Patent Description:
A modem data center represents a large financial investment, both in computing device hardware, and also in the hardware providing the relevant infrastructure systems for such computing devices. For example, data centers often comprise climate control hardware, redundant power systems, physical security, and other like infrastructure systems, in addition to the computing device hardware itself, which can comprise thousands of computing devices, storage devices, networking devices, and other like computing device hardware. Often, computing device hardware is housed in physical structures known as "racks".

Computing devices produce heat as a byproduct of performing computer processing. In datacenters, where many thousands of such computing devices can be co-located within a single space, the amount of heat generated can be very large, and can limit the quantity of processing performed. More specifically, the processors of the computing devices of a data center may not be able to operate at their highest computational throughput levels without exceeding the ability of the data center infrastructure hardware to properly remove the heat that would be generated in such instances. Since computing devices represent a sunk cost, then, to the extent that they can be utilized to perform greater processing, which can, in turn, be sold to consumers, the data center can become more profitable.

One mechanism for addressing the thermal challenges of operating high-performance computing devices, including in data center contexts, can be to immerse some or all of the computing devices into an immersion cooling liquid which can transfer heat more efficiently away from processors and other like heat-generating components of computing devices. Immersion cooling techniques can include two-phase immersion cooling, where the immersion cooling liquid transitions to a gaseous state at temperatures commonly reached by relevant computing components, such as central processing units, graphics processors and the like. The phase change between a liquid and gas, by the immersion cooling liquid, can absorb more heat, and can, thereby, more effectively transfer heat away from the heat-generating components of computing devices. In some instances, a two-phase immersion cooling system can transfer an order of magnitude or more heat away from heat-generating components of computing devices than traditional air-cooling mechanisms.

Unfortunately, immersion cooling mechanisms can be costly to implement. One source of increased cost can be the tank that can house the immersion cooling liquid and the computing devices cooled thereby. Such tanks can comprise pumps, filters and other like immersion cooling infrastructure, some of which can have limited reliability or a limited service life and can, therefore, require repair or replacement that can negatively impact the availability of the entire tank, rending the computing devices cooled thereby inoperable for extended periods of time. Because the repair or replacement of such immersion cooling infrastructure can take substantial time, tanks are typically provided with redundant immersion cooling infrastructure to avoid the aforementioned downtime but at an increased purchase and manufacturing cost.

<CIT> provides methods and system for oil immersion cooling. Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for immersion cooling of a computing system for cost effective rapid deployments in modular seismic processing sites.

<CIT> provides a dry power supply assembly for immersion-cooled information handling systems.

A removable immersion cooling infrastructure module houses immersion cooling infrastructure, thereby separating the infrastructure that may need to be repaired or replaced from the immersion cooling tank itself, facilitating the repair or replacement of such infrastructure and avoiding downtime of the cooling infrastructure as a whole, and, thereby, avoiding associated downtime of the computing devices cooled thereby. The immersion cooling infrastructure module has a form factor equivalent to that of one or more of the computing devices being cooled by immersion cooling, thereby enabling the immersion cooling infrastructure module to be installed and removed in the same simplified and efficient manner with which the computing devices are installed and removed. Moreover, the quantity of immersion cooling infrastructure modules can be varied depending on need, since immersion cooling infrastructure modules and computing devices are interchangeable within the openings designed to house the computing devices. An immersion cooling infrastructure module can comprise a filter to filter out particulates, contaminants and other like undesirable materials from the immersion cooling liquid. An immersion cooling infrastructure module further comprises a pump that can circulate the immersion cooling liquid through the filter. A power supply and controller can likewise be part of the immersion cooling infrastructure module, with the module receiving power, and, optionally, communications and other like connectivity, from the same source as the computing devices. The immersion cooling infrastructure module can be physically sized to allow for the installation of computing devices, or other devices, alongside it within a single opening, or can comprise computing devices or computing device hardware within space available on the immersion cooling infrastructure module.

Additional features and advantages will be made apparent from the following detailed description that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The following detailed description may be best understood when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:.

