Sensor aggregation with wireless sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling systems in data centers face limitations with wired temperature sensors, including flexibility in positioning, increased energy usage due to thermal oscillations, wear and tear on components, and impracticality due to space constraints, which affect the stability and efficiency of temperature control.
Innovation Solution
Implementing wireless temperature sensors for more accurate and distributed temperature measurements, allowing for sensor redundancy and improved control of cooling systems by integrating them into cooling units and enclosures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wired temperature sensors are used for cooling system control, then system control functions can be performed, but flexibility in positioning sensors and routing cabling is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired temperature sensors with wireless temperature sensors that communicate via wireless signals (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee). This substitution eliminates the need for physical cabling between sensors and cooling units, thereby improving positioning flexibility while reducing installation complexity. The wireless sensors can be freely positioned within communication range without being constrained by cable routing requirements.
2Measurement precision
If wired temperature sensors are used, then temperature measurements can be obtained, but thermal unit component oscillations increase leading to higher energy usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements wireless temperature sensors that continuously monitor temperature and transmit data to cooling units in real-time. This enables more precise and frequent feedback loops, allowing cooling units to adjust their operation more accurately in response to actual temperature conditions. The improved feedback mechanism reduces unnecessary cycling of cooling components, thereby decreasing energy consumption while maintaining accurate temperature measurement.
3Quantity of substance
If numerous wired temperature sensors are installed, then more temperature monitoring points are available, but space constraints and physical obstacles make wiring impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired sensor infrastructure with wireless sensor nodes that communicate through electromagnetic fields. This allows deployment of numerous temperature sensors throughout the data center environment without being constrained by physical wiring infrastructure. Sensors can be easily attached to various surfaces and positioned in locations that would be difficult or impossible to reach with wired installations, thereby increasing both the quantity and distribution of monitoring points.
4Loss of information
If wired temperature sensors are used, then sensor data can be collected, but cooling systems cannot readily use sensor data from sensors physically connected to other cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements wireless temperature sensors with standardized communication protocols that enable universal data sharing across multiple cooling systems. The wireless sensors transmit temperature data through a common communication network that can be accessed by any cooling unit within range, regardless of physical connectivity. This universal communication approach allows any cooling system to utilize temperature measurements from sensors located at other cooling units, enhancing system coordination and overall efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system can include a cooling unit for supplying cooling air, one or more enclosures that receive the cooling air, a cooling air supply path for routing the cooling air from the cooling unit to the enclosure, a return air path for routing the cooling air from the enclosure to the cooling unit, one or more wired temperature sensors disposed in the cooling air supply path and wired to the cooling unit, one or more wireless temperature sensors disposed in the cooling air supply path and in wireless communication with the cooling unit, and one or more wireless temperature sensors disposed in the return air path and in wireless communication with the cooling unit. The cooling unit can utilize data from any combination of the wired temperature sensors and the wireless temperature sensors for supplying the cooling air.