Two phase coolant management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Two-phase cooling systems using hazardous fluids lose significant amounts to the environment, harming workers and contributing to global warming, and are interfered with by non-condensable gases that degrade efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system with a stratification chamber that separates gas phase coolant from other gases based on density, allowing efficient removal of non-condensable gases while retaining the coolant, using sensors and controlled venting to maintain system efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If active venting systems are used to remove non-condensable gases, then system efficiency is improved, but coolant loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidcoolant loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A stratification chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the cooling system and the venting system. This chamber allows non-condensable gases to separate and accumulate in a controlled environment, enabling their removal through a controlled valve without directly venting the coolant vapor. The stratification chamber acts as a mediator that facilitates gas removal while preserving coolant retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and separates non-condensable gases from the coolant vapor stream using the stratification chamber. By allowing the gas mixture to enter the chamber where density differences cause separation, non-condensable gases are extracted and removed through a controlled valve, while the coolant vapor is retained and returned to the cooling system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Power

If hazardous coolant fluids are used for two-phase cooling, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental harm
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a closed, controlled environment where hazardous coolant fluids are contained and循环利用. The stratification chamber and controlled venting system maintain an inert atmosphere that prevents the release of hazardous materials to the environment, allowing the use of effective but hazardous coolants without compromising safety or environmental integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a recovery system where coolant vapor that would otherwise be lost is captured and condensed back into liquid form. The stratification chamber enables selective removal of non-condensable gases while retaining and recovering the valuable coolant vapor, minimizing coolant loss and preventing environmental contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If non-condensable gases are removed from the system, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The venting system is segmented into distinct functional components: the stratification chamber for gas separation, the controlled valve for selective gas removal, and the condensation system for coolant recovery. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability and modularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The system effectively isolates and removes non-condensable gases, maintaining high efficiency and preventing coolant loss, thus enhancing the performance and safety of two-phase cooling systems.

Implementation Method 1

a stratification chamber fluidly coupled to the liquid immersion tank and configured to at least partially separate a gas phase of the coolant from other gases that rise to upper regions of the stratification chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDensity stratification: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a condenser chamber fluidly coupled to a lower region of the stratification chamber and configured to receive the gas phase of the coolant and cause the gas phase of the coolant to change phase back into the liquid phase of the coolant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

operating electronic components in a two-phase liquid immersion tank at a first level that causes liquid coolant proximate to the electronic components to boil and transition to a gas phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBoiling: Boiling

Data Source

PatentEP4295098B1Two phase coolant management
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP4295098B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4295098B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4295098B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The discussion relates to cooling computing devices and specifically to managing two-phase cooling. One example can include a two-phase liquid immersion tank containing heat generating components and a liquid phase of a coolant having a boiling point within an operating temperature range of the heat generating components. The example can also include a stratification chamber fluidly coupled to the liquid immersion tank and configured to at least partially separate a gas phase of the coolant from other gases. The example can further include a condenser chamber fluidly coupled to the stratification chamber and configured to receive the gas phase of the coolant and cause the gas phase of the coolant to phase change back into the liquid phase of the coolant.