JP5217721B2 - Cooling system - Google Patents

Description

  The present case includes a heat exchanger that causes the refrigerant that has flowed to absorb the heat to be cooled to flow out, a cooler that cools the refrigerant, and a circulation path that circulates the refrigerant between the cooler and the heat exchanger. Related to the cooling system.

  In today's society, a wide variety of electronic devices have been developed with the progress of industrial technology, and there are many electronic devices having a complicated configuration. Particularly in recent years, with the progress of the information society, technologies related to electronic devices that perform information processing, such as computers, are rapidly developing, and high-performance electronic devices having complicated configurations are being developed one after another.

  In electronic devices, a complicated electronic circuit is generally provided inside the electronic device, and many of these electronic circuits generate heat when operating as an electronic device. For example, in a computer, a CPU that plays a central role in computer operation control generates heat as the computer operates. When the electronic circuit generates heat, the heat may cause problems in the electronic circuit and other electronic components around it. Furthermore, the air inside the electronic device heated by the generated electronic circuit is exhausted to the outside of the electronic device, so that the entire room in which the electronic device is accommodated (hereinafter referred to as the accommodation room) becomes high temperature. Other electronic devices installed in the storage room may cause problems. Although it is conceivable that the temperature of the storage room is lowered by the air conditioning equipment, cooling with the air conditioning equipment is not sufficient when the amount of heat generated in the storage room is large, such as when there are many electronic devices in the storage room. Often it becomes. In such a case, a heat transport mechanism is needed to release the heat generated in the electronic device to another location outside the storage chamber.

  As a mechanism of heat transport, a cooling system has been conventionally known in which an electronic device is cooled with low-temperature water, and the water used in the cooling is cooled with a refrigerator and used again for cooling the electronic device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses such a cooling system.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a situation where an example of a conventional cooling system is applied.

  In the accommodation chamber 200 shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of racks 100 each accommodating several electronic devices 10 are arranged. Here, several electronic devices 10 accommodated in one rack 100 are electronic devices that operate in cooperation with each other, and heat is generated in these several electronic devices 10 along with the operation thereof. The accommodation chamber 200 is provided with an air handling unit 302 and an air conditioning refrigerator 301 in order to prevent the temperature inside the accommodation chamber 200 from rising due to heat generated by the electronic device 10. Here, the air conditioning refrigerator 301 plays a role of cooling the water sent from the air handling unit 302 and sending it to the air handling unit 302. The air handling unit 302 is sent from the air conditioning refrigerator 301. The low-temperature water is used to cool the air in the storage chamber, and the cool air is discharged into the storage chamber.

  In the accommodation chamber 200, there are a plurality of racks 100 that accommodate several electronic devices 10, and the total number of electronic devices 10 is quite large. For this reason, a large amount of heat is generated with the operation of the electronic devices 10, and it may be difficult to sufficiently cool these electronic devices 10 with the cool air from the air handling unit 302. Therefore, a cooling system 1000 ′ is used to cool these electronic devices 10.

  The cooling system 1000 ′ of FIG. 1 includes a tank 101 ′ for temporarily storing water 1 and a pump 104 ′ for flowing the water 1 along the circulation path 104 a ′. In addition, the cooling system 1000 ′ of FIG. 1 is also provided with a refrigerator 102 ′. The refrigerator 102 ′ continuously transfers heat by the phase change of the internal refrigerant 1b and is sent from the tank 101 ′. The water 1 is cooled by removing heat from the incoming water 1. Further, the cooling tower 103 ′ feeds and circulates cooling water 1 c for absorbing heat discharged from the condensing part 1 d of the internal refrigerant 1 b of the refrigerator 102 ′, and the cooling that has returned after the temperature rises. In the cooling tower 103 ′, the water 1c is brought into contact with the outside air taken in by the blower, and the temperature is lowered using the heat of vaporization of water. Here, in the refrigerator 102 ′ in FIG. 1, the water 1 is cooled to 12 ° C. The water cooled by the refrigerator 102 'flows through the circulation path 104a' in the direction indicated by the upward arrow and the right arrow in the figure and is supplied to each rack 100 by the action of the pump 104 '. The electronic device 10 in each rack 100 is cooled by the supplied water. Water that has been used for cooling and whose temperature has risen flows through the circulation path 104a ′ in the direction indicated by the right-pointing arrow and the downward-pointing arrow in FIG. Used for cooling the device 10.

In the cooling system 1000 ′ shown in FIG. 1, water having a considerably low temperature of 12 ° C. is supplied to the electronic devices 10 in any rack 100. For this reason, in all of the plurality of racks 100, even if the operating rate of the several electronic devices 10 accommodated is high and the heat generation amount is large, the racks are in a high temperature state that causes problems in the electronic devices. 100 does not appear.
JP 2007-187383 A

  However, in reality, all of the plurality of racks 100 are rarely in a state in which the operation rate of the electronic device 10 is high and the heat generation amount is large, and the electronic device 10 is usually only in a limited number of racks 100. In many cases, the remaining rack 100 is in a state in which the heat generation amount is small. For this reason, in the rack 100 where the calorific value of the electronic device 10 is small, the electronic device 10 is unnecessarily cooled, resulting in wasted power consumption.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the temperature of water that flows out after being cooled by the refrigerator and the power consumption required for cooling the water at that time.

