Underwater Datacenter Cooling Ducts Using Natural Seawater Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater datacenters face high energy consumption due to inefficient heat exchange with seawater, necessitating a non-power cooling device that optimizes heat exchange through natural seawater flow.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with an inlet duct and outlet ducts designed to facilitate seawater flow around and through the datacenter, utilizing the natural ocean current to enhance heat exchange, featuring rotatable and adjustable ducts to accommodate varying ocean conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If conventional cooling systems are used in datacenters, then cooling function is provided, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device utilizes natural ocean currents to provide cooling without requiring external power input. The duct structure is designed to passively guide seawater flow through contact with server components, enabling the system to cool itself using the environment's natural thermal energy and flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active mechanical cooling systems (fans, pumps, compressors) with a passive fluid dynamics-based cooling structure. The duct geometry and positioning are designed to harness natural seawater flow patterns, substituting mechanical energy input with hydrodynamic design.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If underwater datacenter is built to reduce cooling power, then energy consumption decreases, but heat exchange efficiency with seawater becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device features localized heat exchange structures where duct surfaces are positioned in direct contact with server components. This creates optimal local thermal contact zones that maximize heat transfer efficiency at critical points without requiring system-wide active cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends heat exchange into the third dimension by designing three-dimensional duct structures that wrap around and contact server components from multiple angles. This volumetric heat exchange approach increases surface area and thermal contact without requiring additional power input.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed duct structure is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to varying ocean currents is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device incorporates flexible or adjustable duct sections that can adapt their configuration based on ocean current directions and intensities. This dynamic capability allows the structure to optimize its heat exchange surface orientation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular design elements.
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
Enhances heat exchange efficiency between seawater and datacenter components, reducing energy consumption and maintaining optimal cooling performance despite varying ocean currents.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling device for an underwater datacenter, which is adapted to perform heat exchange between internal devices of the underwater datacenter and seawater
Implementation Method 2
optimizing the heat exchange between seawater and the underwater datacenter through natural flow of the seawater
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a cooling device for an underwater datacenter, which is adapted to perform heat exchange between internal devices of the underwater datacenter and seawater, the cooling device including, an inlet duct located on one surface of the underwater datacenter and having a seawater introducing passage formed therealong and outlet ducts located spaced apart from the inlet duct and having seawater discharging passages formed therealong.