Transverse Power Supply Cooling in Storage Systems
Solution Overview
Problem
As storage systems increase in data capacity, they generate more waste heat, necessitating improved cooling methods to efficiently manage heat from storage media and other components, while maintaining a high proportion of volume for storage media and minimizing the volume for other components.
Innovation Solution
The storage system employs a transverse arrangement of the power supply unit with both inlet and outlet in fluidic communication with a plenum, utilizing a storage system fan to direct primary airflow and an internal fan to generate secondary airflow, eliminating pressure deltas and enhancing cooling efficiency by establishing a cross-flow airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the power supply unit is arranged in a conventional layout, then it occupies more volume, but the storage density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit is arranged in a transverse orientation perpendicular to the main airflow direction, utilizing three-dimensional space more efficiently. This transverse arrangement allows the power supply unit to occupy less volume while maintaining proper cooling, thereby increasing storage density without compromising thermal management.
2Temperature
If conventional cooling methods are used, then cooling is provided, but pressure deltas reduce cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The plenum chamber is designed to equalize pressure across the power supply unit by providing fluidic communication between the inlet and outlet through a common chamber. This pressure equalization eliminates adverse pressure deltas that would otherwise reduce airflow and cooling efficiency, allowing the power supply unit to be cooled effectively by the main system airflow.
3Ease of manufacture
If the power supply unit occupies more volume, then cooling is easier to implement, but the proportion of system volume for storage media is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The plenum chamber serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a common fluidic communication pathway for both the power supply unit inlet and outlet, and as a pressure equalization chamber. This multi-functionality allows efficient cooling of the power supply unit without requiring additional dedicated cooling infrastructure, thereby minimizing the volume proportion needed for non-storage components.
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 configuration reduces heat from power supply units, maximizes storage density, and minimizes the footprint of the power supply unit, allowing a greater proportion of the system volume to be occupied by storage media while maintaining efficient cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a storage system fan to direct a primary airflow between the first and second sections
Implementation Method 2
generating a secondary airflow through the power supply unit by causing the secondary airflow to pass through an inlet of the power supply unit for receiving air and an outlet of the power supply unit for exhausting air
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for cooling a power supply unit in a storage system. In some embodiments, a storage system includes a first section for receiving a plurality of storage media, a second section having a power supply unit, and a plenum arranged in communication with the first and second sections. The power supply unit has an inlet for receiving air, an outlet for exhausting air and an airflow generator which generates airflow therethrough, where the inlet and the outlet are in fluidic communication with the plenum.