  FIG. 2 shows seven refrigerators having the same configuration (refrigeration capacity: 1000 USRT, cooling water: 32/37 ° C.) except that the temperature of the water cooled and discharged from the refrigerator is different. The power consumption is shown, and it can be seen that the power consumption decreases as the temperature of the flowing water increases. Here, in order to explicitly indicate that power is wasted when unnecessary cooling is performed, an ideal electronic device that does not hinder operation if the temperature of the device is 40 ° C. or less, A model for cooling using water cooled by a refrigerator will be considered with reference to the results of FIG.

  When the electronic device is operating at a high operating rate such that the temperature of the electronic device becomes 28 ° C. higher than the ambient temperature in accordance with the operation, the ambient temperature of the electronic device is at least the upper limit temperature. It is necessary to lower the temperature to 12 ° C., which is 28 ° C. lower than 40 ° C. Therefore, it is necessary to supply water of 12 ° C. or lower to this electronic device. At this time, the power consumption required for cooling is at least about 580 kW as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the electronic device is operating at a low operating rate that is higher by 15 ° C. than the ambient temperature, the ambient temperature of the electronic device is at least 15 ° C. higher than the upper limit temperature of 40 ° C. It is necessary to lower the temperature to 25 ° C. Therefore, it is sufficient to supply water of 25 ° C. or less to the electronic device. At this time, the power consumption required for cooling is at most about 400 kW as shown in FIG.

  Here, when the electronic device is operating at a low operating rate of about 15 ° C. higher than the ambient temperature, when water of 12 ° C. or less is supplied to the electronic device, the temperature of the operating electronic device is The temperature is as low as 27 ° C. Thus, from the viewpoint of ensuring the operation of the electronic device, it is sufficient that the temperature of the device does not exceed the upper limit of 40 ° C. Therefore, about 580 kW of power is consumed where about 400 kW of power is sufficient. As a result, useless power consumption occurs.

  As described above, in the cooling system 1000 ′ in FIG. 1, when there are racks 100 in which the operation rate of several electronic devices accommodated is low and the calorific value is small, unnecessary cooling is performed and unnecessary. Power is consumed.

  In recent years, consideration for environmental problems such as global warming has been demanded, and reduction of power consumption has been strongly demanded. Also in the field of cooling systems, the realization of a cooling system suitable for power saving is an important issue, and it is strongly required to avoid wasteful power consumption like the cooling system 1000 ′ in FIG. 1.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling system suitable for power saving.

The basic form of the cooling system that achieves the above object is as follows:
A plurality of heat exchangers that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of cooling targets that generate heat, receive the inflow of the refrigerant, absorb the heat of the corresponding cooling target, and cause the refrigerant to flow out;
A calorific value detection means for detecting the calorific value of each of the plurality of cooling objects;
A plurality of coolers that cool the refrigerant to different temperatures;
A circulation path for circulating a refrigerant between each of the plurality of coolers and each of the plurality of heat exchangers;
A switching valve that is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of heat exchangers, and selectively switches the connection destination of the refrigerant circulation path via the corresponding heat exchanger to any of the plurality of coolers;
Based on the heat generation amount of each of the plurality of cooling targets detected by the heat generation amount detection means, the heat exchanger responsible for cooling the cooling target with a smaller heat generation amount is relatively higher among the plurality of coolers. Circulation control means is provided for causing the switching valve to switch the circulation path so as to circulate the refrigerant with a cooler that cools to a temperature.

  According to this basic form, a plurality of coolers that cool the refrigerant to different temperatures are provided, and a cooling target with a small calorific value is cooled by a cooler with a relatively high temperature at which the refrigerant is cooled. Is done. As a result, in this basic form, unnecessary cooling is avoided for a cooling target with a small calorific value, and a cooling system in which a plurality of coolers all cool the refrigerant uniformly to a low temperature. As a result, power is saved.

  As described above, according to the basic form of the cooling system, a cooling system suitable for power saving is realized.

  Hereinafter, two embodiments of the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described as specific embodiments for the cooling system described above with respect to the basic embodiment.

  First, the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of the cooling system 1000 according to the first embodiment.

  In the storage chamber 200 shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of racks 100 each storing several electronic devices 10 are arranged. In this figure, four racks 100 are shown. Here, several electronic devices 10 accommodated in one rack 100 are electronic devices that operate in cooperation with each other, and heat is generated in these several electronic devices 10 along with the operation thereof. The accommodation chamber 200 is provided with an air handling unit 302 and an air conditioning refrigerator 301 in order to prevent the temperature inside the accommodation chamber 200 from rising due to heat generated by the electronic device 10. Here, the air conditioning refrigerator 301 plays a role of cooling the water sent from the air handling unit 302 and sending it to the air handling unit 302. The air handling unit 302 is sent from the air conditioning refrigerator 301. The low-temperature water is used to cool the air in the storage chamber 200, and the cool air is discharged into the storage chamber 200.

