Patent ID: 12200912

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure.

Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “about” means reasonably close to the particular value. For example, about does not require the exact measurement specified and can be reasonably close. As used herein, the word “about” can include the exact number. The term “near” as used herein is within a short distance from the particular mentioned object. The term “near” can include abutting as well as relatively small distance beyond abutting. The terms “comprising,” “including” and “having” are used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms “comprising,” “including” and “having” mean to include, but not necessarily be limited to the things so described.

In a liquid cooled computing system, there may be limited space in a data center to contain all the extra heat exchangers and coolant pumping equipment that are required for a rack mounted liquid cooling system. Conventional liquid cooling systems can take the form of large heat exchanger systems that require additional floor space in the data center to perform the liquid cooling function. Accordingly, the rack mounted cooling system disclosed herein is contained within the footprint of the existing rack foot print and does not require additional data center floor space. Additionally, the rack mounted cooling system reduces the compute capacity of the computing system in the rack as little as possible.

The disclosure now turns toFIGS.1A,1B,1C, and1D, which illustrate an example of a computing system10to be used, for example, with a liquid cooled modular server and/or information handling system.FIG.1Aillustrates a front view of the computing system10, andFIG.1Billustrates a rear view of the computing system10.

The computing system10can include a rack12operable to contain a plurality of computing units14. Each computing unit14can include computing components such as any combination of one or more motherboards, one or more hard drives, one or more risers, and/or a plurality of processing units. Additional components can be disposed within the computing units14and/or the rack12without deviating from the scope of the disclosure. As illustrated inFIGS.1A and1B, the computing system10can include a plurality of computing units14disposed within the rack12. As shown inFIG.1A, the computing system10can include a plurality of rows of computing units14slotted within the rack12. The computing system10can include hardware components16such as power components and/or control components. In at least one example, as illustrated inFIGS.1A and1B, the hardware components16may be provided in between rows of computing units14such that the hardware components16split the computing system10into an upper section and a lower section of computing units14.

Thermal management of computing systems10and the computing units14can be critical to the performance and time between failures for the computing system10. As computing units14in computing systems10such as modular servers and/or information handling systems can have higher temperature environments, air cooling can be insufficient to adequately cool down the computing systems10. Accordingly, the rack mounted cooling system100utilizes heat transfer fluid to pass through the computing units14and lower the temperature of the computing components of the computing units14in the computing system10to within a desired threshold.

As illustrated inFIG.1B, the rack mounted cooling system100can include a plurality of heat exchangers110. In at least one example, as illustrated inFIG.1B, the heat exchangers110can be provided on a rear side of the rack12. The plurality of heat exchangers110are operable to manage the temperature of the computing units14in the computing system10. As illustrated inFIG.1B, the heat exchangers110do not cover the hardware components16. Accordingly, the heat exchangers110only cover the portions of the rack12with computing units14.

FIG.1Cillustrates a top cross-sectional view of the computing system10, with the heat exchangers110of the rack mounted cooling system100omitted.FIG.1Cshows one row of the computing units14, soFIG.1Cshows one computing unit14that is provided on the rack12.

For a liquid cooled computing system10, there is limited space in a data center to contain all the extra heat exchangers and coolant pumping equipment that are required for a liquid cooled system. Conventional liquid cooled systems can take the form of large heat exchanger systems that require additional floor space in the data center to perform the liquid cooling function.

FIG.1Dillustrates the same view asFIG.1Cbut including the heat exchangers110of the rack mounted cooling system100. As can be seen inFIGS.1A-1D, the computing system10with the rack mounted cooling system100as disclosed herein is contained within the existing footprint of the rack12. In other words, the computing system10with the rack mounted cooling system100is entirely contained within a rack keep in area. Accordingly, the computing system10as disclosed herein can be utilized in space constrained areas while still providing sufficient cooling to the computing units14. Additionally, the computing system10with the rack mounted cooling system100as disclosed herein provides a liquid cooling solution that is contained within the footprint of the existing rack foot print and does not require additional data center floor space, and minimizes reduction (if any) of computing capacity of the computing system10.

In at least one example, the rack12can be a conventional rack, for example a central busbar rack. The heat exchangers110of the rack mounted cooling system100can be operable to be retrofit to the conventional rack so that the computing system10does not take up additional space in the space constrained areas, and no additional modifications or changes are needed to the conventional rack.

