A water-cooling thermal dissipating method controls at least one of a fan, a pump, and a throttle valve to cool a heat generating element inside an electronic device through a cooling liquid. The method includes steps of: (a) performing a self-condition inspection, (b) detecting whether a working temperature of the cooling liquid is greater than a first predetermined temperature, and detecting whether a working temperature of the heat generating element is greater than a second predetermined temperature, (c) outputting a first warning signal if the working temperature of the cooling liquid is greater than the first predetermined temperature and a liquid level of the cooling liquid is not lower than a threshold liquid level, and outputting a second warning signal if the working temperature of the heat generating element is greater than the second predetermined temperature, and (d) displaying the first warning signal and the second warning signal.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a thermal dissipating method, and in particular to a water-cooling thermal dissipating method.

Description of Related Art

Computer application and people's life are inseparable because the improvement of word-processing ability of computer and software, and more and more students and office workers completely prearranged work and entertainment by computer.

The integrated circuits (ICs) disposed within the computer become smaller and small, however, the heat generated by the operating ICs become higher and higher, especially the heat generated by the central processing unit (CPU) is the highest so as to increase the temperatures around the CPU. The high temperature environment operation will slower the operating speed of the ICs, and is a main reason for damaging the ICs.

In most data centers, the operators expect the cooling system to operate continuously and reliably. As with any well-engineered system, a data center cooling system should efficiently serve its function. Data centers can be very energy intensive, and it is quite possible for a cooling system to use as much (or more) energy as the computers it supports. Conversely, a well-designed and operated cooling system may use only a small fraction of the energy.

In order to solve the problem mentioned above, a part of manufacturers use heat tanks, fans and water-cooling thermal dissipating system to collectively conducted heat. However, conventional water-cooling thermal dissipating system cannot communicate with software installed in the computer or warn user when unusual operation or damage. Such that the water-cooling thermal dissipating system is damaged or even blasting because user cannot instantaneously close a part of operated programs or enhance thermal dissipating ability of the water-cooling thermal dissipating system, and then the computer is consequentially damaged.

SUMMARY

It is an object to provide a water-cooling thermal dissipating method for controlling at least one of a fan, a pump, and a throttle valve to cool a heat generating element inside an electronic device through a cooling liquid, the method includes the steps of: (a) performing a self-condition inspection, (b) detecting whether a working temperature of the cooling liquid is greater than a first predetermined temperature, and detecting whether a working temperature of the heat generating element is greater than a second predetermined temperature, (c) outputting a first warning signal if the working temperature of the cooling liquid is greater than the first predetermined temperature and a liquid level of the cooling liquid is not lower than a threshold liquid level, and outputting a second warning signal if the working temperature of the heat generating element is greater than the second predetermined temperature, and (d) displaying the first warning signal and the second warning signal.

In one embodiment, the step (a) further includes the steps of: (a1) detecting whether a speed of the fan is abnormal, detecting whether a speed of the pump is abnormal, and detecting whether an opening degree of the throttle valve is abnormal, (a2) outputting a first abnormal signal if the speed of the fan is abnormal, outputting a second abnormal signal if the speed of the pump is abnormal, and outputting a third abnormal signal if the opening degree of the throttle valve is abnormal, and (a3) displaying the first abnormal signal, the second abnormal signal, and the third abnormal signal.

In one embodiment, in the step (b), controlling the fan, the pump, and the throttle valve to maintain current operations if the working temperature of the cooling liquid is not greater than the first predetermined temperature and the working temperature of the heat generating element is not greater than the second predetermined temperature.

In one embodiment, after the step (c) further includes the steps of: (c1) displaying a shutdown warning signal if the working temperature of the cooling liquid is greater than the first predetermined temperature and the liquid level of the cooling liquid is lower than the threshold liquid level, and (c2) compulsory shutting down the electronic device after a delay shutdown time.

