Secondary Vent Tile Layout for Data Center Air Recirculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face inefficiencies in cooling systems due to adverse air re-circulation, where heated airflow is recirculated back into computer systems, reducing cooling effectiveness and increasing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system with air conditioning units and secondary vent tiles that introduce or remove airflow to divert and mix cooler air with recirculating airflow, reducing temperature and pressure distribution to minimize re-circulation and enhance cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air conditioning units cool airflow and return it to computer systems, then cooling is provided to computer systems, but heated airflow is recirculated back into computer systems reducing cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes heated airflow from the recirculation path using return air vents positioned to capture hot air before it re-enters computer system intakes. This extracted heated air is then directed to exhaust or mixed with fresh air, preventing it from reducing cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fresh air or cooler air as an intermediary substance to mix with the recirculated airflow, thereby reducing the temperature of air that would otherwise be recirculated. This intermediary air acts as a buffer to improve cooling effectiveness.
2Productivity
If cooled airflow is delivered directly to computer systems, then cooling is provided, but cooled airflow does not flow through computer systems and instead flows back into air conditioning units reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs locally positioned return air vents near computer system exhaust outlets to capture heated air at its source. This localized approach ensures that cooled air delivered to computer systems actually flows through them before being captured, preventing short-circuiting and improving overall cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses airflow sensors and temperature sensors to detect recirculation patterns and dynamically adjusts vent positions or airflow rates to optimize cooling efficiency and prevent cooled air from short-circuiting back to AC units.
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 reduces the energy required to cool heat-generating devices, increases the effectiveness of air conditioning units, and minimizes hot spot formations by diverting and cooling recirculated airflow, thereby improving overall cooling efficiency in data centers.
Implementation Method 1
an air conditioning unit configured to cool airflow in the room
Implementation Method 2
at least one secondary vent tile positioned and operated to one of, introduce airflow into a re-circulating airflow and remove airflow from a re-circulating airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A system for reducing effects of adverse air re-circulation in a room containing at least one heat generating component includes an air conditioning unit configured to cool airflow in the room and at least one cooling vent tile operable to deliver the cooled airflow to the at least one heat generating component. The system also includes at least one secondary vent tile positioned and operated to one of, introduce airflow into a re-circulating airflow and remove airflow from a re-circulating airflow, to thereby respectively divert or vary the temperature of the re-circulating airflow and thereby reduce the effects of air re-circulation in the room.