TW202413871A - Liquid cooling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid cooling apparatus is configured to store a first cooling liquid and dissipate heat to at least one server through the first cooling liquid. The liquid cooling apparatus includes a shell, an immersion tank, a liquid-cooled heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, a first pump, a second pump and a liquid storage tank. The shell has a device storage space. The immersion tank is located in the device storage space for accommodating at least one server. The liquid-cooled heat exchanger is located in the device storage space. The plate heat exchanger is located in the device storage space. The plate heat exchanger has a first channel and a second channel that are not connected. The first channel is connected with the immersion tank and together form a first circulation flow channel to accommodate the first cooling liquid and the second channel are connected with the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and together form a second circulating flow channel for accommodating a second cooling liquid. The first cooling liquid and the second cooling liquid perform heat exchange in the plate heat exchanger.

Description

Liquid cooling device

The present invention relates to a liquid cooling device, in particular to an integrated immersion liquid cooling device.

The rapid development of electronic communication technology has led to the development of electronic components and chips towards high integration, high computing speed and miniaturization, and the computing speed and performance of servers have been greatly improved. At the same time, the heat transfer density on the surface of each component has increased rapidly, so the heat generation has also increased sharply, and the heat dissipation problem needs to be solved urgently. The existing heat dissipation methods are mainly divided into two types: air cooling and liquid cooling. The air cooling method is an indirect contact type of heat dissipation, which is noisy and cannot meet the heat dissipation requirements under high heat generation because the thermal conductivity of air is much lower than that of the cooling liquid. Therefore, for servers with high integration and high heat generation, immersion liquid cooling with higher cooling efficiency can be used for heat dissipation. The immersion liquid cooling method is to place the server in a tank containing coolant, and distribute the coolant to each tank through the cooling liquid monitoring host (Cooling Distribution Unit, CDU). The cooling liquid directly contacts each heat generating element in the server and takes away its heat. After absorbing heat, the cooling liquid exchanges heat with the cooling water in the external heat exchanger, and then returns to the liquid tank through the cooling liquid monitoring host to absorb heat for circulation.

However, the current liquid cooling method includes multiple liquid tanks, and the cooling liquid must be distributed through the cooling liquid monitoring host, which takes up a lot of space and is not efficient. Therefore, how to further save the space occupied by the liquid cooling method and improve the liquid cooling efficiency has become a major design issue.

The present invention provides a liquid cooling device, which integrates an immersion tank and a heat exchanger into one body without the need to distribute the cooling liquid through a cooling liquid monitoring host.

The liquid cooling device disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention is used to store a first coolant and dissipate heat from at least one server through the first coolant. The liquid cooling device includes a housing, an immersion tank, a liquid-cooled heat exchanger, and a plate heat exchanger. The housing has an equipment storage space. The immersion tank is located in the equipment storage space. The immersion tank is used to accommodate at least one server. The liquid-cooled heat exchanger is located in the equipment storage space. The plate heat exchanger is located in the equipment storage space. The plate heat exchanger has a first channel and a second channel that are not connected. The first channel is connected to the immersion tank and together form a first circulation flow channel. The first circulation flow channel is used to accommodate the first coolant. The second channel is connected to the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and together form a second circulation flow channel. The second circulation flow channel is used to accommodate a second coolant. The first coolant and the second coolant perform heat exchange in the plate heat exchanger.

Another embodiment of the present invention discloses a liquid cooling device for storing a cooling liquid and dissipating heat from at least one server through the cooling liquid. The liquid cooling device includes a housing, an immersion tank, and a liquid-cooled heat exchanger. The housing has an equipment storage space. The immersion tank is located in the equipment storage space. The immersion tank is used to accommodate at least one server. The liquid-cooled heat exchanger is located in the equipment storage space. The liquid-cooled heat exchanger is connected to the immersion tank and together forms a circulation channel. The circulation channel is used to accommodate the cooling liquid.

According to the liquid cooling device of the above embodiment, since the immersion tank and the heat exchanger together form a circulation channel for heat exchange, the immersion tank and the heat exchanger can be integrated into one without the need for other external components, and there is no need to distribute the coolant through a coolant monitoring host.

The above description of the content of the present invention and the following description of the implementation method are used to demonstrate and explain the principle of the present invention and provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a three-dimensional front view of the liquid cooling device described in the present invention. Figure 2 is a three-dimensional rear view of the liquid cooling device described in the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plate heat exchanger of Figure 3.

