurement function from the exhaust air and relocates it to the inlet air. By measuring the inlet air temperature and combining it with power consumption data, the system determines the heat exchange control parameter without needing to measure exhaust air temperature directly. This eliminates the need for multiple exhaust air temperature sensors and their complex installation structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses inlet air temperature as an intermediary parameter to infer exhaust air temperature characteristics. Instead of directly measuring exhaust air temperature at multiple locations, the system uses the inlet air temperature combined with power consumption data to determine the appropriate heat exchange control, thereby achieving accurate cooling control without complex sensor arrangements.
2Measurement precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used at multiple locations along the rear side of the server rack to estimate the average temperature of the aggregate exhaust air, then the accuracy of appropriate cooling is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the temperature measurement function from the exhaust air and relocates it to the inlet air. By measuring the inlet air temperature and combining it with power consumption data, the system determines the heat exchange control parameter without needing to measure exhaust air temperature directly. This eliminates the need for multiple exhaust air temperature sensors and their complex installation structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a computational model that copies the thermal relationship between inlet and exhaust air. Instead of physically measuring exhaust air temperature with multiple sensors, the system computationally derives the necessary temperature information by combining inlet air temperature measurement with power consumption data through a determined heat exchange control parameter.
3Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are placed in the exhaust air stream, then the temperature measurement can be performed, but there is a time lag between temperature measurement and heat production which delays cooling adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary measurement by measuring the inlet air temperature before the air passes through the server rack and becomes heated exhaust air. By combining this preliminary temperature measurement with real-time power consumption data, the system can determine the heat exchange control parameter in advance, eliminating the time lag that occurs when measuring exhaust air temperature after heat production has already occurred.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism that uses real-time power consumption data combined with inlet air temperature measurement to continuously adjust the heat exchange control parameter. This feedback loop allows the system to respond immediately to changes in heat production without the time delay inherent in measuring exhaust air temperature, as the control is based on current power consumption rather than delayed temperature measurements.
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
This solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and efficient cooling method that maintains environmental air temperature stability by instantly adjusting heat exchange based on power consumption, reducing the complexity and cost of cooling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger provided at the air exhaust outlet of the server rack; a heat exchange controller configured to control heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the exhaust air
Data Source
AI summary
A server rack includes an air inlet configured to intake air from outside of the server rack, an air exhaust outlet configured to exhaust air to an outside of the server rack, an inlet temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of inlet air, a heat exchanger provided at an air exhaust outlet of the server rack, a power consumption sensor provided to a power supply of the server rack and configured to measure electrical power consumption of the server rack, and a heat exchange controller configured to control heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the exhaust air based on measurements from the inlet temperature sensor and the power consumption sensor.