# US 11,906,092 B2 · Quick-disconnect assembly for a fluid line in a server

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- Number: US 11,906,092 B2
- Document ID: US11906092B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/804,772
- Filed: 2022-05-31
- Published: 2023-09-28
- Granted: 2024-02-20
- Earliest claimed: 2022-03-25
- Assignees: Quanta Computer Inc.
- Applicants: Quanta Computer Inc.
- Inventors: Chao-Jung Chen; Chih-Hsiang Lee; Wei-Pin Chen; Jyue Hou
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906092B2

## CPC

- F16L 37/127: using hooks hinged about an axis {(F16L37/1215 takes precedence)}
- F16L 37/20: Joints tightened by toggle-action levers
- H05K 7/20272: {Accessories for moving fluid, for expanding fluid, for connecting fluid conduits, for distributing fluid, for removing gas or for preventing leakage, e.g. pumps, tanks or manifolds}
- H05K 7/20781: {within cabinets for removing heat from server blades}
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

## Abstract

A quick-disconnect (QD) connector is configured for a server having electronic modules and an internal fluid circulation system for circulating fluid to cool the electronic modules. The QD connector comprises a first manifold, a second manifold, and a mating actuator. The second manifold is removably connected to the first manifold. The fluid is flowable within the internal fluid circulation system of the server in response to the first manifold and the second manifold being in a connected state. The mating actuator includes a handle and a buckle attached to the handle. The handle is movably coupled to the first manifold so as to be movable from a first position to a second position. The buckle is configured to engage the second manifold and to move the first and second manifolds into the connected state in response to the handle being moved from the first position to the second position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A server having electronic modules producing waste heat and an internal fluid circulation system for cooling the electronic modules, the server comprising:
a chassis defining a region in which the electronic modules are located, the chassis including a fluid inlet-port region for receiving fluid for the internal fluid circulation system and a fluid outlet-port region for removing the fluid from the internal fluid circulation system;
a quick-disconnect (QD) connector associated within at least one of the fluid inlet-port region and the fluid outlet-port region, the QD connector being fluidically coupled to the internal fluid circulation system, the QD connector including a fixed manifold coupled to the chassis and a removable manifold that is removably connected to the fixed manifold, the fluid being flowable through the fixed manifold and the removable manifold in response to the fixed manifold and the removable manifold being in a connected state; and
a manual mating actuator associated with the QD connector, the manual mating actuator including a handle and a buckle, and wherein, in response to the handle being moved from a first position to a second position, the buckle moves the removable manifold into the connected state with fixed manifold.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The server of claim 1, wherein the handle and the buckle are connected at a hinge.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The server of claim 2, wherein the handle moves from the first position to the second position around a pivot point.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The server of claim 3, wherein the pivot point is located on the removable manifold.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The server of claim 4, wherein the buckle engages the fixed manifold when the handle is moved from the first position to the second position to pull the removable manifold toward to the fixed manifold.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The server of claim 5, wherein the fixed manifold includes a groove for receiving the buckle.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The server of claim 1, wherein the buckle includes a curved latch, and wherein one of the fixed and removable manifolds includes a circumferentially arranged groove for receiving the curved latch when the handle is moved from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The server of claim 1, wherein the handle is attached to one of the fixed and removable manifolds, and the buckle is releasably coupled to the other of the fixed and removable manifolds.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The server of claim 8, wherein, in response to moving the handle from the second position to the first position, the buckle is releasable from the other of the fixed and removable manifolds.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The server of claim 1, wherein the fixed and removable manifolds include mating portions that automatically permit fluid flow when the fixed manifold and the removable manifold are in the connected state, and automatically prohibit fluid from leaking when the fixed manifold and the removable manifold are in a disconnected state.

### Claim 11

A server comprising:
a chassis configured to receive electronic modules;
an internal fluid circulation system configured to circulate a fluid that cools the electronic modules; and
a quick-disconnect (QD) connector including
a first manifold;
a second manifold that is removably connected to the first manifold, the fluid being flowable within the internal fluid circulation system of the server in response to the first manifold and the second manifold being in a connected state; and
a mating actuator including a handle and a buckle attached to the handle, the handle being movably coupled to the first manifold so as to be movable from a first position to a second position, the buckle configured to engage the second manifold and to move the first and second manifolds into the connected state in response to the handle being moved from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The server of claim 11, wherein the handle pivotably moves around a pivot connection point on the first manifold.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The server of claim 11, wherein the handle and the buckle are connected at a hinge.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The server of claim 13, wherein the buckle includes a latch that engages a groove in the second manifold.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The server of claim 14, wherein the latch is a curved latch and the groove is a circumferentially arranged groove on the second manifold that is configured to receive the curved latch.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The server of claim 11, wherein, in response to moving the handle from the second position to the first position, the buckle is releasable from the second manifold.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The server of claim 11, wherein the first and second manifolds include channel portions that automatically permit fluid flow when the first and second manifolds are in the connected state, and that automatically prohibit fluid from leaking when the first and second manifolds are in a disconnected state.

### Claim 18

A method of connecting first and second manifolds of a quick-disconnect (QD) connector that provides fluid to a server having electronic modules, the method comprising:
initially engaging a first channel portion of the first manifold with a second channel portion of the second manifold;
moving a buckle into engagement with a portion of the second manifold, the buckle being coupled to a handle, the handle being in a first position when the buckle is moved into engagement with the second manifold; and
moving the handle from the first position to a second position so as to cause the first and second manifolds to be moved together and placed in a connected state.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the handle and the buckle are coupled at a hinge.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the handle is connected to the first manifold at a pivot point, the moving including pivoting the handle around the pivot point from the first position to the second position.