Thermal Imaging Vent Tile for Autonomous Data Center Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data center cooling systems rely on extensive cabling for temperature sensing grids, making them prone to failure and requiring external data sources, which complicates the dynamic control of cooling fluid flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained vent tile with integrated thermal imaging sensors, actuators, and controllers that dynamically adjust airflow by controlling louvers, eliminating the need for external sensing grids and reducing the risk of failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensing grids with extensive cabling are used to monitor temperature, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to high potential for cabling failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from the extensive cabling infrastructure and relocates it to the vent tile itself. The thermal imaging sensor is integrated directly into the vent tile, eliminating the need for separate sensing grids and their associated cabling, thereby maintaining temperature monitoring capability while removing the reliability vulnerability of extensive cabling
Solution Approach 2:
The vent tile becomes self-sufficient by integrating its own thermal imaging sensor and controller. Each vent tile independently monitors temperature and controls cooling fluid flow without relying on external sensing grids or complex cabling infrastructure, thereby improving system reliability while maintaining monitoring precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If externally controlled vent tiles are used to adjust cooling fluid flow, then cooling control capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to extensive cabling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling control system into independent modular vent tiles, each with its own integrated controller and thermal imaging sensor. This segmentation eliminates the need for extensive centralised cabling while maintaining adaptive cooling control capability, as each tile operates autonomously based on local temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The vent tile is designed as a multi-functional integrated unit that combines cooling fluid flow control, temperature monitoring via thermal imaging sensor, and autonomous decision-making via embedded controller. This universal design eliminates the need for separate sensing and control infrastructures, reducing device complexity while maintaining cooling control capability
3Device complexity
If fixed venting floor tiles are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying cooling needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed venting floor tile into a dynamic system where the vent tile incorporates an adjustable louver mechanism controlled by an integrated controller. The thermal imaging sensor continuously monitors temperature, and the controller dynamically adjusts the louver position to vary cooling fluid flow rate, enabling adaptability to changing cooling loads while maintaining relatively simple device structure
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 allows for independent, efficient, and reliable control of cooling fluid flow rates within data centers, reducing the complexity and vulnerability of cooling systems while maintaining optimal temperature thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal imaging sensor configured to detect a temperature of one or more zones of a surface of a remotely located apparatus through thermal imaging of the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A vent tile includes at least one louver, an actuator configured to control the at least one louver, a thermal imaging sensor configured to monitor temperature of a remotely located apparatus through thermal imaging of a surface of the apparatus, and a controller configured to control the actuator based upon the monitored temperature.