JP2016091524A - Circulation control system and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a circulation control system capable of adjusting the temperature of intake air to an electronic apparatus when a part of exhaust air from the electronic apparatus is circulated.SOLUTION: The circulation control system includes: a duct projection part 6A which has a height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y for adjusting the position in a height direction of a front end 6X which is disposed above a cold aisle 7 at one side of an electronic apparatus mounting rack 3; and a control unit 20 for controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism based on a temperature to change the circulation amount of warm air to the cold aisle from a hot aisle 8 at the other side of the electronic apparatus mounting rack.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a circulation control system and an information processing system.

With the development of network technology, network services that provide users with various services via networks are drawing attention.
A service provider that provides such a service provides a user with a platform for executing software packages and application software, for example, via a network.

In an information processing system for providing these services, a plurality of electronic devices such as servers are provided in a rack, and these racks are provided in a data center such as a server room owned by a service provider. The electronic device is also referred to as an IT (Information Technology) device.
In such a data center, a cooling system is provided to cool electronic devices.

JP-A-8-97583 JP 2012-248136 A

By the way, with the arrival of an advanced information society in recent years, electronic devices have been handling a large amount of data, and the need for data centers has become increasingly important.
In response to such an increase in demand, on the operation side, efforts are being made to reduce operational costs of data centers so that services can be provided at lower costs.
Among them, an outside air cooling method that does not use an air conditioner is attracting attention in order to reduce the power consumption of the data center and reduce the electricity bill.

The outside air cooling method is an air conditioning method that enables energy-saving operation of the data center because it does not require the power of the compressor.
Among these outside air cooling methods, the direct outside air cooling method in which outside air (cold air) is directly taken into the data center is expected to have the ultimate energy-saving effect because the outside air can be directly used.

It is also conceivable to circulate a part of the exhaust (warm air) from the electronic device and adjust the temperature of the intake air to the electronic device.
However, simply by circulating the exhaust gas, the temperature of the outside air varies greatly throughout the year, and the amount of heat generated in the electronic device is not uniform depending on the usage situation on the user side, so the temperature of the intake air to the electronic device is adjusted. Is difficult.

  Thus, when a part of the exhaust from the electronic device is circulated, the temperature of the intake air to the electronic device can be adjusted.

This circulation control system is provided above a cold aisle on one side of an electronic equipment mounting rack, and includes a duct protrusion having a height direction position adjusting mechanism for adjusting a height direction position of a front end surface, and an electronic equipment mounting rack. And a controller for controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism based on the temperature so that the amount of warm air circulating from the hot aisle to the cold aisle changes.
This information processing system has an electronic device mounted on an electronic device mounting rack and the above-described circulation control system, and electronic air is circulated from outside air supplied from the duct protrusion to the cold aisle and by circulating warm air from the hot aisle to the cold aisle. A cooling system for cooling the device.

  Therefore, according to the circulation control system and the information processing system, there is an advantage that the temperature of the intake air to the electronic device can be adjusted when a part of the exhaust gas from the electronic device is circulated.

It is a mimetic diagram for explaining a circulation control system and an information processing system concerning this embodiment. (A), (B) is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the duct protrusion part with which the circulation control system concerning this embodiment is equipped, (A) has shown the state which shrunk, (B) was extended. Indicates the state. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which controlled the height direction position adjustment mechanism of the duct protrusion part with which the circulation control system concerning this embodiment is equipped, and extended the duct protrusion part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which controlled the height direction position adjustment mechanism of the duct protrusion part with which the circulation control system concerning this embodiment is equipped and contracted the duct protrusion part. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the circulation control system and information processing system concerning the modification of this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating control of the height direction position adjustment mechanism of the duct protrusion part with which the circulation control system concerning this embodiment is provided, and the external air introduction fan. It is a block diagram which shows the structure for controlling the height direction position adjustment mechanism of the duct protrusion part with which the circulation control system concerning this embodiment is provided, and the external air introduction fan. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the process in control of the height direction position adjustment mechanism of the duct protrusion part with which the circulation control system concerning this embodiment is provided, and the external air introduction fan. It is a schematic diagram which shows the model used for the thermal fluid analysis for confirming the effect by the circulation control system concerning this embodiment. (A)-(C) are the figures seen from the server horizontal direction which show the temperature analysis result of the thermal fluid analysis for confirming the effect by the circulation control system concerning this embodiment, and (A) is high. When the height direction position is 3 m, (B) shows the case where the height direction position is 4 m, and (C) shows the case where the height direction position is 5 m. (A)-(C) are the figures seen from the server front direction (immediately before inhalation | air-intake) which show the temperature analysis result of the thermofluid analysis for confirming the effect by the circulation control system concerning this embodiment, A) shows the case where the height direction position is 3 m, (B) shows the case where the height direction position is 4 m, and (C) shows the case where the height direction position is 5 m.

Hereinafter, a circulation control system and an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The circulation control system of the present embodiment is, for example, an outside air introduction type data center (outside air utilization type data center) that introduces outside air (cold air) and cools electronic devices such as servers, for example, outside air directly into the data center. It is used in a direct outside air cooling type data center (direct outside air introduction type data center).

Such an outside air introduction type data center uses a cooling system that introduces outside air at a temperature lower than that of the electronic device, and cools the electronic device with the outside air, so that electric power for generating cooling air is unnecessary. The power consumption of the data center can be suppressed.
For example, in a direct outside air introduction type data center, as shown in FIG. 1, a server room in which a plurality of server racks 3 (electronic equipment mounting racks) on which a plurality of servers 2 (electronic equipment) are mounted are installed in parallel. 1 is provided.