The following description relates to an immersion cooling infrastructure module
that provides immersion cooling infrastructure within a computing device form factor, allowing the immersion cooling infrastructure to be removable and, thereby, separating the infrastructure that may need to be repaired or replaced from the immersion cooling tank itself. The immersion cooling infrastructure module has a form factor equivalent to that of one or more of the computing devices being cooled by immersion cooling, thereby enabling the immersion cooling infrastructure module to be installed and removed in the same simplified and efficient manner with which the computing devices are installed and removed. Moreover, the quantity of immersion cooling infrastructure modules can be varied depending on need, since the immersion cooling infrastructure modules and computing devices are interchangeable within the openings designed to house the computing devices. An immersion cooling infrastructure module comprises a filter to filter out particulates, contaminants and other like undesirable materials from the immersion cooling liquid. An immersion cooling infrastructure module further comprises a pump that can circulate the immersion cooling liquid through the filter. A power supply and controller can likewise be part of the immersion cooling infrastructure module, with the module receiving power, and, optionally, communications and other like connectivity, from the same source as the computing devices. The immersion cooling infrastructure module can be physically sized to allow for the installation of computing devices, or other devices, alongside it within a single opening, or comprises computing devices or computing device hardware within space available on the immersion cooling infrastructure module.

As utilized within this application, the term "infrastructure module" means a physical structure having devices that provide resources utilized by computing devices, which are physically distinct and separate from the infrastructure module, and/or improve the operating environment of computing devices, which, again, are physically distinct and separate from the infrastructure module. The resources and/or environmental improvements provided by an "infrastructure module", as explicitly defined above, are provided to, and primarily utilized by, computing devices that are physically distinct and separate from the infrastructure module. Thus, as explicitly defined above, the term "infrastructure module" does not include computing devices whose hardware only affects the resources and environment of the host computing device housing or otherwise containing such hardware, and whose effect beyond such host computing device is only ancillary.

With reference to <FIG>, an exemplary system <NUM> is illustrated, providing context for the descriptions below. The exemplary system <NUM> includes a tank, such as the exemplary tank <NUM>, which houses an immersion cooling liquid, such as the exemplary immersion cooling liquid <NUM>. The exemplary system <NUM> further includes one or more computing devices, such as the exemplary computing devices <NUM> and <NUM>, which can be at least partially, if not fully, immersed in the immersion cooling liquid <NUM> inside the tank <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, heat from computing devices, such as the exemplary computing device <NUM>, can be absorbed by the immersion cooling liquid <NUM>, thereby removing the heat generated by various components of the exemplary computing device <NUM>, such as the central processing units, graphics processing units, and other like heat-generating computing hardware. If the exemplary immersion cooling liquid <NUM> is a two-phase immersion cooling liquid, then the absorption of the heat, from the heat-generating computing hardware of the computing device <NUM>, can cause the exemplary immersion cooling liquid <NUM> to perform a phase change from a liquid to a gas, as illustrated by the bubbles shown in <FIG>. Such a phase change can absorb a greater quantity of heat, and can enable a two-phase immersion cooling liquid to more effectively conduct heat away from computing devices than a single phase immersion cooling liquid that does not change phase. According to one aspect, one or more radiators, such as the exemplary radiator <NUM>, or other like cooling apparatus, can be installed near the top of the tank <NUM>. As the immersion cooling liquid is evaporated by the heat of the computing devices, it can cool on the radiator, such as the exemplary radiator <NUM>, and perform a phase change back into a liquid and precipitate back into the tank <NUM>, as illustrated by the droplets shown in <FIG>. The heat absorbed by the radiator, such as the exemplary radiator <NUM>, can then be further removed by traditional cooling mechanisms, such as venting, airflow, air-conditioning, and other like cooling mechanisms.

The utilization of an immersion cooling setup, such as that illustrated in <FIG>, can utilize immersion cooling infrastructure to maintain optimal performance of the immersion cooling setup. Such immersion cooling infrastructure includes filters that can filter the immersion cooling liquid <NUM> to remove particulates, contaminants, and other like undesirable elements from the immersion cooling liquid <NUM>, thereby preventing such undesirable elements from negatively impacting the performance of the computing devices, such as the exemplary computing devices <NUM> and <NUM>, the heat transfer capabilities of the immersion cooling liquid, such as the exemplary immersion cooling liquid <NUM>, or combinations thereof. Immersion cooling infrastructure further includes pumps or other like liquid-moving mechanisms that can force liquid, such as the exemplary immersion cooling liquid <NUM>, through the aforementioned filters. Additional immersion cooling infrastructure can include the provision of power and control mechanisms, including sensing and monitoring equipment, to such pumps and filters.

