Variable-Flow Immersion Cooling Tanks Using Natural Convection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional immersion cooling systems for data center servers are unpredictable, inefficient, and costly due to complex control schemes and extraneous components, leading to increased power consumption and reduced temperature control.

Innovation Solution

An immersion cooling system with a dual-tank configuration, featuring a perforated plate to distribute thermally conductive dielectric liquid upwards and an overflow gap to direct heated liquid downwards, leveraging natural convection and controlled by a controller to optimize flow and temperature control, reducing the need for pumps and complex components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional immersion cooling systems are used, then liquid coolant can cool computer servers, but the system becomes unpredictable and difficult to control, increasing power consumption and reducing temperature control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses natural convection to drive coolant circulation without requiring external pumps or complex control mechanisms. The temperature differential between heated and cooled regions automatically generates fluid flow, making the cooling system self-regulating and energy-efficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical pumping systems with natural convection-driven fluid circulation. By eliminating the need for active pumps and complex control schemes, the system reduces power consumption while maintaining effective temperature control through passive thermal-hydraulic processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If conventional immersion cooling systems are used, then liquid coolant can cool computer servers, but the system requires an extraneous number of components and complex control schemes, increasing cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components such as pumps, sensors, and complex control circuits from the cooling system. By removing these extraneous elements, the design achieves simplified architecture while maintaining temperature control through fundamental thermal convection principles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling system operates autonomously using natural convection to drive coolant circulation and thermal management. Without requiring external control mechanisms or additional components, the system self-regulates based on temperature gradients, significantly reducing device complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If conventional immersion cooling systems are used, then liquid coolant can cool computer servers, but the system is unpredictable and inefficient, reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature control predictability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The natural convection system inherently provides feedback through temperature-driven density variations in the coolant. Regions that are heated become less dense and rise, while cooler regions sink, creating a self-correcting circulation pattern that automatically responds to thermal conditions without external control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing unpredictable mechanical control systems with physics-based natural convection, the patent achieves more reliable and predictable temperature control. The thermal-hydraulic processes are governed by fundamental physical laws that provide consistent and reproducible cooling performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Improves temperature control and reduces power consumption by utilizing natural convection and controlled liquid distribution, enhancing efficiency and reducing system complexity and cost.

Implementation Method 1

a thermally conductive dielectric liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

leveraging natural convection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNatural convection: Free Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12369285B2Liquid immersion cooling tank with variable flow for high density computer server equipment

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

An immersion cooling system includes an electronic component, a thermally conductive dielectric liquid, and a tank defining a tank interior configured to receive the electronic component and the thermally conductive dielectric liquid for cooling the electronic component. The immersion cooling system also includes a wall positioned external to the tank to coordinate with the tank to define an overflow gap extending between the tank and the wall. The overflow gap is configured to receive an overflow of the thermally conductive dielectric liquid from the tank interior.