In one embodiment, after the step (d) further includes the steps of: (e11) detecting whether the speed of the fan reaches a first predetermined value, detecting whether the speed of the pump reaches a second predetermined value, and detecting whether the opening degree of the throttle valve reaches a third predetermined value, (e12) displaying a shutdown warning signal if the speed of the fan reaches the first predetermined value, if the speed of the pump reaches the second predetermined value, or if the opening degree of the throttle valve reaches the third predetermined value, and (e13) compulsory shutting down the electronic device after a delay shutdown time.

In one embodiment, after the step (d) further comprises the steps of: (e21) detecting whether the speed of the fan reaches a first predetermined value, detecting whether the speed of the pump reaches a second predetermined value, and detecting whether the opening degree of the throttle valve reaches a third predetermined value, and (e22) controlling at least one of the fan, the pump, and the throttle valve to cool the heat generating element through the cooling liquid if the speed of the fan does not reach the first predetermined value, if the speed of the pump does not reach the second predetermined value, and if the opening degree of the throttle valve does not reach the third predetermined value.

In one embodiment, in the step (e22), sequentially increasing the speed and/or the opening degree according to a predetermined operation sequence of the fan, the pump, and the throttle valve.

In one embodiment, in the step (e22), first increasing the speed or the opening degree corresponding to the maximum margin ratio and lastly increasing the speed of the opening degree corresponding to the minimum margin ratio according to a margin ratio between a rated speed of the fan and the speed of the fan, a margin ratio between a rated speed of the pump and the speed of the pump, and a margin ratio between a rated opening degree of the throttle valve and the opening degree of the throttle valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a schematic view of a water-cooling thermal dissipating system according to a 1st embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 2Ais a circuit block diagram of the water-cooling thermal dissipating system according to the 1st embodiment of the present disclosure. InFIG. 1andFIG. 2A, the water-cooling thermal dissipating system (its reference numeral is omitted) includes a thermal dissipating device1and an electronic device2, and the thermal dissipating device1is used for conducting heat released from the electronic device2to prevent the electronic device2from operating under high temperature which increases unstable operating of modules and units installed in the electronic device2or even damages the electronic device2. The electronic device2is, for example, a computer capable of being placed on a desktop or a portable computer or a server.

The electronic device2includes a computing module22, a power supply unit24, and a display unit26; the computing module22includes a motherboard220and a computing unit222mounted on the motherboard220. The computing unit222generates dramatic quantities of heat when operation. The power supply unit24is electrically connected to the computing module22and provides the electricity to the computing module22and the display unit26.

The display unit26, which displays pertinent information, is electrically connected to the computing module22. In addition, the display unit26is utilized to display abnormal status of the thermal dissipating device1, thereby allowing a user to easily understand operation status of the thermal dissipating device1, and thus enabling real time elimination of possible damage, and lowing of probability malfunction. The display unit26may receive electricity directly through the power supply unit24(as shown inFIG. 2A). The display unit26may alternatively receive electricity directly through the computing module22that receives electricity from the power supply unit24(as shown inFIG. 2B). The display unit26may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel or a plasma display panel (PDP).

With referred again toFIG. 2A; the thermal dissipating device1may be installed into or apart from the electronic device2. The thermal dissipating device1includes a thermal-cycling loop12, a cable13, and a controlling module14configured to sense a working state and control heat dissipation efficiency of the thermal dissipating device1. The thermal-cycling loop12includes a tank120, a pump122, a thermal exchanger124, and a thermal conductive unit125. The pump122is coupled to the tank120, the thermal exchanger124, and the thermal conductive unit125via a plurality of pipes126and utilized to circulate a cooling liquid129(such as water) to cool the computing unit222attached to the thermal conductive unit125. Specifically, the thermal conductive unit125is disposed corresponding to the computing unit222, and the computing unit222is in contact with an external surface of the thermal conductive unit125, such that thermal conduction is implemented between the computing unit222and the thermal conductive unit125.