Filters may need to be replaced on a periodic and/or as needed basis. Additionally, pumps may require servicing, again on a periodic and/or as needed basis. According to one aspect, to facilitate the removal and replacement of immersion cooling infrastructure, such immersion cooling infrastructure is packaged into an immersion cooling infrastructure module that has a form factor equivalent to that of the computing devices and can be installed in a same manner as those computing devices. For example, the exemplary system <NUM> shown in <FIG> illustrates an immersion cooling infrastructure module, in the form of the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, installed within the same kind of openings as the exemplary computing devices <NUM> and <NUM>.

More specifically, computing devices, such as computing devices in a data center, are often installed within a rack, or other like frame or support system that can accommodate, support and house multiple computing devices, such as the exemplary computing device <NUM> and <NUM>. Air-cooled server racks can conform to various standards such as the EIA-<NUM> standard, the IEC <NUM> standard, and other like standards. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, such standards typically define rack frames that are <NUM> or <NUM> inches wide and have mounting holes to accommodate equipment that is a multiple of approximately <NUM> inches high. Computing equipment designed to be mounted in such racks is often referenced based on the height of such equipment as being a multiple of the "rack unit", often abbreviated by the letter "U". Thus, for example, computing equipment can be referenced as being "1U", "2U", and so forth. Additionally, rack themselves are often referenced based on the total height of the computing equipment that can be installed in such a rack, such as a "42U" or "48U" rack. In an immersion cooling setup, different standards may be established, but the principles remain the same in that predefined measurements can define the relevant size and shape of both the openings into which computing devices are inserted, the computing devices themselves, and any associated attachment or connection mechanisms, such as screws, clips, connectors, plugs, and other like connection mechanisms. Within the exemplary system <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the exemplary tank <NUM> illustrates multiple openings, such as the exemplary openings <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> into which computing devices can be installed. For example, the exemplary opening <NUM> is illustrated as comprising brackets, guides, or other like structures in the form of the structures <NUM> and <NUM> that can define the opening <NUM> and enable it to receive an appropriately sized computing device. The exemplary opening <NUM> can further comprise a connection <NUM> that can facilitate the provision of power to the computing devices. Exemplary connection <NUM> can further include networking connections, peripheral connections, and other like connections. As illustrated in <FIG>, a computing device, such as the exemplary computing device <NUM> can be inserted into an opening, such as the exemplary opening <NUM>, and can, thereby, be installed within the tank <NUM> and rendered operational, such as through the provision of power, networking, and other like capabilities via the connection facilitated by the opening <NUM>. The openings, such as the exemplary openings <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, can be built into the tank <NUM>, or can be part of a removable superstructure, which can be separate, or at least separable, from the tank <NUM>.

According to one aspect, an immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, can have a similar size and shape to that of the computing devices, such as the exemplary computing devices <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. In such a manner, an immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, can be installed and removed as easily as one or more of the computing devices. Moreover, mechanisms utilized to install or remove the computing devices, including automated mechanisms such as robot arms and the like, can be utilized to install or remove immersion cooling infrastructure modules without modification.

The ease with which an immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, can be removed, and subsequently reinstalled, can facilitate the repair or replacement of any immersion cooling infrastructure found therein. More specifically, the immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, can be removed from an operating environment, such as from inside the immersion cooling liquid <NUM> in the tank <NUM>, and can be moved to a more convenient location, such as a workbench, or even an off-site location, where repair or replacement of the immersion cooling infrastructure components found therein can be accomplished more quickly and more efficiently. Once such a repair or replacement is completed, the immersion cooling infrastructure module can be returned to service, either in the same tank from which it was removed, or in a different tank, such as the next subsequent tank to need a new immersion cooling infrastructure module.

Another advantage can be that the openings, such as the exemplary openings <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be standardized, and the tank <NUM> need not comprise any special or dedicated fitments, openings, or other like provisions for immersion cooling infrastructure, such as pumps, filters, power supplies, controllers, and other like immersion cooling infrastructure. Consequently, a tank, such as the exemplary tank <NUM>, can be a commodity component whose price can be driven downward through competition, but which can remain compatible with different types of immersion cooling infrastructure, so long as such immersion cooling infrastructure is packaged within an immersion cooling infrastructure module such as that detailed herein. Analogously, competition among immersion cooling infrastructure manufacturers, such as pump manufacturers, filter manufacturers, and the like, can increase the quality, or decrease the price, of those components, and those components can be retrofit onto existing tanks, such as the exemplary tank <NUM>, without change or modification required to the tank. In such a manner, existing hardware, including computing hardware, and the overall cooling infrastructure, can receive the benefit of updates to one or more specific immersion cooling infrastructure components.

