Patent Publication Number: US-2023164948-A1

Title: Device with integrated liquid cooling system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of network connection systems, and more particularly, to cooling systems for network switch devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typically, network devices in network systems, such as for example network switch devices, include heat producing electronic components that may require cooling. Cooling of heat producing electronic components may be done using air and/or liquid. Air cooling of heat producing electronic components is typically less effective than liquid cooling thereof. For example, air cooling systems typically have smaller maximal power and smaller power density as compared to liquid cooling systems. Liquid cooling of heat producing electronic components typically requires dedicated infrastructure at the network system facility to distribute cooling liquid between network system devices and to cool the cooling liquid. The infrastructure may, for example, include pumps, valves, controllers, cooling towers and other components known in the art. Some network system facilities have no such dedicated infrastructure to support liquid cooling of heat producing electronic components of the network devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a device or other component including: a frame having an interior; an electronic component; a heat conducting body in thermal contact with the electronic component; a conduit containing a liquid coolant, the conduit being coupled to the heat conducting body to deliver the liquid coolant to and from the heat conducting body; and a pump positioned within the interior of the frame, the pump being removably insertable into the interior of the frame and being removably couplable to the conduit to circulate the liquid coolant through the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the device may include a heat sink positioned within the interior of the frame, wherein at least a portion of the conduit passes through the heat sink. 
     In some embodiments, the heat sink may include a plurality of fins that are parallel to an axis extending between a first end and a second end of the frame. 
     In some embodiments, the device may include one or more fan receptacles at a first end of the frame, each of the fan receptacles being configured to removably receive a fan. 
     In some embodiments, the pump is removably insertable into the interior of the frame through one of the fan receptacles. 
     In some embodiments, the device may include one or more fans each being removably received within one of the fan receptacles. 
     In some embodiments, the device may include a coupler having a first dripless blind-mate connector and a second dripless blind-mate connector to removably couple the pump to the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the device may include a second pump positioned within the interior of the frame, the second pump being coupled to the conduit to circulate the liquid coolant through the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the device may include a coupler to couple in parallel the pump and the second pump to the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the coupler may include: a first dripless blind-mate connector and a second dripless blind-mate connector to removably couple the pump to the conduit, and a third dripless blind-mate connector and a fourth dripless blind-mate connector to removably couple the second pump to the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the device may include a controller to control the pump and the second pump to maintain a desired flow rate of the liquid coolant through the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the controller is a central processing unit (CPU) of the device. 
     In some embodiments, the device is a network switch device. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a device including: a housing having: a first end, a second end, and an interior; a heat producing component or device; a cooling body in thermal contact with the heat producing component; a conduit containing a coolant, the conduit being coupled to the cooling body to deliver the coolant to and from the cooling body; a heat exchanger positioned within the interior of the housing and having at least a portion of the conduit passing therethrough; one or more fan openings at the first end of the housing; one or more fans each being removably received within one of the fan openings; and a first pump and a second pump positioned within the interior of the housing, the first pump and the second pump being removably insertable into the interior of the housing through one of the fan openings and being removably couplable in parallel to the conduit to circulate the coolant through the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the device may include a coupler including: a first dripless blind-mate connector and a second dripless blind-mate connector to removably couple the first pump to the conduit, and a third dripless blind-mate connector and a fourth dripless blind-mate connector to removably couple the second pump to the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the heat exchanger may include a heat sink. 
     In some embodiments, the heat sink may include a plurality of fins that are parallel to an axis extending between the first end and the second end of the housing. 
     In some embodiments, the device may include a controller to control the first pump and the second pump to maintain a desired flow rate of the coolant through the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the controller controlling the one or more fans to maintain a desired flow rate of air into the interior of the housing. 
     In some embodiments, the controller is a central processing unit (CPU) of the device. 
     In some embodiments, the device is a network switch device. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a device including: a frame; a heat producing device; a cooling body in contact with the heat producing device; a coolant conduit delivering coolant to the cooling body; and a pump positioned within the frame, to circulate the liquid coolant in the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, the device is a network switch device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of embodiments of the invention and to show how the same can be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout. 
