Patent Description:
Currently, a liquid cooling heat dissipation apparatus mounted in a server drives coolant circulation in a heat pipe mainly by using a pump, absorbs heat from components (such as a processor and a graphics card) in the server, and dissipates heat inside the server to the outside, so as to reduce a temperature of each component in the server and ensure that each component can work normally at a proper temperature.

To be able to control a flowing condition of coolant in the heat pipe of the liquid cooling heat dissipation apparatus, a solenoid valve may be disposed on the heat pipe. When coolant in the heat pipe leaks, the coolant can be stopped from flowing in a timely manner in the heat pipe by controlling the solenoid valve.

However, an existing liquid cooling heat dissipation apparatus can only be used to detect a coolant leakage, but cannot perform a self-check on a heat pipe or a solenoid valve in the liquid cooling heat dissipation apparatus, and cannot ensure whether the heat pipe or the solenoid valve in the liquid cooling heat dissipation apparatus works normally, posing a potential safety hazard.

<CIT> discloses a server system comprising a water tank, a water pipe connected with the water tank and a water pump connected with the water pipe. The water pump can drive liquid to flow between the water tank and the water pipe, and a solenoid valve is connected between the water tank and the water pipe. The server system further comprises a control panel, and a control module is installed on the control panel and monitors the water level and temperature in the water tank in real time and can control the solenoid valve and the water pump to be on or off according to the monitored water level and temperature.

<CIT> discloses a method for detecting a valve body of an air conditioner prototype, comprising: controlling the air conditioner prototype to turn on and run under a preset operating condition when a detection command is received; controlling the valve body of the air conditioner prototype to turn on and run for a second time threshold when the air conditioner prototype runs under the preset operating condition and reaches a first time threshold; obtaining a temperature change amount of said valve body before and after said valve body turns on; and judging that said valve body works properly when the temperature change amount before and after said valve body turns on is greater than a first preset temperature threshold.

<CIT> discloses a sealing ring for carrying out leak-proof sealing to connecting component.

This application provides a detection apparatus as defined in appended claim <NUM> and a server comprising the detection apparatus as defined in claim <NUM>.

In a possible design, the apparatus further includes a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit may supply power to the solenoid valve, and the control chip may control the working state of the solenoid valve by controlling a power supply state of the power supply circuit for the solenoid valve. Optionally, the power supply circuit may also supply power to the control chip.

According to the foregoing detection apparatus, the power supply state for the solenoid valve may be relatively conveniently controlled by using the power supply circuit. If the power supply circuit can supply power to the solenoid valve and the control chip simultaneously, the control chip and the solenoid valve may work simultaneously. If the power supply circuit is faulty, the control chip and the solenoid valve fail simultaneously, so that the control chip can always control the solenoid valve to avoid a case in which a unilateral failure of the two components (the control chip and the solenoid valve) causes the solenoid valve to be finally out of control.

When detecting whether the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve on the coolant heat pipe is abnormal, the control chip controls the solenoid valve to change from an open state to a closed state, obtain a first temperature difference of the component in the device after a temperature of the component is stable, and then compare the first temperature difference with a first threshold. If it is detected that the first temperature difference is lower than the first threshold, it is determined that the solenoid valve is abnormal. If it is detected that the first temperature difference is higher than the first threshold, it is determined that the solenoid valve is normal.

According to the foregoing detection apparatus, the control chip can relatively conveniently determine whether the solenoid valve is abnormal by comparing the first temperature difference with the first threshold. This manner is simpler and more effective.

In a possible design, when detecting whether the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve on the coolant heat pipe is abnormal, obtain a second temperature difference of the component in the device after a temperature of the component is stable, and then compare the second temperature difference with a second threshold. If it is detected that the second temperature difference is lower than the second threshold, it indicates that there are one or more exceptions in the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve. If it is detected that the second temperature difference is higher than the second threshold, it is determined that the coolant heat pipe and the solenoid valve are normal.

According to the foregoing detection apparatus, the control chip can relatively conveniently determine whether the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve is abnormal by comparing the second temperature difference with the second threshold. This manner is simpler and more effective.