Yet another advantage can be that necessary redundancy of immersion cooling infrastructure can be achieved with fewer components because a single spare immersion cooling infrastructure module can provide redundant immersion cooling infrastructure to multiple tanks, such as the exemplary tank <NUM>. For example, with immersion cooling infrastructure that is more difficult, or impossible, to remove from a tank, redundancy can be achieved only with multiple immersion cooling infrastructure components, such as multiple filters, or multiple pumps, being installed within each tank. Thus, as a simple example, a data center with one hundred tanks may have to purchase as many as two hundred pumps, filters, or other like immersion cooling infrastructure components, since each tank can comprise a primary immersion cooling infrastructure component, and the secondary one to provide redundancy. By contrast, an immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, which can be easily removed and inserted utilizing the openings designed for computing devices, can enable a data center to keep only a couple of "hot spares" of such immersion cooling infrastructure modules. Thus, returning to the simple example above, a data center with one hundred tanks may need as few as one hundred and one immersion cooling infrastructure modules, with one hundred being installed in the one hundred tanks, and the one remaining as a spare to be inserted into any tank whose immersion cooling infrastructure module has failed, is operating improperly, requires service, or the like. So long as only one such immersion cooling infrastructure module fails or requires service at any one time, redundancy can be maintained with only one additional spare.

Yet another advantage can be that the immersion cooling infrastructure module can be inserted in any one of multiple different locations, or openings, such as the exemplary openings <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, allowing immersion cooling infrastructure modules to be moved around within an environment, such as within the exemplary tank <NUM>, based upon theoretical or empirical data, or the current filtering, or other like infrastructure, needs. Similarly, multiple immersion cooling infrastructure modules can be temporarily installed within a tank, such as during periods when additional filtering may be required, such as when new computing hardware is introduced to the tank. Subsequently, once a need for additional filtering, or other like increased infrastructure need, has ended, one or more of the immersion cooling infrastructure modules that were temporarily installed, can be removed.

As can be seen, numerous advantages flow from the packaging of immersion cooling infrastructure into a module that comprises a size, shape, and attachment and connection capability as a computing device. The exemplary system <NUM> shown in <FIG> is meant to be strictly illustrative, as different types of systems may have different openings, with different sizes, different orientations, and such openings may or may not comprise brackets, guides, prongs, plugs, or other like structures analogous to those shown in <FIG>. For example, the exemplary system <NUM> of <FIG> illustrates an embodiment in which the openings, such as the exemplary opening <NUM>, are horizontal, instead of the vertical orientation shown in the exemplary system <NUM> of <FIG>. Additionally, in the exemplary system <NUM> of <FIG>, the openings can be part of a rack, or other like structure, that can be separate, or separable, from the tank itself In the exemplary system <NUM> of <FIG>, computing devices, such as the exemplary computing devices <NUM> and <NUM>, described above, and immersion cooling infrastructure modules, such as the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, which will be detailed further below, can be inserted and removed horizontally, instead of the vertical insertion and removal illustrated in the exemplary system <NUM> of <FIG>. More specifically, the computing devices and immersion cooling infrastructure module can be horizontally inserted into a structure, such as the exemplary rack <NUM>, such as illustrated in the exemplary system <NUM> of <FIG>. The structure, such as the exemplary rack <NUM>, can then be immersed in a tank, such as the exemplary tank <NUM>, comprising the exemplary immersion cooling liquid <NUM>, detailed above. Such an immersion can be due to the insertion of the rack <NUM> into the tank <NUM> in a vertical manner.

Turning to <FIG>, the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> is illustrated in greater detail. According to one aspect, an immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> comprises a filter for filtering the immersion cooling liquid, such as the exemplary filter <NUM>. The filter <NUM> can be any filtering structure appropriate for filtering the immersion cooling liquid, including, for example, paper filters, stainless steel mesh filters, woven filters, fiberglass filters, and the like, and can be in any appropriate physical form, including spiral filters, pleated filters, conical filters and the like.