  In the accommodation chamber 200, there are a plurality of racks 100 that accommodate several electronic devices 10, and the total number of electronic devices 10 is quite large. For this reason, a large amount of heat is generated with the operation of the electronic devices 10, and it may be difficult to sufficiently cool these electronic devices 10 with the cool air from the air handling unit 302. Therefore, a cooling system 1000 is used to cool these electronic devices 10.

  The cooling system 1000 in FIG. 3 includes a first tank 101 and a second tank 201 for temporarily storing water 1 and a first tank for flowing the water 1 along the first circulation path 104a and the second circulation path 204a. A pump 104 and a second pump 204 are provided. In addition, the cooling system 1000 in FIG. 3 includes two refrigerators, a first refrigerator 102 and a second refrigerator 202. The first refrigerator 102 and the second refrigerator 202 continuously transfer heat by the phase change of the internal refrigerant 1b, and take heat away from the water 1 sent from the first tank 101 and the second tank 201, respectively. This is a refrigerator that cools the water 1. Here, in the first refrigerator 102, the water 1 is cooled to 12 ° C., and in the second refrigerator 202, the water 1 is cooled to 25 ° C. In the first refrigerator 102 and the second refrigerator 202, the amount of heat discharged when the vaporized internal refrigerant 1b is condensed and liquefied by the condensing unit 1d in each refrigerator is expressed by the first cooling tower 103 and the second cooling tower 203. Is absorbed by the cooling water 1c sent from each. Here, the 1st cooling tower 103 and the 2nd cooling tower 203 are provided in the place exposed to air | atmosphere, such as the roof of a building, and were sent to the 1st cooling tower 103 and the 2nd cooling tower 203, respectively. The cooling water 1c is a cooling water cooling unit (not shown) included in each cooling tower, and is brought into contact with outside air taken in by a blower included in each cooling tower, and the temperature is lowered using heat of vaporization of water. The heat of the cooling water 1c that has returned to the cooling tower is released into the atmosphere, and the cooling water 1c is cooled. The cooling water 1c cooled in each cooling tower is sent again to each refrigerator and used for cooling. In FIG. 3, the movement of water through the first water supply path 103a between the first refrigerator 102 and the first cooling tower 103 is indicated by a dotted arrow, and similarly, the second refrigerator 202 and A state in which water moves between the second cooling tower 203 through the second water supply passage 203a is indicated by a dotted arrow.

  Here, what combined the 1st refrigerator 102 and the 1st cooling tower 103, and what combined the 2nd refrigerator 202 and the 2nd cooling tower 203 are the cooling machine in the cooling system mentioned above with the basic form. It corresponds to an example.

  If the second refrigerator 202 in FIG. 3 is replaced with a refrigerator that cools the water 1 to 12 ° C. as in the first refrigerator 102, the replaced refrigerator and the first refrigerator 102 are replaced with each other. The combined ones play substantially the same role as the refrigerator 102 ′ of the conventional cooling system of FIG. 1, and the second refrigerator 202 of FIG. The cooling system replaced with a refrigerator for cooling is substantially the same as the conventional cooling system of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an upstream side valve 41 is provided on the left side of each rack 100 via a water inflow passage 41a, while on the right side of each rack 100 in the figure via a water outflow passage 42a. A downstream valve 42 is provided. Here, the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42 are connected to the first refrigerator 102 and the second refrigerator 202 via the first circulation path 104a and the second circulation path 204a, respectively. In the upstream side valve 41, either the water cooled by the first refrigerator 102 or the water cooled by the second refrigerator 202 is supplied to each rack 100 via the water inflow path 41a. As such, it plays the role of switching the flow of water alternatively. On the other hand, the downstream side valve 42 is supplied to each rack 100 and used for cooling the electronic device 10, and the water 1 whose temperature has increased is either one of the first refrigerator 102 and the second refrigerator 202. It plays the role of switching the flow of water alternatively.

  Here, the water 1 supplied from the first refrigerator 102 to the rack 100 returns to the first refrigerator 102, and the water 1 supplied from the second refrigerator 202 to the rack 100 returns to the second refrigerator 202. The switching of the upstream valve 41 and the switching of the downstream valve 42 are performed in synchronization with each other. For this reason, the water cooled by the first refrigerator 102 flows through the first circulation path 104a in the direction indicated by the solid line arrow in the drawing by the action of the first pump 104, returns to the first refrigerator 102, and is cooled again. On the other hand, the water cooled by the second refrigerator 202 flows through the second circulation path 204a in the direction indicated by the two-dot chain line arrow in the figure by the action of the second pump 204, returns to the second refrigerator 202, and is cooled again. Is done. With the circulation of water at this time, when the water 1 passes through the racks 100, the electronic devices 10 in the racks 100 are cooled. Here, the switching of the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42 is performed according to the amount of heat generated by the electronic device 10 in each rack 100, as will be described in detail later.