The liquid cooling device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing 11, an immersion tank 12, a liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14, a plate-type heat exchanger 15, a first pump 17, a second pump 18 and a liquid storage tank 19. The housing 11 has an equipment storage space S. The immersion tank 12, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14 and the plate-type heat exchanger 15 are arranged in the equipment storage space S. The immersion tank 12 stores a plurality of servers 20 and contains a first coolant 13. The first coolant 13 is, for example, a fluorinated liquid. The plurality of servers 20 are immersed in the first coolant 13, and the first coolant 13 takes away the heat generated by the plurality of servers 20 when they are in operation. The liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14 is, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger. The plate heat exchanger 15 has a first channel A1 and a second channel A2 which are not connected. The first channel A1, the immersion tank 12 and the first pump 17 are connected through the pipeline L and together form a first circulation channel C1. The first circulation channel C1 is used to accommodate the first coolant 13. The first pump 17 drives the first coolant 13 to circulate in the first circulation channel C1. The second channel A2, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14, the second pump 18 and the liquid storage tank 19 are connected through the pipeline L and together form a second circulation channel C2. The second circulation channel C2 is used to accommodate a second coolant 16. The second coolant 16 is, for example, water. The second pump 18 drives the second coolant 16 to circulate in the second circulation channel C2. The liquid storage tank 19 stores the second coolant 16 after the heat is dissipated by the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14. The first coolant 13 and the second coolant 16 exchange heat in the first channel A1 and the second channel A2 in the plate heat exchanger 15. In this way, the first coolant 13 takes away the heat generated by the operation of the plurality of servers 20, and under the drive of the first pump 17, the first coolant 13 circulates in the first circulation channel C1 formed by the first channel A1 in the plate heat exchanger 15, the immersion tank 12 and the first pump 17 connected through the pipeline L. In addition, the second coolant 16, driven by the second pump 18, circulates in the second circulation channel C2 formed by the second channel A2 in the plate heat exchanger 15 that is not connected to the first channel A1, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14, the second pump 18, and the liquid storage tank 19 connected through the pipeline L. The first coolant 13 and the second coolant 16 perform heat exchange in the first channel A1 and the second channel A2 in the plate heat exchanger 15.

In this embodiment, the number of the server 20 is multiple, but not limited to this. In other embodiments, the server may also be only a single one.

In this embodiment, since the immersion tank 12 for accommodating and dissipating heat of the server 20 and the liquid cooling heat exchanger 14 for dissipating heat inside the immersion tank 12 are integrated in the same housing, the liquid cooling device 10 can be used alone when in use. In other words, the liquid cooling device 10 does not need an additional external cooling liquid monitoring unit (CDU) to distribute the first cooling liquid 13 and cool the first cooling liquid 13 in the liquid cooling device 10, and can be used alone.

In the present embodiment, the purpose of specially disposing the plate heat exchanger 15 to distinguish the first circulation flow channel C1 and the second circulation flow channel C2 which are independent and not connected to each other is that if the internal flow channel space of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14 is larger, then by using the plate heat exchanger 15 to distinguish the first circulation flow channel C1 and the second circulation flow channel C2 which are independent and not connected to each other, the more expensive first cooling liquid 13 can only flow in the first circulation flow channel C1 and will not flow into the second circulation flow channel C2 and the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14 on the second circulation flow channel C2. Since the first coolant 13 does not flow through the internal flow channel of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14 and flows through a smaller area and space, the amount of the first coolant 13 can be reduced, thereby reducing the operating cost of the liquid cooling device 10.

In this embodiment, the first channel A1 and the second channel A2 are zigzag channels, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first channel A1 and the second channel A2 may be straight channels.

The liquid cooling device 10 further includes a cover 30 . The cover 30 and the housing 11 together surround the equipment storage space S. The cover 30 has a transparent window 31 , such as a glass window. The equipment storage space S is exposed to the outside through the transparent window 31 , so that the operator can monitor the internal conditions of the liquid cooling device 10 through the transparent window 31 .

The liquid cooling device 10 further includes a control panel 32 disposed on the cover 30. The control panel 32 is used to monitor various current states of the liquid cooling device 10, such as liquid level state, flow state, temperature state, etc.

The liquid cooling device 10 further includes two fans 40. The housing 11 has a first vent O1 and a second vent O2 on opposite sides, and the two fans 40 are located at one of the vents. When the two fans 40 are running in the forward direction, they are used to guide an air flow to flow through the liquid cooling heat exchanger 14 and dissipate heat. When the two fans 40 are running in the reverse direction, they are used to suck dust on the liquid cooling heat exchanger 14 out of the housing 11.

In this embodiment, the number of fans 40 is two, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the number of fans may be only one or more than three.

The liquid cooling device 10 further includes a plurality of power interfaces 50 disposed on one side of the housing 11 and electrically connected to the server 20, the control panel 32, the fan 40, the first pump 17, and the second pump 18. The plurality of power interfaces are used to transmit power required for operation and provide redundant protection for the server 20.