Here, the server room 1 includes an outside air introduction port 4 and an exhaust port 5 at the top thereof. An outside air introduction duct 6 is connected to the outside air introduction port 4. The outside air introduction duct 6 is stretched around the upper part of the server room 1.
Further, one side of each server rack 3 is a cold aisle 7, and the other side of each server rack 3 is a hot aisle 8. Here, four server racks 3 are installed in the server room 1, and both sides of these server racks 3 are in order from one side (left side in the figure) of the server room 1 in order of hot aisle 8 and cold aisle. 7, hot aisle 8, cold aisle 7, and hot aisle 8. That is, in order to share the cold aisle 7 and the hot aisle 8 between the adjacent server racks 3, the servers 2 are mounted in the adjacent server racks 3 with the intake side and the exhaust side reversed.

  The outside air introduced into the outside air introduction duct 6 from the outside air introduction port 4 is introduced into the server room 1 by the outside air introduction fan 9 provided above the cold aisle 7, and blown down from above. In addition, the air is supplied to the cold aisle 7 on the intake side of each server 2 mounted on the server rack 3. In addition, the server 2 sucks air from the front side on the cold aisle 7 side and exhausts air from the back side on the hot aisle 8 side by a server built-in fan (electronic device built-in fan) 10 provided in each server. Further, the exhaust from the server 2 mounted on the server rack 3 rises from below to above, that is, rises from the hot aisle 8 toward the ceiling of the server room 1, passes through the space near the ceiling of the server room 1, The air is discharged from the exhaust port 5 to the outside. A part of the exhaust from the server 2 flows from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7 through the space above the server rack 3. That is, a part of the exhaust from the server 2 is circulated to the intake side of the server 2. In this case, warm air (circulated warm air) as exhaust from the server 2 is mixed with the ambient air supplied from the ambient air introduction duct 6 via the ambient air introduction fan 9, and the temperature of the ambient air is adjusted by the warm air. Will be sucked from the front of the server 2.

By the way, in the outside air introduction type data center, when a part of the exhaust from the server 2 is circulated and the temperature of the intake air to the server 2 is adjusted, the temperature of the outside air greatly changes throughout the year simply by circulating the exhaust. Also, since the amount of heat generated in the server 2 is not uniform depending on the usage situation on the user side, it is difficult to adjust the temperature of the intake air to the server 2.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, a circulation control system as described below is provided so that the temperature of the intake air to the server 2 can be adjusted when a part of the exhaust from the server 2 is circulated.

The circulation control system of the present embodiment is provided above the cold aisle 7 and has a duct protruding portion 6A having a height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y for adjusting the height direction position of the front end surface 6X, and the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle. And a control unit 20 that controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y based on the temperature so that the amount of warm air circulation to 7 changes.
That is, the outside air introduction duct 6 includes a protruding portion (duct protruding portion) 6A that is provided above the cold aisle 7 and has a height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y that adjusts the height direction position of the front end surface 6X. And the control part 20 controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y based on temperature so that the amount of warm air circulation from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7 may change.

  Here, the control unit 20 controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y so that the amount of warm air circulation from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7 is reduced when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than the first threshold value. (See FIG. 3). Further, the control unit 20 controls the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y so that the amount of warm air circulation from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7 increases when the temperature becomes lower than the second threshold. (See FIG. 4). In addition, since the warm air circulation amount is adjusted by controlling the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y, the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y is also referred to as a warm air circulation amount adjustment mechanism.

Moreover, the temperature sensor 11 is provided in the cold aisle 7, and the control part 20 (height direction position control part 21) controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11. (See FIG. 6).
An outside air introduction fan 9 is attached to the duct protrusion 6A. The cold aisle 7 is provided with a cold aisle pressure sensor 12, and the hot aisle 8 is provided with a hot aisle pressure sensor 13. The control unit 20 (fan control unit 22) controls the outside air introduction fan 9 based on the pressures detected by the cold aisle pressure sensor 12 and the hot aisle pressure sensor 13.

  Here, when the pressure detected by the cold aisle pressure sensor 12 is lower than the pressure detected by the hot aisle pressure sensor 13, the control unit 20 (fan control unit 22) The outside air introduction fan 9 is controlled so that the number of rotations increases. Further, the control unit 20 (fan control unit 22) is configured to switch the outside air introduction fan 9 when the pressure detected by the cold aisle pressure sensor 12 is higher than the pressure detected by the hot aisle pressure sensor 13. The outside air introduction fan 9 is controlled so as to reduce the rotational speed.

  In this case, the outside air introduction type data center has a plurality of servers 2 (that is, a plurality of electronic devices) mounted on the server rack 3 and the above-described circulation control system, and supplies the cold aisle 7 from the duct protrusion 6A. And a cooling system for cooling the server 2 by circulating warm air from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7. That is, the information processing system according to the present embodiment includes the electronic device 2 mounted on the electronic device mounting rack 3 and the above-described circulation control system, and the outside air and hot air supplied to the cold aisle 7 from the duct protrusion 6A. A cooling system that cools the electronic device 2 by circulating warm air from the aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7.

  By providing the circulation control system as described above, for example, in the middle of spring and autumn when the temperature and humidity of the outside air are not too high and not too low, the outside air is taken into the server room 1 and the temperature of the outside air becomes low. During the winter, when the outside air humidity is high, some of the exhaust from the server 2 is circulated, the temperature of the intake air to the server 2 is raised, the relative humidity is lowered, and the temperature and humidity of the outside air are increased. For example, an operation in which the exhaust from the server 2 is hardly circulated is possible. In this way, the temperature and humidity of the intake air to the server 2 can be adjusted in all seasons. In other words, it is difficult to adjust the temperature and humidity of the intake air to the server 2 in all seasons by simply adjusting the air volume of the outside air introduction fan 9 (outside air supply fan; aisle fan). By using the circulation control system as described above, the temperature and humidity of the intake air to the server 2 in all seasons can be adjusted.