  Here, the combination of the first circulation path 104a, the second circulation path 204a, the water inflow path 41a, and the water outflow path 42a corresponds to an example of the circulation path in the cooling system described above in the basic mode.

  Next, how the electronic device 10 in each rack 100 is cooled will be described.

  In the cooling system 1000 of FIG. 3, when cooling the electronic device 10 in each rack 100, any one of the following two cooling methods, a direct cooling method and an indirect cooling method, is described. This is adopted for each rack 100. Hereinafter, each of the direct cooling method and the indirect cooling method will be described.

  In the direct cooling method, heat absorption is performed by contacting a heat exchanger with an electronic circuit that is built in each electronic device 10 in each rack 100 and generates heat with the operation of the electronic device 10. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the rack 100 in which the direct cooling method is adopted.

  In FIG. 4, an electronic circuit that generates heat is shown as a heating element 10a. As shown in FIG. 4, a heat exchanger 100a is in contact with the heating element 10a. The water 1 that has been cooled by the first refrigerator 102 and the second refrigerator 202 in FIG. 3 and has flowed through the water inflow passage 41a flows into the heat exchanger 100a. The water 1 passes through the heat exchanger 100a. When passing, the heat of the heating element 10a is absorbed. As a result, the electronic device 10 is cooled. The water 1 that has absorbed the heat flows out from the heat exchanger 100a and flows through the water outflow path 42a, and finally returns to the first refrigerator 102 and the second refrigerator 202 in FIG. 3 where it is cooled.

  On the other hand, in the indirect cooling method, high-temperature air exhausted from each electronic device 10 in each rack 100 is cooled in the rack 100 to indirectly heat the electronic device 10 (more precisely, the inside of the electronic device 10). The heat generated when the electronic circuit generates heat) is absorbed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the rack 100 in which the indirect cooling method is adopted.

  In the rack 100 employing the indirect cooling method, air in the accommodation chamber 200 (see FIG. 3) is sucked into the rack 100 by a fan (not shown), and the temperature of the air rises due to heat generated by the electronic device 10. . Here, in the rack 100 in which the indirect cooling method is adopted, as shown in FIG. 5, a heat exchanger 100 b is installed outside the electronic device 10. Water 1 that has been cooled by the first refrigerator 102 and the second refrigerator 202 of FIG. 3 and has flowed through the water inflow passage 41a flows into the heat exchanger 100b, and the water 1 is converted into the heat exchanger 100b. As it passes through, it absorbs the heat of the air whose temperature has been raised. Thereby, the heat of the electronic device 10 is absorbed and the electronic device 10 is cooled. The water 1 that has absorbed the heat flows out from the heat exchanger 100b and flows through the water outflow path 42a, and finally returns to the first refrigerator 102 and the second refrigerator 202 in FIG. 3 where it is cooled.

  Next, switching control of the upstream valve 41 and the downstream valve 42 in FIG. 3 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a mechanism that performs switching control of the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42.

  In the cooling system 1000 of FIG. 3, a temperature sensor 43 is provided in each rack 100, and the temperature in the rack 100 is measured by the temperature sensor 43. Here, in particular, in the indirect cooling method described above, the temperature in the rack 100 increases as the amount of heat generated by the electronic device 10 in the rack 100 increases. Therefore, the temperature in the rack 100 is substantially measured. This is equivalent to detecting the amount of heat generated by the electronic device 10 (more precisely, the total amount of heat generated by several electronic devices 10 in the rack 100). The measurement result of the temperature in the rack 100 by the temperature sensor 43 is sent to the switching control circuit 40, and the switching control circuit 40 executes switching control of the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42 according to the measured temperature. One switching control circuit 40 is provided for one rack 100 and is in charge of switching the water 1 flowing out and flowing into the rack 100.

  Here, the temperature sensor 43 corresponds to an example of the heat generation amount detection means in the cooling system described above in the basic form.

  Next, the flow of switching control of the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of switching control of the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42.

  When the temperature in the rack 100 is measured by the temperature sensor 43 in FIG. 6 (step S11), the switching control circuit 40 in FIG. 6 determines whether or not the measured temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold temperature (step S11). S12). The threshold temperature is an upper limit temperature at which normal operation of the electronic device 10 in the rack 100 is guaranteed. If the temperature in the rack 100 exceeds the threshold temperature, a problem is likely to occur in the electronic device 10.

  When the measured temperature is lower than the above threshold temperature (step S12; No), the switching control circuit 40 switches the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42 to the second refrigerator side (step S15). Here, as described above, the second refrigerator 202 is a refrigerator that cools the water 1 to 25 ° C., and the electronic device 10 in the rack 100 is cooled by water at 25 ° C. by switching the above step S15. The Rukoto.