In a possible design, when the power supply circuit supplies power to the solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is in an open state, and when the power supply circuit interrupts power to the solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is in a closed state. The solenoid valve is a normally closed solenoid valve. When the power supply circuit is damaged due to a leakage, the solenoid valve is closed in a timely manner to stop a flow of coolant in the coolant heat pipe in a timely manner. This setting of the solenoid valve can effectively prevent a leakage.

In a possible design, when the power supply circuit interrupts power to the solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is in an open state, and when the power supply circuit supplies power to the solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is in a closed state. The solenoid valve is a normally opened solenoid valve, and a control manner of the solenoid valve is simpler. In this way, electric energy can also be saved effectively.

In a possible design, after determining that the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve is abnormal, the control chip may send first alarm information to a system management module in the device, where the first alarm information is used to indicate that the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve is abnormal.

According to the foregoing detection apparatus, the control chip may notify the system management module in a timely manner that the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve is abnormal by using the first alarm information, so that the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve may be subsequently repaired. This avoids a potential safety hazard caused by an exception in the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve.

In a possible design, the control chip may spontaneously detect the coolant heat pipe and the solenoid valve, or may detect the coolant heat pipe and the solenoid valve under an indication of the system management module. For example, the system management module may send a control signal to the control chip, and the control signal indicates the control chip to detect whether the coolant heat pipe and the solenoid valve in the device are abnormal. After receiving the control signal, the control chip detects the coolant heat pipe and the solenoid valve in the device, and obtains a temperature difference of the component in the device.

According to the foregoing detection apparatus, a plurality of manners of triggering the control chip to detect the coolant heat pipe and the solenoid valve can be implemented. The detection apparatus is applicable to a plurality of different application scenarios and has a wider application range.

In a possible design, the apparatus further includes a detection coil, and the detection coil is configured to detect whether the coolant heat pipe in the device leaks; and the detection coil includes a first coil and a second coil that are connected in parallel. The control chip is further configured to detect a voltage difference between the first coil and the second coil, and may determine whether the detection coil is faulty by detecting the voltage difference between the first coil and the second coil.

According to the foregoing detection apparatus, in addition to having a function of detecting the coolant heat pipe and the solenoid valve, the control chip may further detect the detection coil and monitor a state of the detection coil, so as to ensure that the detection coil can work normally.

In a possible design, the control chip detects a voltage difference between the first coil and the second coil when the first coil and the second coil are short-circuited, and sends second alarm information to the system management module if the voltage difference is not zero, where the second alarm information is used to indicate that the detection coil is faulty.

According to the foregoing detection apparatus, the control chip may notify the system management module in a timely manner that the detection coil is abnormal by using the second alarm information, so that the detection coil may be subsequently replaced or repaired, so as to ensure that the detection coil can work normally.

In a possible design, when the control chip determines that the first coil and the second coil are short-circuited, a voltage difference between the first coil and the second coil is zero, indicating that the detection coil is not faulty. The control chip may send indication information to the system management module, where the indication information is used to indicate that the detection coil is normal.

According to the foregoing detection apparatus, the control chip may notify the system management module of a working state of the detection coil in a timely manner by using the indication information, so as to determine, based on the working state of the detection coil, that the detection coil can accurately detect whether the coolant heat pipe leaks.

In a possible design, the control chip may further receive a leakage analog signal by using the detection coil, where the leakage analog signal is used to indicate that the coolant heat pipe leaks. The control chip may convert the leakage analog signal into a leakage digital signal, and send the leakage digital signal to the system management module, or may directly send third alarm information to the system management module, where the third alarm information indicates that the coolant heat pipe leaks.

According to the foregoing detection apparatus, the control chip can detect whether the detection coil is normal, and can further receive the leakage analog signal from the detection coil. When the control chip determines that the detection coil is normal, accuracy of the leakage analog signal may be further determined, so that whether the coolant heat pipe leaks can be accurately determined.