FIGS.2A-2Fillustrate a pump unit200operable to pump fluid through the rack mounted cooling system100. As illustrated inFIG.2A, the pump unit200can be positioned at or proximate to a top of the rack12(e.g., above the computing units14and/or above the heat exchangers110).

Referring toFIGS.2B and2C, the pump unit200can include an inlet210through which fluid can flow into the pump unit200. The pump unit200can include an internal heat exchanger220and at least one fan230operable to lower the temperature of the fluid as the fluid flows through the pump unit200. The fans230can be operable to create air flow across the internal heat exchanger220. As the fluid flows through the internal heat exchanger220(e.g., through fins or tubes), the air flow lowers the temperature of the fluid in the internal heat exchanger220. Accordingly, the pump unit200also has heat exchanger capability to further manage the temperature of the fluid, and subsequently the computing system10. The pump unit200can also include an outlet212through which fluid can flow out of the pump unit200. The inlet210and the outlet212can be operable to fluidly couple with the heat exchangers110so the pump unit200can pump the fluid through the heat exchangers110.

In at least one example, the pump unit200can include at least one pump module202. In at least one example, as illustrated inFIGS.2B,2C, and2D, the pump unit200can include a plurality of pump modules202. The pump modules202can each include one or more pumps204operable to pump the fluid. Each pump module202can include a control unit201which is in communication with the pump(s)204. In at least one example, the control unit201can be operable to receive input from a user to control the rack mounted cooling system100(e.g., the heat exchangers110) and/or the pump unit200(e.g., the pumps204, the fans230, etc.). In at least one example, the pump unit200includes one or more control units201that can be communicatively coupled with the pump modules202.

In at least one example, as illustrated inFIG.2D, the pump modules202can be removable. Accordingly, the pump modules202can be individually removed, for example for servicing. Having a plurality of removable pump modules202can provide redundancy. For example, as illustrated inFIGS.2B-2D, when one of the two pump modules202is removed (e.g., for servicing), the other pump module(s)202are still attached and functioning. Accordingly, the rack mounted cooling system100can continue working to manage the temperature of the computing system10.

For example, referring toFIGS.2D and2E, the pump modules202can each include a pump inlet240and a pump outlet241. The pump inlet240can be detachably coupled with connector250. The pump outlet241can be detachably coupled with connector251. The pump inlet240, the connector250, the pump outlet241, and/or the connector251can be quick disconnects such that when the pump inlet240is disconnected from the connector250and/or the pump outlet241is disconnected from the connector251, a valve closes to prevent fluid flow across the openings. Accordingly, leaking can be prevented with leak proof connectors when a pump module202is removed.

Referring toFIGS.2E and2F, the fluid can flow into the pump unit200via the inlet210. The fluid can then flow from the inlet210to the connector250via a conduit214. The fluid then can flow from the connectors250the pump modules202via the pump inlet240. In at least one example, as illustrated inFIG.2F, an inlet branch215can provide a split path from conduit214so that the fluid can flow to each of the plurality of pump modules202. For example, the inlet branch215can be fluidly coupled with each of the connectors250that are operable to couple with the pump inlets240for each of the pump modules202. The fluid can then flow from the pump inlet240for each of the pump modules202to the pumps204via conduit242. The fluid flows out of the pump204to the pump outlet241for each of the pump modules202via conduit243. The fluid flows out of the pump modules202via the connector251coupled with the pump outlet241for each of the pump modules202. In at least one example, an outlet branch217can be fluidly coupled with each of the connectors251. Outlet connectors218can be coupled with corresponding connectors251, and the outlet connectors218can be fluidly connect the connectors251with the outlet branch217. Accordingly, the outlet connectors218feed fluid from the connectors251to the outlet branch217. The outlet branch217can be fluidly coupled with conduit219which is fluidly coupled with the internal heat exchangers220. As the fluid flows through the internal heat exchangers220, the temperature of the fluid can be lowered. The fluid can then flow from the internal heat exchangers220to the outlet212via conduit222.

FIGS.3A,3B, and3Cillustrate heat exchangers110. The heat exchangers110are operable to fluidly couple with the pump unit200. The heat exchangers110can be operable to lower the temperature of the fluid flowing therethrough. Also, the heat exchangers110can be operable to deliver the fluid to each of the plurality of computing units14to lower the temperature of the computing components of the computing units14.

As illustrated inFIGS.3A-3C, the heat exchangers110can include an input heat exchanger112and an outlet heat exchanger114.

