Zone-Based Server Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information handling systems, the current method of controlling cooling devices leads to inefficient energy usage due to fans running at uniform speeds, resulting in overcooling and increased power consumption, as the power consumed by fans increases with the cube of their revolutions per minute, and this inefficiency burdens air conditioning and filtration systems.
Innovation Solution
Organizing cooling devices into overlapping zones and thermal regions within the information handling system, where each cooling device belongs to multiple zones and is associated with specific thermal regions, allowing for dynamic adjustment of fan speeds based on the cooling demands of individual components, thereby optimizing airflow and reducing unnecessary cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fans run at uniform high speed to ensure adequate cooling for all blade servers, then cooling reliability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly and overcooling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the chassis into multiple thermal zones (first thermal zone, second thermal zone, etc.) and assigns different fan groups to cool different zones independently. Each fan group's speed is controlled based on the thermal conditions of its specific zone rather than running all fans at uniform speed, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining cooling reliability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic speed control for different fan groups based on real-time thermal conditions. The management controller continuously monitors temperature sensors and adjusts fan speeds dynamically - increasing speed when thermal demand is high and decreasing speed when cooling demand is low, thus optimizing the balance between cooling reliability and power consumption.
2Temperature
If fans run at uniform high speed, then cooling capacity is improved, but operating costs increase due to excessive power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different cooling strategies to different thermal zones within the chassis. Each zone receives cooling appropriate to its specific thermal characteristics and workload conditions, rather than applying uniform high-speed cooling throughout. This localized approach maintains adequate cooling capacity where needed while reducing power consumption and operating costs in zones with lower thermal demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of fan groups based on thermal conditions. The management controller adjusts fan speeds as a variable parameter in response to temperature sensor readings, allowing the system to adapt cooling capacity to actual thermal demands and thereby reduce operating costs while maintaining adequate cooling performance.
3Temperature
If fans run at uniform speed, then cooling coverage is improved, but device complexity increases due to zone management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The management controller serves multiple functions: it monitors temperature sensors, determines thermal zones, controls fan group speeds, and optimizes power consumption. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single universal controller, the patent manages the complexity of zone-based cooling while maintaining comprehensive cooling coverage.
4Ease of operation
If uniform fan speed is used, then control simplicity is maintained, but cooling efficiency decreases due to overcooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor thermal conditions in different zones, and the management controller uses this feedback information to adjust fan speeds accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to avoid overcooling by reducing fan speeds when thermal demands are low, thereby improving cooling efficiency while maintaining relatively simple control through automated temperature-based adjustments.
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 energy consumption by ensuring that fans operate at speeds necessary for each component's cooling needs, minimizing overcooling and optimizing the load on air conditioning and filtration systems, leading to lower operating costs and improved cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Cooling fans or other cooling devices are used in an information handling system to dissipate the heat
Implementation Method 2
Cooling fans or other cooling devices are used in an information handling system to dissipate the heat and keep the information handling system operating within acceptable temperature ranges
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system can include cooling devices that are organized into zones. A method of using an information handling system can include setting a cooling level for each cooling device. Each zone can be associated with thermal data or regions within the information handling system, and a cooling demand can be determined for the thermal data or regions. A zone cooling level for each zone corresponds to a higher cooling demand from each zone's associated thermal regions, and a cooling device cooling level corresponds to a higher zone cooling level from each cooling device's associated zones. The method can be embodied as machine executable code for an information handling system. An information handling system can include cooling devices associated with zones, and can operate to set a cooling level for each cooling device by determining cooling demands in response to information regarding thermal energy generated by an electrical sub-assembly.