EP1788328B1 - Method of supplying and discharging a coolant to and from a waste heat creating consumer unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves monitoring a dew point, which is dependant on the room climate of the environment. A dew point management is started when a dew point monitor is actuated and the supply temperature of the coolant is increased to a preset value. A predefined holding time is set to wipe the developed condensate. The dew point management is interrupted after the passage of the holding time, if the dew point monitor is not actuated. An error existence is detected and/or a warning is output, if the dew point monitor is actuated. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for supplying and discharging a coolant to and from a lost heat generating consumer unit (2) a computer program product with instructions for supplying and discharging a coolant to and from a lost heat generating consumer unit (3) a data carrier with a computer program product with instructions for supplying and discharging a coolant to and from a lost heat generating consumer product.

Description

The invention relates to a method for supplying and discharging a cooling medium to and from at least one loss heat generating, to be cooled consumer unit.

Such methods are used, for example, in the operation of electrical consumers, such as high-performance electronics, in particular server cabinets.

Here have loss heat generating consumer units, in particular high-performance electronics, such as server cabinets, a cooling system or are to a higher-level cooling system, such as a cooling system of building services, for example by means of an interface unit, as in the post-published German application 102004046791 A1 proposed, coupled.

It is also known to connect multiple heat dissipation generating consumer units to a common, superior cooling system, as in the DE 10303827A1 shown. For this purpose, distribution systems can be used, for example, which are arranged at the central flow connection and the central return connection of the cooling system. A method according to the preamble of claim 1 is in the EP0508766 A2 proposed.

A disadvantage of this prior art is the fact that in particular when connecting a consumer unit to a higher-level cooling system, the problem may occur that the temperature of the cooling medium is so low that on the lines between the terminals of the parent cooling system and the consumer unit or to be cooled even in the consumer unit itself the dew point temperature of the ambient air is exceeded. In this case, moisture would be precipitated from the environment on the lines, which is sensitive Consumer units may lead to disturbances or even damage or destruction or this effect would have to be countered at least by equipment expense (condensate collector, pipe, pump).

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for performing the method, which in the cooling of a heat dissipating consumer unit to avoid their impairment or even damage due to condensate and still ensure the best possible cooling.

This object is achieved with a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 7.

According to the invention, by means of a dew point monitor, for example a conventional dew point sensor, which is advantageously arranged at a location at which a dew point occurs earlier than on or in a consumer unit, when its triggering (ie "dew point undershot") initiated a dew point management for a predefined duration , In this dew point management the flow temperature of a Küblmittels for cooling the load unit is increased by a predetermined value, so that condensation on the consumer unit can be avoided.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lowest possible flow temperature is determined and set during the dew point management, with both a gradual reduction and / or increase in the flow temperature can be done depending on the respective query result of the dew point monitor. Both the lowering and the raising of the flow temperature can be done by predefined values. Values may also be variable, for example depending on the number of passes (lowering, increasing) or the duration of the dew point management can. For example, it is conceivable to gradually reduce the step size in order to obtain a more optimal flow temperature during the dew point management. In order to avoid subfunctions or functional impairments, in a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of the limits, such as maximum upper limit and lower limit of the flow temperature, may be provided during the dew point management. In this case, the lower limit may lie at a predetermined distance above the triggering temperature of the dew point monitor when the dew point management is initiated in order to simplify the method. Of course, it is also possible to allow a lower limit below this trip temperature to compensate for short-term environmental parameter fluctuations.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a manual input of the setpoint temperature can also be made possible during the dew point management, in order to be able to perform special conditions, such as a load test, etc. without intervention of the dew point management.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the current flow temperature (T _VL ) of the dew point management can be output after a termination of the dew point management and / or stored to make evaluations, for example, on the performance of the system. Of course, it is also conceivable to take over a setpoint temperature as a function of the current flow temperature of the dewpoint management as the new setpoint temperature for the normal method. Apart from the simple direct assumption, such a dependency could also be formed, for example, in the averaging of a plurality of stored flow temperatures of a plurality of dew point managements carried out or addition of a predefined value (for example safety margin).

For carrying out the method according to the invention, the device according to the invention has a flow for a cooling medium in the direction of the consumer unit generating the heat loss, a device, for example a mixing valve, is speed-controlled Pump etc., to change the flow temperature and a dew point monitor, with an evaluation and control unit to start a dew point management when the dew point monitor and increase the flow temperature of the supplied cooling medium by a predetermined first value. In this case, this device can form a device, for example a unit, directly connected to the consumer unit. Of course, it is also conceivable to design the device as an interface unit, so that advantageously the device according to the invention, for example, between home technology (cooling) and consumers, can be coupled to existing consumers.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The invention will be explained with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing.

Fig. 1

ein Ablaufdiagramm einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a flow diagram of a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention.