  On the other hand, when the measured temperature is equal to or higher than the above threshold temperature (step S12; Yes), the switching control circuit 40 switches the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42 to the first refrigerator side (step S13). Here, as described above, the first refrigerator 102 is a refrigerator that cools the water 1 to 12 ° C., and the electronic device 10 in the rack 100 is cooled by the water 1 at 12 ° C. by switching the above step S13. Will be. Thus, the state in which the upstream valve 41 and the downstream valve 42 are switched to the first refrigerator side is continued until a predetermined time has elapsed (step S14; No).

  In the flowchart of FIG. 7, only one temperature measurement and switching of the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42 according to the result are shown, but in this cooling system 1000, such temperature measurement and the result thereof are shown. The switching of the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42 in accordance with the above is repeated. That is, after the upstream valve 41 and the downstream valve 42 are switched to the second refrigerator side in step S15, and the upstream valve 41 and the downstream valve 42 are switched to the first refrigerator side in step S13. After a predetermined time has elapsed (step S14; Yes), the temperature is measured again, and the process consisting of step S11, step S12, and step S15 described above, or step S11, step S12, The process consisting of step S13 and step S14 is repeated.

  Here, the upstream side valve 41 and the downstream side valve 42 correspond to an example of the switching valve in the cooling system described above in the basic form, and the control circuit 40 corresponds to an example of the circulation control means in the cooling system described above in the basic form. To do.

  Thus, in the cooling system 1000 of the first embodiment, the two refrigeration units of the first refrigerator 102 that cools the water 1 to 12 ° C. and the second refrigerator 202 that cools the water 1 to 25 ° C. When the temperature in the rack 100 is lower than the threshold temperature because the heat generation amount of the electronic device 10 is small in each rack 100, the electronic device 10 is cooled with water at 25 ° C. When the heat generation amount of the electronic device 10 of each rack 100 is large and the temperature in the rack 100 is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature, the electronic device 10 is cooled with water at 12 ° C. As a result, unnecessary cooling of the electronic device 10 in the rack 100 with a small calorific value is avoided, and in the cooling system 1000 of the first embodiment, the first refrigerator 102 and the second refrigerator. As compared with a cooling system in which both of the machines 202 are refrigerators that cool the water 1 to 12 ° C., power is saved.

  When the measured temperature exceeds the above threshold temperature, the electronic device 10 in the rack 100 having a large heat generation amount is cooled by the water 1 from the first refrigerator 102 for a predetermined time. In this case, sufficient cooling is performed.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of the cooling system 2000 according to the second embodiment.

  In the cooling system 2000 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the same components as those of the cooling system 1000 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. A duplicate description is omitted. The cooling system 2000 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is different from the cooling system 1000 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that the water 1 is cooled by exposing the water 1 to the atmosphere when the temperature of the atmosphere is low. There is a new cooling mode to be performed. Except this point, the cooling system 2000 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 has the same configuration as the cooling system 1000 of the first embodiment, and performs the same control as the cooling system 1000 of the first embodiment. Also in the cooling system 2000 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the switching control circuit 40 and the temperature sensor 43 shown in FIG. 6 are provided for each rack 100, and according to the flowchart of FIG. 42 is switched. In the following description, the cooling system 2000 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 will be described focusing on differences from the cooling system 1000 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Also in the cooling system 2000 shown in FIG. 8, when the temperature in the rack 100 is lower than the predetermined threshold temperature described above in the description of the flowchart in FIG. 7 (step S12 in FIG. 7), the upstream valve 41 and the downstream side The valve 42 is opened to the second refrigerator 202 side. In the cooling system 2000 of FIG. 8, at this time, the water 1 is cooled to 25 ° C. using the second refrigerator 202 according to the temperature of the atmosphere. The second refrigerator is not used, and the second refrigerator is not used to cool the water 1 by exposing the water 1 to the atmosphere in the cooling water cooling unit 2030 of the second cooling tower without using the second refrigerator 202. One of the cooling modes is alternatively executed. Here, the cooling water cooling unit 2030 originally contacts the water sent from the second refrigerator 202 with the outside air taken in by the blower when the second refrigerator 202 is used, and heats the vaporization of the water. It is the cooling water cooling part mentioned above in description of FIG.

  In the cooling system 2000 of FIG. 8, in order to execute such switching between the two cooling modes, an upstream mode switching valve 51 is provided between the second refrigerator 202 and the second tank 201, and A downstream mode switching valve 52 is provided between the two refrigerators 202 and the second pump 204. The upstream mode switching valve 51 and the downstream mode switching valve 52 are connected to the second cooling tower 203 through the third water supply passage 203b. The upstream-side mode switching valve 51 determines the inflow destination of the water 1 that has flowed from the heat exchanger (the heat exchanger 100a in FIG. 4 or the heat exchanger 100b in FIG. 5) of each rack 100 via the second pump 204. The downstream mode switching valve 52 is a heat exchanger for each rack 100 (the heat exchanger 100a in FIG. 4 or the heat exchanger 100b in FIG. 5). ) Is a valve that switches the source of the water 1 flowing to the second refrigerator 202 and the second cooling tower 203. Here, when the upstream mode switching valve 51 is switched to the second refrigerator 202 side, the downstream mode switching valve 52 is also switched to the second refrigerator 202 side, and the upstream mode switching valve 51 is switched to the second cooling tower. When switched to the 203 side, the downstream mode switching valve 52 is also switched to the second cooling tower 203 side. As described above, the switching of the upstream mode switching valve 51 and the switching of the downstream mode switching valve 52 are performed in synchronization, so that the flow path of the water 1 is always secured.

