Server Rack Cooling Device with Selective Evaporative Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for server racks in data centers are inefficient, as they require significant computational resources and energy to control air flow, and not all servers generate equal heat, leading to insufficient cooling in computationally exhaustive servers.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a main chilling unit and a heat exchanging unit, connected via a pipe with a liquid coolant, that includes an evaporator and condenser, along with fans and airlock devices to selectively control air flow and temperature, using a controller to adjust the cooling rate and fan speed based on temperature and pressure thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used to cool all servers in a data center, then the servers are cooled down, but significant computational resources and energy are consumed for controlling air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective cooling by deploying portable cooling units only at specific server racks that require cooling, rather than cooling the entire data center environment. The controller monitors temperature sensors at individual racks and activates cooling units only where needed, creating localized cooling zones that match actual heat generation patterns of specific servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature sensors integrated with server racks to automatically detect when cooling is needed and triggers the portable cooling units accordingly. The controller autonomously manages the cooling process by receiving temperature data from sensors and activating/deactivating cooling units based on real-time conditions, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring and control of the entire cooling system.
2Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used to cool all servers in a data center, then the servers are cooled down, but significant computational resources are required for controlling different hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the centralized data center infrastructure and implements it through portable, standalone cooling units that can be independently deployed at specific server racks. This decentralizes the cooling control system, allowing each portable unit to operate autonomously based on local temperature conditions rather than requiring complex centralized control of the entire data center environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to changing cooling needs by using temperature sensors to monitor server rack conditions in real-time and adjusting the operation of portable cooling units accordingly. The controller continuously receives temperature data and activates or deactivates cooling units based on current conditions, allowing the system to respond flexibly to varying computational loads and heat generation patterns without requiring complex pre-programmed control logic.
3Use of energy by moving object
If free cooling is used in data centers, then energy consumption is reduced, but computationally exhaustive servers cannot be adequately cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial cooling action by deploying portable cooling units only at specific server racks that generate excessive heat, rather than applying cooling uniformly across the entire data center. This allows the system to maintain free cooling conditions in most areas while providing targeted additional cooling only where computationally exhaustive servers require it, based on temperature sensor feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is segmented into independent portable units that can be individually deployed and controlled at different server racks. Each portable cooling unit operates independently based on local temperature conditions, allowing the system to provide differentiated cooling levels to different servers based on their computational workload and heat generation, rather than applying a uniform cooling approach.
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 more efficient and economic method to prevent overheating in server racks by selectively cooling high-demand servers, reducing energy consumption and computational burden.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator configured to cause the liquid coolant to absorb heat from air surrounding the evaporator, thereby cooling the air surrounding the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
a condenser in fluid communication with the evaporator via the pipe, the condenser being configured to transmit heat from the liquid coolant to air surrounding the condenser, thereby heating the air surrounding the condenser
Implementation Method 3
a first fan configured to force air from the first chamber to the second chamber via the server rack through a first path of travel including the evaporator
Implementation Method 4
a second fan configured to blow the heated air into the second chamber through a second path of travel including the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a device for cooling a server rack within a server room having a first chamber and a second chamber, the device comprising: a main chilling unit; a heat exchanging unit operatively coupled to the main chilling unit; the main chilling unit including a housing for housing: an evaporator; a first airlock device to removably secure the main chilling unit to the server rack from a side of the first chamber; a first fan configured to force air from the first chamber to the second chamber; the heat exchanging unit including a housing for housing: a condenser in fluid communication with the evaporator, the condenser being configured to transmit heat from the liquid coolant to air surrounding the condenser; a second airlock device configured to removably secure the heat exchanging unit to the second chamber; a second fan configured to blow the heated air into the second chamber.