According to a second aspect, this application provides a server, where the server includes a component, a coolant heat pipe, a solenoid valve on the coolant heat pipe, and the detection apparatus according to any one of the first aspect or the possible designs of the first aspect.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of a common solenoid valve. The solenoid valve is disposed on a coolant heat pipe. A direction indicated by an arrow in <FIG> is a flowing direction of coolant in the coolant heat pipe. One side of the solenoid valve is a water inlet and the other side is a water outlet. The solenoid valve includes a spheroidal valve plug. When the solenoid valve is closed, a closed part of the spheroidal valve plug faces the water inlet and the water outlet, blocking a flow of the coolant. When the solenoid valve is open, a water hole on the spheroidal valve plug faces the water inlet and the water outlet, and the coolant flows in the coolant heat pipe through the water hole.

However, if the solenoid valve is abnormal, an exception in the solenoid valve includes but is not limited to the following: the solenoid valve is damaged; and the solenoid valve is blocked by a foreign matter. For example, a foreign matter blocks the water hole of the solenoid valve. Even if the solenoid valve is open, coolant cannot pass through the water hole. Consequently, the coolant cannot flow through the coolant heat pipe, or a flow rate of coolant significantly decreases (for example, the foreign matter blocks only a part of the water hole). As a result, heat of each component in the device cannot be dissipated in a timely manner, posing a potential hazard.

The coolant heat pipe may also be abnormal. For example, a section of the coolant heat pipe is blocked by a foreign matter, or a section of the coolant heat pipe is broken. This cannot make the coolant flow well.

In view of this, an embodiment of this application provides a detection apparatus, configured to: detect a solenoid valve and a coolant heat pipe in a device, and detect whether the coolant heat pipe and the solenoid valve are abnormal. The detection apparatus includes a control chip. The control chip can control a working state of the solenoid valve, for example, control the solenoid valve to be open or closed, and can further obtain a temperature difference of a component in the device when the working state of the solenoid valve is controlled, and determine whether the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve is abnormal based on the temperature difference. In this embodiment of this application, the control chip can directly obtain the temperature difference of the component, and relatively conveniently determine whether the coolant flows by monitoring the temperature difference, so as to determine whether the coolant heat pipe or the solenoid valve is abnormal, thereby eliminating potential hazards in a timely manner.

The following describes the detection apparatus provided in this embodiment of this application with reference to accompanying drawings. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a structure of a detection apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. A detection apparatus <NUM> is disposed in a device, and may detect whether a coolant heat pipe <NUM> or a solenoid valve <NUM> disposed on the coolant heat pipe <NUM> in the device is abnormal. The coolant heat pipe <NUM> may be disposed next to a component <NUM> to dissipate heat for the component <NUM>.

The detection apparatus <NUM> includes a control chip <NUM>. The control chip <NUM> may control a working state of the solenoid valve <NUM>. In this embodiment of this application, the working state of the solenoid valve <NUM> includes being open and being closed.

When controlling a working state of the solenoid valve <NUM>, the control chip <NUM> may further obtain a temperature difference of the component <NUM>, and determine whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal based on the temperature difference. A quantity of components <NUM> is not limited in this embodiment of this application, and may be one or more.

A type of the control chip <NUM> is not limited in this embodiment of this application. Any chip that can control a working state of the solenoid valve <NUM> and determine whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal based on a temperature difference is applicable to this embodiment of this application.

The component <NUM> in the device generally has a function of detecting a temperature of the component <NUM>, and can record a temperature change. The control chip <NUM> may directly obtain a temperature difference of the component <NUM> from the component <NUM>. By using a temperature recording function of the component <NUM>, the temperature difference may be obtained without adding another apparatus, thereby effectively reducing costs.

If the component <NUM> cannot record a temperature change, a temperature sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the component <NUM>. The temperature sensor <NUM> may detect a temperature of the component <NUM>, and the control chip <NUM> may obtain a temperature difference by using the temperature sensor <NUM> disposed on the component <NUM>. A manner in which the temperature difference of the component <NUM> is obtained by disposing the temperature sensor <NUM> is applicable to various different devices and can effectively expand an application range.

The detection apparatus provided in this embodiment of this application may be applied to any device that includes a solenoid valve and a coolant heat pipe. For example, the detection apparatus may be applied to a server to detect the solenoid valve and the coolant heat pipe in the server.