This in FIG. 1 illustrated flow diagram shows above the dashed line A a conventional method for controlling a flow temperature T _VL to a desired setpoint temperature T _soll , which can usually be entered manually by an operator. The control includes a query 1, 'whether the setpoint temperature T _{soll is} above the flow temperature T _VL , in the positive case in step 5, the flow temperature is increased. In the negative case, a query 3, whether the setpoint temperature is below the flow temperature T _VL , which in the positive case, the flow temperature T _{VL is} lowered. In the negative case of query 3 therefore corresponds to the Flow temperature T _VL as desired, the setpoint temperature T _soll , so that no change in the flow temperature T _VL occurs.

In order to increase or decrease the flow temperature, for example, a mixing valve can be controlled, which changes the mixing ratio of the cooling medium in the flow with another cooling medium other temperature, for example from the return or another system, changes accordingly.

Since according to the invention it is intended to prevent air moisture from forming as condensate and therefore moisture, in particular at electrical components and thus disrupting or even destroying their function, a dew point monitor TPW is queried in question 9 as to whether the dew point is undershot and thus moisture forms ("wet") or the dew point temperature was not exceeded and thus can not form condensate ("dry"). Such a dew-point monitor can be designed, for example, as a simple dew-point sensor known in the prior art, which from a certain value indicates the state "wet", since condensate is deposited on the sensor. Such sensors are advantageously comparatively simple and cost-effective with respect to sensors which possibly detect humidity and temperature in other ways in order to determine a possible dew point at a specific location.

If the dew point monitor TPW triggers, the result of the query 9 is "wet", whereupon according to the invention a dew point management, as in Fig. 1 between the dashed lines A and B, is initiated. In this dew point management, the flow temperature T _VL present at this time is stored as dew point temperature TPT or triggering temperature in a first step 11. Furthermore, a lower limit TPT_UG is defined for the flow temperature T _VL during the dew point management, which is above the dew point temperature TPT at a certain distance, such as a Kelvin. In order not to let inadmissibly high flow temperature T _VL occur during the dew point management, is also a Upper limit T_DK set for this (for example, 17 degrees Celsius), so that an increase in the flow temperature T _VL can be avoided over this predefined upper limit T_DK.

In order to avoid harmful and undesired condensation on the electrical load after triggering of the dew point monitor TPW, the flow temperature is increased by a predetermined value, for example 3 Kelvin. The dew-point monitor TPW is advantageously arranged at a point, such as at the supply line of the flow itself or at other locations at which a lower (cooling) temperature prevails compared to the direct environment of the electrical consumers.

After a first waiting time TPM_WT1 of, for example, 30 minutes in order to allow any condensation formed on the sensor to dry out and / or to wait for the effect of the measure taken (eg temperature increase), the dew point monitor TPW in query 15 is queried again. Reports this now the state "dry", it is queried in query 17, whether a reduction of the flow temperature T _VL by a predetermined value, for example 1 Kelvin, even above the previously defined lower limit TPT_UG.

If it is higher, in the next step 19, the flow temperature is reduced by this predetermined value, ie, for example, 1 Kelvin, and after waiting for another second waiting time TPM_WT2, for example, five minutes to regulate the desired temperature. If the reduction made according to query 17 in this or one of the possible possible next passes is not above the lower limit TPT_UG, the flow temperature in step 23 is set to the lower limit TPT_UG.

In a further query 25, a total waiting time for the dew point management or running time TPM_WT of, for example, 120 minutes is queried and if this is still the case is not expired, in query 27 optionally a manual input of a setpoint temperature T _soll also for the dew point management allows, for example, perform a special performance test, etc. or to avoid recurring warnings, such as "dew point management started".

If such an optional manual input of a setpoint temperature T _{soll should} not take place or if the manually entered setpoint temperature T _{soll is} not above the setpoint temperature T _soll before initiation of the dew point management, the dew point management is continued with query 15 already explained above. If the query result of query 15 instead of "dry""wet", it is queried in query 31, whether an increase in the flow temperature T _VL by a predetermined value, for example, 1 Kelvin, is still below the predefined upper limit T_DK. If this is the case, the flow temperature T _{VL is} increased by one Kelvin in step 33 and after waiting another waiting time TPM_WT3 of, for example, 20 minutes to allow any condensate to dry on the dew point monitor, again query 25 is executed.

As long as the query 25 does not report the lapse of the waiting time TPM_WT for the entire dew point management, the preceding steps can be run through differently depending on the query result, so that prevails in the dew point management a flow temperature T _VL , which with appropriate placement of the dew point monitor TPW in a cooler place (For example, directly on the flow pipe outside) ensures a certain safety margin to the undesirable reaching of the dew point on the consumer unit itself.

Nevertheless, by the above-explained queries and corresponding incremental increases or decreases in the flow temperature T _VL depending on the query result optimal cooling of a heat loss generating consumer unit continues to exist.