  Further, for example, since the temperature and air volume of the circulating warm air change depending on the installation height of the outside air introducing fan 9 and the operating conditions of the outside air introducing fan 9 and the server built-in fan 10, a short circuit of the circulating warm air occurs. In addition, it is desirable that the outside air supplied to each server 2 mounted on the server rack 3 is uniformly heated by the circulating warm air, and the temperature of the intake air to each server 2 is uniform. Since the warm air circulates from above the server rack 3, the temperature of the intake air to the server 2 mounted on the upper portion of the server rack 3 is likely to rise, and the temperature of the intake air to each server 2 becomes uneven. End up. In particular, in an outside air introduction type data center that uses outside air for cooling, the temperature of the outside air greatly fluctuates throughout the year. Therefore, the required air volume of the outside air varies greatly depending on the temperature and humidity of the outside air. Further, since the heat generation amount of the server 2 is not uniform depending on the usage state on the user side, the air amount of the server built-in fan 10 is not uniform, and the air amount and temperature of the circulating warm air also vary. For this reason, it is difficult to reduce the temperature distribution of the intake air to the server 2 in all seasons simply by adjusting the air volume of the outside air introduction fan 9. On the other hand, by using the circulation control system as described above, the temperature distribution of the intake air to the server 2 in all seasons can be reduced.

  As described above, by using the circulation control system as described above, the temperature of the intake air to the server 2 is adjusted even if the temperature of the outside air, the load of the server 2 or the like changes, and the intake air to each server 2 is also adjusted. The height of the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A, that is, the size of the opening between the duct protrusion 6A and the upper portion of the server rack 3, and the duct protrusion The position in the height direction of the outside air introduction fan 9 attached to the front end of 6A, and the rotation speed of the outside air introduction fan 9, that is, the flow rate of outside air supplied to the cold aisle 7 by the outside air introduction fan 9 ( Air volume) can be controlled.

  As a method for supplying outside air to the server room 1 of the outside air introduction type data center and discharging warm air, the outside air is supplied from the ceiling side of the server room 1 and the warm air is discharged from the ceiling side as in this embodiment. In addition to the method, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, there is also a method of supplying outside air from the floor side of the server room 1 and discharging warm air from the ceiling side. In this case, as in the case of the above-described embodiment, the height direction position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the height direction position of the front end surface 60X to the duct (warm air discharge duct 60) provided on the ceiling side of the server room 1 What is necessary is just to provide the protrusion part (duct protrusion part) 60A which has 60Y. That is, a duct protrusion 60A having a height direction position adjustment mechanism 60Y that adjusts the height direction position of the front end surface 60X may be provided above the cold aisle 7 on one side of the server rack 3. In this case, the front end surface 60X of the duct protrusion 60A is closed, and an opening for introducing outside air is provided on the floor side of the server room 1, and the outside air introduction fan 9 is provided there. Then, the control unit 20 may control the height direction position adjusting mechanism 60Y based on the temperature so that the amount of warm air circulating from the hot aisle 8 on the other side of the server rack 3 to the cold aisle 7 changes. . However, when supplying outside air from the floor side of the server room 3 and discharging warm air from the ceiling side, it is necessary to use a double floor, and when the outside air intake of the data center building is installed on the roof Therefore, when replacing an existing room with a server room, it is preferable to supply outside air from the ceiling side of the server room 1 and discharge warm air from the ceiling side as in the above-described embodiment. .

Hereinafter, the circulation control system of the present embodiment will be specifically described.
First, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the outside air introduction duct 6 is provided with a protruding portion (duct protruding portion) 6 </ b> A, and the duct protruding portion 6 </ b> A is located above the cold aisle 7 at the tip surface 6 </ b> X. The height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y (height direction position adjustment part) which adjusts the height direction position is included. Here, since the outside air introduction fan 9 is attached to the tip of the duct protrusion 6A, the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y is also a mechanism for adjusting the height direction position of the outside air introduction fan 9. Therefore, this is also called a fan height position adjusting mechanism.

  Here, the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y includes an expansion / contraction mechanism (expansion / contraction part), a drive mechanism (drive part), and the like. For example, the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y is a mechanically driven expansion / contraction mechanism and is based on the sensor information. The height direction position of the surface 6X (the height direction position of the outside air introduction fan) can be moved up and down. Here, the expansion / contraction mechanism is configured so as not to leak, so that outside air does not leak out of the outside air introduction duct even if it is moved up and down, and exhaust to the outside does not flow back into the outside air introduction duct. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B), the expansion / contraction mechanism included in the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y is not deformed by wind pressure and does not leak air current, thin metal or plastic, or It may be made of a material such as a thick cloth, and may be stretchable by being accordion-like. Note that the expansion / contraction mechanism included in the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y does not have to be bellows and can be expanded and contracted. For example, the expansion and contraction can be performed by sliding or folding a plate-like member. The thing which can be extended / contracted by using an elastic material may be sufficient.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 20 controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y based on the temperature so that the amount of warm air circulation from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7 changes. 21 is included.
Here, the temperature sensor 11 is provided in the cold aisle 7, and the height direction position control unit 21 controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6 </ b> Y based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11. Yes.