The input heat exchanger112can be operable to receive the fluid from the pump unit200(for example via the fluid coupling of outlet212of the pump unit200with the input312of the input heat exchanger112), lower the temperature of the fluid, and provide the fluid to each of the plurality of liquid cooled computing units14in the computing system10(e.g., via outlet ports313). The outlet ports313can correspond with each of the computing units14in the computing system10. For example, the outlet ports313can be aligned with the corresponding plurality of computing units14disposed in the rack12of the computing system10.

The outlet heat exchanger114can be operable to receive the fluid from the liquid cooled computing unit14(e.g., via inlet ports314), lower the temperature of the fluid, and provide the fluid to the pump unit200(for example via the fluid coupling of output310of the output heat exchanger114with the inlet210of the pump unit200). The inlet ports314can correspond with each of the computing units14in the computing system10. For example, the inlet ports314can be aligned with a corresponding plurality of computing units14disposed in the rack12of the computing system10.

As illustrated inFIGS.3B and4B, in at least one example, the heat exchangers110can each include a plurality of fans320. The plurality of fans320are operable to create air flow across a heat exchange core340to lower the temperature of the fluid.

Referring toFIG.3C, the plurality of heat exchangers110(e.g., the input heat exchanger112and the outlet heat exchanger114) can each include an inside manifold330, an outside manifold334, and a heat exchange core340fluidly connecting the inside manifold330and the outside manifold334. The inside manifold331of the input heat exchanger112can be fluidly coupled with the input312. Accordingly, the fluid can flow from the pump unit200into the input heat exchanger112via the input312, and down into the inside manifold331. As the inside manifold331fills with fluid, the fluid can flow across the heat exchange core340of the input heat exchanger112to the outside manifold336of the input heat exchanger112. As the fluid flows across the heat exchange core340, the temperature of the fluid is lowered. As the outside manifold336fills with the fluid, the fluid can flow out of the outlet ports313to the plurality of computing units14.

From the computing units14, the fluid can flow from the computing units14into the outside manifold335of the outlet heat exchanger114via the inlet ports314. As the outside manifold335of the outlet heat exchanger114fills with the fluid, the fluid flows across the heat exchange core340to the inside manifold332of the outlet heat exchanger114. As the fluid flows across the heat exchange core340, the temperature of the fluid is lowered. The fluid then flows from the inside manifold332of the outlet heat exchanger114to the pump unit200via the output310.

While the disclosure discusses the pump unit200being fluidly coupled with the inside manifolds330of the heat exchangers110, in some examples, the pump unit200can be fluidly coupled with the outside manifolds334. In some examples, the inside manifold331of the input heat exchanger112can be fluidly coupled with the pump unit200while the outside manifold335of the outlet heat exchanger114can be fluidly coupled with the pump unit200. In some examples, the outside manifold336of the input heat exchanger112can be fluidly coupled with the pump unit200while the inside manifold332of the outlet heat exchanger114can be fluidly coupled with the pump unit200.

FIGS.4A and4Billustrate the heat exchange core340included in the heat exchangers110. In at least one example, for example as illustrated inFIG.4A, the heat exchange core340can include a plurality of tubes400that fluidly connect the inside manifold330and the outside manifold334. The fluid can flow into the tubes400to flow between the inside manifold330and the outside manifold334. A plurality of cooling fins402transfer heat from the fluid in the tubes400to the air flowing across the cooling fins402, as shown inFIG.4B. The fans320pull the air across the cooling fins402and out of the heat exchangers110of the rack mounted cooling system100away from the computing system10.

In at least one example, referring toFIG.5A, the input heat exchanger112can include an upper input heat exchanger304and a lower input heat exchanger305, and the outlet heat exchanger114can include an upper outlet heat exchanger308and a lower outlet heat exchanger309. The upper input heat exchanger304and the lower input heat exchanger305, and similarly the upper outlet heat exchanger308and the lower outlet heat exchanger309, can be separated to provide access to the hardware components16. As the hardware components16may be provided in between rows of computing units14, the hardware components16split the computing system10into an upper section and a lower section of computing units14.

