Patent · US Active

Computer rack cooling using independently-controlled flow of coolants through a dual-section heat exchanger

US8789384B2 · kind B2 · utility

56Cited by
16References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 23, 2010
Grant dateJul 29, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 15, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05K7/2079
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include a cooling system and method for cooling a computer rack by circulating liquid coolant through different sections of a rack heat exchanger under separately controlled flow and temperature conditions. In a method according to one embodiment, a first liquid coolant is supplied to a first section of an air-to-liquid heat exchanger. A second liquid coolant is supplied to a second section of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger at a different temperature than the first liquid coolant. Airflow is generated through rack-mounted computer components to the first and second sections of the air-to-liquid heat exchanger. The flow rates of the first and second liquid coolants are independently controlled to enforce a target cooling parameter. The independent operation of the first and second fin tube sections allows for the increased use of un-chilled water without sacrificing heat removal objectives.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.