  Here, the control unit 20 (height direction position control unit 21) reduces the amount of warm air circulation from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7 when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is equal to or higher than the first threshold. Thus, the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is controlled. That is, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is equal to or higher than the first threshold, the control unit 20 (height direction position control unit 21), as shown in FIG. The vertical position adjusting mechanism 6Y extends so that the front end surface 6X thereof is lowered, that is, the front end surface 6X of the duct protruding portion 6A approaches the server rack 3 and the cold aisle 7, and the space between the duct protruding portion 6A and the server rack 3 is increased. The height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is controlled so that the opening portion of the head becomes narrower. Note that “the warm air circulation amount decreases” includes the case where “the warm air circulation amount becomes zero”.

  In addition, the control unit 20 (height direction position control unit 21) increases the amount of warm air circulation from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7 when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 becomes less than the second threshold value. In addition, the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is controlled. That is, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 becomes less than the second threshold, the control unit 20 (height direction position control unit 21) is provided with a high height provided in the duct protrusion 6A as shown in FIG. The vertical position adjustment mechanism 6Y is contracted so that the front end surface 6X is raised, that is, the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A is far from the server rack 3 and the cold aisle 7, and the duct protrusion 6A and the server rack 3 The height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is controlled so that the opening between them is wide.

Note that the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be different values or the same value.
Thus, if it is necessary to reduce the warm air circulation amount (circulation warm air flow rate) based on the temperature condition of the outside air and the operating state of the server 2, the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y provided in the duct protrusion 6A is extended. The front end surface 6X of the lever and the outside air introduction fan 9 attached thereto are lowered to a position immediately above the server rack 3. Thereby, since the clearance gap between the duct protrusion part 6A in which the outside air introduction fan 9 is mounted and the server rack 3 is narrowed, it becomes difficult for the circulating warm air to flow and the amount of warm air circulation can be reduced.

  On the other hand, if it is necessary to increase the amount of warm air circulation, the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y provided in the duct protrusion 6A is contracted to move the front end surface 6X and the outside air introduction fan 9 attached thereto away from the server rack 3. . Thereby, since the clearance gap between the duct protrusion part 6A in which the outside air introduction fan 9 is mounted and the server rack 3 is widened, the circulating warm air easily flows and the warm air circulation amount can be increased.

In this way, the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y provided in the duct protrusion 6A on which the outside air introduction fan 9 is mounted is expanded and contracted, so that the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A and the outside air introduction fan attached thereto. The amount of warm air circulation can be controlled by moving the position in the height direction of 9 up and down.
Here, the temperature sensor 11 may be one or plural. For example, one temperature sensor 11 may be provided for each cold aisle 7, or a plurality of temperature sensors 11 may be provided for each cold aisle 7. That is, the number of measurement points may be one or more for each cold aisle 7, and the number of measurement points is not particularly limited. Further, when there are a plurality of measurement points in the same cold aisle 7, temperature information at all the measurement points may be compared with a threshold value. Considering that the temperature distribution of the intake air to each server 2 is generated by the circulating warm air, the temperature sensor 11 is preferably provided on the intake side of the server 2 mounted on the upper part of the server rack 3. However, even if it is provided in another location, if the correlation between the temperature in the other location and the temperature on the intake side of the server 2 mounted on the server rack 3 is known, By measuring the temperature with the temperature sensor 11, the temperature on the intake side of the server 2 mounted on the upper part of the server rack 3 can be estimated. For this reason, even if the temperature sensor 11 is provided in other places, it is possible to reduce the temperature distribution of the intake air to each server 2 due to the circulating warm air. Further, the temperature sensor 11 may be provided in a place other than the cold aisle 7, for example, in a place other than the cold aisle 7 in the server room 1 or outside the data center. Here, the height direction position control unit 21 controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11, but the present invention is not limited to this. The height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y may be controlled based on the above. For example, when the correlation between the temperature of the cold aisle 7 (in particular, the temperature on the intake side of the server 2 mounted on the upper part of the server rack 3) and the temperature of the outside air is known, the temperature of the outside air is acquired. The height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y may be controlled based on the temperature.

For this reason, the height direction position control unit 21 includes, for example, a controller or a computer, and functions thereof include a temperature acquisition unit 23, a threshold setting unit 24, a determination unit 25, and a control command unit as shown in FIG. 26.
Here, the temperature acquisition unit 23 acquires the temperature (temperature data; temperature information) detected by the temperature sensor 11 from the temperature sensor 11. Here, since the temperature sensor 11 is provided in the cold aisle 7 (see FIG. 6), the temperature acquisition unit 23 is provided on the intake side of the server 2 mounted on the server rack 3, that is, the temperature of the cold aisle 7. Acquire temperature (intake air temperature; server intake air temperature; temperature information). The temperature acquisition unit 23 is also referred to as an intake air temperature acquisition unit.

  The threshold setting unit 24 determines the first threshold for determining whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is high, and whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is low. A second threshold is set. Here, the first threshold value and the second threshold value are set to the same value. For this reason, one threshold value is set as the first threshold value and the second threshold value. Note that the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be set to different values. These threshold values are also referred to as intake air temperature threshold values. The threshold setting unit 24 is also referred to as an intake air temperature threshold setting unit.

  The determination unit 25 determines whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value. The determination unit 25 also determines whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is less than the second threshold value. Here, as described above, since the first threshold value and the second threshold value are set to the same value and one threshold value is set, the determination unit 25 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is the threshold value ( = First threshold = second threshold) or more is determined. In addition, since the warm air circulation amount is adjusted based on the determination result in the determination unit 25, the determination unit 25 is also referred to as a circulation amount determination unit. Further, when the amount of warm air circulation is set to zero based on the determination result in the determination unit 25, the determination unit 25 is also referred to as a circulation determination unit because the determination unit 25 determines whether or not circulation is necessary.

