Variable Speed Pumping Units for Data Center Cooling Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pumped refrigerant cooling systems for data centers face challenges in achieving reliable redundancy without significantly increasing costs and complexity, as complete replication of cooling loops is expensive and over-provisioning with interwoven cooling modules complicates design and control.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cooling system with multiple variable speed pumping units that share refrigerant flow and adjust speeds dynamically to maintain sufficient fluid flow, allowing one unit to compensate for faults in others, thereby providing redundant cooling without the need for full redundancy or extensive over-provisioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete replication of cooling loops is implemented to achieve redundancy, then reliability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cooling loops into a shared configuration where multiple evaporators connect to a common refrigerant distribution system. This allows redundancy to be achieved without completely replicating separate cooling loops, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability through shared components and dynamic flow distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant distribution system is designed to serve multiple evaporators simultaneously with a single pump and condenser system. The system can dynamically allocate refrigerant flow to different evaporators based on cooling demands, allowing one cooling loop to compensate for another, achieving universal cooling coverage without complete replication.
2Reliability
If over-provisioning with interwoven cooling modules is used to achieve redundancy, then reliability is improved, but design and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic flow control mechanisms that automatically adjust refrigerant distribution among evaporators based on real-time cooling demands and system conditions. This dynamic allocation simplifies control by using automated sensors and actuators rather than complex manual configurations, making the system easier to manufacture and control while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control through temperature sensors and flow meters that continuously monitor cooling demands and refrigerant distribution. This feedback mechanism automatically adjusts valve positions and pump speeds to maintain optimal cooling, reducing design complexity by using self-regulating control loops rather than complex predetermined configurations.
3Reliability
If variable speed pumps are used to share refrigerant flow dynamically, then reliability during faults is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses variable speed pumps that can dynamically change their operating parameters (speed, flow rate) based on system conditions. During fault conditions, the pumps can adjust their speed to maintain sufficient refrigerant flow to critical evaporators, improving fault tolerance. The complexity is managed through standardized pump controllers that use predefined algorithms.
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 approach enhances reliability and uptime by maintaining sufficient refrigerant flow during unit failures without the high costs and complexity associated with traditional redundancy methods, ensuring efficient operation and reduced downtime.
Implementation Method 1
The pump 20 is preferably capable of pumping the volatile working fluid throughout the second cooling cycle 14
Implementation Method 2
The primary loop includes a fluid to fluid heat exchanger to cool the pumped refrigerant circulating in the secondary loop
Implementation Method 3
a pumped refrigerant, such as R134a. The primary loop includes a fluid to fluid heat exchanger to cool the pumped refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
one or more phase change cooling modules having a fluid to air heat exchanger through which the pumped refrigerant is circulated to cool air flowing across the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system including a primary cooling module supplying refrigerant to a circuit including a thermal load. A secondary cooling module provides a supplemental flow of refrigerant to the circuit upon detection of a deficiency of the primary cooling module. A valve is disposed between the primary: module and the circuit to prevent refrigerant flow between the primary cooling module in the circuit. The secondary cooling module transactions from a standby mode of operation to an online mode of operation and the primary cooling module is deactivated in response to detection of the deficiency of the primary cooling module.