As the pump unit200in the present disclosure is provided at the top of the rack12, the upper input heat exchanger304directly couples with the pump unit200and is positioned above the lower input heat exchanger309. Referring toFIGS.3C and5A-6C, the upper input heat exchanger304can be fluidly coupled with the lower input heat exchanger305such that the fluid is operable to flow from the upper input heat exchanger304to the lower input heat exchanger305. In at least one example, the upper input heat exchanger304can be fluidly coupled with the lower input heat exchanger305via a hose assembly500. For example, the upper input heat exchanger304can include a lower connector350that is operable to fluidly couple with the hose assembly500. Opposite the lower connector350, the hose assembly500can be fluidly coupled with the upper connector354of the lower input heat exchanger305. Accordingly, the hose assembly500fluidly couples the upper input heat exchanger304with the lower input heat exchanger305via the lower connector350and the upper connector354.

Similarly, the upper outlet heat exchanger308can be fluidly coupled with the lower outlet heat exchanger309such that the fluid is operable to flow from the lower outlet heat exchanger309to the upper outlet heat exchanger308. In at least one example, the lower outlet heat exchanger309can be fluidly coupled with the upper outlet heat exchanger308via a hose assembly500. For example, the lower outlet heat exchanger309can include an upper connector356that is operable to fluidly couple with the hose assembly500. Opposite the upper connector356, the hose assembly500can be fluidly coupled with the lower connector352of the upper outlet heat exchanger308. Accordingly, the hose assembly500fluidly couples the lower outlet heat exchanger309with the upper outlet heat exchanger308via the upper connector356and the lower connector352.

As illustrated inFIGS.5A and5B, in at least one example, the hose assembly500is operable to swivel to provide access to the components (e.g., the hardware components16) of the computing system10. In some examples, the hose assembly500being configured to swivel can keep the hose assembly500within the volume or footprint of the rack12(in some examples conventional rack).

FIGS.6A-6Cillustrate the lower input heat exchanger305and the lower outlet heat exchanger309. Similar to the upper input heat exchanger304and the upper outlet heat exchanger308, the lower input heat exchanger305and the lower outlet heat exchanger309can each include an inside manifold330, a heat exchange core340, and an outside manifold334. As the fluid flows across the heat exchange core340, the temperature of the fluid is lowered due to the fans320creating air flow across the heat exchange core340.

Referring toFIG.6C, the inside manifold331of the lower input heat exchanger305can be fluidly coupled with the upper connector356. Accordingly, the fluid can flow from the upper input heat exchanger304into the lower input heat exchanger305via the hose assembly500and the upper connector356, and down into the inside manifold331. As the inside manifold331fills with fluid, the fluid can flow across the heat exchange core340of the input heat exchanger112to the outside manifold336of the lower input heat exchanger305. As the fluid flows across the heat exchange core340, the temperature of the fluid is lowered. As the outside manifold336fills with the fluid, the fluid can flow out of the outlet ports313to the plurality of computing units14.

From the computing units14, the fluid can flow from the computing units14into the outside manifold335of the lower outlet heat exchanger309via the inlet ports314. As the outside manifold335of the lower outlet heat exchanger309fills with the fluid, the fluid flows across the heat exchange core340to the inside manifold332of the lower outlet heat exchanger309. As the fluid flows across the heat exchange core340, the temperature of the fluid is lowered. The fluid then flows from the inside manifold332of the lower outlet heat exchanger309to the upper outlet heat exchanger308via the upper connector354.

While the disclosure discusses the upper connectors356,354being fluidly coupled with the inside manifolds330of the lower input heat exchanger305and the lower outlet heat exchanger309, in some examples, the upper input heat exchanger304and the upper outlet heat exchanger308can be fluidly coupled with the outside manifolds334. In some examples, the inside manifold331of the lower outlet heat exchanger309can be fluidly coupled with the upper connector356while the outside manifold335of the lower outlet heat exchanger309can be fluidly coupled with the upper connector354. In some examples, the outside manifold336of the lower input heat exchanger305can be fluidly coupled with the upper connector356while the inside manifold332of the lower outlet heat exchanger309can be fluidly coupled with the upper connector354.

As illustrated inFIG.7, the fluid can flow from the input heat exchangers112, to the computing units14to lower the temperature of the computing units14, and back to the outlet heat exchangers114. The fluid can flow from the outlet ports313to conduit701. The fluid then flows to cool components (for example CPU, GPU, etc.) of the computing unit14via heat sinks. For example, the fluid flows from conduit701to heat sink702. The fluid then flows from the heat sink702to heat sink704via conduit703. The fluid can then flow from heat sink704to conduit705which is fluidly coupled with outlet port314. The fluid can then flow to the outlet heat exchangers114.

The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the attached claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiments described above may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.