The cooling liquid129is stored in the tank120, and is forced to flow within the pipes126by the pump122; the cooling liquid129will absorb heat generated by the computing unit222and thermally conducted to the thermal conductive unit125when flows into the thermal conductive unit125.

The thermal exchanger124thermally transfers heat within the cooling liquid129to the external environment for dispersing heat. The thermal dissipating device1may further include a plurality of fins1240attached to the thermal exchanger124; the fins1240may help providing additional thermal transfer area to the thermal exchanger124. The thermal dissipating device1may still further include a fan128placed at the thermal exchanger124to provide an air flow in the thermal exchanger124for rapidly dissipating heat to the external environment.

With referred again toFIG. 2A; the computing module22and the controlling module14are electrically connected to each other by the cable13, such that the electricity generated by the power supply unit24can be conducted to the controlling module14for powering the controlling module14, and signals outputted from the controlling module14can be transmitted to the computing module22. In this embodiment, the cable13may be a universal series bus (USB) cable has a USB connector connected with a USB port of the electronic device2.

The controlling module14configured to sense the working state and control heat dissipation efficiency of the thermal dissipating device1includes a microprocessor142, a fan controller144, a pump controller146, a throttle valve controller147, a cooling liquid sensor148, and a thermal sensor150, and the microprocessor142is electrically connected to the computing module22by the cable13.

Please refer to bothFIG. 1andFIG. 2Aalong with the following disclosed content. The fan controller144is electrically connected to the microprocessor142and the fan128and configured to control a rotating speed of the fan128(hereafter “the fan speed”). Specifically, the fan controller144may generate a fan speed control signal to the fan128in accordance with one or more temperatures of the thermal conductive unit125, the cooling liquid129(in the tank120), and the external environment; the fan speed control signal is, for example, a pulse width modulated signal, and the fan speed is determined according to changes in the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal.

The fan controller144is further configured to sense the fan speed and outputs a fan speed abnormal signal to the microprocessor142when the fan speed is abnormal (such as the actual fan speed is not within the range of the normal speed). The microprocessor142outputs the fan speed abnormal signal to the computing module22via the cable13when it receives the fan speed abnormal signal. The computing module22makes the display unit26show alarm information to indicate that the fan128is not rotating under the normal speed when it receives the fan speed abnormal signal. Therefore, user can decide whether to continually use the electronic device2.

The pump controller146is electrically connected to the microprocessor142and the pump122and configured to control a rotating speed of the pump122(hereafter “the pump speed”), thus a flowing rate of the cooling liquid129is controlled. More particularly, the pump controller146may generate a pump speed control signal to the pump122in accordance with one or more temperatures of the thermal conductive unit125, the cooling liquid129, and the external environment to change pump speed.

The pump controller146is further configured to sense the pump speed and outputs a pump speed abnormal signal to the microprocessor142when the pump speed is abnormal (such as the actual pump speed is not within the range of the normal speed). The microprocessor142outputs the pump speed abnormal signal to the computing module22via the cable13when it receives the pump speed abnormal signal, and the computing module22makes the display unit26show alarm information to indicate that the pump122is not rotated under the normal speed when it receives the pump speed abnormal signal. Therefore, user can decide whether to continually use the electronic device2.

The throttle valve controller147is electrically connected to the microprocessor142and the throttle valve127and configured to control an opening degree of the throttle valve127, thus a flowing amount of the cooling liquid129is controlled. More particularly, the throttle valve controller147may generate an opening degree control signal to the throttle valve127in accordance with one or more temperatures of the thermal conductive unit125, the cooling liquid129, and the external environment to change the opening degree of the throttle valve127.

The throttle valve controller147is further configured to sense the opening degree and outputs an opening degree abnormal signal to the microprocessor142when the opening degree is abnormal (such as the actual opening degree is not within the range of the normal opening degree). The microprocessor142outputs the opening degree abnormal signal to the computing module22via the cable13when it receives the opening degree abnormal signal, and the computing module22makes the display unit26show alarm information to indicate that the throttle valve127is not opened under the normal opening degree when it receives the opening degree abnormal signal. Therefore, user can decide whether to continually use the electronic device2.