  In addition, the cooling system 2000 of FIG. 8 is provided with two on-off valves 54 for opening and closing the second water supply passage 203 a that connects the second refrigerator 202 and the second cooling tower 203. Of these two opening / closing valves 54, the opening / closing valve 54 on the left side in the figure is responsible for releasing / stopping the flow of the cooling water 1c from the second refrigerator 202 to the second cooling tower 203, and on the right side in the figure. The on-off valve 54 is in charge of releasing / stopping the flow of the cooling water 1 c from the second cooling tower 203 toward the second refrigerator 202. These two on-off valves 54 are controlled so as to open the second water supply passage 203a when the upstream mode switching valve 51 and the downstream mode switching valve 52 are switched to the second refrigerator 202 side. When the mode switching valve 51 and the downstream mode switching valve 52 are switched to the second cooling tower 203 side, the second water supply passage 203a is controlled to be closed.

  The cooling system 2000 of FIG. 8 is provided with a thermometer 53 that measures the temperature of the atmosphere. The measurement result of the atmospheric temperature by the thermometer 53 is sent to the mode control circuit 50, and the mode control circuit 50 In accordance with the measured temperature, switching of the upstream mode switching valve 51 and the downstream mode switching valve 52 and control of opening / closing of the second water supply passage 203a by the two opening / closing valves 54 are executed.

  Next, the flow of control of switching of the upstream mode switching valve 51 and the downstream mode switching valve 52 and the opening / closing control of the second water supply passage 203a by the two opening / closing valves 54 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of switching of the upstream mode switching valve 51 and the downstream mode switching valve 52 and the opening / closing of the second water supply passage 203a by the two opening / closing valves 54.

  When the atmospheric temperature is measured by the thermometer 53 of FIG. 8 (step S21), the mode control circuit 50 of FIG. 8 determines whether or not the measured temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined mode switching temperature (step S22). ). This mode switching temperature is a temperature at which the same cooling as the cooling by the second refrigerator 202 can be expected when the water 1 is exposed to the atmosphere.

  When the measured temperature is equal to or lower than the mode switching temperature (step S22; No), the mode control circuit 50 switches the upstream mode switching valve 51 and the downstream mode switching valve 52 to the second cooling tower 203 side. Further, the mode control circuit 50 causes the two opening / closing valves 54 to close the second water supply passage 203a and stops the operation of the second refrigerator. Thereby, in this cooling system 2000, a cooling mode switches to the 2nd freezer non-use mode which cools the water 1 without using a 2nd freezer (step S25). At this time, the water 1 flows through the third water supply passage 203b in the direction of the dark one-dot chain line in FIG. 8 and is exposed to the atmosphere in the cooling water cooling unit 2030 in the second cooling tower 203 to reach the atmospheric temperature. To be cooled.

  On the other hand, when the measured temperature exceeds the mode switching temperature (step S22; Yes), the mode control circuit 50 places the upstream mode switching valve 51 and the downstream mode switching valve 52 on the second refrigerator 202 side. Switch to. Furthermore, the mode control circuit 50 opens the second water supply passage 203a to the two opening / closing valves 54 and operates the second refrigerator 202. Thereby, in this cooling system 2000, a cooling mode switches to the 2nd refrigerator use mode which cools the water 1 using a 2nd refrigerator (step S23). At this time, the water 1 flows through the second refrigerator 202 in the direction of the thick two-dot chain line in FIG. 8 and is cooled to 25 ° C. by the second refrigerator 202. This second refrigerator use mode is continued until a predetermined second refrigerator use mode duration has elapsed (step S24; No).

  In the flowchart of FIG. 9, only one measurement of the atmospheric temperature and switching of the cooling mode according to the result are shown. However, in this cooling system 2000, the measurement of the atmospheric temperature and the result according to the result are shown. Switching of the cooling mode is repeated. That is, after the cooling mode is switched to the second refrigerator non-use mode in step S25, and after the cooling mode is switched to the second refrigerator use mode in step S23, a predetermined second refrigerator use mode duration time is set. After the elapse (step S24; Yes), the atmospheric temperature is measured again, and the process including step S21, step S22, and step S25 described above, or step S21, step S22, step S23, And the process consisting of step S24 is repeated.

  Thus, in the cooling system 2000 of the second embodiment, when the atmospheric temperature is low and the same level of cooling of the second refrigerator 202 can be expected, the second refrigerator 202 is not used and the second refrigerator 202 is not used. The water 1 is cooled by exposing the water 1 to the atmosphere in the accompanying cooling tower 203. By doing so, in the cooling system 2000 of the second embodiment, in addition to saving power by switching between the two first refrigerators 102 and the second refrigerator 202 described in the first embodiment, the second refrigerator 202 Power saving is realized by not using.