To facilitate the passage of the immersion cooling liquid through the filter, such as the exemplary filter <NUM>, the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> comprises a pump, such as the exemplary pump <NUM>. The pump <NUM> can be any pump appropriate for filtering the immersion cooling liquid. Because of the viscosity of certain types of immersion cooling liquid, some types of pumps may be preferable. For example, if the immersion cooling liquid has a low viscosity, then peristaltic pumps may be more effective than, for example, rotary pumps. According to one aspect, the pump, such as the exemplary pump <NUM>, can be positioned deeper within the immersion cooling liquid. Thus, for example, the pump can be located within a (gravitationally oriented) lower portion of the immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as in the manner illustrated in the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

By contrast, the filter, such as the exemplary filter <NUM>, can be positioned, within the immersion cooling infrastructure module, to be more easily visible or more easily replaced. In such an instance, if the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> is vertically inserted and removed into the tank, then the filter, such as the exemplary filter <NUM>, can be located within a vertically oriented higher or upper portion of the immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as in the manner illustrated in the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> shown in <FIG>. If the immersion cooling infrastructure module was horizontally inserted, such as in the manner illustrated in <FIG>, then the filter, such as the exemplary filter <NUM>, could be positioned to be more easily visible, such as towards a front of the immersion cooling infrastructure module.

Piping, such as the exemplary piping <NUM>, can connect a pump, such as the exemplary pump <NUM>, to a filter, such as the exemplary filter <NUM>, thereby facilitating the pump's circulation of the immersion cooling liquid through the filter <NUM> if the pump and the filter are located in physically distinct locations within the immersion cooling infrastructure module. According to one aspect, the filter can be integrated within the pump, such as externally attached to the pump, without the piping <NUM>, or internally positioned within the pump housing. In such instances, the piping <NUM> may not be necessary. Accordingly, to illustrate that the piping <NUM> is an optional component, the piping <NUM> is shown in <FIG> with dashed lines.

In a similar manner, intake piping, such as the exemplary intake piping <NUM>, can facilitate the pump's receipt of immersion cooling liquid. Thus, for example, the exemplary intake piping <NUM> can extend beyond the edges of the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, can be routed to a lower portion of the tank within which the immersion cooling infrastructure module is installed, or can otherwise provide an advantageously located intake of the immersion cooling liquid for the pump <NUM>. In some instances, however, intake piping <NUM> may not be desirable, or only a short portion of such intake piping may be practical. For example, if the immersion cooling liquid is highly viscous, then the "sucking-in" of such liquid, by the pump <NUM>, can be negatively impacted by an extended amount of intake piping, such as the exemplary intake piping <NUM>. Accordingly, to illustrate that the intake piping <NUM> is an optional component, the intake piping <NUM> is shown in <FIG> with dashed lines.

Analogously, exhaust piping, such as the exemplary exhaust piping <NUM>, can facilitate the output of filtered immersion cooling liquid, such as by positioning the exhaust of such filtered immersion cooling liquid beyond the edges of the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, or at another advantageous position within the tank. As with the intake piping, in some instances, exhaust piping <NUM> may not be desirable, or only a short portion of such piping may be practical. Accordingly, to illustrate that the exhaust piping <NUM> is an optional component, the exhaust piping <NUM> is shown in <FIG> with dashed lines.

A pump, such as the exemplary pump <NUM>, can be provided with electrical power by a power supply, such as the exemplary power supply <NUM>, that can also be a component of an immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The power supply, such as the exemplary power supply <NUM>, can also provide power to a controller, such as the exemplary controller <NUM>, which can control the operation of the pump <NUM>, other components of the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, or other devices external to the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, such as infrastructure devices that are part of the tank, or installed elsewhere within the tank.

According to one aspect, electrical power can be provided to an immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, in a same manner as the provision of electrical power to computing devices. More specifically, a connector, such as the exemplary connector <NUM>, of the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, can be of the same type as the connectors on the computing devices. One such connector can be a blind mate connector which can facilitate proper connection while the connection is not visible to a user making the connection. For example, a computing device, or the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, can be slid into an opening, such as those illustrated previously, and the relevant connections can be on an opposite side from which the computing device is being slid such that visibility of the relevant connections is blocked by the device itself. Accordingly, a blind meet connector can facilitate such connections, including connections for electrical power, connections for networking, computer peripherals, or other like connections. In some instances, the connector <NUM> of an immersion cooling infrastructure module can comprise only a subset of the connections made available at each opening. For example, each opening in a rack or a tank may comprise connections for electrical power, networking, and other connections, all of which can be mated by corresponding connectors on a computing device. By contrast, in such an example, an immersion cooling infrastructure module may only comprise connectors for meeting with electrical power, or only electrical power and networking. To prevent the immersion cooling liquid from leaking out, a connector, such as the exemplary connector <NUM>, can comprise relevant physical constructs designed to minimize such leaking including gaskets, seals, mating surfaces, and other like liquid barriers.