A manner in which the control chip <NUM> controls a working state of the solenoid valve <NUM> is not limited in this embodiment of this application. For example, the control chip <NUM> may be connected to a system management module <NUM> in the device, and the system management module <NUM> may control a power supply state of a supply power for the solenoid valve <NUM>. The control chip <NUM> may send a signal to the system management module <NUM>, and the signal can drive the system management module <NUM> to control the power supply to supply or interrupt power to the solenoid valve <NUM>.

The system management module <NUM> may be a baseboard management controller (baseboard management controller, BMC), a super input/output (super input output, SIO), or an embedded controller (embedded controller, EC). Herein, the system management module <NUM> may receive a signal from the control chip <NUM>, and control the solenoid valve <NUM> to be open or closed based on an indication of the signal. The system management module <NUM> may control the power supply to supply or interrupt power to the solenoid valve <NUM> based on the indication of the signal.

For another example, as shown in <FIG>, the detection device <NUM> may include a power supply circuit <NUM> configured to supply power to the solenoid valve <NUM>. The control chip <NUM> may be connected to the power supply circuit <NUM>, and the control chip <NUM> may control a power supply state of the power supply circuit <NUM> for the solenoid valve <NUM>, so as to control a working state of the solenoid valve <NUM>.

A specific composition of the power supply circuit <NUM> is not limited in this embodiment of this application. As shown in <FIG>, the power supply circuit <NUM> may include a power supply module <NUM> and a switch module <NUM>. The power supply module <NUM> can provide power, and may be a power supply, or may be a power supply interface. A specific form of the power supply module <NUM> is not limited in this embodiment of this application. Any module that can provide power may be used as a power supply module <NUM>. The switch module <NUM> is separately connected to the power supply module <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM>, and is located on a power supply line between the power supply module <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM>. The control chip <NUM> may be connected to the switch module <NUM>.

The control chip <NUM> may control disconnection or closing of the power supply line between the power supply module <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM>, so that the power supply module <NUM> supplies or interrupts power to the solenoid valve <NUM>. A specific form of the switch module <NUM> is not limited in this embodiment of this application. The switch module <NUM> may be a common switch, or may be a transistor such as a triode or a metal oxide semiconductor (metal oxide semiconductor, MOS) transistor. The switch module <NUM> may be further a module including a plurality of transistors. Any device that can be controlled by the control chip <NUM> to disconnect or close a power supply line of the solenoid valve <NUM> is applicable to this embodiment of this application.

Based on closed states of the solenoid valve <NUM> when it is supplied with power, the solenoid valve <NUM> on the coolant heat pipe <NUM> may be categorized into two types: a normally opened solenoid valve and a normally closed solenoid valve.

For the normally opened solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is always in an open state when not being supplied with power, and is in a closed state when being supplied with power. When coolant flowing in the coolant heat pipe <NUM> needs to be blocked, the normally opened solenoid valve only needs to be supplied with power, so that the normally opened solenoid valve may be closed.

For the normally closed solenoid valve, the solenoid valve is always in a closed state when not being supplied with power, and is in an open state when being supplied with power. When coolant is circulated in the coolant heat pipe <NUM>, the solenoid valve of this type needs to be consistently supplied with power to ensure that the solenoid valve of this type is always open. When the coolant flowing in the coolant heat pipe needs to be blocked, the normally closed solenoid valve needs to be stopped from being supplied with power, so that the normally closed solenoid valve is closed.

It should be noted that, because the normally closed solenoid valve needs to be in an open state for a long time, the normally closed solenoid valve needs to be consistently supplied with power. This may cause a situation in which the normally closed solenoid valve is overheated in a case of a long-term power supply. In this embodiment of this application, coolant in the coolant heat pipe may be used to dissipate heat for the normally closed solenoid valve, so as to ensure that the normally closed solenoid valve can work normally.