The control command unit 26 outputs a control command to the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y based on the determination result in the determination unit 25.
Here, when the determination unit 25 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is equal to or higher than a threshold value (= first threshold value = second threshold value), the control command unit 26 starts from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle. A control command for controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is output so that the amount of warm air circulation to 7 is reduced. That is, the control command unit 26 is provided in the duct protrusion 6A when the determination unit 25 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is equal to or higher than the threshold (= first threshold = second threshold). The height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y extends so that the front end surface 6X is lowered, that is, the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A approaches the server rack 3 and the cold aisle 7, and the duct protrusion 6A and the server rack 3 A control command for controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is output so that the opening between them becomes narrow (see FIG. 3).

  When the determination unit 25 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is less than the threshold value (= first threshold value = second threshold value), the control command unit 26 changes the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7. A control command for controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is output so that the amount of warm air circulation to the head increases. That is, the control command unit 26 is provided in the duct protrusion 6A when the determination unit 25 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is less than the threshold (= first threshold = second threshold). The height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y contracts so that the front end surface 6X rises, that is, the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A is far from the server rack 3 and the cold aisle 7, and the duct protrusion 6A and the server rack 3 A control command for controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is output so that the opening between the two is wide (see FIG. 4).

  In the present embodiment, the outside air introduction fan 9 is attached to the tip of the duct protrusion 6A. For this reason, the above-described height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y is a mechanism that adjusts the height direction position of the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A, but it is also a mechanism that adjusts the height direction position of the outside air introduction fan 9. There will be. The above-described height direction position control unit 21 controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y to control the height direction position of the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A. 9 also controls the position in the height direction. For this reason, the height direction position controller 21 is also referred to as a fan height controller (fan height controller).

  The cold aisle 7 is provided with a cold aisle pressure sensor 12, and the hot aisle 8 is provided with a hot aisle pressure sensor 13 (see FIG. 6). Here, one cold aisle pressure sensor 12 and one hot aisle pressure sensor 13 are provided on both sides of the server rack 3. That is, one cold aisle pressure sensor 12 is provided on the intake side of the server 2 mounted on the server rack 3, and one hot aisle pressure sensor 13 is provided on the exhaust side of the server 2.

  The pressure sensors 12 and 13 may be one or plural. For example, one pressure sensor 12, 13 may be provided on each side of the server rack 3, or a plurality of pressure sensors 12, 13 may be provided on each side of the server rack 3. That is, the number of measurement points may be one or more, and the number of measurement points is not particularly limited. Further, when there are a plurality of measurement points, an average value of these may be adopted. The pressure sensors 12 and 13 may be installed so that the pressure sensors 12 and 13 are at the same height and the same position across the server rack 3, and the dynamic pressure is not detected. Just do it.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 20 controls the outside air introduction fan 9 based on the pressure (pressure data; pressure information) detected by the cold aisle pressure sensor 12 and the hot aisle pressure sensor 13. A fan control unit 22 is included.
Here, when the pressure detected by the cold aisle pressure sensor 12 is lower than the pressure detected by the hot aisle pressure sensor 13, the fan control unit 22 increases the rotational speed of the outside air introduction fan 9. In this way, the outside air introduction fan 9 is controlled. In addition, the fan control unit 22 reduces the rotational speed of the outside air introduction fan 9 when the pressure detected by the cold aisle pressure sensor 12 becomes higher than the pressure detected by the hot aisle pressure sensor 13. The outside air introduction fan 9 is controlled. The fan control unit 22 controls the rotation speed of the outside air introduction fan 9, and is also referred to as a fan rotation speed control unit (fan rotation speed controller).

Therefore, the fan control unit 22 includes, for example, a controller or a computer, and functions thereof include a cold aisle side pressure acquisition unit 28, a hot aisle side pressure acquisition unit 27, and a differential pressure calculation unit 29 as shown in FIG. And a differential pressure determination unit 30 and a control command unit 31.
Here, the cold aisle side pressure acquisition unit 28 acquires the pressure detected by the cold aisle side pressure sensor 12. Here, since the cold aisle pressure sensor 12 detects the pressure (static pressure) of the intake air to the server 2 in the cold aisle 7, the cold aisle pressure acquisition unit 28 is the server in the cold aisle 7. The pressure of the intake air to 2 (static pressure; static pressure information) is acquired. Therefore, the cold aisle side pressure acquisition unit 28 is also referred to as an intake pressure acquisition unit, a server intake pressure acquisition unit, an intake static pressure acquisition unit, or a server intake static pressure acquisition unit.

  The hot aisle side pressure acquisition unit 27 acquires the pressure detected by the hot aisle side pressure sensor 13. Here, since the hot aisle pressure sensor 13 detects the pressure (static pressure) of the exhaust from the server 2 in the hot aisle 8, the hot aisle pressure acquisition unit 27 is the server in the hot aisle 8. The pressure of the exhaust from 2 (static pressure; static pressure information) is acquired. For this reason, the hot aisle pressure acquisition unit 27 is also referred to as an exhaust pressure acquisition unit, a server exhaust pressure acquisition unit, an exhaust static pressure acquisition unit, or a server exhaust static pressure acquisition unit.