Electrical power can be provided in the form of traditional 120V or 140V AC power. Alternatively, electrical power can be provided as DC power. Depending on the type of pump, the power supply <NUM> can be a switching power supply to convert from AC to DC power, a power inverter to convert from DC to AC, a step up or step down converter, or, if the supplied power matches that required by the pump in both kind and quantity, the exemplary power supply <NUM> can be nothing more than a distribution of that power to the pump <NUM> and can be as simple as simply the relevant wiring bridging the pump <NUM> to the connector <NUM>.

Operation of the pump <NUM> can be controlled by a controller, such as the exemplary controller <NUM>. The functionality and complexity of the exemplary controller <NUM> can vary depending upon the components being controlled by the controller and the inputs being processed thereby. For example, one simple controller can control the operation of the pump <NUM> and can monitor the filter <NUM> to determine whether to increase or decrease the flow generated by the pump, such as based on back pressure being generated by the pump and/or filter. The detection of such back pressure can be performed by various sensors which can be communicationally coupled to the controller <NUM>. The exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> comprises various exemplary sensors, such as the exemplary sensor <NUM> that can monitor various aspects of the operation of the pump <NUM>, such as energy consumption, vibration, flow rate, temperature, and other like aspects. The exemplary sensor <NUM> can similarly monitor various aspects of the filter <NUM>, including quantity of flow through the filter, an optical permeability of the filter, a chemical signature of the filter, or other like aspects. Similarly, the exemplary sensor <NUM> can monitor various aspects of the flow through the piping <NUM>, including flow rate, back pressure, and other like aspects. The exemplary sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are only one example and an immersion cooling infrastructure module can comprise more sensors, different sensors, or may not comprise any such sensors at all, and control of the pump <NUM> can be performed wholly externally to the immersion cooling infrastructure module. For example, the pump <NUM> may be controlled by an external controller whose control signals to the pump <NUM> may be provided through the connector <NUM>.

According to one aspect, an on-board controller, such as the exemplary controller <NUM>, can facilitate communication with processes and components external to the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>. Such communications can be wired, passing through the connector <NUM>, or can be wireless. For example, exemplary controller <NUM> can control other aspects of the immersion cooling infrastructure, such as the operation of the tank lid, the operation of lights, or other visual equipment, the operation of fans or pumps external to the immersion cooling infrastructure module, and the like. As another example, the exemplary controller <NUM> can communicate with the controllers of other immersion cooling infrastructure modules to coordinate pump speeds, flow rates or other operational aspects.

To facilitate physical installation and removal, an immersion cooling infrastructure module can comprise handles, grips, alignment aids, or other like physical structures. For example, the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> shown in <FIG> is illustrated as comprising an exemplary handle <NUM>. Such a handle <NUM> can be positioned opposite the connector <NUM> to facilitate inserting or removing the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> into an opening, such as those described above.

An immersion cooling infrastructure module can, according to one aspect, have an equivalent size and shape to that of computing devices. According to other aspects, the immersion cooling infrastructure module can conform to fractional-width size standards to facilitate the installation of additional devices, such as additional computing devices, within a single opening. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, within the context of standard rack-mount computing devices, such as those conforming to the standards detailed above, half-width and third-width computing devices and peripherals exist for allowing multiple computing devices within a single standard opening. In an analogous manner, immersion cooling computing setups can likewise utilize fractional-width size standards.

Turning to <FIG>, the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> shown in the system <NUM> can be a half-width module, which can enable another module, such as the exemplary computing device <NUM>, to be installed alongside the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> all within a single standard sized opening, such as the exemplary standard sized opening <NUM>. The exemplary system <NUM> illustrates an exemplary third-width immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, with a larger computing device, namely the exemplary computing device <NUM>, installed alongside within a single standard sized opening, such as the exemplary standard size opening <NUM>. Although illustrated as being computing devices, the additional devices, such as the exemplary devices <NUM> and <NUM>, can be additional immersion cooling infrastructure modules.