In one embodiment, sequentially increasing the speed and/or the opening degree according to a predetermined operation sequence of the fan128, the pump122, and the throttle valve127.

In one embodiment, first increasing the speed or the opening degree corresponding to the maximum margin ratio and lastly increasing the speed of the opening degree corresponding to the minimum margin ratio according to a margin ratio between a rated speed of the fan128and the speed of the fan128, a margin ratio between a rated speed of the pump122and the speed of the pump122, and a margin ratio between a rated opening degree of the throttle valve127and the opening degree of the throttle valve127.

The cooling liquid sensor148may be disposed within the tank120and electrically connected to the microprocessor142. The cooling liquid sensor148is configured to sense an operating temperature of the cooling liquid129in the tank120and output a liquid temperature warming signal to the microprocessor142when the temperature of the cooling liquid129in the tank120is over-heat (such as higher than a safe operation temperature (for example, 50 degrees Celsius)). The microprocessor142outputs the liquid temperature warming signal to the computing module22via the cable13when it receives the liquid temperature warming signal, and the computing module22makes the display unit26show warning information to indicate that the cooling liquid129is over-heat. Therefore, user can shut down the electronic device2or enhance thermal dissipating effect of the thermal dissipating device1by manually or automatically increase the fan speed and/or the pump speed until the fan speed or pump speed is not within the range of the normal speed (such as reaches a maximum speed), or manually or automatically increase the opening degree until the opening degree is not within the range of the normal opening degree (such as reaches a maximum opening degree).

The cooling liquid sensor148may further sense a level of the cooling liquid129and output a level abnormal signal to the microprocessor142when the actual level of the cooling liquid129in the tank120is sensed as a low liquid level. The microprocessor142outputs the level abnormal signal to the computing module22via the cable13when it receives the level abnormal signal. The computing module22makes the display unit26show alarm information to indicate that the cooling liquid129is at a low liquid level and the electronic device2will be forced to shut down and forces to shut down the electronic device2after continually receiving the level abnormal signal for a predetermined time.

The thermal sensor150connected to the microprocessor142may be placed near to the computing unit222(such as attached to an internal surface of the thermal conductive unit125in contacted with the computing unit222). The thermal sensor150is configured to sense a working temperature of the computing unit222and will output a computing unit warning signal to the microprocessor142when the working temperature of the computing unit222is in over-heat status (i.e., the working temperature is not in a range retaining the thermal stability and life of the computing unit222). The microprocessor142outputs the warming signal to the computing module22via the cable13when it receives the computing unit warning signal. The computing module22makes the display unit26show warning information to indicate that the computing unit222is in the over-heat status. Therefore, user may shut down the electronic device2or enhance thermal dissipating effect of the thermal dissipating device1by manually or automatically increase the fan speed and/or pump speed, or manually or automatically increase the opening degree; the display unit26will stop showing the warning information mentioned above if the working temperature decreases to be in the range retaining the thermal stability and life of the computing unit222.

Reference is made toFIG. 3, which is a flowchart showing steps for booting an electronic device according to the present disclosure. At first, the power supply unit24of the electronic device2implements procedure of electricity correction when the user presses a button for booting an electronic device2having the thermal dissipating device1. In step S302, a correction is made as to whether the power supply unit24is unusual. When the power supply unit24is usual, the electricity is generated and transmitted to the computing module22(and the display unit26) to implement booting procedure of the electronic device2(step S304), and when the power supply unit24is unusual, the booting procedure is stopped implementing and the electricity is interrupted (step S303). In particularly, the booting procedure of the electronic device2is the same as that of in currently and is not repeated here.