The liquid cooling device 10 further includes a liquid level sensor 60, which is disposed outside the immersion tank 12 in the equipment storage space S. The liquid level sensor 60 is connected to the immersion tank 12 through a pipeline to sense the liquid level of the first coolant 13, and is electrically connected to the control panel 32. When the liquid level of the first coolant 13 is too high, the control panel 32 will issue an alarm.

The liquid cooling device 10 further includes a flow meter 70. The flow meter 70 is connected to the second circulation flow channel C2 and is disposed between the second pump 18 and the liquid storage tank 19. The flow meter 70 is used to monitor the flow of the second cooling liquid 16 and is electrically connected to the control panel 32.

Please refer to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

The liquid cooling device 10A of the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing 11A, an immersion tank 12A, a liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14A and a pump 15A. The housing 11A has an equipment storage space S. The immersion tank 12A and the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14A are arranged in the equipment storage space S. The immersion tank 12A stores a plurality of servers 20A and contains a cooling liquid 13A. The cooling liquid 13A is, for example, a fluorinated liquid. The plurality of servers 20A are immersed in the cooling liquid 13A, and the cooling liquid 13A takes away the heat generated by the plurality of servers 20A during operation. The liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14A is, for example, a fin-tube heat exchanger. The immersion tank 12A, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14A, and the pump 15A are connected through the pipe L and together form a circulation channel CA. The circulation channel CA is used to contain the cooling liquid 13A. The pump 15A drives the cooling liquid 13A to circulate in the circulation channel CA. In this way, the cooling liquid 13A takes away the heat generated when the multiple servers 20A are in operation, and under the drive of the pump 15A, the cooling liquid 13A circulates in the circulation channel CA formed by the immersion tank 12A, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14A, and the pump 15A connected through the pipe L.

In this embodiment, the number of the server 20A is multiple, but not limited to this. In other embodiments, the server may also be only a single one.

In this embodiment, since the immersion tank 12A for accommodating and dissipating heat of the server 20A and the liquid cooling heat exchanger 14A for dissipating heat inside the immersion tank 12A are integrated in the same housing, the liquid cooling device 10A can be used alone when in use. In other words, the liquid cooling device 10A does not need an additional external cooling liquid monitoring unit (CDU) to distribute the cooling liquid 13A and cool the cooling liquid 13A in the liquid cooling device 10, and can be used alone.

In this embodiment, the purpose of locating the immersion tank 12A and the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14A in the same circulation channel is that if the internal flow channel space of the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14A is small, the amount of cooling liquid 13A used will not be greatly affected, and there is no need to worry about the problem of excessive cost. The setting of the liquid cooling device 10A can be simplified to save a pump and a liquid storage tank. In this way, the immersion tank 12A, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger 14A and the pump 15A can directly form a circulation channel CA through the pipeline L, which can simplify the configuration of the liquid cooling device.

The liquid cooling device 10A further includes a cover 30 , which together with the housing 11A surrounds the equipment storage space S. The cover 30 has a transparent window 31 , such as a glass window. The equipment storage space S is exposed to the outside through the transparent window 31 , so that the operator can monitor the internal conditions of the liquid cooling device 10A through the transparent window 31 .

The liquid cooling device 10A further includes a control panel 32 disposed on the cover 30. The control panel 32 is used to monitor various current states of the liquid cooling device 10A, such as liquid level state, flow state, temperature state, etc.

The liquid cooling device 10A further includes two fans 40. The housing 11A has a first vent O1 and a second vent O2 on opposite sides, and the two fans 40 are located at one of the vents. When the two fans 40 are running in the forward direction, they are used to guide an air flow to flow through the liquid cooling heat exchanger 14A and dissipate heat. When the two fans 40 are running in the reverse direction, they are used to suck dust on the liquid cooling heat exchanger 14A out of the housing 11A.

In this embodiment, the number of fans 40 is two, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the number of fans may be only one or more than three.

The liquid cooling device 10A further includes a plurality of power supply interfaces 50 disposed on one side of the housing 11A and electrically connected to the server 20A, the control panel 32, the fan 40 and the pump 15A. The plurality of power supply interfaces are used to transmit the power required for operation and provide redundant protection for the server 20A.

The liquid cooling device 10A further includes a liquid level sensor 60, which is disposed outside the immersion tank 12A in the equipment storage space S. The liquid level sensor 60 is connected to the immersion tank 12A through a pipeline to sense the liquid level of the cooling liquid 13A, and is electrically connected to the control panel 32. When the liquid level of the cooling liquid 13A is too high, the control panel 32 will issue an alarm.