  When the measured temperature exceeds the mode switching temperature, the second refrigerator 202 is used for a predetermined second refrigerator usage mode duration, so that the electronic device 10 is cooled. As water, water whose temperature is maintained at 25 ° C. is stably supplied.

  The above is the description of the embodiment.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the temperature sensor 43 is provided in the rack 100 as means for detecting the amount of heat generated by the electronic device 10 in the rack 100. However, in the basic form described above, The temperature sensor 43 is provided near the rack 100, and the temperature sensor 43 measures the temperature of the air exhausted from the rack 100, thereby detecting the amount of heat generated by the electronic device 10 in the rack 100. Also good. In particular, in the case of the direct cooling method, since the heat generated in the electronic device hardly flows out to the air, there is a case where the heat generation of the device may not be recognized even if the air temperature in and near the rack is measured. A temperature sensor may be installed inside the water outflow path 42a, the water temperature inside each pipe may be measured, and the heat generation amount may be calculated and detected from the temperature difference. Instead of the temperature sensor 43, the amount of heat generated by the electronic device 10 may be detected through a detection result of a wattmeter that detects the power consumption of a heating element that is a main heat source in the electronic device 10.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the temperature sensor 43 and the switching control circuit 40 are separate, but the temperature sensor 43 and the switching control circuit 40 are integrated. May be. In particular, the integrated temperature sensor 43 and switching control circuit 40 may be further integrated with the upstream valve 41 or the downstream valve 42.

  Here, based on two embodiment of 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment which were demonstrated above, the preferable form with respect to the basic form of the cooling system mentioned above is demonstrated.

  In the basic form of the information storage device described above, “at least one of the plurality of coolers receives the inflow of the refrigerant, and the phase change of another refrigerant different from the refrigerant causes the first By taking heat from one refrigerant, receiving a cooling machine that cools the refrigerant and an inflow of cooling water that has absorbed heat discharged from the condensation section of the other refrigerant, and exposing the cooling water to the atmosphere A cooling tower that lowers the temperature of the cooling water and returns it to the refrigerator; an open / close valve that opens and closes a reciprocating path of the cooling water between the refrigerator and the cooling tower; and the refrigerant that passes through the heat exchanger Is the water, and the inflow destination of the water as the refrigerant returned from the heat exchanger is switched between the refrigerator and the cooling tower, and the outflow source of the water as the refrigerant going to the heat exchanger is the refrigerator And a second switching valve for switching to the cooling tower A temperature sensor for measuring the atmospheric temperature, and according to the atmospheric temperature measured by the temperature sensor, when the atmospheric temperature is equal to or lower than a threshold, the open / close valve is closed and the second switching valve is switched to the cooling tower side, A mode in which a cooling mode switching control unit that opens the opening / closing valve and switches the second switching valve to the refrigerator side when the ambient temperature exceeds the threshold value is a preferable mode.

  According to such a configuration, when a sufficient cooling effect by exposing the refrigerant to the atmosphere is expected because the atmospheric temperature is below the threshold value, the cooling tower attached to the refrigerator is not used in the atmosphere without using the refrigerator. Perform water cooling by exposing to water. Thus, further energy saving is realized by performing natural cooling by exposing to the atmosphere without using a refrigerator. In the second embodiment described above, when the atmospheric temperature is lower than the mode switching temperature, the water 1 is exposed to the atmosphere in the cooling tower 203 associated with the second refrigerator 202 without using the second refrigerator 202. Thus, cooling of the water 1 is performed, and the above-described preferable mode is realized. Here, the combination of the upstream mode switching valve 51 and the downstream mode switching valve 52 of the second embodiment corresponds to an example of the second switching valve in the preferred embodiment. Further, the thermometer 53 of the second embodiment corresponds to an example of the temperature sensor in the above-mentioned preferred form, and the mode control circuit 50 of the second embodiment corresponds to an example of the cooling mode switching control means in the above-mentioned preferred form. To do.

  Further, in the basic form of the information storage device described above, “at least one of the plurality of objects to be cooled includes a built-in heat-generating electronic component that generates heat by an operation, and the above-described plurality of heat exchangers. A form in which a heat exchanger for cooling an electronic device is disposed in contact with the heat generating electronic component and absorbs heat generated from the heat generating electronic component in a refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger '' This is a preferred form.

  According to such a form, the heat exchanger is in contact with the heat generating electronic component and the refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger absorbs the heat of the heat generating electronic component, so that the electronic device is effectively cooled. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 4, the heat exchanger 100a is in contact with the heating element 10a (heated electronic circuit) inside the electronic device 10, and the water 1 passing through the heat exchanger 100a. As a result, the heat of the heating element 10a is absorbed, and the preferred mode in which the heat exchanger is in contact with the heat generating electronic component is realized.

