Single-Loop Liquid Cooling System for Data Centers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data center liquid cooling systems with two cooling loops and a Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU) face challenges such as high cost, complexity, increased failure points, reduced cooling efficiency, and increased maintenance due to multiple system components and fluid requirements.
Innovation Solution
A single-loop liquid cooling system design that integrates an external cooling unit, rack-mounted manifolds with embedded supply and return pumps, and cooling modules, eliminating the need for a CDU and reducing the number of fluid connections and system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a two-loop liquid cooling system with CDU is used, then heat transfer effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the primary cooling loop and secondary cooling loop into a single integrated liquid cooling system. The CDU is eliminated by directly connecting the heat exchanger to the rack-mounted cooling modules, reducing the number of loops from two to one while maintaining heat transfer effectiveness through optimized direct liquid-to-ambient heat exchange pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) from the system architecture. By eliminating this intermediate component, the system reduces complexity and failure points while maintaining thermal management effectiveness through direct heat exchange between the heat exchanger and cooling modules.
2Temperature
If a two-loop liquid cooling system with CDU is used, then heat transfer effectiveness is improved, but the number of failure points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) from the system architecture. By eliminating this intermediate component with multiple moving parts and fluid connections, the system reduces the number of potential failure points while maintaining thermal management effectiveness through direct heat exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the primary cooling loop and secondary cooling loop into a single integrated liquid cooling system. This consolidation reduces the number of independent subsystems and interconnections, thereby reducing failure points and improving overall system reliability.
3Temperature
If a two-loop liquid cooling system with CDU is used, then heat transfer effectiveness is improved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) from the system architecture. By eliminating this complex intermediate component with multiple fluid connections and control systems, the system significantly reduces maintenance requirements while maintaining thermal management effectiveness through simplified direct heat exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the primary cooling loop and secondary cooling loop into a single integrated liquid cooling system. This consolidation reduces the number of components requiring maintenance, simplifies fluid management, and reduces the complexity of system diagnostics and repair.
4Temperature
If a two-loop liquid cooling system with CDU is used, then heat transfer effectiveness is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the CDU (Coolant Distribution Unit) from the system architecture. By eliminating this expensive intermediate component with multiple valves, pumps, and control systems, the system significantly reduces overall cost while maintaining thermal management effectiveness through direct heat exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the primary cooling loop and secondary cooling loop into a single integrated liquid cooling system. This consolidation reduces the total number of components, fluid connections, and control systems required, thereby reducing manufacturing cost, installation cost, and operational cost while maintaining heat transfer effectiveness.
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 design simplifies the system, enhances reliability and energy efficiency, reduces costs, and facilitates easier deployment and maintenance by minimizing the number of potential failure points and fluid specifications, while maintaining effective heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
Heat is transferred from the internal loop to the external loop within the CDU
Implementation Method 2
Liquid cooling requires delivering a liquid working fluid to cooling modules such as cold plates packaged within the server
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed of a server rack including a rack adapted to accommodate one or more servers, each server including one or more components. An inlet manifold is positioned in or on the rack, the inlet manifold including an embedded supply pump having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being coupled to a main supply line and the outlet being coupled to at least one sub-loop supply line. An outlet manifold is also positioned in or on the rack, the outlet manifold including an embedded return pump having an inlet and an outlet, the pump inlet being coupled to at least one sub-loop return line and the pump outlet being coupled to a main return line. A total liquid cooling architecture is proposed for liquid cooled electronic racks and data centers.