Switch Cabinet Container Cooling With Cold-Hot Aisle Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container-based data centers face limitations in scalability and flexibility of cooling capacity, requiring complex installations or adaptations when expanding IT infrastructure, and often necessitate extensive piping for external cooling units.
Innovation Solution
A data center design that allows for interchangeable cooling devices to be easily inserted through vertical openings in the container walls, utilizing both open-air and refrigeration systems with separate refrigerant circuits, and a partition that separates cold and warm aisles, enabling flexible cooling technology adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cooling units are permanently installed within the container, then cooling capacity is provided, but scalability is limited and complex adaptations are required when expanding IT infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into modular cooling units that can be independently installed, removed, and replaced. Each cooling unit is a self-contained module that can be positioned at different locations within the container, allowing the system to be segmented and reconfigured based on cooling requirements without requiring complex adaptations to the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system transitions from a static, permanently installed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Cooling units can be moved between different positions and orientations (horizontal, vertical, inclined) within the container, enabling the system to adapt dynamically to changing IT infrastructure requirements and cooling loads.
2Power
If external free coolers or chillers are connected to evaporators, then cooling capacity is increased, but extensive piping is required
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is extracted from centralized external cooling systems and distributed to individual cooling units that can be positioned close to the IT equipment requiring cooling. This eliminates the need for extensive piping by placing the cooling capacity directly where it is needed, within the container rather than externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling units serve as intermediary devices between the IT equipment and the ambient environment, providing localized cooling without requiring direct connection to external cooling systems. These units act as self-contained intermediaries that handle the cooling function independently, eliminating the need for complex piping infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cooling units are replaced to increase cooling capacity, then cooling capacity is adapted, but the process requires replacing inline cooling units with correspondingly adapted units
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling units are designed with universal mounting interfaces and standardized dimensions that allow the same physical unit to be installed in various positions (horizontal, vertical, inclined) and locations within the container. This universality simplifies replacement operations, as units can be swapped without requiring custom adaptations or complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs standardized, commercially available cooling units that can be easily replaced rather than custom-built units. This approach favors replacing individual units with off-the-shelf components rather than adapting existing units, simplifying the replacement process and reducing the skill level required for maintenance operations.
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 high scalability and energy efficiency by allowing easy addition or replacement of cooling units, eliminating the need for complex piping and ensuring optimal cooling capacity adjustment, thus enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cooling device (7) which is inserted into at least one opening (8) through an outer wall (9) of the container (2), which is connected to the interior of the container (2) via its inner air circuit (10), and which is connected to the container's (2) surroundings via its outer air circuit (11)
Implementation Method 2
The partition fluidically separates a cool air outlet of the inner air circuit from a warm air inlet of the inner air circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a data centre (1) comprising a row of switch cabinets (3), which is arranged in a container (2) and separates a cold aisle (5) from a hot aisle (6) with a partition (4), and at least one cooling device (7), which is inserted in at least one hole (8) through an outer wall (9) of the container (2) and the internal air circuit (10) of which is connected to the interior of the container (2), and the external air circuit (11) of which, which is fluidically closed off from the internal air circuit (10), is connected to the surroundings of the container (2), wherein the partition (4) fluidically separates a cool air outlet (12) of the internal air circuit (10) from a hot air inlet (13) of the internal air circuit (10).