       In the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a three-dimensional (3D) diagram of a network switch device, according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a 3D diagram of an enlarged portion of a heat exchanger or heat sink of the network switch device, according to some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a 3D diagram of the network switch device showing transparent view of pump sub-frames, according to some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG.  4    is a 3D diagram of a section view, along line A-A of  FIG.  1   , of the network switch device, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, various aspects of the present invention are described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without the specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well known features can have been omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the present invention. With specific reference to the drawings, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention can be embodied in practice. 
     Before at least one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments that can be practiced or carried out in various ways as well as to combinations of the disclosed embodiments. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  1   , which is a three-dimensional (3D) diagram of a network switch device  100 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     Reference is also made to  FIG.  2   , which is a 3D diagram of an enlarged portion of a heat exchanger or heat sink  160  of network switch device  100 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     Reference is also made to  FIG.  3   , which is a 3D diagram of network switch device  100  showing transparent view of pump sub-frames  152 ,  156 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     Reference is also made to  FIG.  4   , which is a 3D diagram of a section view, along line A-A of  FIG.  1   , of network switch device  100 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, network switch device  100  may include a frame or housing  110 , an electronic component or device or heat producing component  120 , a heat conducting or cooling body  130 , a conduit  140  and a pump  150 . While device  100  is described as a network switch device, other devices may include components as described herein. 
     Frame or housing  110  may have a first end  111 , a second end  112  and an interior  114 . Electronic component  120  may be positioned within interior  114  of frame or housing  110 . Electronic component  120  may produce heat. For example, electronic component  120  may be a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), networking application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or any other heat producing electronic component of network switch device  100 . 
     Heat conducting or cooling body  130  may be in thermal contact with electronic component  120 . Heat conducting or cooling body  130  may be made of or may include material such as, for example, copper, aluminum or stainless steel. For example, heat conducting or cooling body  130  may contact, directly or indirectly, electronic component  120  to cause heat to dissipate from electronic component  120  to heat conducting or cooling body  130 . In some embodiments, network switch device  100  may include a heat conducting or cooling body sub-frame  132  to couple heat conducting or cooling body  130  to frame or housing  110  and/or to secure the position of heat conducting or cooling body  130  with respect to electronic component  120 . 
     Conduit  140 , e.g., a pipe, tube, possibly in one or more connected sections, may contain a coolant, for example, a liquid coolant. The coolant may, for example, be or include water (e.g., pure water) or water solutions (e.g., glycol-water). Conduit  140  may be coupled to or be in contact with heat conducting or cooling body  130 . Conduit  140  may deliver the coolant to and from heat conducting or cooling body  130 . In some embodiments, conduit  140  includes two or more interconnected conduit portions. In some embodiments, network switch device  100  may include an expansion tank  142  coupled to or in contact with conduit  140 . 
     Pump  150  may be positioned within interior  114  of frame or housing  110 . For example, pump  150  may be positioned adjacent (or substantially adjacent) to first end  111  of frame or housing  110 . Pump  150  may be coupled to conduit  140  to circulate the coolant through conduit  140  and to deliver the coolant to and from heat conducting or cooling body  130 . Pump  150  may be, for example, direct current pump having controllable rotational speed and rotational speed feedback circuitry. 
     Network switch device  100  may include a heat exchanger or heat sink  160 . Heat exchanger or heat sink  160  may be positioned within interior  114  of frame or housing  110 . In some embodiments, heat exchanger or heat sink  160  may include a plurality of fins  162 . Fins  162  may be parallel (or substantially parallel) to an axis  113  extending between first end  111  and second end  112  of frame or housing  110 . At least a portion of conduit  140  may pass through heat exchanger or heat sink  160 . For example, the portion of conduit  140  passing through heat exchanger or heat sink  160  may be curved such that two or more turns of conduit  140  pass through heat exchanger or heat sink  160 . 
     Network switch device  100  may include one or more fan receptacles or openings  170  at first end  111  of frame or housing  110 . Each of fan receptacles or openings  170  may removably receive a fan. Network switch device  100  may include one or more fans  172  each being removably received within one of fan receptacles or openings  170 . 