Optionally, the power supply circuit <NUM> may further supply power to the control chip <NUM>. In other words, the solenoid valve <NUM> and the control chip <NUM> are supplied with power by using the same power supply circuit <NUM>. When the power supply circuit <NUM> is faulty, not only the control chip <NUM> fails, but also the solenoid valve <NUM> cannot work normally. When the power supply circuit <NUM> is not faulty, both the control chip <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM> can work normally. There is no case in which one of the control chip <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM> fails and the other can work normally, so that the control chip <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM> can work simultaneously or fail simultaneously. Therefore, the control chip <NUM> under a normal working condition can always control a working state of the solenoid valve <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the power supply circuit <NUM> may include the power supply module <NUM> and the switch module <NUM>. The switch module <NUM> is separately connected to the power supply module <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM>, and is located on the power supply line between the power supply module <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM>. The control chip <NUM> may be connected to the switch module <NUM> and the power supply module <NUM>. When the control chip <NUM> is connected to the power supply module <NUM>, the control chip <NUM> may obtain power from the power supply module <NUM>. When the control chip <NUM> is connected to the switch module <NUM>, the control chip <NUM> may control the switch module <NUM>, so as to further control the power supply line between the power supply module <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM> to be disconnected or closed.

If working voltages of the control chip <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM> are different, for example, if a working voltage of the control chip <NUM> is relatively low, a voltage converter <NUM> may be further disposed between the power supply module <NUM> and the control chip <NUM>, and a voltage provided by the power supply module <NUM> is reduced to the working voltage of the control chip <NUM>, so that the control chip <NUM> works normally.

The following describes a manner in which the control chip <NUM> determines whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal based on a temperature difference. There are a plurality of manners in which the control chip <NUM> determines whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal based on the temperature difference. Two manners are listed below:.

Manner <NUM>: After the control chip <NUM> controls the solenoid valve <NUM> to change from an open state to a closed state and a temperature of the component <NUM> is stable, the control chip <NUM> may obtain a first temperature difference of the component <NUM> and determine whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM> are abnormal based on the first temperature difference. The first temperature difference is a temperature change value of the component <NUM> when the solenoid valve <NUM> changes from the open state to the closed state.

When the solenoid valve <NUM> is closed, the coolant in the coolant heat pipe <NUM> cannot flow, and heat of the component <NUM> cannot be dissipated, causing the temperature of the component <NUM> to increase. The control chip <NUM> may compare the first temperature difference with a first threshold, and determine whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM> are abnormal based on a result of the comparison between the first temperature difference and the first threshold. A setting manner and a specific value of the first threshold are not limited in this embodiment of this application. The first threshold may be an empirical value, and the first threshold is related to a temperature change of the component <NUM> when heat of the component <NUM> is not dissipated.

It should be noted that a temperature change usually occurs in a period of time, and the control chip may control the solenoid valve <NUM> to be closed in a first period of time, obtain a temperature difference of the component <NUM> in the first period of time, and use the temperature difference as a first temperature difference.

If the first temperature difference is lower than the first threshold, it indicates that the first temperature difference is relatively small, and the temperature of the component <NUM> does not change greatly. This indicates that the coolant heat pipe <NUM> has coolant flowing inside, and the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal. For example, the solenoid valve <NUM> is closed incompletely, or the valve plug of the solenoid valve <NUM> is damaged.

If the first temperature difference is higher than the first threshold, it indicates that the first temperature difference is relatively large, and the temperature of the component <NUM> has changed greatly. This indicates that the coolant heat pipe <NUM> has no coolant flowing inside, and the solenoid valve <NUM> is normal.

A quantity of times of performing manner <NUM> is not limited herein. To be specific, the control chip <NUM> may close the solenoid valve <NUM> for a plurality of times, obtain a plurality of first temperature differences, calculate a first average temperature difference based on the first temperature differences obtained for a plurality of times, compare the first average temperature difference with a first threshold, and determine whether the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal based on a result of the comparison between the first average temperature difference and the first threshold.

Manner <NUM>: After the control chip <NUM> controls the solenoid valve <NUM> to change from a closed state to an open state and a temperature of the component <NUM> is stable, the control chip <NUM> may obtain a second temperature difference of the component <NUM> and determine whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM> are abnormal based on the second temperature difference. The second temperature difference is a temperature change value of the component <NUM> when the solenoid valve <NUM> changes from the closed state to the open state.