Reference is made toFIG. 4, which is a flowchart showing steps for thermal dissipating method of the thermal dissipating device according to the present disclosure. When the booting procedure of the electronic device2(step S304) is completely implemented, a self-condition inspecting procedure (step S308) is then implemented. The purpose of the self-condition inspecting procedure is made to whether the thermal-cycling loop12is unusual, namely, to whether the pump122, the fan128, the throttle valve127and the cooling liquid129are unusual to prevent the thermal dissipating device1from breakdown.

After implementing the self-condition inspection, a cooling monitoring procedure is then implemented. The cooling monitoring procedure includes: at first, the controlling module14senses whether the operating temperature of the cooling liquid129in the tank120is over-heat via the cooling liquid sensor148(step S312), and the controlling module14senses whether the working temperature of the computing unit222is over-heat (step S314).

After step S312, when the temperature of the cooling liquid129is not over-heat, the rotating speeds of the fan128and the pump122and the opening degree of the throttle valve127are maintained (step S316), and then back to step S312to implement cooling monitoring procedure. After step S314, when the working temperature of the computing unit222is not overheat, the rotating speeds of the fan128and the pump122and the opening degree of the throttle valve127are maintained (step S316), and back to step S314to implement cooling monitoring procedure.

After step S312, when the temperature of the cooling liquid129is over-heat, and after step S314, when the working temperature of the computing unit222is over-heat, the cooling liquid sensor148senses whether the level of the cooling liquid129is in a low liquid level (step S326).

After step S326, when the level of the cooling liquid129is as a low liquid level, a level abnormal signal is generated by the cooling liquid sensor148and transmitted to computing module22. The computing module22makes the display unit26show alarm information to indicate that the cooling liquid129is at a low liquid level and the electronic device2will be forced to shut down (step S321). The computing module22further forces to shut down the electronic device2after continually receiving the level abnormal for a predetermined time (such as 30 seconds) (step S322). After step S326, when the cooling liquid129is not as a low liquid level, a liquid temperature warming signal is generated by the cooling liquid sensor148. The liquid temperature warming signal is transmitted to the computing module22and the computing module22makes the display unit26show warning information to indicate that the cooling liquid129is over-heat (step S318) and goes through the step S320.

In step S320, the fan controller144senses whether the rotating speed of the fan128is within a range of the normal speed (such as 2400 rpm), the pump controller146senses whether the rotating speed of the pump122is within a range of the normal speed (such as 4500 rpm), and the throttle valve controller147senses whether the opening speed of the throttle valve147is within a range of the normal opening degree.

After step S320, when the rotating speed of the fan128exceeds the range of the normal speed, a fan speed abnormal signal generated by the fan controller144is transmitted to the computing module22, and then the computing module22makes the display unit26show the alarm information to indicated that the fan128is not within a range of the normal speed and the electronic device2will be forced to shut down (step S321), and forces to shut down the electronic device2after continually receiving the fan speed abnormal signal for a predetermined time (step S322).

After step S320, when the rotating speed of the pump122exceeds the range of the normal speed, a pump speed abnormal signal generated by the pump controller146is transmitted to the computing module22. The computing module22makes the display unit26show the alarm information to indicated that the pump122is not within a range of the normal speed and the electronic device2will be forced to shut down (step S321), and forces to shut down the electronic device2after continually receiving the pump speed abnormal signal for a predetermined time (step S322).

After step S320, when the opening degree of the throttle valve127exceeds the range of the normal opening degree, an opening degree abnormal signal generated by the throttle valve controller147is transmitted to the computing module22, and then the computing module22makes the display unit26show the alarm information to indicated that the throttle valve127is not within a range of the normal opening degree and the electronic device2will be forced to shut down (step S321), and forces to shut down the electronic device2after continually receiving the opening degree abnormal signal for a predetermined time (step S322).

After step S320, when the rotating speed of the fan128and the pump122are within the range of the normal speed, and the opening degree of the throttle valve127is within the range of the normal opening degree, user can select whether to manual control the thermal dissipating device1(step S323).