  In the basic form of the information storage device described above, “at least one of the plurality of heat exchangers absorbs the heat of the air in the environment where the corresponding cooling target is placed to thereby absorb the heat of the cooling target. The form “is indirectly absorbed” is a preferred form.

  According to such a form, even when there are a plurality of heat generation sources in the cooling target, the cooling target is efficiently cooled by absorbing the heat of the air in the environment where the cooling target is placed. In the first and second embodiments described above, the heat exchanger 100b absorbs heat from the air discharged from the electronic device 10 in the rack 100 as shown in FIG. The above preferred mode of absorbing the heat of air is realized.

It is a schematic diagram showing the situation where an example of the conventional cooling system is applied. It is a figure showing the relationship between the temperature of the water which cools with a refrigerator, and flows out, and the power consumption required for cooling of the water in that case. It is a whole block diagram of the cooling system of 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the rack by which the direct cooling system is employ | adopted. It is the figure which showed the rack by which the indirect cooling system is employ | adopted. It is a figure showing the mechanism which performs switching control of an upstream valve and a downstream valve. It is a flowchart showing the flow of switching control of an upstream valve and a downstream valve. It is a whole block diagram of the cooling system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the flow of control of switching of an upstream mode switching valve and a downstream mode switching valve, and the opening / closing control of the 2nd water supply path by two opening / closing valves.

Explanation of symbols

1 Water 1b Internal Refrigerant 1c Cooling Water 1d Condensing Unit 10 Electronic Device 10a Heating Element 40 Switching Control Circuit 41 Upstream Valve 41a Water Inflow Path 42 Downstream Valve 42a Water Outflow Path 43 Temperature Sensor 50 Mode Switching Circuit 51 Upstream Mode Switching Valve 52 Downstream mode switching valve 53 Thermometer 54 Open / close valve 100 Rack 100a, 100b Heat exchanger 101 'Tank 101 First tank 102' Refrigerator 102 First refrigerator 103 'Cooling tower 103 First cooling tower 103a First water supply path 104 'Pump 104 first pump 104a' circuit 104a first circuit 200 storage chamber 201 second tank 202 second refrigerator 203 second cooling tower 203a second water supply path 203b third water supply path 204 first pump 204a second circulation Road 301 Air-conditioning refrigerator 302 Air handling unit 1000, 20 0, 1000 'cooling system

Claims (4)

A plurality of heat exchangers that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of cooling targets that generate heat, receive the inflow of the refrigerant, absorb the heat of the corresponding cooling target, and cause the refrigerant to flow out;
A calorific value detection means for detecting the calorific value of each of the plurality of cooling objects;
A plurality of coolers that cool the refrigerant to different temperatures;
A circulation path for circulating a refrigerant between each of the plurality of coolers and each of the plurality of heat exchangers;
A switching valve that is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of heat exchangers, and selectively switches the connection destination of the refrigerant circulation path via the corresponding heat exchanger to any of the plurality of coolers;
Based on the heat generation amount of each of the plurality of cooling targets detected by the heat generation amount detection means, the heat exchanger responsible for cooling the cooling target with a small heat generation amount is relatively higher among the plurality of coolers. A cooling system comprising: a circulation control means for causing the switching valve to switch the circulation path so as to circulate the refrigerant with a cooler that cools to a temperature. At least one of the plurality of coolers is
A refrigerator that cools the refrigerant by taking heat from the first refrigerant due to a phase change of another refrigerant different from the refrigerant in response to the inflow of the refrigerant;
A cooling tower that receives an inflow of cooling water that has absorbed heat discharged from the condensing part of the other refrigerant, exposes the cooling water to the atmosphere, lowers the temperature of the cooling water, and returns the cooling water to the refrigerator;
An open / close valve that opens and closes a reciprocating path of the cooling water between the refrigerator and the cooling tower;
The refrigerant passing through the heat exchanger is water, and the flow destination of water as the refrigerant returned from the heat exchanger is switched between the refrigerator and the cooling tower, and the refrigerant is directed to the heat exchanger. A second switching valve for switching the source of the water to the refrigerator and the cooling tower;
A temperature sensor for measuring the atmospheric temperature;
According to the atmospheric temperature measured by the temperature sensor, when the atmospheric temperature is less than or equal to the threshold value, the open / close valve is closed and the second switching valve is switched to the cooling tower side, and the atmospheric temperature exceeds the threshold value. The cooling system according to claim 1, further comprising: a cooling mode switching control unit that opens the opening / closing valve and switches the second switching valve to the refrigerator side. At least one of the plurality of cooling objects includes a heat generating electronic component that generates heat by operation,
A refrigerant in which a heat exchanger for cooling the electronic device among the plurality of heat exchangers is disposed in contact with the heat generating electronic component and passes heat generated from the heat generating electronic component through the heat exchanger. The cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling system is absorbed in the water.   At least one of the plurality of heat exchangers absorbs heat of the cooling target indirectly by absorbing heat of air in an environment where the corresponding cooling target is placed. The cooling system according to claim 1 or 2.

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