It can be learned from the foregoing content that when the solenoid valve <NUM> is closed, the coolant in the coolant heat pipe <NUM> cannot flow, causing the temperature of the component <NUM> to increase. Then, if the solenoid valve <NUM> is open, the coolant in the coolant heat pipe <NUM> should flow, and heat of the component <NUM> can be dissipated by using the flowing coolant, causing the temperature of the component <NUM> to decrease. The control chip <NUM> may compare the second temperature difference with a second threshold, and determine whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM> are abnormal based on a result of the comparison between the second temperature difference and the second threshold. A setting manner and a specific value of the second threshold are not limited in this embodiment of this application. The second threshold may be an empirical value, and the second threshold is related to a temperature change of the component <NUM> when heat of the component <NUM> is normally dissipated.

It should be noted that a temperature change usually occurs in a period of time, and the control chip may control the solenoid valve <NUM> to be open in a second period of time, obtain a temperature difference of the component <NUM> in the second period of time, and use the temperature difference as a second temperature difference. A quantity of times of performing manner <NUM> is not limited herein. To be specific, the control chip <NUM> may close the solenoid valve <NUM> and then open the solenoid valve <NUM> for a plurality of times, obtain a plurality of second temperature differences, calculate a second average temperature difference based on the second temperature differences obtained for a plurality of times, compare the second average temperature difference with a second threshold, and determine whether the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal based on a result of the comparison between the second average temperature difference and the second threshold.

If the second temperature difference is lower than the second threshold, it indicates that the second temperature difference is relatively small, and the temperature of the component <NUM> does not change greatly. There are a plurality of cases in which the second temperature difference is relatively small. Two possible cases are listed below:.

There are a plurality of cases in which the solenoid valve <NUM> or/and the coolant heat pipe <NUM> are abnormal. For example, the solenoid valve <NUM> is blocked by a foreign matter, the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is blocked by a foreign matter, and the coolant heat pipe <NUM> leaks. All cases in which an exception in the solenoid valve <NUM> or/and the coolant heat pipe <NUM> can reduce the flowing coolant are applicable to this embodiment of this application.

In any of the foregoing cases, the second temperature difference is lower than the second threshold, indicating that the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal.

If the second temperature difference is higher than the second threshold, it indicates that the second temperature difference is relatively large, and the temperature of the component <NUM> has changed greatly. This indicates that the coolant heat pipe <NUM> has coolant flowing inside, and a flow rate of the coolant is within a normal range.

This embodiment of this application is not limited to the foregoing two manners. The foregoing two manners may be alternatively used in combination. For example, the control chip <NUM> may first control the solenoid valve <NUM> to be closed to obtain a first temperature difference, and then control the solenoid valve <NUM> to be open to obtain a second temperature difference. The control chip <NUM> compares the first temperature difference with a first threshold, and compares the second temperature difference with a second threshold. If the second temperature difference is lower than the second threshold, it indicates that the solenoid valve <NUM> and/or the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is abnormal. In this case, if the first temperature difference is lower than the first threshold, it indicates that the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal, and if the first temperature difference is higher than the first threshold, it indicates that the solenoid valve <NUM> is normal. A reason for the case in which the second temperature difference is lower than the second threshold is that the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is abnormal. If the second temperature difference is higher than the second threshold, it may indicate that both the solenoid valve <NUM> and the coolant heat pipe <NUM> are normal.

After determining that the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal, the control chip <NUM> sends first alarm information to the system management module <NUM>, where the first alarm information indicates that the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal.

For example, after determining that the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal, the control chip <NUM> may send first alarm information indicating that the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal to the system management module <NUM>. After determining that the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is abnormal, the control chip <NUM> may send first alarm information indicating that the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is abnormal to the system management module <NUM>. If the control chip <NUM> cannot accurately determine which of the solenoid valve <NUM> and the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is abnormal, the control chip <NUM> may send first alarm information indicating that the solenoid valve <NUM> or the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is abnormal to the system management module <NUM>.

The control chip <NUM> may spontaneously detect, in the foregoing manners, whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> is abnormal. For example, the control chip <NUM> may periodically and actively detect whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> in the device is abnormal.

Alternatively, the control chip <NUM> may be triggered by a control signal to detect whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> in the device is abnormal. For example, after receiving a control signal sent by the system management module <NUM>, the control chip <NUM> may detect whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> or the solenoid valve <NUM> in the device is abnormal, and the control signal indicates the control chip <NUM> to detect whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> and the solenoid valve <NUM> in the device are abnormal.