The differential pressure calculation unit 29 calculates a differential pressure (differential pressure value; differential pressure data) between the pressure acquired by the cold aisle side pressure acquisition unit 28 and the pressure acquired by the hot aisle side pressure acquisition unit 27. That is, the differential pressure calculation unit 29 calculates a differential pressure between the server intake pressure and the server exhaust pressure (server intake pressure−server exhaust pressure).
The differential pressure determination unit 30 determines whether or not the differential pressure (intake and exhaust differential pressure) calculated by the differential pressure calculation unit 29 is less than 0 (whether or not the server exhaust pressure is greater), and the differential pressure calculation unit 29. It is determined whether or not the differential pressure calculated by (1) is greater than 0 (whether or not the server intake pressure is greater).

The control command unit 31 outputs a command for controlling the outside air introduction fan 9 based on the determination result in the differential pressure determination unit 30.
Here, when the differential pressure determination unit 30 determines that the differential pressure is less than 0, the server exhaust pressure is higher, that is, the server intake pressure is lower (the pressure of the cold aisle 7 is higher). In order to make the differential pressure close to zero, a command for controlling the outside air introduction fan 9 is output so that the rotation speed of the outside air introduction fan 9 is increased.

On the other hand, when the differential pressure determination unit 30 determines that the differential pressure is greater than 0, the server intake pressure is greater (because the pressure of the cold aisle 7 is greater), so that the differential pressure approaches 0. Then, a command for controlling the outside air introduction fan 9 is output so that the rotation speed of the outside air introduction fan 9 is lowered.
Thus, when it is determined that the differential pressure is less than 0, since the pressure of the cold aisle 7 is smaller, the rotational speed of the outside air introduction fan 9 is increased and it is determined that the differential pressure is greater than 0. In this case, since the pressure of the cold aisle 7 is larger, the rotational speed of the outside air introduction fan 9 is lowered. Thus, the outside air introduction fan 9 is controlled by controlling the rotational speed of the outside air introduction fan 9 so that the differential pressure approaches 0, that is, the pressure of the cold aisle 7 and the pressure of the hot aisle 8 coincide with each other. The flow rate of the outside air introduced through 9 is increased or decreased. For this reason, since the differential pressure determination unit 30 and the control command unit 31 determine the increase or decrease in the flow rate (air volume) of the outside air introduced through the outside air introduction fan 9, both the air volume determination and control command unit Say.

  Here, the amount of warm air circulation is changed by controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y described above, and further, the operating state of the server 2 is changed, and the rotational speed of the server built-in fan 10, that is, the server built-in fan 10 Since it is also assumed that the air volume has changed, it is determined whether the air volume of the outside air introduction fan 9 or the server built-in fan 10 is large based on the intake / exhaust differential pressure information as described above. When the intake / exhaust differential pressure is less than 0 (exhaust static pressure is larger), the fan control unit 22 controls the rotation speed of the outside air introduction fan 9 to increase the rotation speed of the outside air introduction fan 9. Conversely, if the intake / exhaust differential pressure is greater than 0 (the intake static pressure is greater), the fan controller 22 causes the outside air introduction fan 9 to reduce the rotational speed of the outside air introduction fan 9. Control rotation speed That.

  Note that the interval between the measurement by the temperature sensor 11 and the control in the height direction by the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y (measurement / operation interval), the measurement by the pressure sensors 12 and 13, and the rotation of the outside air introduction fan 9 are performed. As for the number control interval (measurement / operation interval), since the operating state of the server 2 changes every second, the interval between the measurement by the pressure sensors 12 and 13 and the control of the rotational speed of the outside air introduction fan 9 is For example, it is preferable to set about 10 seconds as a guide. However, it takes time until the intake air temperature rises due to the circulating warm air, and hunting may occur due to the control of the height direction position by the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y. For this reason, as for the interval between the measurement by the temperature sensor 11 and the control of the height direction position by the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y, the measurement / operation interval can be delayed, for example, to about 10 minutes. In this case, for example, measurement with the pressure sensors 12 and 13 and control of the rotational speed of the outside air introduction fan 9 are repeated at intervals of about 10 seconds, and measurement and height with the temperature sensor 11 at intervals of about 10 minutes. The height direction position is controlled by the direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y.

Next, a control flow (circulation control method) by the circulation control system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, first, the height direction position control unit 21 included in the control unit 20 acquires the temperature (intake air temperature) detected by the temperature sensor 11 by the temperature acquisition unit 23 (step S1). Further, the fan control unit 22 included in the control unit 20 acquires the pressure (intake static pressure) detected by the cold aisle side pressure sensor 12 by the cold aisle side pressure acquisition unit 28 (step S1). Also, the fan control unit 22 included in the control unit 20 acquires the pressure (exhaust static pressure) detected by the hot aisle pressure sensor 13 by the hot aisle pressure acquisition unit 27 (step S1).

Next, the fan control unit 22 calculates a differential pressure (intake / exhaust differential pressure; intake static pressure−exhaust static pressure) by the differential pressure calculation unit 29 (step S2).
Next, the height direction position control unit 21 determines whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 by the determination unit 25 is equal to or higher than the threshold set by the threshold setting unit 24 (= first threshold = second threshold). It is determined whether or not (step S3).