When user selects to manual control to thermal dissipating device1, controlling commands can be inputted by the electronic device2to increase rotating speeds of the fan128and/or the pump122, and/or increase opening degree of the throttle valve127(step S324), such that the thermal dissipating ability of the thermal dissipating device1can be enhanced. After that, back to the step S312and step S314to implement cooling monitoring procedure.

After step S323, when user does not select to manual control the thermal dissipating device1, the microprocessor142automatic regulates the rotating speeds of the fan128or/and the pump122, and/or regulates the opening degree of the throttle valve127according to the operating temperatures of the cooling liquid129and the working temperature of the computing unit222(step S325) to enhance thermal dissipating ability of the thermal dissipating device1. After that, back to step S312and step S314to implement cooling monitoring procedure.

Reference is made toFIG. 5, which is a flowchart showing steps for a self-condition inspection according to the present disclosure. The self-condition inspection of step S308includes steps shown inFIG. 4. At first, the fan controller144senses whether a rotating speed of the fan128is unusual (step S3080), the pump controller146senses whether a rotating speed of the pump122is unusual (step S3082), and the throttle valve controller147senses whether an opening degree of the throttle valve127is unusual (step S3081).

After step S3080, when the rotating speed of the fan128sensed by the fan controller144is unusual, a fan speed abnormal signal is outputted from the fan controller144and transmitted to the microprocessor142(step S3084). The fan speed abnormal signal includes an unusual information of the fan128and current rotating speed of the fan128. The fan speed abnormal signal is transmitted to the computing module22via the cable13by the microprocessor142, and may be shown on the display unit26controlled by the computing module22. When the rotating speed of the fan128sensed by the fan controller144is usual, the rotating speed of the fan128is maintained (step S3083).

After step S3082, when the rotating speed of the pump122sensed by the pump controller146is unusual, a pump speed abnormal signal is outputted from the pump controller146and transmitted to the microprocessor142(step S3084). The pump speed abnormal signal includes an unusual information of the pump122and current rotating speed of the pump122. The pump speed abnormal signal is transmitted to the computing module22via the cable13by the microprocessor142, and may be shown on the display unit26controlled by the computing module22. When the rotating speed of the pump122sensed by the pump controller146is usual, and the rotating speed of the pump122is maintained (step S3083).

After step S3081, when the opening degree of the throttle valve127sensed by the throttle valve controller147is unusual, an opening degree abnormal signal is outputted from the throttle valve controller147and transmitted to the microprocessor142(step S3084). The opening degree abnormal signal includes an unusual information of the throttle valve127and current opening degree of the throttle valve127. The opening degree abnormal signal is transmitted to the computing module22via the cable13by the microprocessor142, and may be shown on the display unit26controlled by the computing module22. When the opening degree of the throttle valve127sensed by the throttle valve controller147is usual, and the opening degree of the throttle valve127is maintained (step S3083).

In the present disclosure, the cable13includes the USB connector, such that a function of plug and play is provided, and is convenient to use. Moreover, the self-condition inspecting procedure of the thermal dissipating method is prior implement after the electronic device2implementing the booting procedure and electricity correcting procedure, such that the damage of the electronic device2causes by unusual thermal dissipating device1is prevented. Furthermore, the cooling monitoring procedure is implemented after the booting procedure of the electronic device2is finished, warning the user when the operating temperature of the computing unit222and the cooling liquid129is over-heat, and forcing to shut down the electronic device2when the rotating speeds of the fan128and the pump122exceed the ranges of the normal speeds, and the opening degree of the throttle valve127exceeds the range of the normal opening degree respectively, such that the safety of usage is enhanced.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiment, it will be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the details thereof. Various equivalent variations and modifications can still occur to those skilled in this art in view of the teachings of the present disclosure. Thus, all such variations and equivalent modifications are also embraced within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.