In a possible implementation, the detection apparatus <NUM> may further include a detection coil <NUM>, and the detection coil can detect whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> in the device leaks. The control chip <NUM> may detect whether the detection coil <NUM> is faulty. For example, the detection coil <NUM> includes a first coil <NUM> and a second coil <NUM> that are connected in parallel, and the control chip <NUM> may determine whether the detection coil <NUM> is faulty by detecting a voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of the detection coil <NUM> disposed inside the device. The detection coil <NUM> includes two parallel coils, where the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are identified, and the two parallel coils are wound together. The detection coil <NUM> is disposed near the coolant heat pipe <NUM>. When the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> leak, the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are short-circuited, and further, a voltage difference or a current between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> is changed. A voltage difference or a current at one end of the first coil <NUM> and one end of the second coil <NUM> may be used to detect whether the coolant heat pipe <NUM> leaks.

The control chip <NUM> may detect a working state of the detection coil <NUM> by detecting a voltage difference between the other end of the first coil <NUM> and the other end of the second coil <NUM> in the coil.

When the detection coil <NUM> works normally, working voltages of the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are generally constant. Correspondingly, a voltage difference between the other end of the first coil <NUM> and the other end of the second coil <NUM> is generally a fixed value. If the detection coil <NUM> is faulty, for example, if the first coil <NUM> or the second coil <NUM> is broken, a voltage of the first coil <NUM> or the second coil <NUM> is changed. The voltage difference between the other end of the first coil <NUM> and the other end of the second coil <NUM> is no longer a fixed value, but is changed to another value.

The control chip <NUM> may separately detect a voltage at the other end of the first coil <NUM> and a voltage at the other end of the second coil <NUM>, so as to determine a voltage difference between the other end of the first coil <NUM> and the other end of the second coil <NUM>, and determine whether the detection coil <NUM> is faulty based on the voltage difference.

The control chip <NUM> may alternatively detect a voltage difference between the other end of the first coil <NUM> and the other end of the second coil <NUM> when the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are short-circuited. That the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are short-circuited means that the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are interconnected. In a case of the short circuit, the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are connected in series, and a voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> should be zero. If the voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> is not zero in a case of the short circuit, it indicates that the first coil <NUM> or the second coil <NUM> may be broken, and the detection coil <NUM> is faulty. After determining that the detection coil <NUM> is faulty, the control chip <NUM> may send second alarm information to the system management module <NUM>, so as to notify the system management module <NUM> that the detection coil <NUM> is faulty.

If the voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> is zero, it indicates that the first coil <NUM> or the second coil <NUM> is not broken, and the detection coil <NUM> is normal. After determining that the detection coil <NUM> is normal, the control chip <NUM> may send indication information to the system management module <NUM>, so as to notify the system management module <NUM> that the detection coil <NUM> is normal.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, at the other end of the detection coil <NUM>, the first coil <NUM> is connected to the second coil <NUM>, and a connection point is P. The control chip <NUM> is connected to the point P, and a voltage at the point P is a voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> when the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are short-circuited.

Connecting the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> at the other end of the detection coil <NUM> is equivalent to making the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> short-circuited at the other end of the detection coil <NUM>. If the detection coil <NUM> can work normally, a voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> should be zero when the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are short-circuited. If the control chip <NUM> detects that a voltage at the point P is zero, it may be determined that the detection coil <NUM> can work normally. If the detection coil <NUM> cannot work normally, for example, if any one of the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> is faulty, for example, if a coil is broken, a voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> is not equal to zero when the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are short-circuited. If the control chip <NUM> detects that a voltage at the point P is not zero, it may be determined that the detection coil <NUM> cannot work normally.

In a possible implementation, the control chip <NUM> may detect a voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> at both ends of the detection coil <NUM> in a manner of connecting the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM>. A voltage difference (for example, a voltage at a point B is checked) between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> at one end of the detection coil <NUM> may be used as a leakage analog signal, and the leakage analog signal may indicate a leakage of the coolant heat pipe <NUM>. A voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> at the other end of the detection coil <NUM> may be used as a self-test signal for detecting whether the signal works normally.