As a result of this determination, when it is determined that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the process proceeds to the YES route, and the height direction position control unit 21 uses the control command unit 26 to perform the height direction position adjustment mechanism. A control command is output to 6Y (step S4).
Here, when the determination unit 25 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is equal to or higher than the threshold (= first threshold = second threshold), the height direction position control unit 21 controls the control command unit 26. Thus, a control command for controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is output so that the amount of warm air circulation from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7 is reduced. That is, when the determination unit 25 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is equal to or higher than the threshold (= first threshold = second threshold), the height direction position control unit 21 is controlled by the control command unit 26. The height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y provided in the duct protrusion 6A extends so that the front end surface 6X thereof is lowered, that is, the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A approaches the server rack 3 and the cold aisle 7, and the duct protrudes. A control command for controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is output so that the opening between the section 6A and the server rack 3 is narrowed (step S4).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is less than the threshold value, the process proceeds to the NO route, and the height direction position control unit 21 controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism 6Y by the control command unit 26. The control command is output (step S5).
Here, when the determination unit 25 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is less than the threshold value (= first threshold value = second threshold value), the height direction position control unit 21 controls the control command unit 26. Thus, a control command for controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is output so that the amount of warm air circulation from the hot aisle 8 to the cold aisle 7 increases. That is, when the determination unit 25 determines that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 11 is less than the threshold value (= first threshold value = second threshold value), the height direction position control unit 21 uses the control command unit 26. The height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y provided in the duct protruding portion 6A is contracted so that the front end surface 6X is raised, that is, the front end surface 6X of the duct protruding portion 6A is far from the server rack 3 and the cold aisle 7. A control command for controlling the height direction position adjusting mechanism 6Y is output so that the opening between the protruding portion 6A and the server rack 3 is widened (step S5).

Next, the fan control unit 22 uses the differential pressure determination unit 30 to determine whether the differential pressure is less than 0 (whether the server exhaust pressure is greater) (step S6).
As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the differential pressure is less than 0, the process proceeds to the YES route, and the fan control unit 22 outputs a command for controlling the outside air introduction fan 9 by the control command unit 31 ( Step S7).

Here, when the differential pressure determination unit 30 determines that the differential pressure is less than 0, the fan control unit 22 rotates the outside air introduction fan 9 to bring the differential pressure close to 0 by the control command unit 31. A command for controlling the outside air introduction fan 9 is output so that the number increases (step S7).
On the other hand, if it is determined that the differential pressure is greater than or equal to 0, the process proceeds to the NO route. Further, the fan control unit 22 determines whether or not the differential pressure is greater than 0 by the differential pressure determination unit 30 (the server intake pressure Whether or not the larger one is larger) (step S8).

As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the differential pressure is greater than 0, the process proceeds to a YES route, and the fan control unit 22 outputs a command for controlling the outside air introduction fan 9 by the control command unit 31 ( Step S9).
Here, when the differential pressure determination unit 30 determines that the differential pressure is greater than 0, the fan control unit 22 rotates the outside air introduction fan 9 in order to bring the differential pressure close to 0 by the control command unit 31. A command for controlling the outside air introduction fan 9 is output so that the number is reduced.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the differential pressure is not greater than 0, that is, the differential pressure is 0, the fan control unit 22 ends the process without controlling the outside air introduction fan 9.
Therefore, according to the circulation control system and the information processing system according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that the temperature of the intake air to the server 2 can be adjusted when a part of the exhaust from the server 2 is circulated.

Here, in order to confirm such an effect, a model was assembled with a configuration equivalent to that of an actual server room, and a thermal fluid analysis was performed. As a result, the following results were obtained.
Here, FIG. 9 shows a model used for thermal fluid analysis. Here, the server room 1 on one floor has a width of 13.2 m × depth of 8.5 m × height of 6.1 m, and a server rack 3 of width 1 m × depth 0.6 m × height 2.4 m inside. A total of 6 rows are arranged with 12 units per row. Further, the directions of the server racks 3 are alternately arranged so that the intake side and the exhaust side of the server 2 face each other. Above the cold aisle 7, there is a protruding portion 6 </ b> A of a 2.2 m wide outside air introduction duct, and an outside air introduction fan 9 is installed at the tip thereof. The size of the outside air introduction fan 9 is 1 square meter, and the number of installed fans is four per row, for a total of three rows. The server rack 3 is equipped with 8 6U servers 2 per rack, and the amount of heat generated by the servers 2 is 3 kW per rack. Further, the front end surface 6X of the duct protruding portion 6A, that is, the height direction position of the outside air introduction fan 9 is variable, and here, 3 m, 4 m, and 5 m.

In such a thermal fluid analysis model, when the outside air temperature is 5 ° C., the outside air introduction fan 9 and the server built-in fan so that the temperature difference between the cold aisle 7 and the hot aisle 8 is 10 ° C. and the intake air temperature is 20 ° C. The air volume was set, and the temperature analysis was performed in the lateral direction of the server and in the front direction of the server (just before intake).
Here, FIG. 10 shows a view of the server room temperature analysis result seen from the server lateral direction, and FIG. 11 shows a server room temperature analysis result seen from the server front direction (just before intake). The figure is shown. 10 (A) and 11 (A), when the height direction position is 3 m, FIG. 10 (B) and FIG. 11 (B), when the height direction position is 4 m, FIG. 10 (C), FIG. 11C shows a case where the height direction position is 5 m.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 (A) to 10 (C) and FIGS. 11 (A) to 11 (C), the height direction position of the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A, that is, the outside air introduction fan 9 is shown. It was confirmed that by raising the position in the height direction, the amount of warm air circulation can be increased and the intake air temperature can be increased and made uniform. Here, when the height direction position in FIGS. 10 (A) and 11 (A) is 3 m, the maximum intake air temperature is 33.2 ° C., the minimum is 16.8 ° C., and the average is 21. When the position in the height direction in FIGS. 10B and 11B is 4 m, the maximum intake air temperature is 29.2 ° C., the minimum is 17.9 ° C., and the average is When the height direction position in FIGS. 10C and 11C is 5 m, the maximum intake air temperature is 24.9 ° C., the minimum is 21 ° C., and the average is It was 22.3 ° C. Thus, by raising the height direction position of the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A, that is, the height direction position of the outside air introduction fan 9, the amount of warm air circulation is increased, and the intake air temperature is increased and made uniform. It was confirmed that it was possible. For this reason, during a weather condition in which the intake air temperature of the server 2 is to be increased, such as in the winter or rainy season, the height direction position of the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A, that is, the height direction of the outside air introduction fan 9 Just raise the position and increase the amount of warm air circulation. On the other hand, when there is no need to increase the two intake temperatures of the server, such as in the intermediate period, the position in the height direction of the front end surface 6X of the duct protrusion 6A, that is, the position in the height direction of the outside air introduction fan 9 is lowered. Reduce the amount of circulation.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure described in embodiment mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.
Hereinafter, additional notes will be disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment and modifications.
(Appendix 1)
A duct protrusion provided above the cold aisle on one side of the electronic equipment mounting rack and having a height direction position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height direction position of the front end surface;
And a control unit that controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism based on temperature so that the amount of warm air circulating from the hot aisle on the other side of the electronic equipment mounting rack to the cold aisle changes. Control system.