     In some embodiments, pump  150  may be removably inserted into interior  114  of frame or housing  110  through one of fan receptacles or openings  170 . In some embodiments, network switch device  100  may include a coupler  144  to removably couple pump  150  to conduit  140 . Coupler  144  may, for example, include a first dripless blind-mate connector  144   a  and a second dripless blind-mate connector  144   b  to removably couple pump  150  to conduit  140 . In some embodiments, pump  150  may be positioned within a pump sub-frame  152 . Pump-sub-frame  152  may be removably coupled (e.g., using bolts) to frame or housing  110 . Pump sub-frame  152  may have dimensions that are smaller than dimensions of fan receptacles or openings  170  to removably insert pump sub-frame  152  into interior  114  of frame or housing  110  through one of fan receptacles or openings  170 . Pump sub-frame  152  may ensure proper position of pump  150  with respect to conduit  140  and/or coupler  144 . 
     In operation, electronic component  120  of network switch device  100  may produce heat. Pump  150  may circulate the coolant through conduit  140  to deliver the coolant to and from heat conducting or cooling body  130  being in thermal contact with electronic component  120 . Heat being produced by electronic component  120  may dissipate from electronic component  120  through heat conducting or cooling body  130  to the coolant to cool the electronic component  120 . Fans  172  may draw air into interior  114  of frame or housing  110 . The air may flow through heat exchanger or heat sink  160  to cause heat to dissipate from the coolant through the portion of conduit  140  passing through heat exchanger or heat sink  160  to the air to cool the coolant. 
     In various embodiments, network switch device  100  may include a controller  180  to control pump  150  and/or fans  172 . In various embodiments, the CPU of network switch device  100  may control pump  150  and/or fans  172 . 
     Controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may control rotational speed of pump  150  to generate and maintain a desired flow rate of the coolant through conduit  140 . In some embodiments, pump  150  may include a rotational speed feedback circuitry. The rotational speed feedback circuitry may output a signal indicative of the actual rotational speed of pump  150 . Controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may receive the signal and send signals to pump  150  to control pump  150  based on the signal from the rotational speed feedback circuitry of the respective pump. In some embodiments, network switch device  100  may include a flow rate sensor to measure the flow rate of the coolant through conduit  140  and to generate an output signal related thereto. Controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may control pump  150  further based on the output signal from the flow rate sensor. In various embodiments, controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may issue a notification if the rotational speed of pump  150  or decreases below a predefined threshold. 
     Controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may control rotational speed of fans  172  based on a temperature of one or more components of network switch device  100 . For example, electronic component  120  may include a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of electronic component  120  and generate an output signal related thereto. Controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may, for example, detect that the temperature of electronic component  120  increases above a predefined threshold (e.g., based on the output signal from the temperature sensor of electronic component  120 ) and control fans  172  to increase their respective rotational speed to increase the flow rate of air through heat exchanger or heat sink  160 . Increased flow rate of air through heat exchanger or heat sink  160  may enhance the cooling of the coolant flowing through conduit  140 , which in turn may enhance the cooling of electronic component  120 . In some embodiments, network switch device  100  may include a coolant temperature sensor to measure the temperature of the coolant in conduit  140  and generate an output signal related thereto. Controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may control the rotational speed of fans  172  further based on the output signal from the coolant temperature sensor to maintain the desired temperature of the coolant. 
     In some embodiments, each of fans  172  may include a rotational speed feedback circuitry. The rotational speed feedback circuitry may output a signal indicative of the actual rotational speed of the respective fan. Controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may receive the signal and output a signal to control fans  172  based on the signals from rotational speed feedback control circuities of fans  172 . For example, if controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  detects that the rotational speed of one of fans  172  has smaller value than a preset value thereof, controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may control other fans  172  to increase their respective rotational speeds to maintain the desired flow rate the air through heat exchanger or heat sink  160 . In some embodiments, controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may issue a notification if the rotational speed of one of fans  172  decreases below a predefined threshold. 