According to another aspect, a computing device, or peripherals thereof, can be installed or pre-manufactured within the immersion cooling infrastructure module to provide for more efficient use of space within an immersion cooling tank. For example, turning to <FIG>, the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> is illustrated as comprising the pump <NUM>, the filter <NUM>, the piping <NUM>, the power supply <NUM> and the controller <NUM> that were detailed above. In addition, the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> is shown as comprising a computing device, such as the exemplary computing device <NUM>, within space available in the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>. More specifically, since the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> can conform to a standard size and shape, the above-described components may not require all of the space available within such a standard size and shape. Accordingly, to provide for more efficient use of space within an immersion cooling setup, a computing device, such as the exemplary computing device <NUM>, can be installed within the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, with the relevant connections passing through the connector of the immersion cooling infrastructure module. The exemplary computing device <NUM> can comprise some or all of the components described in detail below with reference to the exemplary computing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, or in addition, computing peripherals, such as hard drives, RAM, and other like peripherals can be installed in the place of the computing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

As indicated previously, the ease with which immersion cooling infrastructure modules can be added or removed enables the functionality provided by such immersion cooling infrastructure modules to be sized based on need. For example, when new computing devices are installed into a tank, a greater quantity of particulates may be generated by such new computing devices. Accordingly, multiple immersion cooling infrastructure modules can be temporarily installed to increase the filtering capacity. For example, the exemplary system <NUM> shown in <FIG> illustrates an exemplary tank <NUM> comprising two immersion cooling infrastructure modules, such as the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> and <NUM>. Such immersion cooling infrastructure modules can generate a flow of immersion cooling liquid, such as is generally illustrated by the dashed lines in <FIG>. The exemplary tank <NUM> is also illustrated as comprising computing devices being cooled by the immersion cooling liquid, such as the exemplary computing devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to one aspect, communications between controllers on the immersion cooling infrastructure modules <NUM> and <NUM>, such as the exemplary inter-module communications <NUM>, can facilitate the coordination of the operation of various immersion cooling infrastructure components, such as the pumps of the immersion cooling infrastructure modules <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, if the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> is added after the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> was already present within the tank <NUM>, discovery protocols can facilitate the determination, such as by the controller of the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM>, that a second immersion cooling infrastructure module has been added. Accordingly, the controller of the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> can adjust the pump speed, such as by decreasing the flow rate through the pump, to accommodate that the second immersion cooling infrastructure module has been added to the tank <NUM>. In a similar manner, the controller of the exemplary immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> can identify the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> and can obtain therefrom information to coordinate, for example, flow rate, pump speed, or pump direction so that the pumps of both immersion cooling infrastructure modules operate in sync. For example, depending on measurements and orientation, the inter-module communications <NUM> can cause the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> to operate its pump in an opposite direction as that of the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> to facilitate a circular flow. As another example, the inter-module communications <NUM> can cause the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> to operate its pump in a same direction as that of the immersion cooling infrastructure module <NUM> to facilitate a flow analogous to that illustrated in <FIG>.

Once the need for additional immersion cooling infrastructure modules diminishes, one of the immersion cooling infrastructure modules <NUM> or <NUM> can be removed. In an analogous manner, the remaining one of the immersion cooling infrastructure modules can detect such a removal and can control its pump accordingly, such as by increasing the flow rate or operation of the pump. Additionally, communication external to the immersion cooling infrastructure module, such as to a centralized control device, can provide feedback regarding optimal placement within the tank <NUM>. For example, through sensor measurement, optimal placement for a single immersion cooling infrastructure module may be in the place of the exemplary computing device <NUM>, while multiple immersion cooling infrastructure modules may be placed in the manner analogous to that illustrated in <FIG>.

Turning to <FIG>, the exemplary flow diagram <NUM> shown therein illustrates an exemplary series of steps that can be performed utilizing an immersion cooling infrastructure module that can have a compute device form factor and can, thereby, be interchangeable with such compute devices within the openings provided for such computing devices. The exemplary flow diagram <NUM> can commence at step <NUM> with computing devices being cooled by being immersed in an immersion cooling liquid. At step <NUM>, a determination can be made as to whether additional immersion cooling infrastructure modules may be appropriate, desired or needed. If, at step <NUM>, additional immersion cooling infrastructure modules should be added, processing can proceed to step <NUM>, and the computing device can be removed from an opening into which the computing device was installed, such as the openings illustrated and detailed previously. At step <NUM>, an immersion cooling infrastructure module can be inserted into the same opening from which the computing device was removed.