The optional query 27 for a manual input of the setpoint temperature T _set is here only for exceptions such as stress testing, etc. Accordingly, it is located at a permitted manual input, which _{is to} above the set point temperature T before introducing the Taupunktmanagements, in query 29, the dew point monitor TPW again queried and result "dry" from the Taupunktmanagement even before expiry of the waiting period TPM_WT dropped out for the entire Taupunktmanagement from this and again, to proceed with the normal control behavior above the line A, however, _{is to} order the newly entered setpoint T. If, on the other hand, the condition "wet" is output as the result of the safety inquiry 29, the dew point management is continued, in which case counter FIG. 1 could proceed with the query 31 instead of double query 15.

If, on the other hand, the dew point management is ended via query 25 by expiration of the waiting time TPM_WT, the normal control method above the line A is likewise initiated again when the result of the query 41 "dry" is obtained. If, on the other hand, the condition "wet" is present as the result of the query 41, then a fault message is output according to step 43, optionally followed by query 15 or directly with query 31, to determine the inventive method by a possible further temperature increase according to step 33 To keep running and the cooling function may not be inadmissible and undesirable to reduce.

After the end or exit from the Taupunktmanagement, as shown, the control response back to the original setpoint temperature _is T or to the possible, manually entered in query 27, new setpoint temperature T _set continued. Of course, it is also conceivable that the dew point management not only to catch special conditions (days or times of day with changed dew point parameters, such as changed absolute humidity and / or modified air pressure) is used, but also set during such dew point management Flow temperature T _VL is stored for further analysis, for example, _{is intended} to serve as a basis for an optimal target temperature T.

Furthermore, it is conceivable, in particular after too frequent triggering of the dew point monitor TPW according to query 9 and thus to frequent initiation of the dew point management, for example, above a certain threshold, the setpoint temperature T _{should set} the normal control method automatically higher by a certain amount or the setpoint temperature T _soll depending on the optimized in dew point management flow temperature T _VL . This can be done, for example, by averaging a plurality of stored flow temperatures T _VL , several dew point management passes or setting to the flow temperature T _{VL of} the last dew point management performed.

Claims (10)

1. Process for supplying and discharging a cooling medium to and from at least one load unit to be cooled generating dissipated heat, wherein the initial-feed temperature (T_VL) is regulated as a function of a desired set value (T_soll) ,

   a) in this process a dew-point which depends on the indoor climate of the environment is monitored,

   b) in the event of a triggering of a dew-point monitor at a dew-point temperature (TPT) a dew-point management is started and the initial-feed temperature (T_VL) of the supplied cooling medium is increased by a predetermined first value,
   characterised in that

   c) a predefined first waiting-time (TPM_WT1) is waited out, in order to allow the condensate which has possibly arisen to dry up,

   d) subsequently a check is made as to whether the dew-point monitor triggers,

   e) whereby in the case of non-triggering the dew-point management is discontinued after expiration of a predetermined waiting-time for the dew-point management (TPT_WT) and the process is continued with step a),

   f) in the case of triggering, a fault obtains and/or a warning is output,

   f1) in step f) in the case of triggering, the initial-feed temperature (T_VL) is increased by a predetermined second value at most to a predetermined upper limit (T_DK), so long as the waiting-time for the dew-point management (TPT_WT) has not elapsed and

   g) after a predefined second waiting-time (TPM_WT2) the dew-point management is continued with step d).
2. Process according to Claim 1, characterised in that

   e1) in step e) the initial-feed temperature (T_VL) is lowered by a predetermined third value at most to a predetermined lower limit (TPT_UG), so long as the waiting-time for the dew-point management (TPT_WT) has not elapsed,

   e2) after a predefined third waiting-time (TPM_WT3) the dew-point management is continued with step d).
3. Process according to Claim 2, characterised in that the lower limit (TPT_UG) of the initial-feed temperature (T_VL) lies a predetermined value above the triggering-temperature (TPT).
4. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in step e) prior to a continuation of the process with step a) the set value (T_soll) for the initial-feed temperature (T_VL) can be altered manually, provided that this altered value lies above the previous set value (T_soll).
5. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the event of a continuation of the process with step a) the current initial-feed temperature (T_VL) of the dew-point management is output and/or stored.
6. Process according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the event of a continuation of the process with step a) the current initial-feed temperature (T_VL) of the dew-point management is taken as the new set-point temperature (T_soll) for the process.
7. Apparatus for implementing the process according to one of the preceding claims, with an initial feed for a cooling medium in the direction of the load unit generating dissipated heat, with a device, preferentially a mixing valve, for varying the initial-feed temperature (T_VL) and with a dew-point monitor (sensor), with an evaluation-and-control unit in order to start a dew-point management in the event of triggering of the dew-point monitor and to increase the initial-feed temperature (T_VL) of the supplied cooling medium by a predetermined first value, with evaluating-and-control means in order to implement steps c) to g).
8. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterised in that the apparatus takes the form of an interface unit.
9. Computer-program product with program means for implementing a process according to one of Claims 1 to 6.
10. Data carrier with a computer-program product according to Claim 9.

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