When the control chip <NUM> determines that the detection coil <NUM> is normal and a second temperature difference is lower than a second threshold, if the control chip <NUM> does not receive the leakage detection signal, it indicates that the coolant heat pipe does not leak currently. A reason for the case in which the second temperature difference is lower than the second threshold may be that the solenoid valve <NUM> or the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is blocked by a foreign matter. In this case, first alarm information may indicate that the solenoid valve <NUM> or the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is blocked by a foreign matter.

With reference to the foregoing embodiment, a detection apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application is described below. Refer to <FIG>. The detection apparatus <NUM> includes a control chip <NUM> and a power supply circuit <NUM>. Optionally, the detection apparatus <NUM> may further include a detection coil <NUM>. The power supply circuit <NUM> is connected to a solenoid valve <NUM> and the control chip <NUM>, and can supply power to the solenoid valve <NUM> and the control chip <NUM>. The control chip <NUM> is connected to a system management module <NUM>, and a signal (such as a first alarm signal and a control signal) may be transmitted between the control chip <NUM> and the system management module <NUM>.

The power supply circuit <NUM> includes a switch module <NUM>, a power supply module <NUM>, and a voltage converter <NUM>. The power supply module <NUM> is connected to the solenoid valve <NUM> by using the switch module <NUM>, the switch module <NUM> is connected to the control chip <NUM>, and the power supply module <NUM> is connected to the control chip <NUM> by using the voltage converter <NUM>, to supply power to the control chip <NUM>.

A pin of the control chip <NUM> is connected to any coil in the detection coil <NUM>, the control chip <NUM> may obtain a leakage analog signal. Another pin of the control chip <NUM> is connected to both the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM>, the control chip <NUM> may detect a voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> in the detection coil <NUM>.

Another pin of the control chip <NUM> is connected to components <NUM>, the control chip <NUM> may obtain temperatures of the components <NUM>.

In the detection apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the control chip <NUM> controls a working state of the solenoid valve <NUM> by controlling a power supply state of the power supply circuit <NUM> for the solenoid valve <NUM>. When controlling the working state of the solenoid valve <NUM>, the control chip <NUM> may obtain temperature differences of the components <NUM>, and determine whether the solenoid valve <NUM> and the coolant heat pipe <NUM> are abnormal based on the temperature differences. If the solenoid valve <NUM> or the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is abnormal, the control chip <NUM> may send first alarm information to the system management module <NUM>, to notify the system management module <NUM> that the solenoid valve <NUM> or the coolant heat pipe <NUM> is abnormal. The control chip <NUM> may further detect a voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> in the detection coil <NUM>. When detecting that the voltage difference between the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> is not zero, the control chip <NUM> may send second alarm information to the system management module <NUM>, to notify the system management module <NUM> that the detection coil <NUM> is faulty.

Claim 1:
A detection apparatus (<NUM>), wherein the apparatus is configured to detect whether a coolant heat pipe (<NUM>) or a solenoid valve (<NUM>) on the coolant heat pipe (<NUM>) in a device is abnormal, and the apparatus comprises a control chip (<NUM>); and
the control chip (<NUM>) is configured to: control a working state of the solenoid valve (<NUM>); obtain a temperature difference of a component (<NUM>) in the device when the working state of the solenoid valve (<NUM>) is controlled; and determine whether the coolant heat pipe (<NUM>) or the solenoid valve (<NUM>) is abnormal based on the temperature difference,
wherein
the control chip (<NUM>) is specifically configured to: control the solenoid valve (<NUM>) to change from an open state to a closed state, characterized in that the control chip (<NUM>) is further configured to:
obtain a first temperature difference of the component (<NUM>) in the device after a temperature of the component (<NUM>) in the device is stable, wherein said first temperature difference is a temperature difference in a first period of time; and determine that the solenoid valve (<NUM>) is abnormal if the first temperature difference is detected to be lower than a first threshold,
wherein the coolant heat pipe (<NUM>) is configured to dissipate heat for the component (<NUM>) in the device.