In an analogous manner, at step <NUM>, a decision can be made as to whether fewer immersion cooling infrastructure modules might be required, such as to end a temporary increase in the quantity of immersion cooling infrastructure modules. At step <NUM>, an immersion cooling infrastructure module can be removed and, at step <NUM>, a computing device can be inserted into the same opening from which the immersion cooling infrastructure module was removed. As can be seen, immersion cooling infrastructure modules having a compute device form factor can facilitate interchangeability of computing devices an immersion cooling infrastructure.

Turning to <FIG>, an exemplary computing device <NUM> is illustrated. The exemplary computing device <NUM> can include, but is not limited to, one or more central processing units (CPUs) <NUM>, a system memory <NUM>, and a system bus <NUM> that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit <NUM>. The system bus <NUM> may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The computing device <NUM> can optionally include graphics hardware, including, but not limited to, a graphics hardware interface <NUM> and a display device <NUM>, which can include display devices capable of receiving touch-based user input, such as a touch-sensitive, or multi-touch capable, display device. The display device <NUM> can further include a virtual reality display device, which can be a virtual reality headset, a mixed reality headset, an augmented reality headset, and other like virtual reality display devices. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, such virtual reality display devices comprise either two physically separate displays, such as LCD displays, OLED displays or other like displays, where each physically separate display generates an image presented to a single one of a user's two eyes, or they comprise a single display device associated with lenses or other like visual hardware that divides the display area of such a single display device into areas such that, again, each single one of the user's two eyes receives a slightly different generated image. The differences between such generated images are then interpreted by the user's brain to result in what appears, to the user, to be a fully three-dimensional environment.

Returning to <FIG>, depending on the specific physical implementation, one or more of the CPUs <NUM>, the system memory <NUM> and other components of the computing device <NUM> can be physically co-located, such as on a single chip. In such a case, some or all of the system bus <NUM> can be nothing more than silicon pathways within a single chip structure and its illustration in <FIG> can be nothing more than notational convenience for the purpose of illustration.

The computing device <NUM> also typically includes computer readable media, which can include any available media that can be accessed by computing device <NUM> and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media and removable and non-removable media. Computer storage media includes media implemented in any method or technology for storage of content such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired content and which can be accessed by the computing device <NUM>. Computer storage media, however, does not include communication media. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any content delivery media. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

A basic input/output system <NUM> (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer content between elements within computing device <NUM>, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM <NUM>. By way of example, and not limitation, <FIG> illustrates operating system <NUM>, other program modules <NUM>, and program data <NUM>.

The computing device <NUM> may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only, <FIG> illustrates a hard disk drive <NUM> that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used with the exemplary computing device include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and other computer storage media as defined and delineated above. The hard disk drive <NUM> is typically connected to the system bus <NUM> through a non-volatile memory interface such as interface <NUM>.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in <FIG>, provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computing device <NUM>. In <FIG>, for example, hard disk drive <NUM> is illustrated as storing operating system <NUM>, other program modules <NUM>, and program data <NUM>. Note that these components can either be the same as or different from operating system <NUM>, other program modules <NUM> and program data <NUM>. Operating system <NUM>, other program modules <NUM> and program data <NUM> are given different numbers hereto illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies.

The computing device <NUM> may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers. The computing device <NUM> is illustrated as being connected to the general network connection <NUM> (to the network <NUM>) through a network interface or adapter <NUM>, which is, in turn, connected to the system bus <NUM>. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computing device <NUM>, or portions or peripherals thereof, may be stored in the memory of one or more other computing devices that are communicatively coupled to the computing device <NUM> through the general network connection <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between computing devices may be used.

Claim 1:
An immersion cooling infrastructure module (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an immersion cooling liquid pump (<NUM>); and
an immersion cooling liquid filter (<NUM>);
wherein the immersion cooling infrastructure module (<NUM>; <NUM>) is installable into a second opening in a rack comprising multiple adjacent openings of equivalent size and shape, a first opening of the rack having installed therein a computing device (<NUM>; <NUM>);
wherein the rack is at least partially immersible in an immersion cooling liquid (<NUM>), the immersion cooling liquid pump (<NUM>) and the immersion cooling liquid filter (<NUM>) being arranged within the immersion cooling infrastructure module (<NUM>; <NUM>) so that the immersion cooling liquid pump (<NUM>) can pump the immersion cooling liquid (<NUM>) through the immersion cooling liquid filter (<NUM>).