(Appendix 2)
The control unit controls the height direction position adjusting mechanism so that a warm air circulation amount from the hot aisle to the cold aisle is reduced when the temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold. The circulation control system according to attachment 1.
(Appendix 3)
The control unit controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism so that the amount of warm air circulation from the hot aisle to the cold aisle increases when the temperature becomes less than a second threshold. The circulation control system according to appendix 1 or 2.

(Appendix 4)
A temperature sensor provided in the cold aisle;
The said control part controls the said height direction position adjustment mechanism based on the temperature detected by the said temperature sensor, The circulation control system of any one of Additional remarks 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

(Appendix 5)
An outside air introduction fan is attached to the duct protrusion,
A cold aisle pressure sensor provided on the cold aisle;
A hot aisle pressure sensor provided in the hot aisle,
The control unit controls the outside air introduction fan based on pressure detected by the cold aisle side pressure sensor and the hot aisle side pressure sensor. The described circulation control system.

(Appendix 6)
When the pressure detected by the cold aisle pressure sensor is lower than the pressure detected by the hot aisle pressure sensor, the controller is configured to increase the rotational speed of the outside air introduction fan. The circulation control system according to appendix 5, wherein the introduction fan is controlled.

(Appendix 7)
When the pressure detected by the cold aisle pressure sensor is higher than the pressure detected by the hot aisle pressure sensor, the controller controls the outside air so that the rotation speed of the outside air introduction fan decreases. The circulation control system according to appendix 5 or 6, wherein the introduction fan is controlled.

(Appendix 8)
An electronic device mounted on the electronic device mounting rack;
The electronic apparatus is cooled by external air supplied to the cold aisle from the duct protrusion and by circulating warm air from the hot aisle to the cold aisle, comprising the circulation control system according to any one of appendices 1 to 7. An information processing system comprising a cooling system.

1 Server room 2 Server (electronic equipment)
3 Server rack (electronic equipment rack)
4 Outside air introduction port 5 Exhaust port 6 Duct for outside air introduction 6A Duct protrusion 6X Front end surface 6Y Height direction adjustment mechanism 7 Cold aisle 8 Hot aisle 9 Fan for outside air introduction 10 Fan with built-in electronic equipment
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Temperature sensor 12 Cold aisle side pressure sensor 13 Hot aisle side pressure sensor 20 Control part 21 Height direction position control part 22 Fan control part 23 Temperature acquisition part 24 Threshold setting part 25 Judgment part 26 Control command part 27 Hot aisle side pressure acquisition Section 28 Cold aisle side pressure acquisition section 29 Differential pressure calculation section 30 Differential pressure determination section 31 Control command section 60 Warm air discharge duct 60A Projection section (duct projection section)
60X Tip surface 60Y Height direction position adjustment mechanism

Claims (7)

A duct protrusion provided above the cold aisle on one side of the electronic equipment mounting rack and having a height direction position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height direction position of the front end surface;
And a control unit that controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism based on temperature so that the amount of warm air circulating from the hot aisle on the other side of the electronic equipment mounting rack to the cold aisle changes. Control system.   The control unit controls the height direction position adjusting mechanism so that a warm air circulation amount from the hot aisle to the cold aisle is reduced when the temperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold. The circulation control system according to claim 1.   The control unit controls the height direction position adjustment mechanism so that the amount of warm air circulation from the hot aisle to the cold aisle increases when the temperature becomes less than a second threshold. The circulation control system according to claim 1 or 2. An outside air introduction fan is attached to the duct protrusion,
A cold aisle pressure sensor provided on the cold aisle;
A hot aisle pressure sensor provided in the hot aisle,
The said control part controls the said fan for external air introduction based on the pressure detected by the said cold aisle side pressure sensor and the said hot aisle side pressure sensor, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Described in the circulation control system.   When the pressure detected by the cold aisle pressure sensor is lower than the pressure detected by the hot aisle pressure sensor, the controller is configured to increase the rotational speed of the outside air introduction fan. The circulation control system according to claim 4, wherein the introduction fan is controlled.   When the pressure detected by the cold aisle pressure sensor is higher than the pressure detected by the hot aisle pressure sensor, the controller controls the outside air so that the rotation speed of the outside air introduction fan decreases. 6. The circulation control system according to claim 4, wherein the introduction fan is controlled. An electronic device mounted on the electronic device mounting rack;
It has the circulation control system of any one of Claims 1-6, and the said electronic device is carried out by the circulation warm air from the external air supplied to the said cold aisle from the said duct protrusion part, and the said hot aisle to the said cold aisle. An information processing system comprising a cooling system for cooling.