Server Utility Section for Leakage-Resistant Hybrid Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current server liquid cooling and rack-level liquid cooling systems are prone to leakage, which can cause damage to the IT equipment and other components, and existing solutions do not effectively address the issue of fluid leakage, requiring coordinated changes in both the rack and IT equipment designs.

Innovation Solution

A server architecture that segregates power and cooling components from the main electronic components, with integrated response mechanisms for power and cooling management, including leak response devices, and standard interfaces for connecting these components, allowing for flexible integration with existing rack hardware without requiring rack-level modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If rack-level liquid cooling systems are implemented to remove heat from IT equipment, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the risk of fluid leakage and damage to equipment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidleakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The server is divided into separate functional sections: an electronics section containing IT equipment and a utility section containing power and cooling components. This segmentation isolates the liquid cooling system from sensitive electronics, reducing leakage damage risk while maintaining cooling efficiency through dedicated cooling pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A utility section acts as an intermediary between the rack-level cooling system and the electronics section. This intermediate layer provides standardized fluid interfaces and leak response mechanisms, enabling effective heat removal while protecting sensitive components through controlled interaction zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If fluid distribution components are added to the rack to improve cooling, then cooling capacity is enhanced, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidsystem coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The utility section provides universal, standardized fluid interfaces that can serve multiple IT equipment types without requiring custom rack-level modifications. This multi-functional design simplifies system integration while maintaining enhanced cooling capacity through standardized connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The server architecture integrates its own power and cooling management capabilities within the utility section, reducing dependence on complex rack-level coordination. The standardized interfaces enable the server to self-manage fluid distribution, simplifying overall system complexity while maintaining high cooling capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If leak response mechanisms are integrated into the server architecture, then reliability against leakage damage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage protectionVSAvoidcomponent integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Leak response mechanisms are merged with the utility section's standardized fluid interfaces, creating an integrated protection system. This combination provides reliable leakage protection through sensors and response devices that work together within the existing utility section structure, minimizing additional complexity while maximizing protection effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 highly reliable and efficient cooling system that minimizes damage from leaks by segregating power and cooling components, enabling advanced control and management of power and fluid interfaces, and allowing for easy customization and interoperability, thus enhancing system reliability and usability.

Implementation Method 1

IT equipment has incorporated internal liquid cooling systems

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

rack-level liquid cooling systems that interface with the internal liquid cooling systems of the IT equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11690201B2Server architecture for hybrid system integration and interface management

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 BAIDU USA LLC

AI summary

Embodiments are disclosed of an apparatus including a utility section adapted to be positioned in a server chassis and coupled to an electronics section in the server chassis. The utility section includes a power board, a fluid handling module, a fan module electrically coupled to the power board, or both the fluid handling module and the fan module. An external power interface is adapted to electrically couple the power board to a rack power source and an internal power interface is adapted to electrically coupled the power board to one or more servers in an electronic section within the chassis. An external fluid interface is adapted to fluidly couple the fluid handling module to a rack fluid recirculation loops, and an internal fluid interface is adapted to fluidly couple the fluid handling module to a server fluid inlet and a server fluid outlet of each of the one or more electronics sections.