The liquid cooling device 10A further includes a flow meter 70. The flow meter 70 is connected to the circulation channel CA and is disposed between the pump 15A and the immersion tank 12A. The flow meter 70 is used to monitor the flow of the cooling liquid 13A and is electrically connected to the control panel 32.

According to the liquid cooling device of the above-mentioned embodiment, since the immersion tank and the heat exchanger together constitute a circulation channel, and the coolant is driven by a pump to circulate in the circulation channel to perform heat exchange, and the heat is taken out of the casing by a fan, the immersion tank and the heat exchanger can be integrated into one without the need for other external components, and there is no need to distribute the coolant through a coolant monitoring host.

Although the present invention is disclosed as above with the aforementioned embodiments, they are not used to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in similar techniques may make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the patent protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the scope defined by the application patent attached to this specification.

10: Liquid cooling device 11: Housing 12: Immersion tank 13: First coolant 14: Liquid-cooled heat exchanger 15: Plate heat exchanger 16: Second coolant 17: First pump 18: Second pump 19: Liquid storage tank 20: Server 30: Cover 31: Transparent window 32: Control panel 40: Fan 50: Power supply interface 60: Liquid level sensor 70: Flow meter S: Equipment storage space O1: First vent O2: Second vent A1: First channel A2: Second channel C1: First circulation channel C2: Second circulation channel L: Pipeline 10A: Liquid cooling device 11A: Housing 12A: Immersion tank 13A: Coolant 14A: Liquid-cooled heat exchanger 15A: Pump 20A: Server CA: Circulation channel

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional front view of the liquid cooling device described in the present invention. FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional rear view of the liquid cooling device described in the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plate heat exchanger of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

10: Liquid cooling device

11: Shell

12: Immersion tank

13: First cooling liquid

14: Liquid-cooled heat exchanger

15: Plate heat exchanger

16: Second coolant

17: First Pump

18: Second Pump

19: Liquid storage tank

20: Server

30: Cover

60: Liquid level sensor

70: Flow meter

S: Equipment storage space

C1: First circulation channel

C2: Second circulation channel

L: Pipeline

Claims (10)

A liquid cooling device is used to store a first cooling liquid and to dissipate heat from at least one server through the first cooling liquid. The liquid cooling device comprises: A housing having an equipment storage space; an immersion tank located in the equipment storage space, the immersion tank being used to accommodate the at least one server; a liquid-cooled heat exchanger located in the equipment storage space; and a plate-type heat exchanger located in the equipment storage space, the plate-type heat exchanger having a first channel and a second channel that are not connected, the first channel being connected to the immersion tank and forming a first circulation channel together, the first circulation channel being used to accommodate the first coolant, the second channel being connected to the liquid-cooled heat exchanger and forming a second circulation channel together, the second circulation channel being used to accommodate a second coolant, the first coolant and the second coolant performing heat exchange in the plate-type heat exchanger. The liquid cooling device as described in claim 1 further includes a first pump, which is connected to the first circulation channel and drives the first cooling liquid to circulate in the first circulation channel. The liquid cooling device as described in claim 1 further includes a second pump, which is connected to the second circulation channel and drives the second cooling liquid to circulate in the second circulation channel. The liquid cooling device as described in claim 1 further includes a liquid storage tank, which is connected to the second circulation channel and is used to store the second coolant. The liquid cooling device as described in claim 1 further includes a cover, which together with the shell surrounds the equipment storage space, and the cover has a transparent window, and the equipment storage space is exposed to the outside through the transparent window. The liquid cooling device as described in claim 1 further includes at least one fan, and the housing has two vents on opposite sides. The at least one fan is located at one of the vents to guide an air flow through the liquid-cooled heat exchanger to dissipate heat. A liquid cooling device is used to store a cooling liquid and dissipate heat from at least one server through the cooling liquid. The liquid cooling device comprises: a housing having an equipment storage space; an immersion tank located in the equipment storage space and used to accommodate the at least one server; and a liquid-cooled heat exchanger located in the equipment storage space, the liquid-cooled heat exchanger is connected to the immersion tank and together forms a circulation channel, the circulation channel is used to accommodate the cooling liquid. The liquid cooling device as described in claim 7 further includes a pump, which is connected to the circulation channel and drives the cooling liquid to circulate in the circulation channel. The liquid cooling device as described in claim 7 further includes a cover, which together with the shell surrounds the equipment storage space, and the cover has a transparent window, and the equipment storage space is exposed to the outside through the transparent window. The liquid cooling device as described in claim 7 further includes at least one fan, and the housing has two vents on opposite sides. The at least one fan is located at one of the vents to guide an air flow through the liquid-cooled heat exchanger to dissipate heat.