     In some embodiments, network switch device  100  may include a second pump  154 . Pump  154  may be, for example, direct current pump having controllable rotational speed and rotational speed feedback circuitry. Pump  154  may be positioned within interior  114  of frame or housing  110 . For example, pump  154  may be positioned adjacent (or substantially adjacent) to first end  111  of frame or housing  110 . Pump  154  may be removably inserted into interior  114  of frame or housing  110  through one of fan receptacles or openings  170 , for example through the same fan receptacle or opening  170  being used to insert and remove pump  150  into/from interior  114  of frame or housing  110 . In some embodiments, coupler  144  may include a third dripless blind-mate connector  144   c  and a fourth dripless blind-mate connector  144   d  to removably couple pump  154  to conduit  140 . For example, coupler  144  may couple in parallel pump  150  and pump  154  to conduit  140 . In some embodiments, pump  154  may be positioned within a second pump sub-frame  156 . Pump sub-frame  156  may be removably coupled (e.g., using bolts) to frame or housing  110 . Pump sub-frame  156  may have dimensions that are smaller than dimensions of fan receptacles or openings  170  to removably insert pump sub-frame  156  into interior  114  of frame or housing  110  through one of fan receptacles or openings  170 . Pump sub-frame  156  may ensure proper position of pump  154  with respect to conduit  140  and/or coupler  144 . Although two pumps  150 ,  154  are shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , it is to be understood that in various embodiments, network switch device  100  may include a single pump or more than two pumps. 
     Controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may control rotational speeds of pump  150  and pump  154  to generate and maintain the desired flow rate of the coolant through conduit  140 . Controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may control pump  150  and pump  154  based on, for example, output signals from rotational speed feedback circuities of pump  150  and pump  154  and/or based on the output signal from the flow rate sensor (e.g., as described hereinabove). For example, if controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  detects that the rotational speed of one of pump  150  or pump  154  has smaller value than a preset value thereof, controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may control another pump of pump  150  or pump  154  to increase its respective rotational speed to maintain the desired flow rate of the coolant through conduit  140 . In various embodiments, controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may issue a notification if the rotational speed of one of pump  150  and/or pump  154  decreases below a predefined threshold. The rotational speed which is below the predefined threshold may be indicative of, for example, a malfunction of the respective pump. 
     In operation, if the rotational speed of one of pump  150  or pump  154  reduces below the predefined threshold, the respective pump (e.g., referred herein below as “faulty pump”) may be replaced with new pump without terminating the operation of network switch device  100 . For example, one of fans  172  may be removed from its respective fan receptacle or opening and the faulty pump may be decoupled from coupler  144  and pulled external to frame or housing  110  through the respective fan receptacle or opening. Once one of fans  172  is removed, controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may increase rotational speeds of remaining fans  172  to maintain the desired flow rate of air through heat exchanger or heat sink  160 . Once the faulty pump is decoupled from conduit  140 /coupler  144 , dripless blind-mate connectors to which the faulty pump was coupled may prevent the coolant from leaking external to conduit  140 . Once the faulty pump is decoupled from conduit  140 /coupler  144 , controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may increase the rotational speed of the remaining pump to maintain the desired flow rate of the coolant through conduit  140 . New pump may be inserted into interior  114  of frame or housing  110  through the respective fan receptacle or opening and coupled to conduit  140 /coupler  144  by the respective dripless blind-mate connectors. The fan that has been removed may be inserted back to the respective fan receptacle or opening. Controller  180  and/or the CPU of network switch device  100  may control the pumps and the fans in a normal mode of operation, e.g., as described hereinabove. 
     Advantageously, the disclosed network switch device  100  includes integrated liquid cooling system and does not require any external infrastructure for supporting the liquid cooling thereof. Furthermore, in some embodiments, network switch device  100  may include two pumps  150 ,  154  being coupled in parallel using dripless blind-mate connectors to conduit  140  delivering the coolant to and from heat conducting or cooling body  130  being in thermal contact with heat producing component  120  of network stich device  100 . In the case of malfunction of one of pumps  150 ,  154 , the faulty pump may be replaced with new pump through one of fan receptacles or openings  170  without terminating the operation of network switch device  100  (e.g., as described hereinabove). 
     In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “certain embodiments” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention can be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features can also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention can be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention can also be implemented in a single embodiment. Certain embodiments of the invention can include features from different embodiments disclosed above, and certain embodiments can incorporate elements from other embodiments disclosed above. The disclosure of elements of the invention in the context of a specific embodiment is not to be taken as limiting their use in the specific embodiment alone. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in certain embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above. 
     The invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described. Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.